Which PSU for 2 x GTX 260 cards?

[cotswoldcs]

As the title suggests I am unsure of what PSU and how powerful it needs to be to cope with two nVidia GTX 260 cards in SLI

Current Spec:

Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40GHz (4 CPUs), ~2.4GHz
Memory: 4094MB RAM
Hard Drive: 500 GB
PSU: vCool 800W
Video Card: XFX NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260
Monitor: High Definition HP w2448hc 24"
Sound Card: Motherboard intergrated 7.1 sound
Speakers/Headphones: Mikomi 5.1 Surround sound
Keyboard: USB Root Hub
Mouse: Razer Lachesis Gaming Mouse 4000dpi
Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium 32-Bit (6.0, Build 6001) Service Pack 1 (6001.vistasp1_gdr.080917-1612)
Motherboard: Asus P5N-D 750i
Computer Case: Antec 1200

I plan on upgrading to a second GTX 260 and will therefore need a better quality PSU. I have done some research on the size of PSU I need for the above spec and with two GTX 260 cards it varies from 600W (Extreme PSU) to 750W (Corsair's website). Other research indicates I might need an 800W+ PSU to cope with the two cards, each of which

Looking at brands I would consider Corsair, Enermax, Coolermaster and Hiper.

I may upgrade the CPU in time and might dabble in overclocking my current Q6600 if the budget isn't there for a CPU upgrade.

What is your opinion on the best PSU for my requirements?

[Zhaoman]

A quality 600w+ unit will do it:

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/650W-...lar-PSU-87-Eff

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/625W-...uard-SafeGuard

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/CMPSU...lar-UK-Version

Any of the above will power an overclocked GTX260 Sli rig with power to spare.

[McstylisT]

I would personally look at 750w plus. Do not want to be caught short on these things.

The main thing I would look for in this case is Quad rail minimum.

McT

[Zhaoman]

Don't be fooled into thinking PCs need a lot of power. I'm sick and tired of seeing people recommending kilowatt power supplies for rigs that don't need a quarter of that amount. This thread will help you out:

http://forums.hexus.net/hexus-hardwa...r-results.html

As will this link:

http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/176...i/index17.html

Choosing a PSU is about choosing quality not who's got the biggest power rating slapped on the box. The worst thing you can do is buy a cheap "kilowatt" psu. 650W is more than enough for what you're planning.

[shadowmaster]

Yes a quality 600watt + will do the job.

My OCZ 600watt quite easily runs my 4870X2.

[sleepyhead]

May I suggest two things you may want to look at before getting a second GTX260 installed?

1. Overclock your CPU to over 3GHz (looking at gaming benchmarks wrt my E6750 with GTX260 people who clock over 3Ghz see a sizeable jump in performance).

2. Upgrade your OS to something 64 bit. (You'll take a hit on your 4GB of ram with nearly 2GB of Vram.)

Other than that, I can only echo what other people have said - quality over quantity.

[McstylisT]

Don't be fooled into thinking PCs need a lot of power. I'm sick and tired of seeing people recommending kilowatt power supplies for rigs that don't need a quarter of that amount. This thread will help you out:

http://forums.hexus.net/hexus-hardwa...r-results.html

As will this link:

http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/176...i/index17.html

Choosing a PSU is about choosing quality not who's got the biggest power rating slapped on the box. The worst thing you can do is buy a cheap "kilowatt" psu. 650W is more than enough for what you're planning.

Great links. Fine reads there. I certainly learned something reading them. Thank you for the enlightenment.


McT