PSU Question

[Pete Church]

Do any of you run 3 or 4 GPUs on your rigs? I'm considering upgrading my PSU to be able to support more than 2 cards, just for fun!?! My current one has enough wattage but not enough connectors. I never thought I'd consider adding more than 2 cards, poor planning on my part, but the cards are getting cheaper and cheaper.

Actually, how can I confirm the wattage requirements? Assuming i went 4 gpus slightly OC'd, sound card, SSD drive, normal hard drive, and 4 120mm fans. Not sure how to estimate that wattage draw I guess. Would 1200 watt PSU be more than enough to be safe?

I'm having trouble sifting through all the different manufacturers/models and wondering how well some of the PSUs are designed and can handle up to 4 GPUs (GTX 460s for argument's sake).

Any input would be helpful or links to places to read further.

[Saaby900t]

Doesn't Nvidia website have a power supply chart?
I know it is for SLI but it would still be mostly accurate. And you Don't have to worry about that SSD drawing any power.

[Sir-Epix]

Do any of you run 3 or 4 GPUs on your rigs? I'm considering upgrading my PSU to be able to support more than 2 cards, just for fun!?! My current one has enough wattage but not enough connectors. I never thought I'd consider adding more than 2 cards, poor planning on my part, but the cards are getting cheaper and cheaper.

Actually, how can I confirm the wattage requirements? Assuming i went 4 gpus slightly OC'd, sound card, SSD drive, normal hard drive, and 4 120mm fans. Not sure how to estimate that wattage draw I guess. Would 1200 watt PSU be more than enough to be safe?

I'm having trouble sifting through all the different manufacturers/models and wondering how well some of the PSUs are designed and can handle up to 4 GPUs (GTX 460s for argument's sake).

Any input would be helpful or links to places to read further.

I'm running 3 GTX cards off of a 850 Watt Seasonics PSU. You just need to make sure you have enough amps on the rails.

I would recommend Seasonics/Corsair PSUs.

[EarthDog]

A quality 1KW PSU will handle 4 460's. Corsair HX1000...460's TDP is only like 150W or so...

[MattNo5ss]

I would think DC guys would want a beast PSU for upgrades and additions, so it may be worth your while to invest in at least 1kW PSU.

[Evochuck]

Do any of you run 3 or 4 GPUs on your rigs? I'm considering upgrading my PSU to be able to support more than 2 cards, just for fun!?! My current one has enough wattage but not enough connectors. I never thought I'd consider adding more than 2 cards, poor planning on my part, but the cards are getting cheaper and cheaper.

Actually, how can I confirm the wattage requirements? Assuming i went 4 gpus slightly OC'd, sound card, SSD drive, normal hard drive, and 4 120mm fans. Not sure how to estimate that wattage draw I guess. Would 1200 watt PSU be more than enough to be safe?

I'm having trouble sifting through all the different manufacturers/models and wondering how well some of the PSUs are designed and can handle up to 4 GPUs (GTX 460s for argument's sake).

Any input would be helpful or links to places to read further.

Don't quote me on this but most Mobos are restricted to 2 and sometimes 3 GPUs, hence why EVGA sells 4x SLI cards.

3 way SLi: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131390&cm_re=SLI-_-13-131-390-_-Product

4 way SLi: http://www.evga.com/products/moreInfo.asp?pn=170-BL-E762-A1&family=Motherboard%20Family&series=Intel%20X58%20Series%20Family&sw=5

[Pete Church]

Don't quote me on this but most Mobos are restricted to 2 and sometimes 3 GPUs, hence why EVGA sells 4x SLI cards.


I have the Asus Rampage III which does support 4 way, but only two of the slots are x16. The other two are x8 which means they'd all run in x8, as I understand. I read others on seti forums that said even at x8 it was plenty fast. So I was still considering it.

Thanks for the info on the PSUs, will still have to look around a bit, but I at least have a sense of where to start.

[MattNo5ss]

You have to have the ROG Xpander for 4-way SLI on the R3E, but it does support 4-way Xfire natively. If these will be used for a DC project, then no SLI/Xfire anyway right?

[Pete Church]

You have to have the ROG Xpander for 4-way SLI on the R3E, but it does support 4-way Xfire natively. If these will be used for a DC project, then no SLI/Xfire anyway right?

I wasn't worried about SLI as much. Even a single 460 can run any game that I would play just fine even cranked up at max settings. This would be more for "ludicrous speed" on crunching.

[Pete Church]

Well it's turning out to be hard to find any PSU with 8 pci-e connectors, but several with 6. So i could go with 3 cards instead of 4. Might still be fun.

Found this Corsair CORSAIR AX1200 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139014), taking Sir-Epix's guidance.

Found this one too SGALAXY EVO 1250W (http://www.enermax.com/home.php?fn=eng/product_a1_1_1&lv0=1&lv1=15&no=59), but I've never heard of the company so not sure its worth considering.

Then I could still run 3 way SLI if I wanted to I believe without much effort.

A bit of a costly upgrade though, with the PSU, and the card, gpu block. Have to ponder whether I should, but would definitely be cool.

[Pete Church]

Oops, just found one with 4 pci-e, SilverStone Strider 1500W (http://www.frozencpu.com/products/9117/psu-416/SilverStone_Strider_ST1500_1500W_Quad_SLI_Ready_Mo dular_Power_Supply_Unit_-_ST1500.html#blank). 1500W?!? I know about Silverstone cases, don't know how their PSUs are.

