Can my EVGA 600W PSU Support two GTX 970's in SLI?

[LethalGamer YT]

Title says it all really just wondering if my EVGA 600W PSU can support GTX 970 SLI

Thank You

 

[raisonjohn]

It depends on the rest of your system and the exact model/specs of your PSU and GPUs.

SLI'd GTX 970s would draw around ~300W ~325W (or ~25A ~27A at +12V): http://www.guru3d.com/articles-pages/geforce-gtx-970-sli-review,4.html

As to how much your entire system would draw (if your going to OC or not, run in full stress or not), as well as the required number of PCIE power connectors your PSU model has and the GPU model needs, and more importantly, the quality/efficiency/reliability of your PSU, remains in question if it will support it.

 

[LethalGamer YT]

It depends on the rest of your system and the exact model/specs of your PSU and GPUs.

SLI'd GTX 970s would draw around ~300W ~325W (or ~25A ~27A at +12V): http://www.guru3d.com/articles-pages/geforce-gtx-970-sli-review,4.html

As to how much your entire system would draw (if your going to OC or not, run in full stress or not), as well as the required number of PCIE power connectors your PSU model has and the GPU model needs, and more importantly, the quality/efficiency/reliability of your PSU, remains in question if it will support it.

I have an i7 2600 non overclockable and i wouldn't bother to overclock the GPU's either it would be for 4k gaming on games such as gta v , my psu has 2 8 pins but was thinking of using molex adapters to have all of the right connectors if this information helps to make a more clear decision?

 

[raisonjohn]

Theoretical estimates, you'd be looking at the vicinity of ~400-450W consumption (75%+ consumption) with that setup. EVGA's 600W models provide 49-50A at 12V, though, they are entry-level/low-quality units (3-year warranty, only 40C rated oper. temps, and made by lower-rated OEMs) compared to other models offered by the same brand. Pulling 75% of the rated amps also puts such mediocre PSU to its limits (higher heat, fans constantly spinning, more stress) which isn't good for such PSU. Add to the fact that two GTX 970s would require 4x 6-pin connectors at the minimum but the 600W models of EVGA only have 2x (using Molex adapters is not recommended, not an ideal solution).

If you really want to SLI those 970s, I would look at EVGA's 650W (or 750W if price range is close) better-quality models such as the SuperNova G2 650 (7-year warranty, 50C oper. temp, made by Super Flower, has 2x 6-pin + 2x 6+2pin connectors) or other brand/model such as the Corsair's RM650x (10-year warranty, 50C oper. temp, made by CWT, has 4x 6+2pin connectors).

Personally though, instead of running two 970s in SLI (325W cards) for 4K, I would rather get a single more powerful card (such as the GTX 1080, a 180W card which only needs a 550W PSU, or even a GTX 1080Ti, a 250W card which is recommended at 600W-650W PSU) that will consume less power and even produce more FPS in GTAV and other games (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TJZsbeQWk0)

 

[photonboy]

First, I do NOT recommend SLI for gaming.

Wattage estimate:
1. core system with CPU + HDD/fans under LOAD:
approx 200W (worst-case)

2. GTX970 (max) approx 213W

3. realistic GAMING is probably closer to 160W CPU + 300W both cards (SLI doesn't scale perfectly)

160 + 300W = 460W

That's roughly 75% load with some room for spikes. Should be fine.

OTHER:
As for "4K" gaming I recommend sticking with 2560x1440 resolution even if you have a 4K monitor (just have monitor scale by ASPECT). Often the game looks very CLOSE to the same at 4K as it does at 2560x1440 but 4K usually drops the FPS to about HALF of 2560x1440.

Put another way, with no CPU bottleneck you'd still need PERFECT GPU SCALING to get the same FPS. Aside from added STUTTERING and other issues, you're usually lucky to get 70% scaling aside from a few games that manage higher. Many games have no SLI support at all.

*Note that if it's a 4K HDTV (not monitor) there is AFAIK no way to support 2560x1440 so you can only support 1080p or 2160p/4K. In my experience a 2xGTX970 is not ready for 4K gaming.

 

[ARICH5]

First, I do NOT recommend SLI for gaming.

Wattage estimate:
1. core system with CPU + HDD/fans under LOAD:
approx 200W (worst-case)

2. GTX970 (max) approx 213W

3. realistic GAMING is probably closer to 160W CPU + 300W both cards (SLI doesn't scale perfectly)

160 + 300W = 460W

That's roughly 75% load with some room for spikes. Should be fine.

OTHER:
As for "4K" gaming I recommend sticking with 2560x1440 resolution even if you have a 4K monitor (just have monitor scale by ASPECT). Often the game looks very CLOSE to the same at 4K as it does at 2560x1440 but 4K usually drops the FPS to about HALF of 2560x1440.

Put another way, with no CPU bottleneck you'd still need PERFECT GPU SCALING to get the same FPS. Aside from added STUTTERING and other issues, you're usually lucky to get 70% scaling aside from a few games that manage higher. Many games have no SLI support at all.

*Note that if it's a 4K HDTV (not monitor) there is AFAIK no way to support 2560x1440 so you can only support 1080p or 2160p/4K. In my experience a 2xGTX970 is not ready for 4K gaming.

i agree. true 4k pcgaming is extremely expensive with 2 1080ti's and UHD pc monitors. thats like 5000$ before the rest of the computer.then its only 30fps i beleive. tv and blu-ray can output 4k just fine on todays tv monitors. but pcgaming 4k is very different. 2 970's wont cut it.

 

[LethalGamer YT]

Okay thanks all