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PSU question

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Auraomega   08-30-2009 at 01:14:03 AM

Hi there,

I'm currently sporting a crappy of-the-shelf PC which I'm looking to upgrade a few parts with a view to building my own system again when I have the cash. In particular I'm hoping to upgrade my graphics card and PSU and to build my new system around those.

I'm looking to get in my new PC the nVidia 8800 gt (possibly 2 SLI, depends if prices drop until then), could anyone advise me on a good PSU I could purchase that could run 2 8800s if I chose to go down that route? A cheap PSU would be desirable but I'd rather spend the cash on a quality PSU than on a cheaper PSU thats not going to work as reliably.

And, completely unrelated to the PSU, does anyone have a clue where I could get this case http://www.hardwaresphere.com/wp-c [...] esktop.jpg or this case -> http://www.computerboy.net/fishy%20clear%20case.jpg ?

Thanks.
-Aura

------------------------------ Windows: Another pane in the glass.

Current rig: Q6600, nVidia GeForce 8500GT, 3GB generic RAM, 320gb generic HDD.
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GorfTheFrog   08-30-2009 at 03:49:25 AM
- 0 +

Hi -

I recently finished my first new build, and I used a Corsair modulare power supply.

The PSU finder on their website helps you pick the models that you'd need for 2 graphics cards.

http://www.corsair.com/psufinder/default.aspx

Hope this helps!

Reply to GorfTheFrog
Bronze Home Brew badge tecmo34   08-30-2009 at 03:54:55 AM
- 1 +

You will want at least a 650w PSU for two 8800 GT's. I recommend either Antec, Corsair, PC Power&Cooling or OCZ for your PSU. Find one that fits into your budget from one of the PSU makers I listed.

As for the cases, they look custom built to me, so you won't be able to go out and buy one.

------------------------------ Recommended Builds by Usage
Step-by-Step Guide to Building a PC
 Reply to tecmo34
FallenSniper   08-30-2009 at 03:59:07 AM
- 0 +

+1 to tecmo. With prices right now, I would recommend Corsair or OCZ to get the most power for the smallest price.

Reply to FallenSniper
Silver Home Brew badge hunter315   08-30-2009 at 05:22:48 AM
- 0 +

If you look at the name of the image for that pyramid one it is clearly labeled a case mod so you wont be able to purchase that anywhere. That second one however appears to be this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811148012

Reply to hunter315
Auraomega   08-31-2009 at 09:04:30 PM
- 0 +

I've found this 400w unit by OCZ that claims to be SLI ok... last PC I built I had a friend advise me on the PSU, I've never really understood what I'm looking for with one, would you mind explaining to me how you work out the required wattage?

Also, I'm wondering about the 8800s, is there a better (nVidia) card out there for preformance/price ratio? I'm looking to play my games on which are all relatively old (Stalker and Oblivion for example) at top specs and still have some future in them as newer more demanding games come out that I may be interested in.

-Aura

------------------------------ Windows: Another pane in the glass.

Current rig: Q6600, nVidia GeForce 8500GT, 3GB generic RAM, 320gb generic HDD.
 Reply to Auraomega
Bronze Home Brew badge obsidian86   08-31-2009 at 09:10:46 PM
- -1 +

a 275gtx be perfect

Reply to obsidian86
Bronze Home Brew badge Proximon   08-31-2009 at 09:32:53 PM
- 0 +

I would like to help you out here but you really need to provide more info.

An off-the-shelf system may be proprietary. This means that some parts may not be replaceable without replacing other parts as well... for instance replacing the PSU may require replacing the case, but replacing the case might mean also replacing the motherboard.

There are certainly better values than the 8800GT.

You can see the section of my guide regarding PSUs. There is a link there as well to a wattage calculator.

------------------------------ My Guide to choosing parts
A big list of recommended parts
Troubleshooting Guide w/links
 Reply to Proximon
Bronze Home Brew badge niklas_13   09-01-2009 at 05:38:10 AM
- 0 +

If you live by a Frys this is a grate deal GTX 275 148 http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] w=0&nojs=0

4 days left

hell i might sell my GTX 260 and my 1680X1050 and pick one up and get a 1920X1080 and sell my other stuff lol


Message edited by niklas_13 on 09-01-2009 at 05:40:17 AM
------------------------------ P55-UD4P / i5 750 @ 3.6 180X20 / GSkill 1600 @ 1420 7-7-7-22 / WD Black 640 / HD 5850 / Corsair 750 / Win 7
Reply to niklas_13
Auraomega   09-01-2009 at 06:35:14 PM
- 0 +

All good, but I'm in the UK so no good for me really :P

As for the case, I was told at purchase time that all things were easy to swap... but this was coming from a PC World employee.

-Aura

(P.S. I didn't want to buy a PC from PC World, I'd originally got a laptop which then proved to be pretty poor and all they would do is offer me a PC or better laptop, in the end I needed a new PC so I got this and got a new laptop elsewhere).

------------------------------ Windows: Another pane in the glass.

Current rig: Q6600, nVidia GeForce 8500GT, 3GB generic RAM, 320gb generic HDD.
 Reply to Auraomega
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