Power to Overclock 3870's in crossfire

[closed_deal]

Just a quick question for all you guru's out there. I have a Hiper 580W SLI/Crossfire compliant PSU. Now i realize when you overclock you use more watts per component o/c'ed.

Is there a way or does anyone know how to work out, how much power i really need to handle a 6000+ @ 3.4 bout (160w-180w i think, i used some sort of overclock watt checker however old it was ) & getting two 3870's to (for the time being) the ATI Overdrive max at around 862MHz core?

I don't want to crack on, when i could face multiple problems all at once not just the normal artifact/hanging problems you get when o/c'ing your gfx card.

Thanks for reading, sorry if you think i'm being greedy trying to overclock this pair, but i think that any item i buy with my hard earned money should work at it's maximum capacity be it my motorbike, computer or missus 😛.

 

[itotallybelieveyou]

I'm surprised a 580W can even handle 2x 3870s?

 

[closed_deal]

How dare you sir, mock my mighty 580 PSU . I'll have you know at one point i had 2x x1900xtx/xt running overclocked until the XT blew up. A mild temperature problem was the cause .

However this doesn't answer if i can overclock the 3870's without a PSU problem creeping up on me. Any more takers?

 

[itotallybelieveyou]

You can overclock but don't push too far. and BTW tomsreview says 3870 loaded with AOE III 1600x1200 takes 265 watts... 2x265 = 530? 580 total and according to yoou 160w-180w for the 6000+ so... boom? idk what else to say

 

[closed_deal]

Sounds like a PSU upgrade is due fairly soon 🙁. Saying that those 1000w ones are getting reasonabley cheaper.

Well never mind, but thanks for the info on the 3870's load power usage .

 

[itotallybelieveyou]

very welcome

 

[closed_deal]

PS. to anyone who reads this wondering what PSU two 3870 in crossfire needs. It handles a 580W (as the ATI website says) but I've just today had to put my CPU @ stock speed to get it to boot, so it is compliant however get a branded 700W+ to be able to overclock your CPU and 3870's.

Well I guess we all live an learn .

 

[ratman3456]

I have a xion 600 watt ps and have E8400 @4008 1.34 volts,one 320 hd,x48 dfi board,x-fi sound card,20x,dvd combo drive,and 2x3870 oc editions running 900/2500,and have had no problems.mos time run cards and default 800/1170.