480 Dual SLI, Need Expert Advice

[chuck_nvidia]

I was lucky to snag two EVGA 480 SuperClocked GPUs on newegg. I'm a little concerned about my current setup and I wasn't sure whether or not I should be....

I currently have an OCZ 1000w PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341028

This has 83 Amps on a single 12V rail.

I own an OC'd i7 and 6 sticks of OC'd DDR 3 memory. I should also mention that I have an antec 1200 case with 10 fans (most are 120mm, except for the huge one on the top)

Should I be concerned about getting the dual 480s with my current PSU setup? Should I upgrade the PSU? I'm seeing mixed reviews everywhere, so I'm not sure what the worst case scenario is, or if I am digging myself into a hole here.

Any expert advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

 

[shadow187]

Each will use 28A on their own. Your CPU might use up to 20A, depending on the OC. Fans run off of the +5v rail I believe.

 

[chuck_nvidia]

Each will use 28A on their own. Your CPU might use up to 20A, depending on the OC. Fans run off of the +5v rail I believe.

So I suppose 83A is enough... But is 1000w a cause for concern?

 

[builderbobftw]

Better question is why you got them in the first place.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

The Z series is the only OCZ PSU, I'd give the nod for this on.

Anxious to see how this works out for you .... my sons have Antec 1200's .... one wants to upgrade to a 5970 w/ 3 monitors for FSX and the other wants to move to twin 470's.

 

[capt_taco]

Better question is why you got them in the first place.

To replace his crossfired 5870s, duh. There are always a few of those people.

Well, who knows whether this guy is one, but you know what I mean.

 

[builderbobftw]

To replace his crossfired 5870s, duh. There are always a few of those people.

Well, who knows whether this guy is one, but you know what I mean.

HEhehehe.

he should have bought a 5970 to Quadfire them them.

But seriously, WHY OH WHY????!!!!

 

[notty22]

Well he will have the fastest two cards in the world. And you need two cards in sli for Nvidias 3-way multi monitor setup. He might also be going for 3d as shown here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0JT4JCChgw

 

[builderbobftw]

No, the 2 fastest card sin the woorld are 2 5970s.

BOOM.

 

[notty22]

Don't you have a dump to go scavenge ?

 

[builderbobftw]

Hehhe.

Only open from 12-4, 3 days a week.

But yeh.

 

[shadow187]

Builder...no offense...you are childish :|.

The HD5970 + HD5870 trifire will cost the same as 2x GTX480 ($550 + $550 = $1,100; $650 + $450 = $1,100), and those would outperform the nVidian duo.

 

[bystander]

Builder...no offense...you are childish :|.

The HD5970 + HD5870 trifire will cost the same as 2x GTX480 ($550 + $550 = $1,100; $650 + $450 = $1,100), and those would outperform the nVidian duo.

I'm not sure it would or not, but I'm sure it would be close. However, unless you get the new 2Gb/4Gb versions, it might not have the memory to handle the resolutions, with the AA turned up, on a system like this would normally be used with.

 

[shadow187]

The Sapphire 4GB HD5970 should be quite a contender.

 

[nforce4max]

Well to be back on topic I think that your setup up will be enough for just two GTX480s and nothing more as for fans they don't use that much power. One can run most 12v DC fans off some monocrystalline PV cells with ease.

 

[yannickhk]

Aren't any of you even a little bit concerned about the heat those cards are going to generate in a SLI configuration?

But, to get back on topic, I think the PSU should be able to handle it. It is a 1k PSU after all, if that's not enough for only two 480, then throw the damned things out the window lol

 

[shadow187]

Are those fans LED? LED fans use ~5watts, which isn't much, but 10 of them leads to 50Watts of fan. 50Watts goes to RAM as well.

 

[Guest]

I say, its ~ok if ran @ Stock. If I am in your shoes with that much cash and a 1.4Kw PSU, I would water cool and OC the hell out of them :lol:

I would get BFG 1.2Kw lifetime warranty 199$ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817702015

 

[rofl_my_waffle]

2 480s wouldn't even break 800W total power draw.

 

[Guest]

2 480s wouldn't even break 800W total power draw.

Why spending more on a +25Mhz called superclocked version? It smells fishy somewhere.

The recommended is 1Kw for GTX 480 SLI as they use more power than 2x5970s. If you run them at under 1Kw, the PSU might start loosing its efficiency. OCind the 480s should need 1Kw+. The op has overclocked CPU also. wow just had the idea that a microwave uses 1000w to cook very fast, were not that far off ...

 

[builderbobftw]

this might handle dual 480s:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256054&cm_re=1500w-_-17-256-054-_-Product

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833997033&cm_re=cisco_power_sipply-_-33-997-033-_-Product

 

[nforce4max]

Well if push come to shove you could order a dual phase unit that is good up to 2k (dual 120v ac inputs) note that some dual phase units when powered on can and do often dim your lights but then again most people don't have a SGI setup that uses 3 phase 220v ac.

 

[Guest]

lol "dim your lights"

 

[L1qu1d]

this might handle dual 480s:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256054&cm_re=1500w-_-17-256-054-_-Product

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833997033&cm_re=cisco_power_sipply-_-33-997-033-_-Product

stop trolling he didn't ask ur opionion on his purchase. And he doesn't need wat u pointed out for 2 480s.

Each time u add a 480 u add a safe barrier of 250 watts a 1000 wat should be enough for even 3 480s

@ op

I would suggest picking up a corsair 1000 watt hx. It's really decent price. It performs like some 1200 watt psus in some cases. It's very good quality and value.

@bob

seriously enough with the lame comments, answer ppl's questions don't be a prick.

P.s

2 5970 + scaling = fail, just like most setups 3 and over

 

[Guest]

Yep as liquid said except that 1000w is stretching it with 3x480 from a safe perspective because the 480 is Not 250w, tests showing it is sucking more power than the 300w 5970.

bob is prolly making a joke by saying "might" lmao

But really I would get a BFG 1.2Kw If you want 3x480 only because it has lifetime warranty and it is cheaper than the hx1000 which is on par with your current PSU, 199$,while being more powerfull!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817702015&Tpk=BFG%201200

So as I said earlier, your PSU is enough for 480SLI but dont count on OCing them because you will hit 2 walls: PSU insufficiency + Heat.