500w PSU run Crossfire

[ringelos]

I'm thinking about popping another Sapphire HD 5850 into my system but I want to know if this power supply will power up two of these cards in crossfire configuration.

Current Specs:
POWER SUPPLY - http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341016
HARD DRIVE http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181
CPU http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103724 (fourth core unlocked, voltage at 1.425)
RAM http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145263
CPU COOLER http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065
MOBO http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130235
GRAPHICS CARD http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102857

Your help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

To find out how big use this:

http://www.antec.outervision.com/

To find out what you wanna put in, use this:

http://www.silentpcreview.com/Recommended_PSUs

While OCZ makes an acceptable quality PSU, I wouldn't be choosing it for a dual GPU system, especially if OC'ing.

I'd use a 650 watt Antec Earthwatts ($89) or Corsair TX650 ($119 after MIR)

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371015
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005

 

[JohnnyLucky]

The answer to your question is no.

Here are the official power requirements for the new ATI Radeon HD 5850 and HD 5870 video cards.


ATI Radeon™ HD5850 System Requirements:

PCI Express® based PC is required with one X16 lane graphics slot available on the motherboard

500 Watt or greater power supply with two 75 watt, 6-pin, PCI Express® power connectors.

600 Watt or greater power supply with four 75 watt, 6-pin, PCI Express® power connectors for ATI CrossFireX™ technology in dual mode.


ATI Radeon™ HD5870 System Requirements:

PCI Express® based PC is required with one X16 lane graphics slot available on the motherboard.

500 Watt or greater power supply with two, 75 watt, 6-pin, PCI Express® power connectors.

600 Watt or greater power supply with four, 75 watt, 6-pin, PCI Express® connectors for ATI CrossFireX™ technology in dual mode.

The power supply recommendations are for an entire pc system.

Corsair and Seasonic are two of the brands that have a reputation for high quality power supplies that consistently earn high marks in technical reviews. They are reliable, stable, and come with a 5 year warranty. Some of the newer models come with a 7 year warranty. Lately we've been seeing a few other brands offering some high quality units. One example would be the Antec Earthwatts series which is a major improvement over Antec’s older psu’s like the Basiq models.

 

[ubernoobie]

Actually, I'm pretty sure it will but it will die very quickly and will be at or above the power supplies limits

 

[JohnnyLucky]

Yeah, it would probably work but I've read enough competent technical reviews to know that OCZ quality is inconsistent.

 

[ringelos]

Are you guys sure? Because according to this: http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/2967/gigabyte_radeon_hd_5850_video_card_in_crossfire/index14.html , crossfire with a highly overclocked cpu and an entire test system, the gigabyte only takes up 407 watts at load, and the 5870 in crossfire at 497 watts at load!

 

[JohnnyLucky]

In my initial response I clearly said no. In my second response I said it would "probably" work. I neglected to mention a lot depends on how much power the psu needs to deliver. It really depends on what the pc is doing.


The cpu, the gpu, and several other components are powered by the +12 volt rail of the psu. Take a look at the maximum +12 volt rail wattage. It is usually on the 3rd line of the psu data label. You can see it clearly in the photos at newegg.com. The +12 volt rail on the OCZ 500 watt power supply you asked about maxes out at 423 watts.

For comparison purposes, the maximum wattage on the +12 volt rail of the Corsair VX550 is 492 watts and it's only a 550 watt psu. On the TX650 it is 624 watts.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Are you guys sure? Because according to this: http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/2967/gigabyte_radeon_hd_5850_video_card_in_crossfire/index14.html , crossfire with a highly overclocked cpu and an entire test system, the gigabyte only takes up 407 watts at load, and the 5870 in crossfire at 497 watts at load!

Again, do the math yourself using the calculator I linked to. Only you know each and every component of your system including fans, components, external USB and firewire etc.

Once ya got the number, the Editors Choice List and Recommended List here will point you to the best options:

http://www.silentpcreview.com/Recommended_PSUs

Get a 2nd opinion at www.jonnyguru.com