Recommended wattage for SLI?

Hello,

I currently have the EVGA GTX 560 SC (Non TI version) and I would like to run it in 2-way SLI.

I currently have a Retail Plus 700 watt power supply. 2/2 of my PCIE pin connectors are in use with my one card, so putting the second card would mean using 2 dual molex to PCIE to have it power.

Here is a link to my PSU:
http://www.retailplus.com/products [...] wer-supply

I may be getting an 850 watt PSU for christmas from a brand like Corsair,MSI,Cooler master. so this PSU won't be in forever.

Will my Current PSU be able to handle it?

Reply to DragonYiffer

yes, it can handle

Reply to pro-gamer

I wouldn't use that psu to power ONE GTX560, let a lone TWO. Get yourself a good fire extinguisher and keep it handy if you try that.

And no you cannot use 2 pci-e to molex to power a card. You can use one on each card, but not two on one card.

Message quoted 2 times
Message edited by geekapproved on 11-19-2011 at 06:04:40 PM

------------------------------ Core i3-2100/Asrock H61/8GB1333/XFX HD5850oc/WD Black 500/Antec 300/Antec EA380w bronze
Currently playing Deus Ex:HR a second time on Hardcore
Reply to geekapproved

geekapproved wrote :

And no you cannot use 2 pci-e to molex to power a card. You can use one on each card, but not two on one card.

Have you actually tried running two GTX560Ti's that way?

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http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/3995/bl11.gif

Reply to Mousemonkey

Mousemonkey wrote :

Have you actually tried running two GTX560Ti's that way?

i think he did haha!

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Reply to pro-gamer

pro-gamer wrote :

i think he did haha!

And you know that, how?

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Reply to Mousemonkey

Even a decent quality 650W PSU (which your current unit is sadly not) will be enough to power a GTX 560 SLI rig. Get something like a Corsair TX 650 V2.

Reply to Emperus

Do not try it, can't trust a PSU that doesn't have a label of power distribution of 12v rails.

------------------------------ Core i7 2600k, Asus P8Z68 Deluxe, 16GB Patriot DDR3, 2TB HD , SLI GTX 460 1GB, XFX 750W BE, 3D Vision, CM 690 II Advanced
Reply to vitornob

yea... that PSU looks... suspect... to say the least.

Reply to unksol

then does he need a new one?

Reply to pro-gamer

Yes, he sure needs another one for the sake of his entire system

------------------------------ Core i7 2600k, Asus P8Z68 Deluxe, 16GB Patriot DDR3, 2TB HD , SLI GTX 460 1GB, XFX 750W BE, 3D Vision, CM 690 II Advanced
Reply to vitornob

Mousemonkey wrote :

Have you actually tried running two GTX560Ti's that way?

Molex connectors have a 75w maximum rating. GTX560ti and above use more than 150w. It's ok to use one if you have a dedicated pci-e connector already attached, but not recommended to use two.

So no, I certainly wouldn't try running a 150w+ card with 2-75w molex connectors.

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Message edited by geekapproved on 11-20-2011 at 04:37:27 PM

------------------------------ Core i3-2100/Asrock H61/8GB1333/XFX HD5850oc/WD Black 500/Antec 300/Antec EA380w bronze
Currently playing Deus Ex:HR a second time on Hardcore
Reply to geekapproved

geekapproved wrote :

Molex connectors have a 75w maximum rating. GTX560ti and above use more than 150w. It's ok to use one if you have a dedicated pci-e connector already attached, but not recommended to use two.

So no, I certainly wouldn't try running a 150w+ card with 2-75w molex connectors.

The PCIe slot also provides about 75w, or did you forget about that?

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Reply to Mousemonkey

Mousemonkey wrote :

The PCIe slot also provides about 75w, or did you forget about that?

If it drew 75w from the motherboard, why would a 150w graphics card need 2 PCI-E power connectors? Did you think about that??

Obviously it doesn't draw 75w through the motherboard, but rather directly from the psu, hence the requirement for TWO connectors.

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Message edited by geekapproved on 11-20-2011 at 07:48:06 PM

------------------------------ Core i3-2100/Asrock H61/8GB1333/XFX HD5850oc/WD Black 500/Antec 300/Antec EA380w bronze
Currently playing Deus Ex:HR a second time on Hardcore
Reply to geekapproved

Mousemonkey wrote :

Have you actually tried running two GTX560Ti's that way?

I think you mis-understood the question. The question was not about running TWO GTX560's with molex connectors, it was about running ONE with 2 pci-e connectors and the other with 2 molex adaptors.

