A graphics card not only needs wattage, but amperage. For example, a 7970 is ~250W in a perfect world. That equates to ~21A of power.
Some cheaper power supplies will "sum" the total amperage of several smaller rails to come up with the total wattage available. For example, a 1200W power supply with 6 12V rails is really 6 200W power supplies. You see?
The problem is that for your 850W supply with 4 rails, you've only got 850W/12V = 70A/4 = 17.5A, so you only have 4 17.5A power supplies!!
A 7970 eats 20A in one bite, and if any single rail of your power supply is ever overloaded the whole thing comes crashing down. No single rail on that PSU will run a 7970, it just won't happen. You could divide the 7970 to 2 12V rails, but then you only have two 17A rails left for the PC and two more cards. I don't see that working! One rail with the PC and card (7950) will be too close to max and crash everything. If you had a single rail PSU you would be able to more effectively utilize the amperage available.
So, a multirail PSU is not preferred as it is sometimes not possible to evenly load the individual rails which will cause the PSU to crash. Otherwise, it is perfectly OK.
Hey,
I just figured out my PSU has an option to switch from multi to single rail.
"the white socket labeled OCK is used to set the power supply to either single or multi +12V rail mode. With nothing connected, the power supply will operate in multi-rail mode (+12V1, +12V2, +12V3 and +12V4). Plugging in the small jumper or connecting the PCI bracket mounted switch (and turning it on) will disable the individual +12V rail OCP circuits and enable single rail mode.
I havent touched it yet though.
Also I need some help figuring out how to connect the 3rd GPU which arrrives tomorrow.
Here is the connections on the back of my PSU.
I only have cables for two of the PCI-E slots. Each cable has a 8 + 6 pin coming from it into the GPU.
However, I am unsure of what type of cable this is. If someone could give me the name of it or link me where to buy one that be great as I need one for the third slot. I have another thread on here about this as well. Heoping to have everything sorted by tomorrow night.
Thanks.