pS for evga 260sc and ps for 8800gtsoc

[mrbill]

I decided to jump in and buy the evga card. Build up my 2nd computer, and upgade my main one.

My 1st question is my antec 500 earthwatts PS good enough to run the 260sc? 5v24a, 3v24a, 12v22a,12v22a, 12v.08a and 5vsb 2.5a

antec sonata 3 case with 500 earthwatts
evga 260
asus p5n-d with e8400
2 sata hdd drives
audigy 2zs platinum sound card
1 lg dvd burner sata
2gb

I guess there is a chance I would trade up this card to 280 and possibly go sli. but not likely.


the second computer has:
antec sonata 2 case (I think its antec 380w true power)
ecs g31t-m with e8400
bfg 8800gts oc
audigy 2 platinum
1 sata hdd
1 eide hdd
2 dvd burners
2gb ram

2nd question: is the sonata 2 case power supply good enough to power the 8800gts oc?

My concern is the the 380w is not good enough and I will need a PS for that case. If thats the case, then I plan to replace it with one large enough to handle the evga 280 in sli. What size would your recommend for that job.

 

[Zap]

The EarthWatts 500 should be fine for the 8800 GTS system, but a bit anemic for a GTX 260. I would just trickle down that 500W for the lesser system, and then get a PSU for the better system that can handle two GTX 260 cards.

To take the guesswork out of choosing, SLI Zone has a list of certified PSUs for doing GTX 260 in SLI. The lowest wattage is a BFG ES-800 PSU. You just missed out on a deal on those from Newegg for $90 shipped after rebate - AFAIK ended yesterday.

 

[DSF]

With 60A on the 12V rail and four 6+2 pin PCI-e connectors, the Corsair 750TX should handle double GT260s just fine.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...E16817139006&Tpk=750tx

 

[mrbill]

thanks for the advice. I was thinking 500w was a bit weak. I will pick up a larger one and use the 500 on the lesser system. So something around 800w is what I would need for SLI.

I need a decent power supply to fix a 5v problem in one of my pinballs, the old one will go to good use.

One last question, will plugging my computer into a kill a watt meter tell me anyting about how much power the system is using or will it just tell me 500w as thats what the PS is rated?

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: mrbill
So something around 800w is what I would need for SLI.

For SLI GTX 260? Yes.

Originally posted by: mrbill
I need a decent power supply to fix a 5v problem in one of my pinballs, the old one will go to good use.

:thumbsup:

Originally posted by: mrbill
One last question, will plugging my computer into a kill a watt meter tell me anyting about how much power the system is using or will it just tell me 500w as thats what the PS is rated?

You will find out roughly how much power your system is pulling from the wall, not what your computer uses.* Those devices are not 100% accurate and the Active PFC circuitry in some power supplies may throw off the reading. They are useful to have in your toolbox (indeed I have one - Seasonic Power Angel - same thing under different plastic), but don't take the numbers as gospel.

*What I mean is that if it shows you are using 400W and you know your power supply is 80% efficient, your components will be drawing around 320W.