PSU for 2 x 4870's

[Apokalipse]

Just looking for recommendations on what sort of PSU to get:
I'd like to have the following features:
* single +12V rail
* modular
* 2 x 6-pin PCI-E
* 2 x 8-pin PCI-E

though I'd be willing to solder two cables up, each with 1 x 8-pin and 1 x 6-pin connector. I just need the connectors to do it with....

[Rattle]

corsair 620 will do fine, i would go for a 1000 corsair after the 620 both modular. $200 on sale quite a bargain.

[Apokalipse]

the HX 620W is still 3x +12V rails, and the 1000W model is 2 x +12V rails (though in its case, a lot more power on each)

I'd also prefer something around 650-750W, where efficiency is >85% at 50% load (~325-375W) - K.Rudd's plans to make electricity more expensive in Aus for no good reason. At least we have 240V mains power, which will increase efficiency.
650-750W is also where PSU price/power output is about at its best

So far I'm thinking the TX-750W (http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=15_535&products_id=6227) fits most of what I'd like, apart from not being modular.
60A on a single +12V rail, 4 x 6/8-pin PCI-E connectors, high efficiency (http://www.techwarelabs.com/reviews/PowerSupply/corsair-tx750/images/fullsize/tx750w_efficiency.jpg), and high quality at a fairly reasonable price.

*edit*
Has anybody modded a PSU to combine all the +12V rails into one, stronger +12V rail?
Or has anybody modified a non-modular PSU to turn it into a modular one?

[iTravis]

I went from the Corsair HX620 to TX750 for my 2nd HD4870 coming and I don't see the cables as a big deal at all, sure it's a bit clustering but it doesn't bother me that much. I was on the same boat as you as I still prefer modular all the way but the HX1000 is just overkill for 2x4870. The TX750 has 80%+ energy effiency and I think that should be enough. I wouldn't even bother with modding from non-modular to a modular one though. :D

[xMrBunglex]

i have a Corsair TX750 and dual Radeon 4870's and i think the PSU is perfect. the non-modular power supply kind of sucks, but this PSU just rocks for the price. a huge 60A 12V rail and four 6+2 pin PCI-E connectors make it perfect for monster SLI/CF systems. mine runs quiet and cool too. just be warned the cables are very long and there are a lot of them. keeping everything tidy in your case will require some patience when you put it back together.

i'm ditching my Antec 900 in favor of a Cooler Master Cosmos S case tomorrow. the new case should have plenty of room for me to hide the cables.

[Apokalipse]

This is my case (Lian Li PC-A70):
http://apokalipse.googlepages.com/case_full.jpg

So you can see why I'd want a modular PSU. I'd like to keep it as clean as I can....

[Tonucci]

Regardless of what the box says, the Corsair HX520/ HX620 are single rail units. 650TX and 750TX too.

[Anemone]

But the 1k is dual rail

[Apokalipse]

Regardless of what the box says, the Corsair HX520/ HX620 are single rail units. 650TX and 750TX too.Interesting
Are there any sources for this?

[Tonucci]

Its kinda well known, but googled this anyways:

http://www.jonnyguru.com//forums/showthread.php?t=3990&highlight=single+rail+corsair+620

http://www.silentpcreview.com/article692-page1.html

http://hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTQyMCw1LCxoZW50aHVzaWFzdA==

[Heretic]

This is my case (Lian Li PC-A70):
*snip*

So you can see why I'd want a modular PSU. I'd like to keep it as clean as I can....

:eek:
Gorgeous and clean.

[g1raffe]

But the 1k is dual rail
And?

It is still perfectly suatable for a system like the one you are proposing.

Multi +12V rail is not necesserily a bad thing, and will not always stop you from running high powered SLI/Crossfire rigs like the first PSU's with split +12V rails could.

As long as its setup well and has the connectors on the correct rails, etc, it is as good/better than single +12V..

[Anemone]

So in this day and age where you can get two nearly identically performing products, one with a single rail and one with a dual rail, why wouldn't you choose the single rail?

[adamsleath]

over current protection on multirail and on single rail may differ, although i dont know any specifics for models or designs.

jonny guru probably knows.

it totally depends on internal ratings of all components of the psu and how it is designed.

there are high capacity 'multirail' psu's as there are high capacity 'single rail' designs.

single rail design implies (to me, maybe im interpreting the claims wrong) that you could have one 12V device drawing close to the maximum single rail rated amps; whether this is actually true i dont know.

splitting of rails should allow for better regulation and isolation of each rail i would have thought, but the reasons for the design differences you'd have to ask the psu designer.

