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Multiple PSU's in for one PC?

J

JungleXV

n00b
Joined
Nov 19, 2006
Messages
14
Hello once again Hard forum. Some of you may remember that I recently purchased a new pre-built PC from Newegg. To make a long story short, the PSU that is coming with the system is border-line sufficient to power all of the components. It is a 580 Watt PSU that will be used to power 2x 8800 GT cards, a Q6600 Quad-Core CPU, 3 GB of Ram (4 sticks) and 2 DVD/RW drives. Now, I do plan on getting a better PSU soon, most likely a 750 Watt at the minimum.

Thing is, a friend of mine gave me a 600 Watt PSU that he doesn't use. It's practically brand new and in perfect working condition. Until I buy a better PSU, I was wondering if anybody has used more than one PSU for their computers. I was thinking of using one just for my video cards, and the other for everything else. Obviously, I wouldn't keep both of them inside the PC since they won't fit, I'd have to have the case door slightly open at the bottom and put in the wires that way. Would this be a good idea? What are the dangers with using two power supplies?
 
I dont know of any known dangers with using two power supplies, but it can be done. Some cases like some lian-li's and the antec p190 have room for two supplies. You will need a special adapter that will connect both psu's mobo connector.
 
Can't you just use the 600W PSU to power the whole thing? How much power does it need? I've got a Q6600 (o/c to 3.5), 2 gig DDR2 (2 sticks), ATI X1950pro, 2 HDs and a DVD burner running from a 480 W PSU and it draws less than 300W when under heavy load. Having a quick look online it seems that a loaded 8800GT takes around the 100W mark, so that should leave you somewhere around the 350-400W mark at heavy load, so as long as the 600W PSU is good quality it should be fine?
 
That sure is an odd power rating - what is it some piece of shit Apevia/Aspire or similar? Seriously though, 580w should be plenty to power those components assuming you don't plan on a multi-TB RAID array or something... That is if it's a *quality* PSU, if it's from the POC bin, well I wouldn't bother.

Come to think of it, what are the brand's/models #'s of PSUs that you're using/considering using?

If I were you and either PSU is questionable, I just would NOT do it, and pop the ~$100 for a quality unit now (got my 750TX for $100.45 AR - set for the foreseeable future). (IMHO) There's no sense in spending good money on some nice parts only to put it at risk with a shitty/dodgy PSU. And really, you don't even need a 750w unit, let alone at a minimum; at most (and being fairly generous I'd imagine; you're pulling no more than 2/3 that amount). (Beyond the aforementioned price I paid) I only got mine because it was:

a) Corsair (top notch C/S + multiple reps post here daily)
b) 5 year warranty
c) wanted to be ready for any conceivable upgrade for said 5 year term (save for yet another PSU standard of course!)
d) Efficiency curve - I figure even w/ some fairly hefty upgrades down the line, I'd be hitting the sweet spot for efficiency on the unit (not that it deviates all that much except at the very low end, but still); nor will I be near maxing this thing out at any point.

ps If you do end up getting a PSU soon, and 750w no less...Stay the hell away from the particular Ultra unit that was reviewed here...
 
What are the BRANDS of the units in question, JungleXV? That is the most IMPORTANT thing.
 
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