Diablotek 775W SLI Question - Page 2

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrBrogbo 


Sweet merciful crap, THAT bad? Greeeeaaaaat.
What kind of power supply would you recommend I replace it with? I'd like to keep it future proof, but don't need anything crazy. Everything is getting more efficient, and the most I'd ever have is an overclocked i7 and 2 graphics cards. I would imagine an i7 and SLI 680s would run comfortably on a quality 800+, right?
I don't want to be spending $250 or anything, but if my current PSU is really that bad, then looks like my hands are tied.

An i7 with two 680s in SLi would only need a quality-made 550W power supply:

http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/geforce_gtx_680_sli_review,4.html

With two GTX 680s in SLI under full load in their test system, their power supply pulled 473W from the wall outlet.  Their CPU was idling, so let's add about 150W to make up for it.  This would make the power supply pull about 623W from the wall outlet if the 680s and the CPU were under full load simultaneously.  So, now the question is how much power the system is pulling from the power supply.  Well, if we assume that their PSU is 85% efficient while pulling 623W from the wall outlet, then that would mean the system is pulling about 530W (529.55W) from the PSU.  This means that a quality-made 550W power supply would be more than enough because quality-made power supplies are designed to be able to continuously deliver their rated wattage (that is, nonstop 24/7).

Right now, the very best power supplies on the market are the modular versions of Rosewill's CAPSTONE Series.  At Newegg, the 550W model is $79.99 shipped, the 650W model is $111.98 after shipping, and the 750W model is $125.98 after shipping.  These are ridiculous prices because the PSUs that Rosewill used in order to make these are Superflower Golden Green Pro units.  That means these are top-of-the-line, 2nd to none.

At $79.99 shipped for the 550W model, it would be foolish to buy anything else.

However, if you were to add a 2nd GTX 580, then a quality-made 750W power supply would be needed:

http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/geforce_gtx_580_sli_review,14.html

719W from the wall, adding 150W and then factoring in 85% efficiency results in about 738W being pulled from the PSU if the 580s and the CPU were under full load simultaneously.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrBrogbo 


I created a list of my current computer. I can't imagine my current PSU needs are all that high, but I will definitely be upgrading in the future when Intel puts out their new tock release, and Nvidia releases their 700 series (either a 700 series, or 600 series if the price drops enough).
I also understand a PSU will operate most efficiently closer to the middle of its rated output, so I have no problem buying an 850 to power a 650W system. Just don't want to go overboard and buy a PSU rated for quad-sli or anything.

That 50% load thing is a bit misunderstood:

On PSU Efficiency

PSU "50% Load" Myth

More good PSU articles

So really, a quality-made PSU like the 550W modular Capstone would be excellent if you had two GTX 680s.  Or for two GTX 580s, a quality-made 750W PSU would be excellent.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrBrogbo 

Wow! Thanks so much for the info, guys! I'll admit, TwoCables, I'm one of the ones that thought the efficiency rating took effect after the rated wattage of the power supply (ie a 500W 80% efficient PSU really only output 400W).
I've look at the Rosewill ones before, actually, but always thought they were too good to be true. Looks like I know what I'll be buying. Once I upgrade, I'll likely be overclocking everything, so I'll probably grab the 750. Thanks again!

You're welcome, but you can spend less and get the 650W version and still have plenty of room.  The 550W model might be enough after overclocking too, but I'm not 100% sure because I think I've heard that the 580 and 680 consume noticeably more power if heavily overclocked - especially the 680, if I remember correctly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrBrogbo 

Any recommendations what I should do with the Diablotek when I pull it out? Shoot it? Throw it off a cliff? Set it on fire as an offering to the PC gods, and dance on the ashes?

Oh, that could be fun.  lol :)