PowerRAV

Distinguished
Sep 23, 2011
3
0
18,510
Putting together a new system and I'm doubting myself on the PSU. For now I only plan on buying a single Geforce GTX 570 or equivelent card. I know 850w will run this setup but I want it to last several years so wondering if 950w would be better, also in case I run multiple cards later I don't want to buy a new PSU.

CPU: Core i7 2600k

MOBO: ASUS P8Z68 - Deluxe

RAM: CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB)

Case: COOLER MASTER HAF 932 Advanced

CPU Heatsink: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1

HDD: Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM

Blu-ray Burner: PLEXTOR PX-B940SA-11

CD/DVD Burner: ASUS 24X DVD Burner DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS - OEM

OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit


Also could use some recommendations on a 570 graphics card. I'm thinking this maybe: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130687

And also the PSU I was thinking of using: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139011

Any help is appreciated :D
 
High Current Pro HCP-850 850W TX12V v2.3 / EPS12V v2.92 SLI Certified CrossFire Certified 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply $149.99 and a 30 rebate.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371053

Your video card choice is a good one I would stick with it , and this is the PS i would recomend. It's always a good thing to have too much power than not enough and you can pick this one up with a decent rebate.
 
NVIDIA 3D VISION, 3D Vision Surround
NVIDIA 3D Vision brings a fully immersive stereoscopic 3D experience to the PC. Expand your games across three displays in full stereoscopic 3D for the ultimate “inside the game” experience with the power of NVIDIA 3D Vision and SLI technologies. NVIDIA Surround also supports triple screen gaming with non-stereo displays.
 


The statement was that it was the worst possible GTX 570 purchase and my reply was that the spec's were worth it and maybe it is debateable about the three displays but you can't refute the spec's of this card;

It has a $20 rebate with free shipping and a free game.

320 bit

2560 MB ram

full size HDMI
Display Port
2 DVI Ports
 
Expand your games across three displays in full stereoscopic 3D for the ultimate “inside the game” experience with the power of NVIDIA 3D Vision and SLI technologies.

Does that help you see the problem? I have seen only one Nvidia CPU that doesn't need to be in SLI to run three cards. It was a special GTX560 (non TI).

Are the specs really awesome? I'm sure all GTX570s have a 320bit memory bus. Nothing special there. Ports? Ports don't usually make a card awesome. Check this card out.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121432

This card is nearly identical in every way, except it has better cooling, cheaper price, and yes only half the ram. RAM amount isn't everything so I wouldn't pay so much for it.
 

beenthere

Distinguished
Knowledge is POWER!

As far as PSUs are concerned, be informed. Before you buy any PSU read accurate, objective PSU reviews at reputable sites such as www.jonnyguru.com or www.hardwaresecrets.com on the EXACT model PSU that you are interested in as some brands have good and poor quality PSUs.

You can also get an accurate rating of how much PSU power is required for your current or future system at the PSU calculator link below. Once you know the total PSU watts required then you need to confirm that the 12v rail has enough amps. to support your Vid card(s) and the rest of the PC system.

There are several websites that show the Vid card power consumption in watts. Divide the watts by 12 to determine the amps. required on the 12v rail(s). Add 15 amps for the rest of the PC on the 12v rail and you now know the Minimum total 12v rail amps required under full load. It's best to have at least 5-10 amps. reserve on the 12v rail available under full load so the PSU is not loaded to 100%.
It's also worth noting that people often misunderstand the 80% power rating. This is a rating of the PSU's energy efficiency not it's output. 80% plus PSUs use less grid power to produce the same PC power. If it's 80% Bronze, Silver or Gold the cost savings on electricity is pretty small between Bronze, Silver and Gold unless you are paying very high rates for electricity so any 80% rated quality PSU is fine even if not Gold. For those who leave their PC on 24/7 a quality 80% PSU is a good investment.


http://extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp

http://www.guru3d.com/article/geforce-gtx-560-ti-sli-review/14

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/NVIDIA/GeForce_GTX_560_Ti/25.html

IT'S BETTER TO TEACH A PERSON HOW TO FISH THAN TO GIVE THEM A FISH FOR DINNER !
 

PowerRAV

Distinguished
Sep 23, 2011
3
0
18,510
Ok how about this card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102918

I believe its 207w max so / 12 = 17.25 x 2(crossfire) = 34.5 + 15 (for rest of pc) = 49.5 amp ?

The calculator suggests 944w so a 1000w PSU with at least 50 amp on 12v rail is what I need right?

Also I'm only ordering 1 graphics card for now it may be years or never if I decide to run crossfire so is it a waste to get the 1000w now or should I just get a 850w now and if I ever do decide to run crossfire upgrade PSU also. I'd hate to have to buy another PSU later but I can't honestly tell when / if I'll ever run crossfire.

It's such a huge jump from 704w for single card to 944w for crossfire, and if I'm reading this right going with the 1000w when only using around 704w will generate more heat?
 

billj214

Distinguished
Jan 27, 2009
253
0
18,810
Get a $99 motherboard, $750w power supply and take the $60 you saved and put it towards a GTX 580 ($414 Galaxy 58NLH5HS3PXZ GeForce GTX 580).
You will never want to run SLI because this card is so powerful, runs extremely cool and quiet.

My 2 Cents
SLI/Crossfire = Lots of Issues (Heat, Power, drivers, game incompatibility and co$t)

Your PC build with this combo will = Windows Experience index = 7.8 CPU, 7.6 mem, 7.8 GPU, but your HDD will be 5.5 at best, get an SSD too!
 
Got to love those Calcs....

200W * 2 = 400 for the cards more or less. 100W CPU and 50W for everything else puts you at around 550W. (you said 207W so we will be shy of what the real number is.) Here is a review of the 6970 in CF.

http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1488/18/

They get 600W for two 6970s. 600W / 12V = 50A. A 50A PSU is NOT an 850W unit like those calculators will claim you need. They must be taking junk units into account. You don't want your PSU to be right at the edge, so make sure it has the connectors you need (four 6pins I think.) and lets say 55A or so. A 650W could do it, but I'd get a quality 750W.