4850 Crossfire Power question

[flooberjobby]

I was just curiouse because I am currently building a system for my bro, and I already have a Thermaltake power express 250W 5.25 drive bay psu. I was wondering if I could use it, and only it to power the graphics cards, or do you think it would not be enough?

If It is not enough do you think I could just get the 450W version and use that only to power the video cards?

The only reason I am asking is because currently the system is at $1,170.00 USD without a psu.

The system consists of these parts
4 gigs of DDR2 @1066
500 Gig HD 7200RPM
Asus wifi max 790FX mobo
X4 Phenom 9850 BE
Vista home premium 64 bit, system builders version.

 

[matrix563]

a 9850? jesus, u better up the psu man . it will be close as is.

 

[flooberjobby]

Any suggestions for psu? I am trying to keep the system under 1300 as much as I can, the lower the better.

 

[matrix563]

http://www.provantage.com/corsair-cmpsu-750tx~7CSMC05E.htm

i'd also go with a used Q6600, i see some sellers here selling them for 160-170 shipped. much better performance and overclocking potential if u like that . switch out that mobo too

 

[ALL4AMD]

yeah phenom is not that good ATM so try going high clocked X2 or intel

 

[bholstege]

I'm powering 2 8800gt's with that add on PSU, you will be fine.

 

[matrix563]

I'm powering 2 8800gt's with that add on PSU, you will be fine.

not necessarily, i read a crossfire review of a 4850cf setup and i think they said they went froma 1000 watt psu to 1200watt one before it worked right, course, i was sleepy when i read it, could be wrong, better to be safe than sorry though

 

[flooberjobby]

not necessarily, i read a crossfire review of a 4850cf setup and i think they said they went froma 1000 watt psu to 1200watt one before it worked right, course, i was sleepy when i read it, could be wrong, better to be safe than sorry though

Your thinking of the GTX 280 SLI.

Also thanks for letting me know that the add on psu will be enough.

But I also plan on using amd overdrive auto over clock so I need to have headroom for the system.

Also I know you are all suggesting go intel, but I made up my mind about the cpu already. So plesae don't deviate from the subject wich is powering the system and having enough power not to worry about system problems

 

[matrix563]

we only said intel because the amd chip will draw more overclocked than the intel one.

 

[memnoch_thedevil]

I agree with matrix563, an overclocked AMD will draw more power than an Intel. Not to mention there really is no competition between the two chips, the Intel destroys AMD.

Also, no need for 1066 ram, you can get DDR2 800 and overclock it to 1066 yourself and save some money. The Adata Vitesta DDR2 800 4 Gig kit is only $85 and overclocks very nicely. I have 8 gigs of it overclocked to 1081 Mhz @ only 2.0 Volts as well

What else is missing from your parts list that is bringing up cost that isn't listed above? Case? Is this a build from scratch, or are you carrying over some parts from an older system, so some items aren't needed (like a dvd drive etc...)


Here is a quick slapped together list that comes out under $1300.00, but you may not need some of the stuff added like a case or dvd drive, or may choose something else, and you can obviously shop around to save some money...


Memory: Q6600 $207.00

MOBO: Asus P5q $199.99

PSU: 750 Watt Corsair $100.87

HDD: Samsung F1 Series $89.99

OS: Vista Home 64 $99.99

GPU: 2 x 4850's$189.99 x 2 = $379.98

Case: CM 690 $84.99

Optical: Samsung DVD Burner $26.99



Total: $1275.79