Radeon HD 7970 Power supply advice

Wouldn't recommend it.

That PSU can only output around 520W.

Source for that, muffin?
520W is still enough for a single 7970: http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/graphics/2011/12/22/am...

http://www.realhardtechx.com/index_archivos/Page364.htm

Not made by the best either....

I wouldn't trust it, but that's just me.  

Ok, my second idea was going to be 2 x 7850s would that be out of the question too?

Ya, I'd say so. They'll definitely use more power than the 7970.

Don't go crossfire. That power supply should run a 7970. I recommend Seasonic power supplies. What are the rest of the specs of your system?

i7 2600 (none k) @ 4.5ghz 42x107BLCK , 8 gb ballistic 1600mhz memory, vertex 4 120gb, 1tb spinmaster, msi Z77A-GD55 motherboard

107 BLCK!????

Seriously, you're going to kill your SATA and USB Ports!!!  

xfx 550w. 44A +12v rail, 1 pcie 8pin/6+2pin and 1 6pin, ball bearing fan for longer life, built by seasonic, johnnyguru and kitguru recommended.

49.99 after a $10 MIR and free shipping at ncix: http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=59615&vpn=P1550SXXB9&m...

It has been running like this for about 5 month now

i am from the uk, i dont think that would be possible. i would really like a card i can run on the power supply to be honest.

Would i be better off going with a GTX 680? that uses less power right?

Why the ASUS DC2? It requires 2 8pin connectors and costs more. You can get a cheaper and smaller xfx HD7970 that uses the standard connectors with dual fans for cheaper, and you whole system will then run great on that 550w. That's about the minimum psu I'd suggest no matter what gpu you get.

xfx 550w in UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004RJ8EKI/?tag=pcp0f-21

xfx 7970 in UK: http://www.cclonline.com/product/81332/FX-797A-TDFC/Gra...

Edit:Not a major xfx or AMD fan here, but these are some of the best deals available to you in this price range. Overclock the crap out of that 7970.

I suppose you could get a gtx 670 with a decent cooler and overclock past gtx680 levels. That would cost less than hd7970. You may not be able to push it as far, though. Also, the xfx card may have a double lifetime warranty(transfers to new owner when you sell it). Here are 2 decent gtx 670 cards for cheaper:

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/2gb-msi-gtx-670-power-ed...

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/2gb-gigabyte-gtx-670-win...

Both have dual fan coolers with heat pipes and a 36 month warranty. msi is 303.37 inc VAT and delivery. Gigabyte is 309.98 inc VAT and delivery.

Depending on your current and/or future monitor setup plus desired settings, you may prefer the 3GB frame buffer and extra bandwidth of a hd7970.

These cards with a 28nm gpu beg you to at least try and overclock 'em. You shouldn't have a problem with that since your 2600k is overclocked.

Ok, i took your advice and decided not to go for the Asus, instead i have bought this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300801232251?ssPageName=STRK:...

I paid £238.99 inc P&P which equates to $380, it is a brand new warranty replacement card. I hope my power supply will run this one.

So I looked at the link you posted of your psu. Not a fan of that setup(3 19A +12v rails that total 516w of +12v power? 57x12 is 684). Also, it has only 2 pcie 6pin leads, meaning you would need an adapter. Generally, it's better to have 1 high amperage +12v rail than to have several +12v leads with lower amperage. Since you were willing to spend 392 pounds on that DC2 but only spent 239 on the power color, I suggest you pop for the extra 50 pounds and get that xfx 550w. It isn't modular, but it's a much better psu that will easily power all the components in your updated rig without question.

Also, that ebay page only shows the box and not the card itself. I'm guessing it uses the AMD reference cooler. That means it may run a bit hotter and louder than a custom cooler, but you should still be able to overclock it well past ghz ed. speeds and smoke a gtx 680. It's a little late now, but had you gotten a gtx680(or even a gtx670) you would have had fewer issues getting one of them to run on your current psu(still not a fan of that supply. Cooler Master power supplies are not so often nicknamed "crappermasters" for nothing). Again, I suggest you spring for the xfx 550w with the money you saved.

cooler master 800 or corsair 850