PSU for Gainward 7900GTX 512MB

[simon d]

Hi,

Been offered this card by my friend at work for a good price of £100.

I building a second machine with this card on a Asus A8N32-SLi Deluxe MB with 3700+ CPU, but I only have a 400w PSU from FSP Sparkle will this be Ok to run this card.

Or should I take a rain check on the card and wait for the 8800

 

[FarFarAway]

400w is a little short for that card, I would say perhaps a little higher unless it's a top-end unit

 

[simon d]

That what I was thinking, so I need to look for PSU as well.

What PSU to you think I may need to go with this card or maybe future proof much as I can for the new dx10 cards.

I was looking at the new Thermaltake W0131 Toughpower 850W

Any feedback on that PSU appreciated or any other suggestions

thanks

 

[FarFarAway]

I wouldn't get the Toughpower - take a look in our PSU review area. Something like a nice Zippy Emacs or an Etasis would be awesome

 

[JN]

What kind of budget are you on for a new PSU mate?

The Thermaltake Toughpower units are *ok* for their price, but by no means the best.

 

[simon d]

It was for a second rig which I am building, I was looking around £100.

I have Seasonic S12 600W on my crossfire MB at present.

Most important thing that I trying to future proof much as I can for the new dx10 cards.

I Could use my Seasonic S12 600W on this Asus A8N32-SLi Deluxe MB and purchase another maybe a modular unit and this time PSU must have sleeved cables to go on the crossfire.

My main rig I am running a water cooling system (18W pump) with 6 120mm fans, 4 optical drives and 4 SATA drives, O/C X2 4400 2.66 and X800 GTO card.

The plan was to move to crossfire or SLI maybe when the new DX10 cards are out and upgrade my monitor to TFT 24".

Thanks

 

[llwyd]

i think even with a high end 850W PSU a DX10 card will still be too much for it. you may want to look into special high ampage jobbys as the 8800s will rape a PSU for all its worth. Looking at consumptions of 280-350 Watt which will draw up to about 30 amps on the 12v rail (GTX - GTS is slightly lower)

 

[JN]

i think even with a high end 850W PSU a DX10 card will still be too much for it. you may want to look into special high ampage jobbys as the 8800s will rape a PSU for all its worth. Looking at consumptions of 280-350 Watt which will draw up to[/B'] about 30 amps on the 12v rail (GTX - GTS is slightly lower)

Yeah, your best bet at the moment would be a PSU with a single 12v rail. Somethign like a Zippy Emacs 850w PSU that has 65a on its +12v rail - or the new PCP&C 1kw which has more still.

 

[FarFarAway]

tbh the DX10 cards are looking to draw just above what an X1950XTX does, although more at idle...so I don't think it's quite right that todays PSU's won't work

 

[simon d]

Thanks for your help,

I take a look at the Zippy Emacs 850w PSU then

 

[JN]

Thanks for your help,

I take a look at the Zippy Emacs 850w PSU then

I forgot to say that they are a fair bit more than £100

But to be honest, there isn't much else out with a high powered single rail at the moment.

 

[FragTek]

i think even with a high end 850W PSU a DX10 card will still be too much for it. you may want to look into special high ampage jobbys as the 8800s will rape a PSU for all its worth. Looking at consumptions of 280-350 Watt which will draw up to[/B'] about 30 amps on the 12v rail (GTX - GTS is slightly lower)

Are you kidding me? No way. A top end 850w PSU will EASILY and I do mean EASILY handle a single DX10 card. Heck a good 600w supply would run a single DX10 card. It's when we get in to SLI we need to start looking for these monster single 12v rail PSU's.

 

[llwyd]

Are you kidding me? No way. A top end 850w PSU will EASILY and I do mean EASILY handle a single DX10 card. Heck a good 600w supply would run a single DX10 card. It's when we get in to SLI we need to start looking for these monster single 12v rail PSU's.

P=IxV so I (A) = P (W) / V and if P = 300 watts (as an average) 300/12 = 25A, how many PSUs have 25A going free on the 12v rail? especially when running a system belonging to someone who can afford an 8800GTX. Although i dunno if the GTX's 2 PCI-E connectors will share the load or what. The chart i looked at the other day put the 8800 at load about 40% above the X1900XTX in power consumption, i have no idea how reliable that is though.

 

[FragTek]

P=IxV so I (A) = P (W) / V and if P = 300 watts (as an average) 300/12 = 25A, how many PSUs have 25A going free on the 12v rail? especially when running a system belonging to someone who can afford an 8800GTX. Although i dunno if the GTX's 2 PCI-E connectors will share the load or what

That's a very very liberal estimate on the manufacturers part, and very seldom will the card need to draw that kind of load constantly. Most power supplies in the 600+w range can supply that kind of power for short periods of time if need be.

 

[llwyd]

That's a very very liberal estimate on the manufacturers part, and very seldom will the card need to draw that kind of load constantly. Most power supplies in the 600+w range can supply that kind of power for short periods of time if need be.

Either way my trusty Hiper 580 will be resigned to running my test rig

 

[simon d]

Yeah, your best bet at the moment would be a PSU with a single 12v rail. Somethign like a Zippy Emacs 850w PSU that has 65a on its +12v rail - or the new PCP&C 1kw which has more still.

Could anyone help me, I am unable to find any reviews or spec on the Zippy Emacs 850w PSU

Thanks

Simon

 

[JN]

Could anyone help me, I am unable to find any reviews or spec on the Zippy Emacs 850w PSU

Thanks

Simon

Hi Simon, I should have a review up soon. If there are any pictures, or information u want in the meantime just let me know what you are looking for.

 

[simon d]

Hi XMS,

I looking for the Spec, and maybe some pictures of cable layout, I waiting for a price from specialtech

Thanks

Simon

 

[JN]

Hopefully these might help:

http://upload.overclock3d.net/get.php?id=1233&view=1

http://upload.overclock3d.net/get.php?id=1234&view=1

http://upload.overclock3d.net/get.php?id=1235&view=1

Its native 24-Pin ATX and has both 4Pin and 8Pin connectors, 2xPCI-E, 9xMolex, 6xSATA, 1xFloppy.

 

[simon d]

Thanks that helped.

I was hoping that it may have 4xPCI-E, as the new DX10 card are showing two sockets now