Any person with half a brain would use 1 pci-e connector to each card and 1 molex adaptor to each card, not 2 pci-e to one card and 2 molex to the other. It just makes sense and that is the recommended configuration if you bother to read a AMD or Nvidia manual.

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------------------------------ Core i3-2100/Asrock H61/8GB1333/XFX HD5850oc/WD Black 500/Antec 300/Antec EA380w bronze
Currently playing Deus Ex:HR a second time on Hardcore
Reply to geekapproved

geekapproved wrote :

If it drew 75w from the motherboard, why would a 150w graphics card need 2 PCI-E power connectors? Did you think about that??

Obviously it doesn't draw 75w through the motherboard, but rather directly from the psu, hence the requirement for TWO connectors.

The card may also require more than 150w, which is why it requires two PCIe power connectors.

geekapproved wrote :

I think you mis-understood the question. The question was not about running TWO GTX560's with molex connectors, it was about running ONE with 2 pci-e connectors and the other with 2 molex adaptors.

Any person with half a brain would use 1 pci-e connector to each card and 1 molex adaptor to each card, not 2 pci-e to one card and 2 molex to the other. It just makes sense and that is the recommended configuration if you bother to read a AMD or Nvidia manual.

The question Zippy, was not what made sense but whether it would be possible.

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Reply to Mousemonkey

So you would tell someone to do something that makes no sense just cause it's possible? Ohhhhkay. Great advice.

Why does it seem the only point of your posts is to argue with someone? You've contributed nothing to the post whatsoever to help the poster with his question.

The psu is generic and doesn't even have a basic certification, no does it list the 12v rails, so telling him to use it at all would not be a good idea, so whether or not he can use his molex adaptors is irrelevent to the point I made in my first post. It also seems the other posters agree with this conclusion.

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by geekapproved on 11-21-2011 at 01:37:35 AM

------------------------------ Core i3-2100/Asrock H61/8GB1333/XFX HD5850oc/WD Black 500/Antec 300/Antec EA380w bronze
Currently playing Deus Ex:HR a second time on Hardcore
Reply to geekapproved

geekapproved wrote :

So you would tell someone to do something that makes no sense just cause it's possible? Ohhhhkay. Great advice.

Why does it seem the only point of your posts is to argue with someone? You've contributed nothing to the post whatsoever to help the poster with his question.

The psu is generic and doesn't even have a basic certification, no does it list the 12v rails, so telling him to use it at all would not be a good idea, so whether or not he can use his molex adaptors is irrelevent to the point I made in my first post. It also seems the other posters agree with this conclusion.

Strange that I think that of you as well, and who is telling anybody to go do something? I advise you to roll your neck in before you get banned again.

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Reply to Mousemonkey

Banned again? I have never been banned thank you.

I'm sorry, is your primary purpose here to argue with everyone that disagree's with you, and them theaten them with banning?

I rarely see you contribute anything useful to anybodies threads other than belittle them. What exactly was your point of posting on THIS thread anyways? The answer is purely to pick an argument with me. An argument about common sense approach to hooking up a video card the correct way, that for some strange reason, you disagree with.....

If giving advice to a poster, the same advice that can be found in ANY AMD or Nvidia manual for any card that comes with a molex connector, is means for banning, then I guess I'm guilty.

Show me a manual that shows 2 molex adaptors hooked to one card and I'll gladly agree with you.

So if you feel you need to ban me, go ahead, I will live without having to be hassled constantly by a disgruntled mod with a terrible attitude.

Have a nice day!

Message quoted 2 times
Message edited by geekapproved on 11-21-2011 at 08:27:48 PM

------------------------------ Core i3-2100/Asrock H61/8GB1333/XFX HD5850oc/WD Black 500/Antec 300/Antec EA380w bronze
Currently playing Deus Ex:HR a second time on Hardcore
Reply to geekapproved

geekapproved wrote :

Banned again? I have never been banned thank you.

I'm sorry, is your primary purpose here to argue with everyone that disagree's with you, and them theaten them with banning?

I rarely see you contribute anything useful to anybodies threads other than belittle them. What exactly was your point of posting on THIS thread anyways? The answer is purely to pick an argument with me. An argument about common sense approach to hooking up a video card the correct way, that for some strange reason, you disagree with.....

If giving advice to a poster, the same advice that can be found in ANY AMD or Nvidia manual for any card that comes with a molex connector, is means for banning, then I guess I'm guilty.

Show me a manual that shows 2 molex adaptors hooked to one card and I'll gladly agree with you.

So if you feel you need to ban me, go ahead, I will live without having to be hassled constantly by a disgruntled mod with a terrible attitude.

Have a nice day!

