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Thread: Which PSU for 2 x GTX 260 cards?

  1. #1
    Nothing runs like a Deere cotswoldcs's Avatar
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    Which PSU for 2 x GTX 260 cards?

    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?

  2. #2
    Keep it sexy Zhaoman's Avatar
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    Re: Which PSU for 2 x GTX 260 cards?

    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.

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    Re: Which PSU for 2 x GTX 260 cards?

    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
    Last edited by McstylisT; 03-09-2009 at 07:39 PM.
    McT
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    Keep it sexy Zhaoman's Avatar
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    Re: Which PSU for 2 x GTX 260 cards?

    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.

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    Efficiently lazy shadowmaster's Avatar
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    Re: Which PSU for 2 x GTX 260 cards?

    Yes a quality 600watt + will do the job.

    My OCZ 600watt quite easily runs my 4870X2.

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    Zzzzzzz sleepyhead's Avatar
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    Re: Which PSU for 2 x GTX 260 cards?

    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.

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    Re: Which PSU for 2 x GTX 260 cards?

    Quote Originally Posted by Zhaoman View Post
    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
    McT
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