SLI Power Supply

[Hristo_97]

is it worth buying a "SLI Ready" Power supply? I just bought new parts for my computer and it turns out my current power supply isn't compatible.

Core 2 Quad @ 2.4 GHz
nVidia 9600GT SLI Ready
4GB RAM
2 hard drives
DVD/CD RW drive

do i really need to look for an "SLI READY" power supply?

 

[o1die]

You won't need it until you actually buy a second video card. Return it for credit if you can, or use it for a spare. Newegg had several corsair power supplies on sale yesterday in their email ads.

 

[Hristo_97]

I haven't actually bought a power supply. Thanks though! I won't be using a second video card... not much of a gamer. Newegg is the place to be

 

[JohnnyLucky]

As o1die already mentioned you don't need an sli ready power supply. Based on your pc configuration and intended use you do not need a high power psu either. However, you should consider purchasing a high quality, stable, reliable power supply.

Corsair consistently earns high marks in technical reviews and comparisons. Corsair is often recommended by the veteran posters at this forum. Here's a suitable 400 watt psu for $59.99 ($39.99 after mail-in rebate):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139008

 

[Hristo_97]

As o1die already mentioned you don't need an sli ready power supply. Based on your pc configuration and intended use you do not need a high power psu either. However, you should consider purchasing a high quality, stable, reliable power supply.

Corsair consistently earns high marks in technical reviews and comparisons. Corsair is often recommended by the veteran posters at this forum. Here's a suitable 400 watt psu for $59.99 ($39.99 after mail-in rebate):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139008

Thank you for the reply. This Corsair you sent me seems great, but one thing bothers me... its only 400W. The manual for my motherboard recommends at least 550W.

 

[JohnnyLucky]

The following stats are based on an overclocked cpu and a single video card at load:

Overclocked Quad-Core CPU - 130 watts

Motherboard & chipsets - 60 watts

2 Memory Modules - 6 watts

2 Hard Drives - 20 watts

optical drive - 20 watts

9600 GT at full load - 85 watts and 7 amps

Total Power: 321 watts

Since you are not going to overclock the cpu you're requirements are a little lower. The wattage for a single 9600GT is fairly low and varies depending on the model and memory. I listed the higher 9600FT wattage.

The source of the information is a recent Tom's Hardware article about actual power requirements for video cards. It also included power requirements for other components:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-radeon-power,2122.html

Manufacturers have a tendency to overestimate total requirements, especially considering what hardcore gamers into serious overclocking do to their systems.