PS Needed , New build - i7 3.2, gtx 480

[CZJZ]

Hi, I am building a new rig, main specs i7, 3.2 ghz w\ a Mugen-2 HS, antec 900 case, one evga gtx 480. I know the GTX 480 states a minimum 600W PS and I was planning on buying the Corsair 750HX.

I know this PS will push the specs above fine but in about a year I think I will add a 2nd GTX 480 video card so my question is will the HX 750 be enough to push the rig?


Thanks for the help.

 

[fffblackmage]

I don't think so. Those GTX480s are power-hungry.

Or, you could just buy yourself a GTX680 in a year or so instead?

 

[996GT2]

Two GTX 480s is pushing it with an HX750. I'd recommend at least a TX/HX850.

Edit: Alternatively you can sell the GTX 480 and get an HD 6970 for $330? More power efficient and about the same performance.

Two HD 6970s in Crossfire only result in total system draw of 601W:

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

And you don't really want to be pushing your PSU at those Load power consumption watts for long periods of time.

 

[CZJZ]

I kind of thought the 750 would not cut it for 2 but I could not find that chart from which you all posted and I had seen mentioned in other posts. Hmmm, perhaps I will get the 750 and plan on doing the one GTX 480 now and in a year see where video cards are as I am sure there will be cards that will knock the socks off what is out there now.

Looks like one of my options being the GTX 680 fffblackmage mentioned above and selling the 480 at that time. This leads to more questions however that I do not know the answers to like 1 GTX680 is better than 2 GTX480's in crossfire? lol

(Off hand I would think the one 680 would perform better being newer technology, 40% less power hungry but I am ignorant other than the brief reading I did on the 680 2 mins ago after reading fff's post)

I appreciate the other suggestions on the radeons config but I think I like the 680 route the best even though I could spend a little extra now and get a 850 PS or 1000W and get a 2nd GTX 480 next year at a much lower price than the one I just bought.

 

[fire400]

get an 850w

get your 480

get another 480 off fs/tr forum.

sell both and upgrade to the 680 later.

stop wasting time.

 

[pugh]

get an 850w

get your 480

get another 480 off fs/tr forum.

sell both and upgrade to the 680 later.

stop wasting time.

+1

"This leads to more questions however that I do not know the answers to like 1 GTX680 is better than 2 GTX480's in crossfire? lol "

There is no Crossfire w/Nvidia

 

[CZJZ]

Ahh, thanks for pointing that out pugh. My thought process was correct but my ignorance on the subject (2x vid cards) had me using the wrong terminolgy.... i should have said sli not crossfire. I have never done dual vid cards but now i know a little more

 

[Quincunx]

I've got a 750W Corsair for you. It's not the modular model, but it's $75 shipped! ^_^
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2134477

SLI is overrated anyway (Crossfire as well). Unless you're running three monitors, a single card should be more than enough to push the 2 megapixels that you're most likely running, especially when backed by a fast i7.. Just upgrade to a new beastly single card in a few months.

 

[CZJZ]

Dang Quincunx now you got me flip - flop N' like a fish out of water.lol I just posted a new thread on which 850 to buy.haha

Well I have never done 2x vids so I don't know how the performance would be compared to 1 newer "good" video card. As I mentioned above I think newer technology would prevail over older hardware even doubled up but I am curious to see sli work first hand.

Thus, that is why I had decided to get the 850 in case i did do sli. Now you have me re-thinking 2x GPU's and would I ever run them anyway.hahaha

I do appreciate the info on the cheaper $75 unit but this one thing I can say for sure and that is I love the modular units now that I have one. For personal builds that is the only route I will go until something better comes along. I love being able to use what you need w\ the modulars and not having excess wires to wrangle with and interferring w\ air flow.

I will be ordering something today. My other posts will still be useful but i may revert back to the 750 vs 850 now that you got the voices in my head arguing again.haha

 

[Quincunx]

Haha, sorry if I've made it harder! I don't think there's anything wrong with SLI or Crossfire setups, they definitely provide a performance boost and can run games with uber high-end settings much better (Crysis, Metro 2033 and as I found out recently, The Witcher 2).

For me it's just a matter of cost vs. performance. Yes you're going to get a boost for sure and will have the bragging rights of running the newest fanciest engines a good frame rates, but for the other 20 games you own, you'll be getting 100+ FPS, which is simply not required for a good gaming experience.

At the end of the day if you:

A. Enjoy the bragging rights.
B. Like to be able to start a game and set everything to maximum without thinking about it.
C. (most importantly!) Have the bug to simply experienment with new technology you haven't tried before.

I'm sure an SLI setup will keep you happy, regardless of price!

Good luck with your built, I'm jealous! ^_^

 

[nvidiaintelftw]

I have a Corsair HX1000 for sale $150 shipped