do i have enough power?

[levidittrich]

hey there,

 

i really want to upgrade my pc and i have a spare gtx 660 left, my question is if i have enough power.

my build:
GPU: gtx 660
PSU: corsair cx500m
SSD: samsung 850 evo 256 GB

HDD: Seagate 1 TB
Processor: intel i7 920 2.67 ghz

motherboard: Asus Xtreme phase

 

so do i have enough power for 2 gtx 660's in SLI?

and can use two GPU's on one pci e cable?

 

thanks in advance

 

Levi

[zlolslavez]

I wouldn't reccomend using 2 gpu's on 1 PCI-E cable.

 

I would just upgrade the power supply, but something like a 780 can be run at 500 watts, so I think power wise you are fine.

[ANewFace]

I wouldn't do 2 660s off 500W. you can pick up a 650W for like $40

[Wirbelfeld]

hey there,

 

i really want to upgrade my pc and i have a spare gtx 660 left, my question is if i have enough power.

my build:

GPU: gtx 660

PSU: corsair cx500m

SSD: samsung 850 evo 256 GB

HDD: Seagate 1 TB

Processor: intel i7 920 2.67 ghz

motherboard: Asus Xtreme phase

 

so do i have enough power for 2 gtx 660's in SLI?

and can use two GPU's on one pci e cable?

 

thanks in advance

 

Levi

the CX series, especially low end ones, are not the most reliable PSU out there. I suggest a Seasonic or any other reputable company. Corsair only makes good high end PSUs. As a rule of thumb, your components should be around 40%-60% of your PSU wattage. You should probably get around a 700W PSU. 600 minimal.

[levidittrich]

thanks for all the replies but i dont know why the corsair cx500m would be unreliable, because nothing ever happened to my pc with this psu. and i can't find a 650W for €40

[paprikman]

the CX series, especially low end ones, are not the most reliable PSU out there. I suggest a Seasonic or any other reputable company. Corsair only makes good high end PSUs. As a rule of thumb, your components should be around 40%-60% of your PSU wattage. You should probably get around a 700W PSU. 600 minimal.

This man knows the drill.

I wouldn't even buy any corsair cx-m series, because their modular psu's are bad.

When you're goind SLI or nice overclocking, get a seasonic psu. Don't listen what people say about "seasonic and corsair cx has similar electric schemes" - if they are similar, why corsair cx sucks and seasonic doesn't...

[levidittrich]

@Wirbelfeld how about a coolermaster?

[NeatSquidYT]

@Wirbelfeld how about a coolermaster?

Cooler Master make some very nice PSUs.

[Wirbelfeld]

thanks for all the replies but i dont know why the corsair cx500m would be unreliable, because nothing ever happened to my pc with this psu. and i can't find a 650W for €40

If you have ever cracked a cx PSU open, you will see they use the cheapest and lowest quality capacitors. They are ok for low end office pcs but stay away from them in gaming rigs. They also have really bad hold up times. You get what you pay for with the cx series.

[zlolslavez]

This man knows the drill.

I wouldn't even buy any corsair cx-m series, because their modular psu's are bad.

When you're goind SLI or nice overclocking, get a seasonic psu. Don't listen what people say about "seasonic and corsair cx has similar electric schemes" - if they are similar, why corsair cx sucks and seasonic doesn't...

I would more or less aim for 100 watts over, rather than a percentage. 700 watts is a lot or SLI 660s (maybe something stronger would need 700 watts for SLI).

[levidittrich]

@zlolslavez so i should aim for a 600 watt modular PSU?

[zlolslavez]

@zlolslavez so i should aim for a 600 watt modular PSU?

Despite what I just said, I would still get a 700 watt (Most likely 750 watts) anyway, as it would give you breathing room to overclock, and junk like that. As nVidia recommends 650 watts for an SLI setup.

[Wirbelfeld]

I would more or less aim for 100 watts over, rather than a percentage. 700 watts is a lot or SLI 660s (maybe something stronger would need 700 watts for SLI).

I usually give more slack with lower Watt pcs but I usually dont go more than 60-70% of the PSU. 

 

@zlolslavez so i should aim for a 600 watt modular PSU?

600W would be ok as it would give you around 150W slack, only if you dont overclock, i still recommend a 700W psu as you are running sli. That should be enough to work with if you dont plan on upgrading it too much.

Modular is personal choice.

[JAKEBAB]

Ive seen people with sli 970 running on 550w fine so you should be alright although im not super familiar with the CX series.

[levidittrich]

thanks for all the advice @wibelfeld and @zlolslavez . i will look for a 750w modular seasonic or coolermaster

[levidittrich]

thanks for all the advice @wibelfeld and @zlolslavez . i will look for a 750w modular seasonic or coolermaster 

[zlolslavez]

thanks for all the advice @wibelfeld and @zlolslavez . i will look for a 750w modular seasonic or coolermaster 

I wouldn't NOT recommend an EVGA G2 750 watt (buy it)

[GoldSrc]

As a rule of thumb, your components should be around 40%-60% of your PSU wattage. You should probably get around a 700W PSU. 600 minimal.

A single 660 uses around 120W in full load, I doubt the rest of his PC uses 400W.

660 in SLI would use 240W + 150W of the rest of the PC = 390W, so yeah, way below 600W in full load.

And even if we increase the power consumption of his PC to 200W, we're still below 600W in SLI.

[Wirbelfeld]

A single 660 uses around 120W in full load, I doubt the rest of his PC uses 400W.

660 in SLI would use 240W + 150W of the rest of the PC = 390W, so yeah, way below 600W in full load.

And even if we increase the power consumption of his PC to 200W, we're still below 600W in SLI.

you should never use your PSU's full potential. just because your pc is 500W doesnt mean your PSU should be 500W. Always leave at least 30% slack but its best to leave 50%

[levidittrich]

but do i have enough power for an overclock?