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Next step: upgrading the PSU/video?

M

Mr Bob

Golden Member
Right now I am running a Fortron AX500-A PSU that has been great. I didn't anticipate having so many hard drives, else I would have got something more than 500 watts.

I have been thinking about upgrading my video card & PSU for some time now, but never had the funds to do it until now. Right now I run the BFG 6600GT OC card.

When I saw the deal for the X1800 XL for $200 shipped, I figured it was time to upgrade. The problem is that I don't think I should upgrade my video card without upgrading the PSU as well.

1) Will my current 500watt PSU handle the new X1800XL card?
2) For the price range of $200-$225/$250, is the X1800XL the best card (performance/price)?
3) Any suggestions for a PSU? I was thinking of grabbing the 700watt version of the PSU that I currently run for $170@ newegg.

I can swing about $400 total, so the 700watt fortron psu and $200 X1800XL would fit in my budget. Rig is in the sig.
 
In all the PSU threads, I see recommendations for lesser powered units; this is a pleasant surprise to see someone who knows what he wants.
700W is the best coverage for what you proposed in your rig. Good research, you can't do better unless your go to PC Power & Cooling 850W
 
look...if you're not running a dual gpu solution, you don't need 700w. If the antec neohe 550w didn't get so bad reviews I would recommend that but seeing as it totally sucks according to newegg, zipzoomfly and mwave reviews, I have to recommend this. Its the enhance 0560g. It is 600w with 16 amps on the 12v1 rail, 18amps on the 12v2 rail and 16 amps on each of the 12v3 and 12v4 rails. Quad 12v rails...yeah! Its fully modular and I think 80% efficiancy. Its a good buy from ewiz for $115 shipped. Use the saved case to get this. The x1800xt with 256mb of memory. Its a steal for just $225 shipped after MIR. That totals to $340...good buy!
 
"if you're not running a dual gpu solution, you don't need 700w"
- Right now I don't run that, but I expect to have some major upgrades to hardware.

I expect to have a quad opteron server board w/ 12-15 hard drives, 2-4 dvd burners, couple raid cards, 4gb ram, etc...

If you can honestly say a 550 watt can handle that kind of load, can you prove it? Any literature I can read about? For the amount of $$ I have spent and will spend, a faulty PSU can ruin my system.
 
if you've unlimited $$$ to drop on the system just get a turbocool 850 like someone said, if not go to psuinquisitor.com. I'll get back to you later i've got to run...
 
"if you've unlimited $$$ to drop on the system"
- I have a budget > I can swing about $400 total, possibly $425.
 
With all those hard drives the 700 watt FSP unit you suggested is your best bet it looks like you have 4 10k hdds and 5 7200rpm hdds thats 9 total the 700watt fsp unit should handle that w/ no issues
 
Originally posted by: Mr Bob
"if you're not running a dual gpu solution, you don't need 700w"
- Right now I don't run that, but I expect to have some major upgrades to hardware.

I expect to have a quad opteron server board w/ 12-15 hard drives, 2-4 dvd burners, couple raid cards, 4gb ram, etc...

If you can honestly say a 550 watt can handle that kind of load, can you prove it? Any literature I can read about? For the amount of $$ I have spent and will spend, a faulty PSU can ruin my system.
Click to expand...

You didn't make that very clear in your orginal post.

With four physical CPUs and that many hard drives, I would say something like that 700 watt Forton would be the bare minimum, the 850 watt PCP&C would be a better bet or maybe dual 500 watt units.

SPCR dose very good HD testing and takes power readings for all the drives they test, you read about their methodology here
 
"With four physical CPUs and that many hard drives"
- It would be two dual core opterons, still think that 700watt wouldn't work?
 
Yes that 700 watt unit should power just about anything you throw at it w/ the exception of some exotic systems or 20+ hard drives and the system you described.
 
Originally posted by: Mr Bob
"With four physical CPUs and that many hard drives"
- It would be two dual core opterons, still think that 700watt wouldn't work?
Click to expand...

Two vs. four actually CPUs makes a pretty big difference. In the case of dual CPUs 700 watts seems more realistic, but still rather close based on the rough numbers I came up with.

2x 125 watt Opterons = 250 watts
12-15x HDs (figure 18 watts peak, liberal estimate) = 216-270 watts
1x 1800XL = 50+ watts

That?s 570 watts which is completely un-scientific but is probably relatively close. It also doesn?t include the motherboard, RAM or optical drives though their contributions are relatively marginal.
 
If I end up four double core cpus, I think I would have enough money to actually upgrade the PSU. However, I plan to have two dual core opterons. I don't want to upgrade my PSU when I end up getting the server board with two dual core opterons.

Anyone else care to share their opinions?
 
hi again...
yeah, you omitted the part where you have a jubilee of hard drives and a million drives.
in that light, fortron is probably your best bet, its a shame they only make the 700w version in the blue storm model, all it is is a blue paint job and sheethed cables. You could save like $50 if they had a simpler version, but alas... you'd be happy with the fx700 and its got 15amps on all four rails, so thats good.
 
for that high end system i'd go with a PCPC 850 or might as well go all out and spend a lil more for the 1k system. might as well
 
For $50, I don't have to wrap the cables myself, for that it is worth it to me.

If I don't OC the video card, any idea how that x1800xt 256mb will run with my setup and a stock fan?
 
sell your psu and graphic card

get a 550 watts or whatever you need. try extreme.outervision.com

try to get radeon 1800XT for arnd 220$ or 512mb radeon 1800xt ard 330$ or 7900GTx arnd 320$ as somebody bought or usual 7900GTX/1900XT, starting at arnd 375$(inclusive of rebate), geforce may be mroe expensive.
 
"Zippy PSL-6850P"
- $300+ from what I saw... By running through the "psu calculator" it says I should get something 600-625 watts for two dual core opterons. So the 700 watt psu will keep me under my mark.

"get a 550 watts or whatever you need. try extreme.outervision.com"
- 550? I already have a 500, why would I want to upgrade to only another 50 watts?
 
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