PSU recommendation for GTX480 in SLI

Ravenger

Ravenger

Ravenger

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16 Jul 2010
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I'm looking for a 1000 watt or thereabouts modular PSU for running 2 GTX 480's in SLI.

Has anyone got any recommendations? I'm currently running a Corsair 750W HX which I'm very pleased with but I understand is borderline for running two 480's. I don't want to spend an absolute fortune however.
 
IvanDobskey said:
I'd say the Corsair 750W should just about be ok for SLI 480's. Dependant on the rest of the system.
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No, its really not.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/159
668w with crysis and 881 while running furmark
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http://www.guru3d.com/article/geforce-gtx-470-480-review/13
GeForce GTX 400 in SLI
A second card requires you to add another 250 Watts. You need a 850+ Watt power supply unit if you use it in a high-end system (1 KiloWatt recommended). That power supply needs to have (in total accumulated) at least 55 to 60 Amps available on the +12 volt rails.
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GeForce GTX 400 in SLI
A second card requires you to add another 250 Watts. You need a 850+ Watt power supply unit if you use it in a high-end system (1 KiloWatt recommended). That power supply needs to have (in total accumulated) at least 55 to 60 Amps available on the +12 volt rails.
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And yet a good 750W typically has at least 60A on the +12V rail(s)...that's an odd comment for them to make supporting the idea of an 850W or better being necessary.

A good 750W unit is enough for 480 SLI. I'm still unclear if Anandtech's power draw measurement is taken from the wall or from the PSU. It's also interesting that different reviewers get such different numbers for power consumption.
 
CaptainUnlikely said:
And yet a good 750W typically has at least 60A on the +12V rail(s)...that's an odd comment for them to make supporting the idea of an 850W or better being necessary.

A good 750W unit is enough for 480 SLI. I'm still unclear if Anandtech's power draw measurement is taken from the wall or from the PSU. It's also interesting that different reviewers get such different numbers for power consumption.
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If you are going to pay for a 750w, you might as well do a bit of future proofing and pay for whatever the best is you can afford.
If OP has budget for 1Kw, then I would suggest the 1Kw so he doesn't have to keep upgrading
 
pastymuncher said:
I would'nt be happy with that. I have seen my rig pull 498w on rare occasions. Ok it was from the wall but i would want more than 750w for running 480 Sli.
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498W from the wall, taking into account PSU efficiency, means your system could be handled by a 450W power supply with headroom to spare. Obviously, I wouldn't recommend it, I usually recommend a 550W (in practice though the Antec HCG 620 is better value than most 550W units) for a single 480.
 
Thanks for the help guys. I reckon a 1KW is the way to go, as you say, for future proofing.

I thought when I built my PC a while ago that 750w was ample, but obviously I found out that it's borderline in this case.
 
Ravenger said:
Thanks for the help guys. I reckon a 1KW is the way to go, as you say, for future proofing.

I thought when I built my PC a while ago that 750w was ample, but obviously I found out that it's borderline in this case.
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had the same issue. Had 750w now have 1kw :D
 
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