[xMrBunglex]

So in this day and age where you can get two nearly identically performing products, one with a single rail and one with a dual rail, why wouldn't you choose the single rail?

i can't think of a good reason. if nothing else, a single rail eliminates guesswork from loading your system up with lots of power hungry parts.

[Tonucci]

True that. But at the same time most units are made in a way that they are noob proof, by arranging the rails trough different connectors in a way its extremely hard for the user to make something stupid.

If playing with DICE/Ln2 it gets more complicated...An PSU can have a 100a 12v rail, but if each sub rail has OCP @ 20a, and the CPU is fed by only one rail, it may trip depending on the OC/component. But most high wattage units share more than one rail to feed power hungry components, and often have bigger rails, like 25a and 30a.

[adamsleath]

and often have bigger rails, like 25a and 30a.
and these usually costs big bucks?

the trick is to find a gem of a unit at the best price with big beefy rails :D
is there anything else that compares well with 750tx for power and price?

most of the really good / powerful psu's have a price tag to match, although high price does not always guarantee you of quality either, unfortunately.

[zanzabar]

This is my case (Lian Li PC-A70):
http://apokalipse.googlepages.com/case_full.jpg

So you can see why I'd want a modular PSU. I'd like to keep it as clean as I can....

the 750TX would look simmilar, it has all of the cables around the 24pin aria so u could put all of the exes behind the MB tray it is setup so that u can hide the cables vary easily

[g1raffe]

http://www.jonnyguru.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3990
^ Good reading for single vs split +12V rails.

[adamsleath]

a good read^

it is theoretically safer to have a multi-rail unit:p:
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/505/5

http://www.guru3d.com/article/bequiet-dark-power-pro-650w-first-class-review/7
650W bequiet, modular.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817702009
http://c1.neweggimages.com/NeweggImage/productimage/17-702-009-08.jpg
bfg lifetime warranty
$120 bucks:hrhr:-not modular, 2 x 6Pin, 2 x 6+2Pin

[xMrBunglex]

it is theoretically safer to have a multi-rail unit:p:

only if you lick the power connectors. 12 volts isn't strong enough to push through your skin.

[adamsleath]

i was thinking more of a voltage spike frying a component, however unlikely that is.
too many other factors to consider than just 'single vs multi' rail generalisations

750tx is rated to 60A total on 12V.

i was just looking for other options

i think 620 would be pushing it with dual 4870's at high load...with a quad.
~450W...but i spose that's ok.

[Apokalipse]

i was thinking more of a voltage spike frying a component, however unlikely that is.much more unlikely if the PSU is of good quality. I think the better ones, even if they die, are built to protect components from being taken out with it....

too many other factors to consider than just 'single vs multi' rail generalisationsAll other things being equal, I'd prefer a single rail PSU.

750tx is rated to 60A total on 12V.Yeah, that's why I've been looking at it.
I still might get one. But I might end-up resoldering some wires, or even converting it into a modular PSU.
I'd just need the connectors to do it with.
i think 620 would be pushing it with dual 4870's at high load...with a quad.
~450W...but i spose that's ok.I'm planning on using it with an overclocked 9850 BE. And I have 6 hard drives.

[Kondik]

Im using TAGAN Rock Pipe Series 800W , the rig you see in my sig has peak 540W, Idle 270 - 280W . so 800W is a good choice imo.

[Tonucci]

Measurement from the wall yes ? If so, and assuming your tagan has 80% efficiency, peak consumption is around 430W for the components.

[Kondik]

I just made another round, Volcraft W/h meter says the case eats +/- 535 W Peak , 280 W Idle , just the case.
The efficiency is 0.83 at peak as the Volcraft Meter Says so 83% and idle 0.81

If i dissconect the X - Fi Elite Pro Console it falls down a bit and so on, If I didn't OC it would be under 500W

[jimmyxxx]

Silverstone Decathlons 800w and 850w , meet all your needs

[Apokalipse]

Silverstone Decathlons 800w and 850w , meet all your needsnot quite... it wouldn't look that great in my case.

And I'd prefer something around 650-750W where the peak efficiency is around where it'd be running the majority of the time.

I'll at least swap the fan for an LED fan, to match the rest

[jimmyxxx]

Then go for DA 700w or 750w :P

[Apokalipse]

Then go for DA 700w or 750w :PThere are a couple of things I don't really like about it. It may seem like nitpicking, but why not go for what you want?
1. one of the heatsinks is a bit small
2. it doesn't look that great (aesthetically)

Overall, I think I prefer the Corsair TX series PSU's. The only one issue being that they're not modular.

[mad_skills]

Why not the Corsair HX620W, it's single rail, quiet, powerful, and not that expensive?

[Olly_K]

my corsair 750w powered both with a qx9650 no problems