SLI power requirements?

[AndyBogard]

I know the boards are not available yet, but maybe somebody has heard something. Has anybody heard what the power requirements would be for an SLI equipped system? I'm thinking of building a new computer and was thinking of holding off till SLI came out, I would probaly use somewhere between an Athlon 3500+ to FX-53 for the processor (Socket 939), coupled with 2 PCIe Geforce 6800 Ultras, 1 200GB hard drive, probaly at least 4 case fans (possibly more, heat is the enemy), and possibly some lighting in the form of LED fans, fireflies, and possibly a few other case lights. I know that would require alot, I wonder if a 550 watt power supply would be able to do that, or if a 600 watt or more is needed.

I want to build this pc for gaming, and general use. This will be my second computer I've built, my first while alright is nothing impressive at all.

 

[Mrvile]

So you're willing to put your whole life savings into this? 700 bucks for the CPU, 1200 for the vid cards...

 

[ts3433]

If you do go forward with that, I'd estimate you should be fine with at least a good name-brand 430W-480W; just make sure it has enough amps on each rail (especially the +12V rail). (doh--make that 500+ since you have 6800U's, I'm always half asleep)

 

[AndyBogard]

While yes I know thats alot of money, you know I'm not the only out there thats doing this. I plan to spread out my purchases over a period of months, getting the essentials first. I do have responsibility with money, I know my bills come first (don't want my car towed away), but I don't have a ton of bills to pay each month, which affords me plenty of spending cash. My situtation is: I'm 2 years out of high school, I work a full time job, I live at home (parents aren't asking for rent, and I get along with them, I don't plan on staying forever, just until I finish school nearby), I'm going to be attending school again for a career path starting in January (its a 2 year program). My main bills are car payment, insurance, my part of the cable bill, and paying off a medical bill for my cat.

Oh and if your wondering what happened to those 2 years missing between high school and now, I was still in class, taking Automotive repair. I decided to follow through with Automotive, I started it in high school and wanted to finish the program. I decided though, I didn't want it as a career, part of that reason being that I'm thinking that sometime in the future I may want a project car to restore (when storing and finances permit) but after working on other peoples cars all day, you lose the desire to work on your own car.

 

[Anubis]

well seeing as the 6800 Ultras both take 2 12v 4pin molexs each, and the FX proc eats some power id say a Really nice 500-600w PS would do it

 

[terraphile]

no, nvidia reccomends a 550+ psu for 2 6800 ultras you can pick up a 600 psu at tigerdirect.com for 70 dollars

 

[Anubis]

Originally posted by: terraphile
no, nvidia reccomends a 550+ psu for 2 6800 ultras you can pick up a 600 psu at tigerdirect.com for 70 dollars

stay away from tiger direct

get one from newegg, an enermax or antec

 

[Ka0t1x]

Reliable 600w PSU for $70, Where? Sign me up.

 

[BW86]

Enermax 600W

 

[Hanzou]

Thats a lot of money for a PS!

 

[Anubis]

Originally posted by: Hanzou
Thats a lot of money for a PS!

yes but worth it, that will be solid as anything, perfect rails and voltage protection

the antec truepower 550 is cheaper and also highly recomended

EDIT: after looking at comments on Newegg im more then positive the true 550 would be fine based on these 2 things alone

This PSU is superb, I put it in my case, powered everything up, and not one problem at all, this thing is powering a LOT of computer, and it's doing it w/o a prob.

Specs:
Intel 3.4GHz Extreme Edition
2GB GeiL PC-4200
Quad Western Digital 10,000RPM 36.7GB Raptor Drives, RAID-0
Radeon X800 XT PE
All watercooled

Not one stability problem anywhere.

replaced my no name 400watt psu with it, couldnt be happier. its powering this with no problem:
5x120gb 7200rpm hdds
1x160gb 7200rpm hdd
1x9gb hdd
1x40gb hdd
1x80gb
10x fans
a ccfl

works great! would reccomend to anyone.

 

[thegimp03]

Man that computer in the guy's quote is amazing...look at all that storage space! Holy cow!
I count 889 gb........Jeeze I run a pair of 160 gb hdds, a pair of 80 gb hdds and 1 40 gb and I feel great.

 

[Blain]

Too much