Best Nvidia graphics card to run on a 600W PSU?

[albertfallickwang]

I have a Thermaltake TR2 600W power supply and what is the best Nvidia GTX either Fermi or Kepler based that I can run in SLI on this power supply? I heard that it is a really good one so I can't seem to figure whether I can run two Nvidia GTX 660 (Non-Ti versI have a Thermaltake TR2 600W power supply and what is the best Nvidia GTX either Fermi or Kepler based that I can run in SLI on this power supply? I heard that it is a really good one so I can't seem to figure whether I can run two Nvidia GTX 660 (Non-Ti version) easily on this power supply.ion) easily on this power supply.

 

[albertfallickwang]

I am only interested in dual graphics card setup and not any single configs with this PSU.

 

[13thmonkey]

why on earth do you want to buy into SLI, as an upgrade path ok, but not from scratch. 3 issues:
you only get as much vram as there is on one card
microstutttering
sli profiles being released potentially some time after the game is released

The question is really one of 12V amps rather than overall wattage however.

 

[lostgamer_03]

When you want SLI - then remember

2 GPUs doesn't mean 2 times the performance

2 GPUs doesn't mean 2 times the vram

2 GPUs does mean 2 times the power consumption

2 GPUs does mean 2 times the heat

Buy a powerful single GPU instead, you won't be running into as much trouble and have a more reliable performance.

 

[socialfox]

+1 to 13th monkey, its the 12v rails that matter more than the wattage. Anyways, that's not the best power supply...wouldn't risk putting too much load to it.

 

[sam_p_lay]

When you want SLI - then remember

2 GPUs doesn't mean 2 times the performance

2 GPUs doesn't mean 2 times the vram

2 GPUs does mean 2 times the power consumption

2 GPUs does mean 2 times the heat

Buy a powerful single GPU instead, you won't be running into as much trouble and have a more reliable performance.

+1 - really well-said!

 

[sam_p_lay]

To answer your question though, Mr Fallickwang, purely in terms of wattage, dual GTX660s should be fine there. Dual GTX670s also infact (2x 170 watt TDP). Of course you have to factor in other components and the fact that TDPs can be exceeded... but purely in terms of TDP wattage, dual GTX670s would work.

 

[ko888]

For a system using two GeForce GTX 660 (non-Ti) graphics cards in 2-way SLI mode NVIDIA specifies a minimum of a 600 Watt or greater power supply that has a combined +12 Volt continuous current rating of 36 Amps or greater and that has at least two 6-pin PCI Express supplementary power connectors.

Total Power Supply Wattage is NOT the crucial factor in power supply selection!!! Total Combined Continuous Power/Current Available on the +12V Rail(s) rated at 45°C - 50°C ambient temperature, is the critical factor.

The Thermaltake TR2 600W (TR-600P), with its combined +12 Volt continuous current rating of 50 Amps and with one 6-pin and one (6+2)-pin PCI Express supplementary power connectors, is more than sufficient to power your system configuration with two GeForce GTX 660 (non-Ti) in 2-way SLI mode. This specific PSU model is made by FSP so if you have this one it should be fine.

The discontinued Thermaltake TR2 600W (W0388RU), with its combined +12 Volt continuous current rating of 48 Amps and with one 6-pin and one (6+2)-pin PCI Express supplementary power connectors, is more than sufficient to power your system configuration with two GeForce GTX 660 (non-Ti) in 2-way SLI mode. This specific PSU model is made by HEC/COMPUCASE and should be avoided at all cost since it has a reputation for being highly failure prone.

 

[sam_p_lay]

Oooooh colourful :-D I bought a Thermaltake PSU once. Came with a 5 year warranty. It lived for 6 months.

 

[socialfox]

Alright! I'm feeling proud my guess on my other post was right about the power supply :lol:

 

[freakyguy88]

Since you said you were interested in the non ti version of the 660's, then I would recommend getting a 680 instead. If you were getting two 660 Ti's, then I would say go for it over a 680, but a 680 and two 660's perform about the same.

Now, depending on what 660 you were planning on getting and on what 680 you may get, the 680 will probably be a bit more expensive, like around $100+ more expensive, but as Lostgamer said, with SLI, you do get more heat and more power consumption.

In the majority of cases, I would recommend getting 2 GPU's vs one more powerful one if you have very good airflow and a good amount of wattage to spare. This is the case because normally, SLI is cheaper and gives you equal or better performance (unless you don't have very good airflow as I said). Since in your case, your wattage is pretty limited and I don't really know what case and airflow you have, I will recommend the 680.

 

[albertfallickwang]

Sounds good... so what would be the point of having a SLI board if not using SLI?

 

[socialfox]

Sounds good... so what would be the point of having a SLI board if not using SLI?

Nothing

 

[albertfallickwang]

This is my power supply: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Thermaltake+-+TR2-600NL2NC+ATX12V+%26+EPS12V+Power+Supply/5381884.p?id=1218635882854&skuId=5381884

 

[albertfallickwang]

Best answer selected by albertfallickwang.