Going SLi and concerned over the PSU

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Curtis Gray

Honorable
Apr 6, 2013
6
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10,510
Hi guys,

I'm currently running a system with one GTX 560ti and purchased a second. I've read some reports on the PSU situation and to be honest, knew mine was boarderline powerful enough. Anyway, I installed the second 560ti and the system ran fine. Then with max Payne 3, turned up to use 1.9 GB of my GFX Ram, I came across a problem. The game ran for 10 minutes then hit a graphically intense cut scene and power to my system went off.

Upon restart the ASUS bios advised it had cut power due to a power surge, which I believe is the software built into the motherboard doing it's job and protecting my hardware.

Ok, so now the spec. I'm running:

Intel Core i7-2600 3.40GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor
Asus Z77 Sabertooth Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard
EVGA GeForce GTX 560TI Superclocked 1024MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card (01G-P3-1563-KR) x2
Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C10 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (CMZ16GX3M2A1600C10)
Cooler Master CM-690 II Nvidia Edition Advanced USB3.0 Dominator Case - Black/Green
Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 1TB SATA 6Gb/s 32MB Cache - OEM (ST31000524AS) HDD
1 160mm fan
2 120mm fans
2 40mm fans
Standard CPU fan

The PSU is X-power 700w with the following ratings

AC Input = 230 vac 50hz 10a
DC Input = +3.3V---+5V+--12V1---+12V2---+12V3-- -12V---+5vsb
MAX Amp= 24A----17A----24A------24A------24A-----0.5A----3A
Wattage = ------140W---------------576W----------------6W----15W


So to conclude, the PSU from what in understand is powerful enough but I've heard suggestions of having a PSU that has 4 moles connectors, this one only has 3 which the above rating list states are capable of supplying 576W which I have my two GFX cards and motherboard plugged into.

What's your thoughts guys?

P.S. I've removed the second GFX card for the time being

Much Appreciated
Curtis
 
Solution
marshallbradley
Amazon is your best bet. They deliver fast and have very good customer service/returns policy.

Here's a no frills unit from Corsair that won't set you back too much financially (I'm sure it's more than the X-power was, but it's worth paying for a working and stable computer :p):

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Corsair-TX750V2-Enthusiast-Series-Bronze/dp/B004O0P9VC/ref=sr_1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1365263926&sr=1-1&keywords=tx+corsair

You can get other things like better efficiency (note this doesn't imply better quality, it's simply the percentage of power drawn from the wall that is usable by the computer) or modular cabling, but these add quite a premium. If you want a really quality unit with a 7 year warranty, fanless operation when...
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marshallbradley

marshallbradley

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Sep 24, 2012
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From the per rail wattage, that is a lot closer to a 550w power supply than a 700w one, and 'X-Power' sounds about as dodgy as they come, so I'd be surprised if it can even manage that. The graphics cards are going to be drawing from the 12v rails, so that's where you need the muscle. Did you get it at Maplin or something? I'd get that piece of junk out your system ASAP, otherwise the next time it powers down, it might be for good! Low quality power supplies have a tendency of a) exploding and b) taking the rest of the system down with them.

Get yourself a nice 750-850W unit from Seasonic/Corsair and you'll be laughing! Something like the Seasonic X-750 would suit you very well, but then again it's rather pricey (you get what you pay for). XFX also have a very good 750W PSU or two (made by Seasonic), that aren't too hard on the wallet either.

M
 
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C

Curtis Gray

Honorable
Apr 6, 2013
6
0
10,510
I was worried about the lack of a reputation X-power have.

Sound advice. When I'm looking at the wattage then do I need to ensure that the 12v rails total a wattage of 750-850 or just the overall wattage of the PSU itself?

Can anyone suggest a good website that delivers in the UK where I can purchase one of these said PSU's
 
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C

Curtis Gray

Honorable
Apr 6, 2013
6
0
10,510
Right guys well I think you've covered it other than a plce to purchase one.

I bought the X-power one from ebuyer, it was cheap and now I know why, after this experience (my first build) I understand now that PSU is really the most important piece to a good build.

I've found a few options on overclockers to choose from, at the moment I like the look of:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-023-SS
 
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marshallbradley

marshallbradley

Honorable
Sep 24, 2012
746
0
11,060
Amazon is your best bet. They deliver fast and have very good customer service/returns policy.

Here's a no frills unit from Corsair that won't set you back too much financially (I'm sure it's more than the X-power was, but it's worth paying for a working and stable computer :p):

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Corsair-TX750V2-Enthusiast-Series-Bronze/dp/B004O0P9VC/ref=sr_1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1365263926&sr=1-1&keywords=tx+corsair

You can get other things like better efficiency (note this doesn't imply better quality, it's simply the percentage of power drawn from the wall that is usable by the computer) or modular cabling, but these add quite a premium. If you want a really quality unit with a 7 year warranty, fanless operation when not under load and modular cabling, you can't do much better than:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Corsair-Professional-Series-Modular-Platinum/dp/B00A74X9SO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1365263887&sr=8-1&keywords=ax+760

Basically any modern power supply from a reputable brand will have most of the power output (probably at least 90%) loaded into the 12v rail (my AX 860 for example has something like 852W on the 12v rail IIRC lol), so you don't need to worry so much when it comes to a good power supply from a good brand.

@tiny voices Wattage and Amps on the 12v are exactly linearly related though aren't they? W=12*A for the 12v rail, unless I'm not remembering my GCSE Electronics right :p

EDIT: Both your linked power supplies are awesome, the first one is a tad overpriced in my opinion though, since you can get an AX series for less (which has higher efficiency and is more modern). As far as Corsair power supplies go from the most well featured to the most budget oriented it goes AX > HX > TX > CX. You just need to find one at the right wattage (750w or so in my mind) and at the sort of price you want to pay. And yes the HX 750W will suit you perfectly.

Try and get it from Amazon though if you can. It's only about £2 more, and if you do the free Amazon Prime trial, you can get it guaranteed by Monday (along with better Customer Service and much easier returns from Amazon).

M
 
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Solution
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Curtis Gray

Honorable
Apr 6, 2013
6
0
10,510
Right guys I'm now 100% more confident in which brand/price range of power supply to use. It's just a case of picking one.

Really appreciate all of your combined input espacilly Marshall.

First time I've used this website an it's great, think I'll stick around
 
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