Minimum wattage PSU for an SLI setup?

[FireAndForget]

Assuming I go with a good quality PSU (OCZ, Antec, Enermax, etc...).

What would be the minumum I would want to go with for an SLI mobo?

I plan on having the following hardware:

Asus A8N SLI Mobo
1 (and eventually 2) 6800 GT GFX cards
1 or 2 gig of RAM
2 SATA HDD's
A few external USB devices

I don't really plan on doing any OCing.

Thanks!

 

[jterrell]

I'd say 500 watts.
I like the 530 watt FSP myself.

 

[biostud]

search and you will find. There's a huge thread about this somewhere in here.

 

[LED]

ASUS recommends @ least 450Watts for a SLI system with an Athlon FX 55 and GeForce 6800 Ultra ...

 

[Tiamat]

Problem is, for a high end cpu, you need a strong 12V rail, and for high end GPU, i believe they stress the 5V rail a lot (somebody correct me if im wrong). So, there is no way around getting a high wattage psu - that is a good company. Id say Antec TruePower 480 would be a good starting spot. Things like the Neopower, OCZ psus, Upper wattage Enermax's are what you are looking for. The really efficient ones like the Phantom by antec, and Seasonics, may not output quite enough - at least until middle of next year when the 500 and 600 W versions become available.

 

[Duvie]

Look at a Modstream opr powerstream by OCZ.... I think the antecs ar a bit low on the 12v and the enrmaxes are the higher ones....


I think the powerstream has adjustable pots and like the modstream is BX standard ready....

 

[Vegito]

there are 700/900 watt psu in development for sli systems...

 

[Mogh]

Check out the Asus manual for this board. It actually lists the Nvidia video cards vs PSU size.

http://www.asus.com/pub/ASUS/m...889_a8n_sli_deluxe.zip

 

[Duvie]

I also like the idea of dual 12v rails..one that is dedicated just for the cpu as well...

 

[ohnnyj]

What about PC Power and Cooling?

 

[mechBgon]

Since no one else has mentioned it yet, I will: note that the A8N SLI uses a 24-pin ATX plug, so that will help narrow down your choices quite a bit

 

[FlasHBurN]

Originally posted by: Tiamat
Problem is, for a high end cpu, you need a strong 12V rail, and for high end GPU, i believe they stress the 5V rail a lot (somebody correct me if im wrong). So, there is no way around getting a high wattage psu - that is a good company. Id say Antec TruePower 480 would be a good starting spot. Things like the Neopower, OCZ psus, Upper wattage Enermax's are what you are looking for. The really efficient ones like the Phantom by antec, and Seasonics, may not output quite enough - at least until middle of next year when the 500 and 600 W versions become available.

I have been thinking about getting the Antec Neopower 480, but does it have PCIE power connectors and a 24pin connector for the motherboard?

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: Mogh
Check out the Asus manual for this board. It actually lists the Nvidia video cards vs PSU size.

http://www.asus.com/pub/ASUS/m...889_a8n_sli_deluxe.zip

Here's a pic from the manual, for those who just want to view the info about the power: pic link.

 

[DrCool]

here is an excellent site that you can use for guidence on your potential configs needs:
http://www.jscustompcs.com/power_supply/

if you want an excellent power supply, with some extra overhead, you can't go wrong with the OCZ PowerStream 520W:
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=17-104-152&depa=0

OCZ has taken attention to detail to a whole new level, with their powerstream series
review: http://www.insanetek.com/index...age=OCZPowerstream420W

 

[Edward Lee]

I don't understand the obsession with SLI. How practial is it to have 2 graphics cards?
I'd rather wait till something with dual cores comes.

 

[DrCool]

Originally posted by: Edward Lee
I don't understand the obsession with SLI. How practial is it to have 2 graphics cards?
I'd rather wait till something with dual cores comes.

new technology comes out every 3-6 months, so if your always waiting for the 'next' big thing, you'll be waiting forever, and never make any purchases..

just make the best choice of the technology that is avalible NOW, and then upgrade every 6-12 months..

 

[Duvie]

Originally posted by: DrCool

Originally posted by: Edward Lee
I don't understand the obsession with SLI. How practial is it to have 2 graphics cards?
I'd rather wait till something with dual cores comes.

new technology comes out every 3-6 months, so if your always waiting for the 'next' big thing, you'll be waiting forever, and never make any purchases..

just make the best choice of the technology that is avalible NOW, and then upgrade every 6-12 months..

agreed...

:thumbsup:

 

[jose]

This one could probably handle an SLI system...

http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=17-103-714&depa=0

I would not go lower than 500w ps. ie

Antec 550EPS(+12V @ 36A), OCZ 520 Powerstream(+12V @ 33A),
or PC Power & Cooling 510(+12V @ 34A).. or the big Zippy(+12V @ 45A).

Regards,
Jose

 

[FlasHBurN]

Originally posted by: FlasHBurN

Originally posted by: Tiamat
Problem is, for a high end cpu, you need a strong 12V rail, and for high end GPU, i believe they stress the 5V rail a lot (somebody correct me if im wrong). So, there is no way around getting a high wattage psu - that is a good company. Id say Antec TruePower 480 would be a good starting spot. Things like the Neopower, OCZ psus, Upper wattage Enermax's are what you are looking for. The really efficient ones like the Phantom by antec, and Seasonics, may not output quite enough - at least until middle of next year when the 500 and 600 W versions become available.

I have been thinking about getting the Antec Neopower 480, but does it have PCIE power connectors and a 24pin connector for the motherboard?

It seems it includes the PCIE power connector, but I still am not sure if it is a 20pin or 24pin power connector for the motherboard.