Need Advice on PSU req's for GTX 660 Ti

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RebelScum75

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Feb 24, 2014
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I'm getting a Dell XPS 8700 (should be in today), with a 460W PSU, which I've heard has a maximum combined +12V current rating of 32 Amps and two 6-pin connectors. My goal is to get the best GPU I can for a good price that will work with this system without having to upgrade the PSU (since that will add to the total cost of upgrading). It also doesn't have slots for SLI, so just one card. I'm also partial to nVidia, but would go Radeon if it was a better deal.

I've been looking seriously at the GTX 660 Ti, which the reference model has a max power usage of 150W, min PSU req of 450W, and two 6-pin connectors; perfect for my system.

The particular card I'm looking at is the Galaxy GeForce GTX660 Ti GC 3GB, which is factory OC'ed, and also has more memory. If you look at the specs page, it says it still has a max power usage of 150W, and min PSU req of 450W. However, they changed the pins to use one 6-pin, and one 8-pin. This doesn't add up, because why would they change one of the power connectors if the power ratings are the same? Changing one to 8-pin implies that this card needs more power than is supplied by the PCI slot and two 6-pins. Did they forget to change the min PSU specs, or did they just change the connector pins for absolutely no reason?

Also, I know it's not just the way Galaxy does their cards, because their reference version only uses two 6-pin connectors. They changed it when going to the OC 3GB version.

I know I can get a 6-to-8-pin adapter, but I don't want to do so if this card will overload my PSU.

So my question is whether or not it's safe to get this card and use with my system.
 
Solution
ko888
I've never seen a GeForce GTX 660 Ti draw more than 186 Watts even when highly overclocked and running FurMark Stability testing.

Two 75-Watt 6-pin PCIe power connectors allows the card to draw a theoretical maximum of 225 Watts. The PCIe x16 slot allows a maximum power draw of 75 Watts through the +3.3V and +12V power lines in the slot.

A card with one 6-pin and one 8-pin PCIe power connector allows the card a theoretical maximum power draw of 300 Watts. This does not mean that the card will draw anywhere near 300 Watts or even over 225 Watts. The circuit board may be used for more than one model within the manufacturer's product offerings so it's designed to handle a wider range of power draw requirements.

I don't think there's...
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Finidi

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Jan 21, 2014
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Id say dont get it. First of all if min wattage required for a 660 ti based system is 450W, the 460W psu cuts it WAY to close for comfort, specially since I doubt it is one with a high efficiency rating like 80+ bronze/gold/platinum. Due to this it probably will not be enough.

Then about the cards connectors, ever considered they could have added a 8 pin to allow for higher manual OC's.
 
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RebelScum75

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Feb 24, 2014
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I talked to Galaxy's support, and they told me that the PSU requirement specs are still the same, and it should be ok, but of course they have a vested interest in getting me to buy the card. I asked him if the fact that it is factory OC'ed means that it will draw more power than reference, but he said no, so I'm not sure if he can be trusted or not.

I guess if I pinky promise not to OC the card, I should be safe, huh?
 
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Finidi

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Jan 21, 2014
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No you wont be save. Its WAAAAY to close. Those 10watts will be swallowed by the fact that the psu is NOT 100% effecient and loses some power to warmt. Dont take the gamble, chances that it ends up not working well are too big.
 
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ko888

ko888

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I've never seen a GeForce GTX 660 Ti draw more than 186 Watts even when highly overclocked and running FurMark Stability testing.

Two 75-Watt 6-pin PCIe power connectors allows the card to draw a theoretical maximum of 225 Watts. The PCIe x16 slot allows a maximum power draw of 75 Watts through the +3.3V and +12V power lines in the slot.

A card with one 6-pin and one 8-pin PCIe power connector allows the card a theoretical maximum power draw of 300 Watts. This does not mean that the card will draw anywhere near 300 Watts or even over 225 Watts. The circuit board may be used for more than one model within the manufacturer's product offerings so it's designed to handle a wider range of power draw requirements.

I don't think there's anything to worry about if you use a 6-pin to 8-pin PCI Express adapter cable.
 
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RebelScum75

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Feb 24, 2014
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Thank you so much Grandmaster Ko!!! That makes so much sense. For the life of me I couldn't figure out why they would change one of the 6-pins to an 8-pin for no reason, but that is a definite possibility, and I'm going with it!
 
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