Hey everyone!

Long time browser, first time poster. I have a quick question here. I am upgrading my graphics for my computer from an Asus EN7800 GTX to dual XFX 8800 GTX 768's with a BFG Aegis PhysX accelerator card. I'm not too worried about the space aspect, as i will be buying a new server case for these huge monsters (Been told they measure in at a tad over 11" long!) My main concern is going to be the PSU. If someone out here in THG forums has this similar setup, can you fill me in on the PSU that i will be needing to run this? My system specs are as follows:

AMD Athlon 64 3700+ (also considering upping this to a core duo extreme if needed)

Asus A8N32-SLI mobo

4 gigs of OCZ Platinum running at 2-3-2-5 @400mhz (no OC'ing for these yet)

Creative Labs X-FI Fatal1ty soundcard

WD 74gb Raptor

WD 40gb caviar

and the 7800 GTX ....which will be replaced on Dec 12th with the 8800's and that PhysX card. Any help will be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!!


-Luz

Overkill, I would think so. That is a crazy amount of money... but since money doesn't seem to be a problem, Newegg has a 700W thermaltake for 130.00 after rebate.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817153039

That should be sufficient for your needs...

Now see..the local comp store (whom i bull with every now and again) said i would need the 1kilowatt PSU to sufficiently run these two monsters. I'd rather not go for something like that, but i will if needed. But they did mention that he made sure to ask if he could transfer all my stuff from the Antec p180 that i have now to the new server case, and run some benchmarks. I just might oblige him on that, considering i cussed and fought with that 180 to get everything stuffed in!

My set-ups in my sig. I went with a 850watt PSU. If you goto NVIDIAs webiste SliZone they have a list of reccomended PSUs. I did some research and found most people with dual 8800s needed 750w and higher. So far 850w has been ample in my system which has 4 120mm fans, 4 raptors, dual 8800s, X-fi, cd rom, and a few 80mm fans, ect...

These cards are HEAVILY dependent on CPU power. You'll benefit alot if you went to atleast a E6400 and did a moderate o/c (3-3.2 Ghz). Otherwise you'll lose alot of the performance benefits of having the extra card.

I would hold off on the physics card. I wont get into the debate of "why we need it". If your going to get it, you might wait until the PCIex version is released. The 8800's are big as you noted and hog up alot of space. I couldn't fit another PCI card if I wanted to. The only slot I still have available is a PCI-ex which is declared to be a future 3rd graphics card(physics?) upgrade. Something to consider anyway.

Wow. 1k PS's look to be closer to 260-300 dollar range. I figured that the other would work, but obviously your builder has more knowledge than I do about it.

Good luck with that build. It should be amazing.

Thanks SOOOOOO much on that website! This will be my first SLI setup, so i never knew about that website. Stupid me. Although, i just might take your advice and hold off on that physx card....i've been looking through these forums and seem to notice a chain effect of why they aren't as good as they are hyped up to be.

From nVidia's website:

Link: < http://www.nvidia.com/object/slizone_howtobuild_2.html >

I just took a look at your board on the egg.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131568

No way you're going to fit that physics card in there. Either the X-fi or physics is going to have to go.

Edited to add: Maybe with a waterblock for cooling you might free up some space. I have not had one in my hand and can not comment if you'd have clearance for addition PCI components or not. Using the stock coolers you'll be left with one PCI and that's it.

I'll never get rid of my Fatal1ty SC....the physx card is a goner....besides, i highly doubt i'll -need- it considering the two cards i have coming anyhow....with that 250 saved, i'll most likely end up with a 1k PSU....JUST to be on the safe side of the spectrum!

Looks like the 680i recognizes just how much the PhysX card is worth...

Great setup, except for the processor, 2 8800 GTX's and a 3700 is like matching 2 jaguars and a golf-cart. If you wanna stick with AMD at least get a X2 or a FX, but I would recommend getting a Intel Core 2 Duo 6600 or higher. Processors play more than you think on FPS.

I have to agree.
I would think the more logical upgrade would to allocate the funds from one 8800 and get a E6600(or higher) with some decent cooling. This means a new board, CPU, and possibly RAM. You might even wind-up getting similar speeds to what you would have with dual 8800's. Then in the future you could weigh in buying that second card.

FYI: My system got around 11,000 3dmarks on one 8800GTX and 15,000 marks with 2 in sli. I've seen similar set-ups to yours declaring they get around 9K with only one GTX and want to know why the low numbers for their card. Their CPU is what bottlenecks and as you can see 2,000 marks is a good difference especialy with the amount of money invested. IMHO - I wouldn't be suprised if your 8800's in sli pulled off low 12's which is about what you'd get with 1 card and optimizing your CPU power for essentialy the same price.

I would suggest you to get better cpu (or new system altogether) if you want to use 8800 GTX,esp. in SLI. Just my RM0.02

Overkill? I think so.

Is there a game out there yet that will use all of that dual-8800 power?

You're better off getting a single 8800 now, and when Crysis is released get the second 8800. It'll probably be at least $50 cheaper by then, maybe more if the R600 is out...

And the physX card? Don't even get me started. But the short answer is 'useless'.

Won't that processor heavily bottle neck dual 8800s? Hell, even a single one might be bottlenecked by a 3700.

You seriously have some money to burn if you're upgrading from a 7800 to dual 8800s.