6870 & 7950 - 600W?

Kbkasey · 1 Dec 2013 at 17:29

So I'm going to be mining a certain crypto-currency and will these two cards run on a 600W PSU?
It would be running 27/7, 720 hours a month on full load.
If not what is enough? Could I use my 300W PSU to run just one of the cards?

Also, is there a cheap Display card (No display port on my Mobo) that I could use for multi-media whilst the other two cards are on full load? My screens would lag when mining on the two cards.

Thanks.

Avalon · 1 Dec 2013 at 18:14

If a 7990 can run on an HX630 then I'd think you'd be OK. If not then yes you can use an aux PSU by shorting two pins but obviously take precautions. Back in the day I'd have used a paper lip but in today's modern safety conscious society then it's advisable to either buy the pre-done cable or at least use insulated cable that's appropriately rated.

Tonester0011 · 1 Dec 2013 at 19:09

Yes. Providing its a decent enough unit (being on 24/7 best to have a decent unit), as for a third card for running films etc etc....turn down the intensity on your display card

pastymuncher · 1 Dec 2013 at 19:43

Depends on the psu. Just because it says 600w on the label doesn't mean it can deliver 600w on the 12v rail where it's needed. What make and model is it?

Kbkasey · 1 Dec 2013 at 20:13

pastymuncher said:
Depends on the psu. Just because it says 600w on the label doesn't mean it can deliver 600w on the 12v rail where it's needed. What make and model is it?

spixelspixel · 1 Dec 2013 at 20:16

A 600w with psu with ZERO pci-e connectors?

What the...

Bin it.

Kbkasey · 1 Dec 2013 at 20:21

spixelspixel said:
A 600w with psu with ZERO pci-e connectors?

What the...

Bin it.

Oh it does... But this is for the PSU with a red fan, mine is gold... Same model number, bear with me!

Limited edition... :L

spixelspixel · 1 Dec 2013 at 20:23

Kbkasey said:
Oh it does... But this is for the PSU with a red fan, mine is gold... Same model number, bear with me!

Oh no... not one of those cheap Alpine things.

You won't be able to run a 6870 + 7950 on it. It probably can't even power one of them.

You really need a new psu, what's your budget and I'll give some recommendations.

Kbkasey · 1 Dec 2013 at 20:34

spixelspixel said:
Oh no... not one of those cheap Alpine things.

You won't be able to run a 6870 + 7950 on it. It probably can't even power one of them.

You really need a new psu, what's your budget and I'll give some recommendations.

It runs my 6870 at the moment...
I've spent all my money now... >.>
I do however have my 230V Colors switching power supply
350watts
However it only has 4 pins, but the graphics card comes with 6 pin to 4 pin power cables.
I could do the paperclip thing or w/e its called, right?

spixelspixel · 1 Dec 2013 at 20:38

Kbkasey said:
It runs my 6870 at the moment...
I've spent all my money now... >.>
I do however have my 230V Colors switching power supply
350watts
However it only has 4 pins, but the graphics card comes with 6 pin to 4 pin power cables.
I could do the paperclip thing or w/e its called, right?

It may seem like its running it fine but under the hood its begging for mercy and will eventually give up

What's the model no. of the 350w? Normally low wattage psu's with no pci-e connectors aren't capable of powering dedicated graphics cards.

Kbkasey · 1 Dec 2013 at 20:52

spixelspixel said:
It may seem like its running it fine but under the hood its begging for mercy and will eventually give up

What's the model no. of the 350w? Normally low wattage psu's with no pci-e connectors aren't capable of powering dedicated graphics cards.

EN60950 (I think) ColorSit, aswell.
Just found a 450 as well
Casecom ATX400W

spixelspixel · 1 Dec 2013 at 21:00

You have a nice collection of crappy psu's

Honestly none of them are designed to power gaming cards and certainly not running them full load 24/7. It's not going to end well if you try this and will probably take the graphics cards with it.

I think the only route is to buy a single good quality psu to power both cards

Tonester0011 · 1 Dec 2013 at 21:13

spixelspixel said:
You have a nice collection of crappy psu's

Honestly none of them are designed to power gaming cards and certainly not running them full load 24/7. It's not going to end well if you try this and will probably take the graphics cards with it.

I think the only route is to buy a single good quality psu to power both cards

^ This.

Kbkasey · 1 Dec 2013 at 21:14

spixelspixel said:
You have a nice collection of crappy psu's

Honestly none of them are designed to power gaming cards and certainly not running them full load 24/7. It's not going to end well if you try this and will probably take the graphics cards with it.

I think the only route is to buy a single good quality psu to power both cards

Anything for £20?
I mean my 600W crappy one has lasted me 1 year so far, could I just buy the same 600W one now?

I'd be able to upgrade to a much more stable one after a month or so...

Tonester0011 · 1 Dec 2013 at 21:16

You can risk it for a month, but its a hell of a risk. It's survived this long because the 6870 only really draws about 100w, asking something that low end to pull that+ a 7950 is asking a lot.

Kbkasey · 1 Dec 2013 at 21:18

Tonester0011 said:
You can risk it for a month, but its a hell of a risk. It's survived this long because the 6870 only really draws about 100w, asking something that low end to pull that+ a 7950 is asking a lot.

What about one of these? http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-062-OP&groupid=701&catid=123

So my current one to keep the 6870 powered.

Then the paperclip thing for the 7950?

spixelspixel · 1 Dec 2013 at 21:25

Kbkasey said:
What about one of these? http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-062-OP&groupid=701&catid=123

So my current one to keep the 6870 powered.

Then the paperclip thing for the 7950?

You like playing with fire huh!

There's more to a psu that just its wattage rating. With a 7950 bitcoin mining you do not want to use a psu like that.

For about 50 pounds you can do things properly and get a good quality single psu to power both (and not have to worry about keeping a fire extinguisher close to your pc)

Kbkasey · 1 Dec 2013 at 21:27

spixelspixel said:
You like playing with fire huh!

There's more to a psu that just its wattage rating. With a 7950 bitcoin mining you do not want to use a psu like that.

For about 50 pounds you can do things properly and get a good quality single psu to power both (and not have to worry about keeping a fire extinguisher close to your pc)

:/ They could set on fire? Is there no way I could last a month with the current one and the one from the OC store?
Maybe 2 weeks.

Something Else · 1 Dec 2013 at 21:30

I would look on the secondhand market for a psu from the likes of Seasonic, Corsair, XFX, Antec etc if your budget is that tight

or just not run the 7950 for a while until you save enough money for a decent psu

looking on the bay there is a cx500 which is about to go and a cx600 which are both good.

spixelspixel · 1 Dec 2013 at 21:30

Kbkasey said:
:/ They could set on fire? Is there no way I could last a month with the current one and the one from the OC store?
Maybe 2 weeks.

It will probably blow up instantly tbh so no... you cant