What PSU will i need for this?

Hello,

My setup:
6GB ram 3x 2048 sticks
W7 64 bits
I5 650 3.2 CPU
FIH57 packard bell mobo
Antec 500Watt PSU 80+
1X HD 6870 GPU
HDD 120GB
A dvd multirecorder

Now i would like to replace the i5 650 for a AMD Phenom II 1090T @ 3.2 - 6 cores.
Along with a Asrock 870 Extreme3 R2.0 mobo with crossfire ability for future upgrades.

Questions:
Will my PSU be enough for a single HD 6870 along with those upcoming mobo/CPU and another HD6870 later on?
What kind of pros and cons?

Thank you.

you don't post the exact PSU model you have but an antec with around 34a on it's 12v rail will be plenty for that set up.

Now that is just a stupid thing to say, DF.

For one thing, he clearly said that another 6870 later on is a distinct possibility.

He implied that he has had the Antec 500 for some time now (already aged somewhat) and that the second 6870 will come after it has aged for even more time.

Additionally, longevity of parts isn't exactly helped by running PSUs at 100% load all the time.

This webpage

http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/4 [...] dex17.html

Clearly shows that a bare bones computer with 6870 x 2 was pulling 492 w from the wall. That could be easily 420w delivered by the PSU to the internals with 72w heat buildup in the PSU. That is for a bare bones system.

Asking that on a continuous basis out of a 2, maybe 3, maybe 4 year old 500w PSU is no sure thing.

At best it will be operating at nearly its maximum capacity when that day comes which will just hasten the PSUs demise if it will even turn on when the 2nd 6870 is plugged in.

A 750 would be a much safer bet for an eventual 6870 x 2 configuration. It isn't like I am the only one that wants to be a little conservative when x2ing high end video cards.

I don't know how old the 500w is now, but even an oldish one shouldn't have any problems running the new processor and a single 6870.

Im running my setup now, but i wanted to change the CPU and mobo because i wanted to try out crossfire.

If you are only changing the system so you can do x2ing then there is no reason not to just wait until you want to add the 2x and then buy everything at that time.

I don't see any reason to buy the motherboard and processor now if you are just going to wait for the x2 till later.

You might as well just take advantage of the fact that the processor and motherboard will be cheaper at a later time whenever you get around to buying the other video card.

i found this XIGMATEK NRP-PC702 700W $60 newegg. it has two +12V Rails at 30a. im thinking about getting it for my intel crossfire build

if you have model # (thankyou newegg)
bp500u 18a x2
ea-500d 22a x2

according to extreme psu calc rounded up
1090t rec 13a
6870 rec 15a
xfire rec 24a diff of 9a
hd rec 6a
dvd rom rec 9a

1090+6870= 28a
2nd6870+ect= 24a

answer is you need a new psu and remember not to go over 80% of amp ratings for the efficiency and life of psu which is 65a combined or about 33a on 12vx2 rail or 22a on 12vx3 rail or 17a on 12vx4 rail so on and so forth. I'm not a pro, this is just what I've gathered from doing research on my own build. If I'm wrong please correct me.

both cards together in xfire use 24a and i just double checked my math using the Recommended PSU Wattage on outervision and windows calculator:

regular sata hhd 94w minus the 34w thats in there by default equals 60w divide that by 12v gives you 5a

ide 7200rpm 106w minus the 34w thats in there by default equals 72w divide that by 12v gives you 6a

DVD-RW/DVD+RW Drive 115w minus the 34w thats in there by default equals 81w divide that by 12v gives you 6.75a rounded gives you 7a

im not sure were i got 9a from and ill look around the internet for the stated amps

Hard drives idle in the desktop at 12V @ 0.6A. There is some power from
the 5V rail, like 5V @ 1A, but we're working out the 12V draw right now.

The DVD won't draw appreciable current from 12V, until media is inserted
and starts to spin. I've measured my CD drive, and it draws 12V @ 1A when
the media spins at top speed. The boiler plate spec on CD drives is around
1.5A, and the more exotic opticals draw even more than that.

http://www.howtofixcomputers.com/f [...] 80467.html

it does look like outervision over estimates... alot

a bit closer . most hd are between 4-9 watts read write, where did you get 94 watts for a hd ? start up between 18-30 watts

thankyou DF thats an awesome link