[SOLVED] Do I need to upgrade my PS if I go SLI?

steelystan · 05-31-2008, 04:24 PM

I've decided to get another video card for my system but I'm worried that my power supply might not be able to handle it. Here's my specs:

XFX GeForce 8800GT Extreme 512MB (getting a second one)
Thermaltake Purepower 600 W ATX12V Power
CORSAIR XMS2 4GB (2 x 2GB) SDRAM DDR2 (800)
Western Digital Raptor WD1500ADFD 150GB
Western Digital Caviar 640GB 7200 RPM
LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner
ZALMAN CNPS 9700 NT 110mm
eVGA nForce 680i Mobo

I doubt that my 600W PS can supply all my components but I'm not sure. eXtreme Power Supply recommended a 460W PS but that doesn't seem right to me either. There's some options on there I wasn't too sure about.

Any information/suggestions would help a bunch.

Tumbleweed36 · 05-31-2008, 06:52 PM

You need at least IMHO, a 750 watt power supply and preferably more if you can swing it. Also, the one you have is not one of the real quality power supplies.

My suggestion is that you stay with 750 to 850 watt power supply (bigger is better in a power supply) and use only one of the following units:'

Seasonic - any model
Corsair - any model
Thermaltake - "Toughpower" series only
Coolermaster - "Real Power Pro" series only
PC Power & Cooling - any model
Silverstone - any model

steelystan · 06-01-2008, 06:10 AM

Is this a good one:

SILVERSTONE OP1000 1000W ATX 12V 2.2 & EPS 12V

Tumbleweed36 · 06-01-2008, 11:58 AM

A Silverstone power supply is excellent regardless of the size IMHO.

Sgt_Grim_Reaper · 06-01-2008, 12:07 PM

1000W? you could use it for the next rig you build as a replacement! It'll be useful for years. I've heard good things about Silverstone. :)

EDIT: Ultra X-Connect is decent too.

steelystan · 06-01-2008, 03:53 PM

Great, thanks a lot for the advice.

05-31-2008, 04:24 PM	#1 (permalink)
steelystan Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 37 OS: Windows Vista Home Premium 32bit	[SOLVED] Do I need to upgrade my PS if I go SLI? I've decided to get another video card for my system but I'm worried that my power supply might not be able to handle it. Here's my specs: XFX GeForce 8800GT Extreme 512MB (getting a second one) Thermaltake Purepower 600 W ATX12V Power CORSAIR XMS2 4GB (2 x 2GB) SDRAM DDR2 (800) Western Digital Raptor WD1500ADFD 150GB Western Digital Caviar 640GB 7200 RPM LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner ZALMAN CNPS 9700 NT 110mm eVGA nForce 680i Mobo I doubt that my 600W PS can supply all my components but I'm not sure. eXtreme Power Supply recommended a 460W PS but that doesn't seem right to me either. There's some options on there I wasn't too sure about. Any information/suggestions would help a bunch.

05-31-2008, 06:52 PM	#2 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 14,094 OS: XP Professional	Re: Do I need to upgrade my PS if I go SLI? You need at least IMHO, a 750 watt power supply and preferably more if you can swing it. Also, the one you have is not one of the real quality power supplies. My suggestion is that you stay with 750 to 850 watt power supply (bigger is better in a power supply) and use only one of the following units:' Seasonic - any model Corsair - any model Thermaltake - "Toughpower" series only Coolermaster - "Real Power Pro" series only PC Power & Cooling - any model Silverstone - any model __________________ ----------

06-01-2008, 06:10 AM	#3 (permalink)
steelystan Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 37 OS: Windows Vista Home Premium 32bit	Re: Do I need to upgrade my PS if I go SLI? Is this a good one: SILVERSTONE OP1000 1000W ATX 12V 2.2 & EPS 12V

06-01-2008, 11:58 AM	#4 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 14,094 OS: XP Professional	Re: Do I need to upgrade my PS if I go SLI? A Silverstone power supply is excellent regardless of the size IMHO. __________________ ----------

06-01-2008, 12:07 PM	#5 (permalink)
Sgt_Grim_Reaper Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: New Mexico Posts: 394 OS: XP Pro SP3 My System	Re: Do I need to upgrade my PS if I go SLI? 1000W? you could use it for the next rig you build as a replacement! It'll be useful for years. I've heard good things about Silverstone. :) EDIT: Ultra X-Connect is decent too. __________________ Allow Color BBCode No, Allow Size BBCode No, Allow [IMG] Code No, Can Upload Images for Signature No, Can Upload Animated GIF for Signature No, Allow Smilies No, Can Have Fun No Last edited by Sgt_Grim_Reaper : 06-01-2008 at 12:09 PM.

06-01-2008, 03:53 PM	#6 (permalink)
steelystan Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 37 OS: Windows Vista Home Premium 32bit	Re: Do I need to upgrade my PS if I go SLI? Great, thanks a lot for the advice.