To point out that it is possible to run a card from two molex to six pin adapters despite what you or any manuals say, I at no point said that it was recommended just that it was possible.

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Reply to Mousemonkey

Where did I say it wasn't possible, and how does that relate to the thread?

I said no you can't, because that's not what the manual recommends. The manual says to use 1 molex for each card and 1 pci-e connector. Not 2 on one and 2 on the other.

Whether I've tried it or not is irrellevent.

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by geekapproved on 11-21-2011 at 08:33:29 PM

------------------------------ Core i3-2100/Asrock H61/8GB1333/XFX HD5850oc/WD Black 500/Antec 300/Antec EA380w bronze
Currently playing Deus Ex:HR a second time on Hardcore
Reply to geekapproved

Let me point out the posters question to you.

Quote :

Will my Current PSU be able to handle it?

The answer is no. Period. That psu doesn't even list the available +12v rails.

That was the only question the poster asked.

Message edited by geekapproved on 11-21-2011 at 08:32:35 PM

------------------------------ Core i3-2100/Asrock H61/8GB1333/XFX HD5850oc/WD Black 500/Antec 300/Antec EA380w bronze
Currently playing Deus Ex:HR a second time on Hardcore
Reply to geekapproved

geekapproved wrote :

Where did I say it wasn't possible, and how does that relate to the thread?

I said no you can't, because that's not what the manual recommends. The manual says to use 1 molex for each card and 1 pci-e connector. Not 2 on one and 2 on the other.

Whether I've tried it or not is irrellevent.

Actually it's very relevant, as I have tried it so I know it will work whilst you are saying it can't work because the manual says so. The OP has a 700w PSU and even a fairly mediocre 700w PSU should be able to run SLi'd GTX560's as they use less power than the Ti versions.

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Reply to Mousemonkey

geekapproved wrote :

Banned again? I have never been banned thank you.

I'm sorry, is your primary purpose here to argue with everyone that disagree's with you, and them theaten them with banning?

I rarely see you contribute anything useful to anybodies threads other than belittle them. What exactly was your point of posting on THIS thread anyways? The answer is purely to pick an argument with me. An argument about common sense approach to hooking up a video card the correct way, that for some strange reason, you disagree with.....

If giving advice to a poster, the same advice that can be found in ANY AMD or Nvidia manual for any card that comes with a molex connector, is means for banning, then I guess I'm guilty.

Show me a manual that shows 2 molex adaptors hooked to one card and I'll gladly agree with you.

So if you feel you need to ban me, go ahead, I will live without having to be hassled constantly by a disgruntled mod with a terrible attitude.

Have a nice day!

My Galaxy 460 has an adaptor for plugging two molex's to make a Pci-E, I am running SLI with a 610 watt PC power PSU. Cards are moderately overclocked and ran Furmark for 30 minutes with no problem. One card runs on 4 molex's.

Message edited by Homeboy2 on 11-22-2011 at 03:52:35 AM

Reply to Homeboy2

geekapproved wrote :

I wouldn't use that psu to power ONE GTX560, let a lone TWO. Get yourself a good fire extinguisher and keep it handy if you try that.

And no you cannot use 2 pci-e to molex to power a card. You can use one on each card, but not two on one card.

Sorry, but you're wrong.

Reply to Homeboy2

That's great that you guys are willing to take that risk.

I have children and pets in my home. I'm not willing to take that risk.

Message quoted 1 times

------------------------------ Core i3-2100/Asrock H61/8GB1333/XFX HD5850oc/WD Black 500/Antec 300/Antec EA380w bronze
Currently playing Deus Ex:HR a second time on Hardcore
Reply to geekapproved

geekapproved wrote :

That's great that you guys are willing to take that risk.

I have children and pets in my home. I'm not willing to take that risk.

What risk is that? Supporting argument and links enlightening us to the danger?

Reply to Homeboy2

I'm with Homeboy I wouldn't use that PSU either. Don't cheap out on the power supply it's not worth it. I would get a PSU that is at the very least 80+ bronze certified but I would go with an 80+ gold certified PSU.

------------------------------ Silverstone TJ07, I5 2500K, Gigabyte Z68 UD4-B3, Gigabyte Radeon 6970, Corsair Vengence DDR3 1600 8GB, Seagate Barracuda 1TB HDD 7200rpm, Samsung 128 gb SSD, ASUS SATA DVD drive, Seasonic 850X Gold 850W PSU, Windows 7 Home 64bit, Custom Watercooling loop
Reply to rds1220

Thanks for the info guys. so it seems I will NOT put the second card in until I get a new PSU, the one I am looking at is Silver certified 850 Watt PSU from Corsair. I might get the gold but I don't know yet.

