Need help picking PSU for 3-way SLI (GTX280)

[starhoof]

I need help picking power supply with enough power, and right ports (connectors) for 3 way SLI of GTX280 cards

Enough power to be provided for next components:

mobo: Nvidia 790i FTW
HD: 2 Velociraptor dirves
Videocards: 3 GTX280
CPU:QX9770
RAM: DDR3 Patriot Viper 1800MHz 4 sticks of 1 GB each
And of course all the fans to cool it all

 

[stove]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153054

or

http://www.thermaltake.com/product/Power/ToughPower/w0218/w0218.asp

enjoy.......

 

[starhoof]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153054

or

http://www.thermaltake.com/product/Power/ToughPower/w0218/w0218.asp

enjoy.......

i havent seen any of the 1500w on new egg, and one in the link is for 230Vac in us there's 110Vac outlets, is there 110vac one or i got something misunderstood ?

 

[geofelt]

If you have the budget for 3 GTX280's, don't skimp on the PSU.
Look at PC P&C 1200W.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703012

Their customer support is outstanding, and you should never need it.

 

[starhoof]

If you have the budget for 3 GTX280's, don't skimp on the PSU.
Look at PC P&C 1200W.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703012

Their customer support is outstanding, and you should never need it.

it has 6- 6 pin connectors and 2- 8 pin connectors are there any adapters to transform 2-6pin connectors into 1- 8pin connector ?
and it dosent seem to be modular... btw is there anything i can do to improve my cable management with non-modular PSU ?

and is PC P&C is that much diff quality from antec orthermaltake,
and if 1200w be enough ?

 

[chookman]

CorsairHX 1000 more than enough for those.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139007

Why are you building a rig like this? You would get the majority of the performance of a machine half the price?

Hope you have a 2560 x 1600 panel otherwise all that power will be going to waste.
http://www.tweaktown.com/articles/1466/nvidia_geforce_280_gtx_in_tri_sli_tested/index.html
Hope that supports my argument, i cant read it because of tweaktown stupid ad-blocker anti discrimation.

 

[runswindows95]

I have to agree with chookman about the PSU recommendation and the question of the reason behind building a rig like this.

 

[geofelt]

it has 6- 6 pin connectors and 2- 8 pin connectors are there any adapters to transform 2-6pin connectors into 1- 8pin connector ?
and it dosent seem to be modular... btw is there anything i can do to improve my cable management with non-modular PSU ?

and is PC P&C is that much diff quality from antec orthermaltake,
and if 1200w be enough ?

The GTX 280 cards come with adapters for 8 pin pcie connectors.
A unit that would not require those adapters would be:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703020

Since you will be using most of the connectors anyway, the value of modular is somewhat diminished. Some say that modular is less reliable, but I really think it is a non issue. Cable management is determined by the case, and your attention to detail.

 

[starhoof]

ok, i think now that i read that article i will buy 1 less videocard, thats 600 bucks less, thx for the article =)

 

[chookman]

I wasnt looking at the Corsair 1000 for the modular design geofelt. Was giving a solid PSU with the connections required for Tri-SLI. The corsair comes with 6x6+2pin so theres no need for adapters. and its a far cheaper option.

 

[starhoof]

I wasnt looking at the Corsair 1000 for the modular design geofelt. Was giving a solid PSU with the connections required for Tri-SLI. The corsair comes with 6x6+2pin so theres no need for adapters. and its a far cheaper option.

you think 1000w would be enough for my hardware ?

wow, thanks man, #1 thx for the article that got me out of getting 3 videocards, now i will get 2 =D #thx for the psu choice, i do think corsair is a high quality company

 

[zenmaster]

Even if you want to spend that type of money on a System, it's silly to buy it now. Next Month it will be owned by a Nehalem System.

 

[Hellboy]

Even if you want to spend that type of money on a System, it's silly to buy it now. Next Month it will be owned by a Nehalem System.

I had the same thing the other day..

Someone wanted a Skull Trail Motherboard...

I said dont even think about it

A Nehalem will be out soon and with a Intel chipset using SLI--- It will be what we are looking for


Oh a 920i will be mine,, oh yes ... dribble dribble etc etc

 

[chookman]

Hes something else for you to take a look at Starhoof
http://archive.atomicmpc.com.au/forums.asp?s=2&c=7&t=9354

Actually power consumption of graphics cards (add to this the rest of your compontents also. This lists a full load of 3xGTX280's at 520w thats a full load, which you might not really ever hit. 2xGTX280's is at 345w, off of a sudden you start to realise that your beast of a rig doesnt need as much power as you thought.

Another TRI-SLI review, this ones a little more leaning toward tri being a little nicer (could be updated drivers)
http://www.guru3d.com/article/geforce-gtx-280-sli-triple-review-test/1

The other thing you gotta realise is your beast of a machine might run a game at 250fps, but you have to take refresh rate into account (generally around 60-100hz) so where do all the other frames go? They arent used.

 

[bobbknight]

get this
http://www.pcpower.com/power-supply/turbo-cool-1200-esa.html
YES IT'S THE BEST!!

 

[4Ryan6]

Go to the source for your information, 1000w is recommended for 2way SLI in my ASUS Crosshair II Formula, however for a 3way setup the manual defaults to the Nvidia website!

Nvidias reccomendations:

http://www.slizone.com/object/slizone_build_psu.html

 

[fergie]

I had similar system and have actually removed one card as it wasn't getting me any extra fps in most games. I use a tagan 1100 turbojet.

 

[chookman]

Go to the source for your information, 1000w is recommended for 2way SLI in my ASUS Crosshair II Formula, however for a 3way setup the manual defaults to the Nvidia website!

Nvidias reccomendations:

http://www.slizone.com/object/slizone_build_psu.html

Just because it isnt certified doesnt mean it wont work. The Guru3d link i have uses Enermax Galaxy 1000 Watt PSU to power the tri-sli rig without an issue. Max draw "PC 100% usage (wattage gaming Peak) = 749 Watt (3-way SLI)" which would put a 1kw power supply at the 75% usage full load which would come close to max efficiency. http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story2&reid=89

Im perplexed at why the Corsair comes up on the SLIzone link under Tri-SLI for 8800Ultras but not for GTX280 when they are almost the same power usage.

 

[starhoof]

Just because it isnt certified doesnt mean it wont work. The Guru3d link i have uses Enermax Galaxy 1000 Watt PSU to power the tri-sli rig without an issue. Max draw "PC 100% usage (wattage gaming Peak) = 749 Watt (3-way SLI)" which would put a 1kw power supply at the 75% usage full load which would come close to max efficiency. http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story2&reid=89

Im perplexed at why the Corsair comes up on the SLIzone link under Tri-SLI for 8800Ultras but not for GTX280 when they are almost the same power usage.

well i guess TRI SLI really wont make much difference, from that article that u gave me, so i think ill just stick with reg-SLI...

 

[jaragon13]

Why 2 280 GTX's then? Why not just one 280 GTX or one HD 4870 or one HD 4870X2 or one 9800 GX2? You know you can always buy one for me

 

[dobby]

yea i have to admit you would be much better off buying 2 4870X2 and whacking them on to a x48, not only would that be better than 3 gtx280, my guess is it would be cheaper

i would say your gonna need a kiloWatt PSU preferably from corsair

 

[guitarguy84]

You do not need that much. you can get by with 850w. Just watch this video and go to the 8:10 mark
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPljIUueGHk

 

[guitarguy84]

the only thing is that those are expensive because of their current rating i guess.. so it probably is cheaper to go with the 1200w