[jackflash1991]

Thinking of building a PC.
* i7 CPU
* At least 850W PSU
* 6GB DDR3
* Windows 7 64-bit

What does everyone think of the Nvidia 580GTX for $510? I hear that SLI 470GTX is a popular alternative for $150. Not a big fan of SLI but it is $200 cheaper.

Also had a quick question about PSU with the i7 processor. What does "compatible with Core i7/Core i5" really mean on the PSUs? Is it just a marketing thing or is it better to have one of these "compatible with Core i7/Core i5" PSUs with an i7?

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Just realized that the PSU would have to be at least 1000W to power SLI 470GTX.

[jackflash1991]

Just realized that the PSU would have to be at least 1000W to power SLI 470GTX.

[iammykyl]

Hi.


"compatible with Core i7/Core i5" Just marketing bull. Any good quality PSU with enough power will work.

Funny that I have never seen, "AMD compatible"

You did not list a Mobo.

Could only find this comparison table for the video card, > http://www.digitalve...1&p2=10098&ph=4

[stettybet0]

Just realized that the PSU would have to be at least 1000W to power SLI 470GTX.

A very high-end overclocked system with two GTX 470s in SLI consumes around 550-575W at full load (source). Of course you're going to want some headroom, but you don't need to get an 1000W+ PSU. The way I recommend to do it is look at the 12V amperage requirements for one GTX 470 (38A) and multiply that by 1.5 (57A), so look for a PSU with at least 57A on the 12V rail(s). A quality choice would be this 750W Corsair, which has 60A on its 12V rail.

[jackflash1991]

Oh really. I tried the wattage calculator on Newegg and it said 1000W.
I guess that makes people spend money.

[phillpower2]

Try this one for comparison http://www.corsair.c...er/default.aspx

[jackflash1991]

Try this one for comparison http://www.corsair.c...er/default.aspx

All it says is: "Your system is an absolute monster! With this kind of hardware, you need an absolute beast of a power supply. Luckily, Corsair has that taken care of. Click below for more information." 1000W

Edited by jackflash1991, 04 December 2010 - 04:46 PM.

[jackflash1991]

Haven't looked at computer parts in a while. Realized that you no longer need an Nvidia north bridge to have SLI. I'm seeing a lot of motherboards from ASRock. Not really sure who they are. Probably going to go with:
*i7-950 - http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819115211
*G.SKILL 6GB DDR3 - http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820231225
*Might go with the PSU stettybet0 recommended if no one else has an opinion
*Still is the Nvidia 580GTX worth it?
*Also any recommendations for mobos?

[jackflash1991]

*570 GTX: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814130593
*6GB DDR3: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820231225
*GIGABYTE GA-P55-USB3: http://www.newegg.co...82E16813128425R
*i7-870: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819115213
*PSU?

I currently have a 650W Antec. Do you think it is enough? It is also a couple years old, maybe 5 or so years.

[iammykyl]

On the product page, > http://www.evga.com/...&family=GeForce

2 PCI-e dongles. I would not risk an old PSU on any build and certainly not after you have spent big dollars on this system.

If you are likely in the future to go SLI I would get a PSU with 4 PCI-e connectors and allow for more power.