One guy was saying powering one 560 is dangerous with this PSU, I sincerly doubt it's that bad, I am sure this PSU can handle one of them.

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Reply to DragonYiffer

DragonYiffer wrote :

Thanks for the info guys. so it seems I will NOT put the second card in until I get a new PSU, the one I am looking at is Silver certified 850 Watt PSU from Corsair. I might get the gold but I don't know yet.

One guy was saying powering one 560 is dangerous with this PSU, I sincerly doubt it's that bad, I am sure this PSU can handle one of them.

don't trust on that guy, in this thread many are right and one is wrong.

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Reply to pro-gamer

No need to change that.

EDIT: I rushed this post

Message edited by refillable on 11-26-2011 at 03:24:45 PM

Reply to refillable

pro-gamer wrote :

don't trust on that guy, in this thread many are right and one is wrong.

So I am fine using this PSU with my current setup of 1 560 until I get a new PSU in just a month or 2? just want to confirm.

Reply to DragonYiffer

Yes that is fine. 700W should be good as 560 SLI will take maximum of 300W, other parts will use 300W. So 300W+300W, 600W. 600W is enough 700W. This is an estimate. BUT, we are not sure aabout your PSU brand. If it is Antec/Cooler Master/Corsair then i think it can hold 560 SLI.

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by refillable on 11-26-2011 at 03:18:47 PM

Reply to refillable

refillable wrote :

Yes that is fine. 700W should be good as 560 SLI will take maximum of 300W

It's more like 340w.

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Reply to Mousemonkey

Mousemonkey wrote :

It's more like 340w.

Hmm ok ok. I let you answer this question as the moderator of tom's hard ware. You should be a master of computer hardware and know more than me. I left this question to you sir.

Reply to refillable

Check the specs for yourself.

http://www.geforce.com/Hardware/GP [...] ifications

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Reply to Mousemonkey

Mousemonkey wrote :

Check the specs for yourself.

http://www.geforce.com/Hardware/GP [...] ifications

Wow! That I forget!

See how moderator posts! Always providing great help and giving right information.

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Reply to refillable

refillable wrote :

Wow! That I forget!

See how moderator posts! Always providing great help and giving right information.

Ta v.much.

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Reply to Mousemonkey

DragonYiffer wrote :

So I am fine using this PSU with my current setup of 1 560 until I get a new PSU in just a month or 2? just want to confirm.

yes, of course you will be fine at all.

Reply to pro-gamer

The question posted and the title of the thread are 2 different things entirely.

The posters here wouldn't plug anything into that PSU you linked not because of the wattage limitations, but the maker. It's a no-name PSU, which means it could blow up on you.

If you were to take a quality PSU at 700W, I would say yes, it could handle 2x GTX560tis, hell it could handle 2x GTX580s with an OCed system. Before the forum trolls start raging saying you need loads more power, how about you guys back it up. I've got evidence.

Tom's SBM from this fall, 2x GTX 580s, an i7 2600k, 8gb of ram, all OCed, under full system load - 697W. Most people do not recommend running a system at advertised wattage, but it could done.

Your PSU is a no-name. Be concerned about that.

Reply to MasterMace

huh? But he didn't gonna to get sli.
With single gpu he would be fine.

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Reply to pro-gamer

pro-gamer wrote :

huh? But he didn't gonna to get sli.
With single gpu he would be fine.

On the contrary, his original post asked 2 things. The first was the recommended wattage for SLI, the second was whether or not his PSU would be able to handle 2xGTX 560s. He then asked if his PSU would support 1 - GTX 560 until he got his new PSU for SLI.

A single GTX 560 alone will draw 160W-175W, so previous posters were as close as you're gonna get when they said 300W-340W. A single GTX 560ti will draw around 215W.

SLI is harder to tell with charts, so it's better just to double the single, 560 SLI -350W, 560ti SLI - 430W.

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Reply to MasterMace

MasterMace wrote :

On the contrary, his original post asked 2 things. The first was the recommended wattage for SLI, the second was whether or not his PSU would be able to handle 2xGTX 560s. He then asked if his PSU would support 1 - GTX 560 until he got his new PSU for SLI.

A single GTX 560 alone will draw 160W-175W, so previous posters were as close as you're gonna get when they said 300W-340W. A single GTX 560ti will draw around 215W.

SLI is harder to tell with charts, so it's better just to double the single, 560 SLI -350W, 560ti SLI - 430W.

A single GTX560Ti at reference clocks will draw around 170w not 215w, 185w if OC'd.

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Reply to Mousemonkey

My apologies, you are correct, I must have read another card.

Reply to MasterMace

NP.

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Reply to Mousemonkey

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