Need to understand power connections for crossfire

[HTalbot7]

Hi Folks:
I'm building a new machine after a long(over 5 years) time away.
The machine will will have dual monitors and dual 4870 cards.
I'm at the point of choosing a psu and I am confused about
the power connectors for the video boards.
The boardmaker's website says that the 4870 requires 2 6pin connectors
but most of the PSUs that I have looked at only have two 6pin connectors.
Am I using a splitter to accomodate the other card or am I missing something(I wouldn't be at all surprised)?
The config ---
MSI x58 Platinum
i7 940
12gb OCZ Platinum(I must like the word "Platinum")
2x Sapphire 4870 1gb
120gb SSD
2x 1.5tb HD
Thanks

 

[ausch30]

What PSU's are you looking at? Your going to want something in the 750w and up range such as the PC Power Silencer 750 or the Corsair 750TX. Both are very good PSU's and will have all the connectors you will need.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341011

 

[HTalbot7]

What PSU's are you looking at? Your going to want something in the 750w and up range such as the PC Power Silencer 750 or the Corsair 750TX. Both are very good PSU's and will have all the connectors you will need.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341011

There was a new abs tagan BZ 1300( $200 ) for sale locally that showed only 2 6pin leads.
I am also looking at the Enermax 1050. It appears to have no 6pin leads but 8 pci-e 6 + 2 connectors.
Unfortunately, I don't understand the difference, if there is one.

Thanks

 

[theAnimal]

Unless you really need 12GB of RAM, I would stick with 6. MSI X58 mobos have issues when all RAM slots are filled.

 

[HTalbot7]

Unless you really need 12GB of RAM, I would stick with 6. MSI X58 mobos have issues when all RAM slots are filled.

Hi Animal:
I have heard about a heat related issue that can be reduced with some fans. Is there anything else?
Thanks

 

[ausch30]

There was a new abs tagan BZ 1300( $200 ) for sale locally that showed only 2 6pin leads.
I am also looking at the Enermax 1050. It appears to have no 6pin leads but 8 pci-e 6 + 2 connectors.
Unfortunately, I don't understand the difference, if there is one.

Thanks

Some video cards, such as the 4870x2, need a little more power so they need a 6 pin and an 8 pin connector. PSU manufacturers use 6+2pin connectors to allow for more flexibility for the consumer. If you look at the black connectors in this link you will see a 6+2 connector. It can be used for either a 6 or 8 pin video card.
Here's a pic from my system, you can see that my card only needs 2 6pin so the extra couple pins are just hanging there. My PSU has 2x 6pin and 2x 6+2 pin connectors.

 

[HTalbot7]

Thanks ausch30:

 

[HTalbot7]

Thanks ausch30:
I keep forgetting that forums don't permit normal editing such as tab spacing.


Your answer is exactly what I needed to know.


Thanks again

 

[ausch30]

Thanks ausch30:
I keep forgetting that forums don't permit normal editing such as tab spacing.


Your answer is exactly what I needed to know.


Thanks again

At the bottom right of each of your posts are 3 icons, the one on the left is edit and the middle one is quick edit.