[MattNo5ss]

You can only SLI 2 GTX460s. What about using Molex-PCIe adapters?

That Enermax Galaxy Evo is a great PSU, check out OklahomaWolf's review (http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story5&reid=145). It got a 10 on everything but aesthetics.

[Pete Church]

You can only SLI 2 GTX460s.

Yeah, I just read that. Not a deal breaker for me anyway.


What about using Molex-PCIe adapters?

Oh to get the third card running from my existing PSU?


That Enermax Galaxy Evo is a great PSU, check out OklahomaWolf's review (http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story5&reid=145). It got a 10 on everything but aesthetics.


Ah, thanks for finding a review, looks like a candidate as well!

[QuietIce]

PSU's in a nutshell -plenty to choose from: http://www.overclockers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=589708

Don't know how many PCIe connectors there are but, as MattNo5ss has suggested, you can always add adapters. :)


BTW - nVidia says the maximum power consumption of the GTX 460 is 160W.

http://www.nvidia.com/object/product-geforce-gtx-460-us.html

[TomWoolford]

Wattage is obviously a concern but make sure you pay attention to 12v Amperage used on the cards and how much the power supply is giving out. It's my understanding that single 12v PSU's have better reliability and cleaner power than multiple rail PSU's.

[EarthDog]

It's my understanding that single 12v PSU's have better reliability and cleaner power than multiple rail PSU's.This is false.

And as mentioned earlier in this thread, having a TRUE single rail PSU with the amount of power the OP is looking for isnt a good thing according to Oklahoma Wolf (http://www.overclockers.com/forums/showpost.php?p=6717224&postcount=19)...

[Evochuck]

Hey Pete I just checked you out on Seti 980X + GTX460x2 = 18k RAC, holy crap, I though my 4K rac was good.

[Pete Church]

Hey Pete I just checked you out on Seti 980X + GTX460x2 = 18k RAC, holy crap, I though my 4K rac was good.

I know, it's crazy, I've never had a computer that could crank WUs out like this and its still accelerating! I have to say Sir-Epix really helped me out on optimizing the 2 GPUs to really crank out.

[Sir-Epix]

I know, it's crazy, I've never had a computer that could crank WUs out like this and its still accelerating! I have to say Sir-Epix really helped me out on optimizing the 2 GPUs to really crank out.

Yeah... that computer isn't even done climbing for RAC. Should top over 24k RAC by itself. Also looks like you might pass me this week on the Charts. I can live with third place though.... for a while ;)

[Pete Church]

Hey Pete I just checked you out on Seti 980X + GTX460x2 = 18k RAC, holy crap, I though my 4K rac was good.

Yeah... that computer isn't even done climbing for RAC. Should top over 24k RAC by itself. Also looks like you might pass me this week on the Charts. I can live with third place though.... for a while ;)

Haha, well it's definitely not my intent/goal to outdo anyone or show them up, but I have to admit it's a lot more fun to crunch now!

I have decided to hold off on adding the extra 2 cards for the moment... just for a moment though. It's going to cost quite a bit, so I'm going to see if i get a tax return or otherwise save up a bit more cash before I plunge. But it should be interesting if I can run 4 GPUs on the rig.

[gofaster87]

Antec 1200 is nice. 6 rails with 8 total pcie connectors. Seen them in action many times and have never heard a complaint.

[Sir-Epix]

Haha, well it's definitely not my intent/goal to outdo anyone or show them up, but I have to admit it's a lot more fun to crunch now!

I have decided to hold off on adding the extra 2 cards for the moment... just for a moment though. It's going to cost quite a bit, so I'm going to see if i get a tax return or otherwise save up a bit more cash before I plunge. But it should be interesting if I can run 4 GPUs on the rig.

Don't worry about it, I like the pressure and the competition. You just forced my hand to up my power :rock:. I had to add a couple of machines to hopefully hold you off. It looks like I might top out at around 50k in RAC. Only time will tell though.

[Pete Church]

Don't worry about it, I like the pressure and the competition. You just forced my hand to up my power :rock:. I had to add a couple of machines to hopefully hold you off. It looks like I might top out at around 50k in RAC. Only time will tell though.

Fair enough! I will warn you when I add the additional cards then, to give fair warning. Let the games begin!

[Pete Church]

I will warn you when I add the additional cards then, to give fair warning. Let the games begin!

Oh well, one of the 460s died today it seems. It wasn't behaving well from the start, but I had breathed some life into it. Now it just is causing the system to crash. It's fairly new, so will see if EVGA will help me out. Will "limp" along with just one of the 460s now. Hopefully they'll help me out.

[Sephis]

Oh well, one of the 460s died today it seems. It wasn't behaving well from the start, but I had breathed some life into it. Now it just is causing the system to crash. It's fairly new, so will see if EVGA will help me out. Will "limp" along with just one of the 460s now. Hopefully they'll help me out.

If it's still anywhere close to warranty, EVGA will take care of you. If you end up not being able to RMA it, you could always try the oven trick (http://www.overclockers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=606658&highlight=oven+trick). :thup:

[Pete Church]

If it's still anywhere close to warranty, EVGA will take care of you. If you end up not being able to RMA it, you could always try the oven trick (http://www.overclockers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=606658&highlight=oven+trick). :thup:

That is awesome, i so want to try the oven trick out! I think EVGA will take care of me (they want me to try a few things out), but if not... I'm so cooking my GPU (and that isn't a euphemism).