External Power Supply Running GTX 295

[Brianindigital]

Due to having a mac pro I have to run an external power supply for a gtx 295. I have read that it needs 680 watts to run. Is that including the other computer components altogether or just by itself? I am a little confused cause i also read that it requires 285 watts of board power and I don't know what that is. So what power supply would be sufficent to run this card as a dedicated external source? 450? 750?

 

[michaelmk86]

A good power supply with 12v rail 46 Amp and 600-650W will be fine.

 

[ravenware]

The card doesn't require 680 watts to run. The specification is accounting for a full system.

You could try running a dedicate GPU power supply. I believe it requires a connection to your existing power supply via a molex connector (4-pin peripheral)

They also install into an empty 5.25 bay

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104019

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104054

 

[rewindlabs]

This is the one he will want...it can support sli of 295 gtx's so no reason to spend the extra...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104019

 

[Bluescreendeath]

Are mac pro cases even large enough to fit a GTX295?

 

[EXT64]

I don't know the max power draw off the top of my head, but I assure you it is sub 300W. Also, remember that some of that must come through the motherboard (and thus some comes from the non-dedicated PSU). I ran a system like this back when I had my 2900XT and it worked fine (though ravenware is right about the connection to you MB power connector, at least for the one I had).

 

[Brianindigital]

yeah i my gtx 285 fits fine

 

[Brianindigital]

well the problem is that i don't have an 8 pin pci-express. I just have two 6 pins. Is it okay use a 6 to 8 pin adapter?

 

[EXT64]

I did for my 2900XT, though it worked with the 2 6-pins alone as well. No guarantees, though.

 

[RazberyBandit]

GTX 295's need 1x6-pin and 1x8-pin. Get a PSU or GPSU that has 2x8-pin or 2x6+2-pin connectors. That or try some 6-pin to 8-pin adapters. They usually work.

 

[Brianindigital]

can i get by with just one 6 pin cable connected to the dual 6pin to single 8 pin adapter?

 

[RazberyBandit]

I've never been one to use many adapters... I know there are 2-MOLEX to 8-pin PCI-E adapters, like this one. I figured by now someone would have created a single 6-pin PCI-E to single 8-pin PCI-E adapter... Apparently not...

Have you got some un-used 4-pin Molex connectors in that thing to use the adapter I linked? If not, you could spend over $200 on an adequate PSU with all the right cables, or $90 for the more expensive FSP GPSU. At least then you'll be certain to have all the proper connectors you'll need, which are two 6-pin and two 6+2 or 8-pin PCI-E connectors.

Man what I wouldn't give for some industry standards when it came to PSU cabling...

 

[EXT64]

There are 6 pin to 8 pin adapters (since I own one) but I agree that they aren't easy to find.

 

[rewindlabs]

Why does he need the 90$ version


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104019

That one will power his gpu just fine...

 

[spathotan]

Because the one you link only has two 6pins and a weaker output in general. This one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104054 has two 8pins along with two 6pins and has a higher output. Not to mention that one you link is really only 300w. 400w is the peak
Its not wise to cut corners on power when it comes to a GTX 295.

 

[RazberyBandit]

Why does he need the 90$ version


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104019

That one will power his gpu just fine...

Sure it would, if it would actually plug into it... Read the details.

 

[macgpu]

I have a 285 that needs 2 6 pin, next to a 8800 GT that needs 1 6 pin. I use a Toughpower 1kW external PSU that sits on top of the Mac Pro with several 6 and 8 pin outputs - the latter would be fine for a 295. Bit of a mess arrangement but keeps the power load of the Mac Pro system. My 285 is a big 2G card from Palit and sits in the second PCI-16 slot next to the 8800. There should be room for a 295. My 1kW is totally over the top though......

 

[rewindlabs]

Sure it would, if it would actually plug into it... Read the details.

Why in the hell does it say "SLI Dual GeForce GTX 295".....i hate misleading titles

 

[raider8]

Im doing something similar but was wondering could the gpu be powered with a 1 powersource on it 6 and 8pin and a different powersource for the mobo and the drives would be split between the 2 im getting these components and i have 2 spare 750watt psu's
i7 920 on a evga x58 mobo with 4 1TB hds and a blue ray drive 12gb ddr3 ram 2 x 750watt ultra brand psu's

possibility of putting a second 295 in in sli at a latter date when a game that can handle it comes out XD

 

[dgoldberg]

hey guys i am building a huge build
12 gigs of ram
1 tb hd
i7 nehalon or watev 2.66
2x sli 295s
an i7 mobo wiht build in hd sound card
blue ray player
xfi forte sound card


wat shouold my powersupply be (newegg link would be very helpful)
and also, suggestions for a good cheap mobo would help also

 

[Bluescreendeath]

1000 watts is recommended.
go for brands such as: Corsair, Thermaltake, Zalman, Enermax, PC Power & Cooling, OCZ