Can the corsair 850 handle 2 or 3 285's?

[chedderslam1976]

I was looking at both the PC power and cooling 910 and the CORSAIR CMPSU-1000HX for my new build. The 910 is supposed to be really, really loud according to jonny guru, so I will probably go with a corsair.

I'm just wondering if a 1000 watt power supply is overkill. I am also concerned about it fitting in my case.

So I am thinking about just getting the CORSAIR CMPSU-850HX.

Two questions:

1. Will this be enough for three high end cards? I will probably never tri sli, but you never know. Will it handle two of the cards? I will probably be getting one EVGA FTW 285, add a second once prices drop.

2. Will the 1000 or 850 fit into a antec p182? I already have the case so I would have to sell it and buy a larger one if not.

Thanks!

 

[Kari]

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/evga-geforce-gtx285ssc_5.html#sect0
normal 285 uses 150W (OCed 160W) tops. so three would be somewhere near 450W. You'll still have some 300W for the rest of the system (which is a lot) with comfort margin of 100W. you don't want to push the psu too hard after all...

so yeah 850 would be quite enough

 

[Bluescreendeath]

Don't try triple SLi with 3 GTX285s on a 850watt. You may run it, but it'll shorten the life of your PSU.

Go for 1000watts.

 

[ragsters]

Corsair 1000w is triple sli certified if that means anything to you.

 

[theAnimal]

I would go with GTX275s instead, the 285 isn't worth the price premium IMO.

 

[baddad]

I've seen my machine hit 800W under load so I'd say a 1000w minimum.

 

[XMSYellowbeard]

I would agree with the other wise posters in here. 2x cards, 850w is OK. 3x, go for the HX-1000.

 

[Kari]

nah 850W is enough for triple, see the first post and the linky...

 

[one-shot]

In another test on Xbitlabs, it showed an I7 965 and a GTX295, which drew just over 500W. With an 850W, you still have 350Watts left. I don't think the extra GTX285 is going to use that much power, but the HX1000 would most likely be better as it is performing at a lower percentage of maximum output. This should make the PSU quieter because it isn't putting out as much heat, which in turn means a quieter PC.

 

[XMSYellowbeard]

I don't think the extra GTX285 is going to use that much power, but the HX1000 would most likely be better as it is performing at a lower percentage of maximum output. This should make the PSU quieter because it isn't putting out as much heat, which in turn means a quieter PC.

Good points and, overall the PSU should last longer if it's operating at a lower percentage of it's maximum output. Several people here are pointing out a total of approximately 450w for the GPUs. Keep in mind that an OCed Core i* CPU can pull 150w or more easily.