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Started by rajlego9 | | 5 answers
What PSU should I choose?
I've looked at all kinds of guides for choosing a PSU but I don't really understand it. This is my planned build so far:
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3tZWZ
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3tZWZ/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3tZWZ/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($249.99 @ Micro Center)
Motherboard: MSI Z87-G45 Gaming ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($124.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($127.50 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill BlackHawk ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Other: SSD 64 GB (Purchased)
Other: 3 TB Hardrive (Purchased)
Total: $602.45
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-18 13:43 EDT-0400)


I want to be able to add three graphics card eventually. I want at least 600 watts minimum that can connect to all the above items, plus three GPU's.
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a c 224 V Motherboard
a c 1218 ) Power supply
a c 578 U Graphics card
April 18, 2014 11:02:51 AM

Three graphics cards automatically limits you to AMD Radeon graphics cards if you're going to be running all three of them in CrossFire mode. This is a limitation of the motherboard in that the three PCIe x16 slots, when all three are active, can only run in (8,4,4) mode.

For a system using three AMD Reference Design Radeon R9 290X graphics cards in 3-way CrossFireX mode AMD specifies a minimum of an 1300 Watt or greater system power supply. The power supply should also have a maximum combined +12 Volt continuous current rating of 93 Amps or greater and have at least three 6-pin and three 8-pin PCI Express supplementary power connectors.

Without specifying the graphics card model you won't get the correct answer.
Anonymous
a b U Graphics card
April 18, 2014 11:02:30 AM

If you want a triple GPU system, you're going to have to go a lot higher than a measly 600W PSU. Depending on your GPU of choice it would have to be in the 1000W-1200W range.
a b V Motherboard
a b ) Power supply
April 18, 2014 11:01:42 AM

Demorthus said:
What GPU are you planning to 3-way SLI? For what you have already I'd say a 550W by XFX, but it would depend what card you're going to do 3-way... a 290X will use a beast ton compared to 3-way 780s...
I HIGHLY recommend these PSU's, very good brand & great performance:
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/seasonic-power-supply-plat...
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-power-supply-rm100...
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-power-supply-ax120... (This last one is if you're going for a monster)


That last one is impressive - a 100amp 12V rail. Very beefy.

For RAJLEGO9 - please ensure your case is sufficient for such beasts before considering - the 1000+W PSUs are a bit longer than standards.
a b V Motherboard
a b ) Power supply
April 18, 2014 10:59:00 AM

You will need to choose a video card that can do 3way SLI such as http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
(just as an example- I am sure you can find others.)

The nice thing I saw about this MSI is it comes with the power plug converters - but it is something to consider.

you may want to get a modular PSU that has a sufficient number of the 6pin connectors - as a card like this needs 2 - that would be a total of 6 for your dream setup.

additionally you will need to do a power calculator of sorts to find out what you projected draw will be.

From a simple selection - you could do worse than this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
(that is a 70A 12 V rail boys and girls!)

This would also suffice:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
a b V Motherboard
a b U Graphics card
April 18, 2014 10:50:21 AM

What GPU are you planning to 3-way SLI? For what you have already I'd say a 550W by XFX, but it would depend what card you're going to do 3-way... a 290X will use a beast ton compared to 3-way 780s...
I HIGHLY recommend these PSU's, very good brand & great performance:
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/seasonic-power-supply-plat...
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-power-supply-rm100...
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-power-supply-ax120... (This last one is if you're going for a monster)

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