Best Power Supply for SLI GTX 660s?

rbesfe

Honorable
Mar 7, 2013
8
0
10,510
I am planning to put in two GTX 660s into my new build. I have seen different power supplies with different wattages and such, but I have no idea which one to choose. The main questions that I have are:

1. How much wattage should I need for these cards?
2. Are there any recommended PSU specs that I need to know other than wattage?
3. Are there any PSUs that you could recommend?

I am really looking forward to my new build, and the power supply is one of the last components. The other relevant specs of my system are:

Processor: Intel i5-3470
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H
Hard drives: 1 500GB hard drive at 7200rpm
RAM: 2x Corsair XMS3 4GB at 1333Mhz

If you need any other specs don't hesitate to ask.
 
http://www.geforce.com/hardware/desktop-gpus/geforce-gtx-660/specifications

450 w for the system and 1st card + 140 w for the 2nd so 600 watts will do it. I'd be comfy w/ a 650 if not over clocking. Id want a 750

Best - Seasonic X series, Corsie HX, XFX pro
Very Good - Corsair TX, Antec HCG / HCP, XFX Core series

Corsair TX 750 has 15% off w/ promo code EMCXSWL36 and $20 MIR = $73.50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139021

Antec HCG - $10 off w/ promo code EMCXSWM23, ends 4/24 + $20 MIR = $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371049
 
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 system power supply that has a maximum combined +12 Volt continuous current rating of 36 Amps or greater and that has at least two 6-pin PCI Express supplementary power connectors. If you have the MSI GeForce GTX 660 HAWK 2 GB, it requires two 6-pin PCI Express supplementary power connectors for each graphics card, so you'll need a total of at least four 6-pin PCI Express supplementary power connectors on the power supply unit.

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.

Overclocking of the CPU and/or GPU(s) will require an additional increase to the maximum combined +12 Volt continuous current ratings, recommended above, to meet the increase in power required for the overclock. The additional amount required will depend on the magnitude of the overclock being attempted.

Rosewill CAPSTONE Series CAPSTONE-550 550W Continuous @ 50°C, 80 PLUS GOLD Certified, Single +12V Rail, ATX12V v2.31 / EPS12V v2.92, SLI Ready, CrossFire Ready, Active - PFC Power Supply $79.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182068