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Topic: Will this 1000w PS be good for 4 5850's? (Read 1476 times)

sr. member
Activity: 466
Merit: 250
June 06, 2012, 12:56:42 PM
#18
1000W is plenty for 4 5850s, but that one is a little sketchy. The OEM is Super Flower, so it could go either way. Only 4 PCIe cables means you'll need 4 Molex to PCIe cables. It's single rail so it will probably work fine, but you might want to spring for a better one if you can afford it.

I'm using Super Flower PSUs and they have been working great so far. Right now I have 4x5870 + 7970 plugged to a 1000W Super Flower PSU. Cards are undervolted and the whole system is just under 600W.
legendary
Activity: 1022
Merit: 1000
BitMinter
There is nothing wrong with super flower. I use a 650W silver rated unit for my two 5850s. 6 months 24/7 use and not a single issue. Would buy again but in gold or platin  Tongue
legendary
Activity: 1400
Merit: 1005
Thanks for the replies guys!

So make sure it is single rail, and you guys ARE NOT willing to risk non-name brand power supplies, correct?  Even with bronze ratings/single rail?

Also, think a windows 7 machine, single core cpu, 2GB RAM, 1000Watt PSU could run 5 5850 cards?Huh (don't know if it changes somehow at 5, cause I don't see anything over 4 much)  I have a friend with free electric, but they are only able/willing to allow me to run 2 nodes.  Wanna get the best bang for buck, but don't have much money.

The bottom line is that you want to get a *good* PSU. You probably can run 5 5850s off a good 1000w PSU, but you have to get a good one. A good PSU can run 70-80% of its rated load 24/7, but not a mediocre one. Also, keep in mind that you can undervolt. I'm running 5 5850s now @0.95v. I'm getting a little over 300 Mh/s per card and pulling 540 watts at the wall. If you undervolt, you can get by with this

http://www.amazon.com/PC-Power-Cooling-Performance-compatible/dp/B003U29C3Q/ref=sr_1_2?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1338985544&sr=1-2

I'm recommending the PC Power and Cooling PSUs b/c they offer great bang for the buck.
A good PSU can run 100% of its rated load 24/7.  A mediocre one can run 80%, and a really terrible one can run maybe 50-60% before dying on the spot.
legendary
Activity: 1820
Merit: 1000
Thanks for the replies guys!

So make sure it is single rail, and you guys ARE NOT willing to risk non-name brand power supplies, correct?  Even with bronze ratings/single rail?

Also, think a windows 7 machine, single core cpu, 2GB RAM, 1000Watt PSU could run 5 5850 cards?Huh (don't know if it changes somehow at 5, cause I don't see anything over 4 much)  I have a friend with free electric, but they are only able/willing to allow me to run 2 nodes.  Wanna get the best bang for buck, but don't have much money.

The bottom line is that you want to get a *good* PSU. You probably can run 5 5850s off a good 1000w PSU, but you have to get a good one. A good PSU can run 70-80% of its rated load 24/7, but not a mediocre one. Also, keep in mind that you can undervolt. I'm running 5 5850s now @0.95v. I'm getting a little over 300 Mh/s per card and pulling 540 watts at the wall. If you undervolt, you can get by with this

http://www.amazon.com/PC-Power-Cooling-Performance-compatible/dp/B003U29C3Q/ref=sr_1_2?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1338985544&sr=1-2

I'm recommending the PC Power and Cooling PSUs b/c they offer great bang for the buck.
legendary
Activity: 1820
Merit: 1000
I'd get this

http://www.amazon.com/PC-Power-Cooling-Performance-compatible/dp/B003U29C40/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1338985544&sr=1-1

At 950w, it's more than you need, yes, but leaves room for future expansion. And at $120 after rebate, it makes the "upgrade" very affordable. I have one of these and it rocks. One thing to keep in mind, though, is that it's not modular. But with four GPUs you are going to use most of the cables anyway, so I don't think it matters much.
full member
Activity: 182
Merit: 100
Thanks for the replies guys!

So make sure it is single rail, and you guys ARE NOT willing to risk non-name brand power supplies, correct?  Even with bronze ratings/single rail?

Also, think a windows 7 machine, single core cpu, 2GB RAM, 1000Watt PSU could run 5 5850 cards?Huh (don't know if it changes somehow at 5, cause I don't see anything over 4 much)  I have a friend with free electric, but they are only able/willing to allow me to run 2 nodes.  Wanna get the best bang for buck, but don't have much money.
full member
Activity: 205
Merit: 100
850w is good enough
sr. member
Activity: 438
Merit: 250
sr. member
Activity: 438
Merit: 250
sr. member
Activity: 438
Merit: 250
also remember when underclocking ram it consumes a little less but your probably ocing the core 2
full member
Activity: 196
Merit: 100
Web Dev, Db Admin, Computer Technician
With all 4 cards and the board at idle it will consume 160w at the wall, approximately. When mining, OC engine 860 and UC memory 220, draw will be 680-700w at the wall.
Would be best if you chose a single rail PSU and 750w would be a minimum. How efficient a PSU you should get just depends on how much you want to spend, the more efficient the more it will cost.
legendary
Activity: 1274
Merit: 1004
It's actually a lot more margin than that, as PSUs are rated by their DC output and not what they pull from the wall. A good 800W supply would power those cards without problem; the rig I have my KillAWatt plugged into right now is drawing 330W at the wall with an 80+Bronze supply with two unlocked 6950s at 850/200 which would draw as much or more than a pair of 5830s.
sr. member
Activity: 336
Merit: 250
50 more watts.
legendary
Activity: 1400
Merit: 1005
I'd suggest a 850-900W unit, just not comfortable with edging too close to the maximum rating. Besides running at max load can knock a few percent off efficiency.
800w is more than 20% above the estimate current draw... how much headroom do you want???
sr. member
Activity: 336
Merit: 250
I'd suggest a 850-900W unit, just not comfortable with edging too close to the maximum rating. Besides running at max load can knock a few percent off efficiency.
legendary
Activity: 1400
Merit: 1005
The 5850's really only consume about 150w under full load (at the wall).  So, theoretically, you only need 4x150 + say, 50w for the CPU/motherboard idling.  650w, + 20% for some headroom = 780w.  This PSU would be a MUCH better option than that 1000w you have listed, even though it's only 800w.  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139025

That 1000w looks like the type that would only run 600w before keeling over.
legendary
Activity: 1274
Merit: 1004
1000W is plenty for 4 5850s, but that one is a little sketchy. The OEM is Super Flower, so it could go either way. Only 4 PCIe cables means you'll need 4 Molex to PCIe cables. It's single rail so it will probably work fine, but you might want to spring for a better one if you can afford it.
full member
Activity: 182
Merit: 100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817517008

Looking at buying this for a 4 5850 or possibly a mix of 5850 and 5830 rig.  Think it will be okay?  Any PowerSupply Experts here to help?
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