Need to Upgrade PSU - Question

[dreamtfk]

I just ordered my 4890 and will need to upgrade my PSU since my current one only has one 6pin connector. I might want to add a second 4890 down the road as well so I would like have the option to be able to do so when the time comes. How many watts should I be aiming for?

[dreamtfk]

Well I see on Ebay that they sell 6pin power adapter would I be ok using one of these with my current 500w unit? I would much rather spend $6 on one of these and put off upgrading my PSU for a little longer seeing as the one I currently have works just fine.

[thideras]

What is your current "500 watt" unit?

[dreamtfk]

It's some cheapo unit I got a couple years back. After the MIR I think I actually made $10 on it is the only reason I got it but it has been going strong so far - need to update my sig lol I junked the Antec awhile back.

[Oklahoma Wolf]

Well I see on Ebay that they sell 6pin power adapter would I be ok using one of these with my current 500w unit?

Very unlikely. A good 500W unit will power one of those cars. The word cheap, however, usually means the opposite of good. Some of these will blow out attached hardware when they fail.

My suggestion, if you're really going to go for two cards, is something like a Corsair TX750-TX850, or similar. If not, a VX550 would do the trick nicely.

[hokiealumnus]

I would not trust a shiny new 4890 to what your sig professes to be a "500W CHEAP PSU". The PSU is the heart of your system. If it's not solid, it has the potential to bring the whole system down around it. Since I was at tom's for another post, I looked this one up (http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-4890,2262-13.html). Seems their test system with a 4890 took 285W from the wall. Throw in some overclocking & I'd say a good, solid 450-500W unit (Corsair VX450 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139003&Tpk=450vx) or possibly the PC P&C Silencer 500 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703015)) could handle the one card. Add another and I'd go with the Corsair TX750 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006&Tpk=750TX) / PC P&C Silencer 750 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703009) or better yet the Corsair TX850 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009&Tpk=850TX).

[thideras]

I'd suggest picking up anything in the Corsair line. What is your price range?

520/620 if you want modular or the 550/650/750 if you don't want modular.

EDIT: I was beat, was working :(

[hokiealumnus]

Sorry Thid. :beer:

Corsair sure rebrands those PSUs well, don't they? I know I'll always use them. Two VX450s & a TX650 under my belt so far and all are solid as a rock.

[dreamtfk]

Well it does have a name I think it's Ultra or something it's actually quite a bit heavier than the generic lightweight chinese made psu that came with the case and it's done no damage to my system so far that I know of. I know Corsair is a good brand but it's expensive I would really like to keep it around $70 or so.

[hokiealumnus]

Sorry to say that $70 to power 2x4890's in crossfire isn't going to happen. Can't say it any more plainly. You can get good, clean power for one card at that price (the previously mentioned VX450 / Silencer 500), but not two.