Power draw of GTX 470 SLI

[cyrus40540057]

Anyone have an relevant info or opinions regarding a realistic power draw of GTX 470 SLI on the 12V+ rail?

I know the documentation says 38A per card, but I'm sure plenty of people have this configuration (or better) without 76A on the 12V+ rail. I have seen others saying that realistic draw is more like 18A per card. The TDP is supposed to be 215W, which would point towards 18A being the max draw.

That would mean that you could potentially run this SLI at 36A though, 2A lower than the recommendation for a single card. Anyone have any opinions as to what a safe 12V+ amperage would be?

INPUT FROM ANYONE WITH THIS CONFIGURATION WOULD BE APPRECIATED!

 

[rolli59]

Here you will find total system draw in idle, gaming and stress test http://www.anandtech.com/show/4061/amds-radeon-hd-6970-radeon-hd-6950/24

 

[JackNaylorPE]

I would not use anything less than a 850 watter, 750 be OK if not overclocking the GFX or CPU.:

1. Simply buy a PSU off the certified list and you'll have no issues....nVidia's only gonne guaranteee performance at stock (GFX and CPU) speeds of course.

http://www.slizone.com/object/slizone_build_psu.html

2. The anandtech site tested actual power draw at 740 watts under Furmark ..... more than any game will ever draw but the fact that the system can be made to pull that much power puts it into the range of "possible", and that don't include overclocking. Personally, it's too close for my taste but if you're not going to OC, I won't say it's wrong, but I wouldn't do it.,

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4061/amds-radeon-hd-6970-radeon-hd-6950/24

I'd suggest:

w/ overclocking

Antec CP-850 $120 - requires compatible Antec case
Antec SG-85
Antec TPQ-850
Corsair HX-850
Seasonic MD12-850
XFX Black Edition 850

If sure not overclocking, the following could also be considered (tho I wouldn't do it).

Antec EA-750
Antec TP-750
Corsair TX-750
Seasonic X-750
XFX Black Edition 750

When ya look for example at the fact that the XFX Blask 850 is $10 more than the 750, seems like a no brainer to spend the $10.

 

[dalauder]

^+1
750W if you will NEVER overclock
850W if you're smart

 

[cyrus40540057]

I'm not looking for total system power, just the draw on the 12V+ rail. Total system power doesn't help unless you have that system or can tell how much everything other than the GPU is. Even at idle though, I'm betting the GPU draws something.

Otherwise it looks like the GTX 470 SLI takes a max of 535W (740-205), which is only 44.6A (535/12). That doesn't seem right to me.

 

[rolli59]

Most of the load today is on the +12volt very little is used on the other rails.

 

[jerreece]

I run 2 x GTX 470 (SLI) with an i5-750 @ 4Ghz with an Antec 850W PSU.