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Balls! Made a **** up, GPU question....

HazzyP

HazzyP

HazzyP

Associate
Joined
14 Dec 2008
Posts
19
Yo!

Bought a 2nd GTX 280 to SLI today rather than going the seemingly correct 5870 route (got a 790i evga motherboard so didnt know if it would work).

Problem is I bought a new PSU 6 months ago (Corsair 620 hx modular) on the basis it was SLI ready. Just went to stick card in and to my horror there are only 2 PCI power thingys and I need 4! Frig!

So my cheap performance upgrade is now going to cost me the price of a new psu. On that basis should I just sell both 280s and buy 1 5870 so I can use existing psu or should I buy a new psu and sell the old one (probably for peanuts).

Cheers

Haz
 
You don't need a new PSU, just buy a couple of adapters that convert the normal 4-pin HD power plugs to 6-pin and 8-pin PCI-e ones. They only cost a couple of pounds each.
 
Got some adapter things but I cant work out how to plug em in and get 2 other 6 pin power things, i can use the 2 8s on seperate cards tho yeah? Damn so frustrating at 1.20am!
 
2 x gtx280s might be a little bit to much for that psu as my mate had to get a corsair 750 when his 620 started showing signs of not liking his 4890 crossfire setup. I would just sell those gtx280s and buy a 5870. You can probably do this without spending much. It would be cheaper than having to buy a new psu if your 620 can't handle the gtx's.
 
With a quad core + nForce 790 + 2x 280GTX your easily pushing the best part of 600watt when they are all spun up...
 
right last question guys, my apartors are no good, I have 2 x 8 pin pci power plug things. Question is if I get 2x pci 8 pin to 2x 8 pin pcis will that work, ie. split the 2 i have into 4 as the gtx 280 needs both an 8 and a 6 pin pci?

Any linkage to help me out as my searches are fruitless so far.

cheers.
 
HazzyP said:
right last question guys, my apartors are no good, I have 2 x 8 pin pci power plug things. Question is if I get 2x pci 8 pin to 2x 8 pin pcis will that work, ie. split the 2 i have into 4 as the gtx 280 needs both an 8 and a 6 pin pci?
Click to expand...
You can certainly get adapters to split the existing PCI-e plugs into two, but those are not always easy to get hold of. OCUK don't carry them and the rules prevent me linking to a place that does.

It's probably easier to get a pair of molex-to-6-pin adapters and a 6-pin to 8-pin converter. Toss in a Y-splitter if your PSU doesn't have 4 free molex plugs. And yes, this does result in a big rats nest of cables and plugs. I had to add two 6-pin adapters and two y-splitters to get my crossfire setup running and it's a mess, but it works okay.
 
Problem with using adaptors is ensuring that you are not then taking too much power on that rail even if your total power is enough.
 
You are close to the limit already for that PSU - if you start loading a single rail with adaptors to connect to both cards you risk problems.

If it was me, I'd sell the 280s whilst they are worth something - put an old card in the box until Fermi is released & then make a call on their replacement then. If you can't do this or can't wait then a 5870 should be achieveable on what you can sell your 280s for now. Your PSU would be fine for a 5870.

Xfire 5850 also an option, but needs some more cash.
 
Rroff said:
Did the card not come with a couple of 4pin molex convertors?
Click to expand...

With all due respect to the OP if you need to start using 4 pin molex converters then you really shouldn't be trying to SLI two powerful video cards as your going to running your PSU close to 100% (or maybe beyond) load which increases the risk of one of the 12v rail failing and causing damage to your PC.

If you have only just bought you video card you should be able to return under the long distance selling laws (if you have bought from new), I can't remember what the cooling down period is but if you have had it less then a week it's worth calling and getting it sent back.
 
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