powering 2x 3870x2 ?

[chaotic_uk]

just got 2 3870x2's (very cheap from a mate) and am wondering what psu to power them ? , also i was told that the fan on one is noisy . what hs/f to replace the stock cooler or can a replacement fan be purchased

 

[mlee49]

The power requirements for a single 3870x2 are into the 500W range because at load it can draw up to 280W. So I suggest a 750W or higher for dual x2's.

As for a replacement fan, there are no third party air coolers for the 3870x2. Yup, no one makes a custom air cooler, best alternative is water blocks. Guess you could always look up the 'creative' ways to cool your x2.

 

[chaotic_uk]

what cooler does this 3870x2 use ?

 

[mlee49]

Looks like a Zalman knockoff. Is that the card you have? If so here's a review:

http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/1281/gecube_radeon_hd_3870_x2_graphics_card/index.html

PSU on draw was nearly 400W and the fan is crazy loud.

 

[LittleLizard]

look for the corsair 750w for powering those things.

 

[chaotic_uk]

what about the psu in the link below

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-004-PP&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=1104

no i do not have that one , it was one i seen at the maker of my 2x 3870's which i am running atm . no installed the 3870x2's yet

 

[mlee49]

Yes the PCP&C 750 Silencer is amazing and would do great. A lesser brand like Ultra 750, I'd be very suspicious.

 

[chaotic_uk]

plus it's red lol

 

[aCid888*]

Do NOT buy from OCUK..they will rip you off and fuck you sideways if you ever need to return the item or if they feel like it at any given moment.

Buy from Scan or eBuyer, the latter being my personal favorite.


Pay the extra 10 quid and get this PSU from Scan:
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/750W...-6X-PCI-E-ATX-12V-22-and-EPS12V-80-Efficiency

Or, my personal favorite and best PSU for your money over at eBuyer:
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/147987

Cant go wrong with that last unit...very nice supply and I'd love to power my rig with it.

 

[chaotic_uk]

not had a problem when my biostar ta790gx was doa from them , took 7 days to get a replacement though . had problems with scan though delivering a damaged aftermarket cpu hs/f , never got a refund for that either . but which brands of psu's are the best ? , i am new to this watercooling so ideas needed there

 

[aCid888*]

How much do you have to spend?

If its up to 100 quid then that Coolermaster 900w UPC is no doubt the best buy in England at the moment...I have yet to see a better PSU for less, that one used to be 140 until they reduced the price for some unknown reason and it even ships for free; cant go wrong.

 

[chaotic_uk]

well when i buy one it will be around the £80-100 mark for the psu , just running 1 card till i get the fan sorted on the other so my seasonic 550w s12+ should manage till then

 

[aCid888*]

Your Seasonic will be fine for your current rig...I just cant get over the price of that UPC, such a nice PSU for that price and it will power anything you throw at it, even Tri-SLI.

 

[chaotic_uk]

whats the max temps for a 3870x2 ?

 

[InTeL-iNsIdE]

How much do you have to spend?

If its up to 100 quid then that Coolermaster 900w UPC is no doubt the best buy in England at the moment...I have yet to see a better PSU for less, that one used to be 140 until they reduced the price for some unknown reason and it even ships for free; cant go wrong.

I'd go for the pcp+p he listed, thats teh sex and damn nice price too

 

[aCid888*]

The 99 quid Coolermaster UPC is exactly the same as the 1100w version but with two 12v+ rails disabled....much better PSU than the PCP&C and it has more wattage on the 12v lines than the entire output of the Silencer.

 

[chaotic_uk]

whats the max temps for a 3870x2 ?

i ask again ^

 

[mlee49]

100C Max temp for any GPU beyond that and your melting. I dont recall my temps at load but I'm wanting to say I saw 70C

 

[chaotic_uk]

the temps i get are 72c and 85c , also get temps in the low 90's for the vddc . managed to change the fan speed using vtune from palits website , temps are now 42c and 51c @ 35% fan speed . but the temps still go to around 75-80c under full load , i will have to raise the fan speed a little more . i was going to go for a water cooling setup but not found anywhere in the uk with any water blocks in stock and the right price

 

[mlee49]

Yeah they are flaming hot. How bad is the sound at 80% on both cards? Does it keep the heat down below 80?

 

[Sir_Real]

Get yourself a second hand 400 - 450watt psu pick them up for next to note ! & use it to power the second gpu. Requires a simple wire mod to the 20pin atx plug.

I've run pc's that way before. Works fine & will save you a packet !

A psu to run 2 hd3870x2's & all other components I'd say 1000watt !!!

 

[chaotic_uk]

only running one card atm , the fan bearings have gone on the other card (or what ever they have) . will the Accelero XTREME 4780X2 cooler fit the 3870x2 ? , how much different is the 4870x2 compaired to the 3870x2 is size etc ?

 

[Sir_Real]

I really carnt see the 4870x2 cooler fitting your 3870x2. Why not just disconnect the squeaking fan & tape or super clue a powerful case fan over the air intake hole.

 

[Raovac]

I run 2 3870X2's, a good OC on my CPU, 7 case fans, 4 bubble lites, plus a fan controler with Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad-Crossfire PSU. Temps at load do not exceed 80c at full load. Yes the cards can get a little loud once the fans ramp up to 80+. But what high end cards don't.

 

[trt740]

just got 2 3870x2's (very cheap from a mate) and am wondering what psu to power them ? , also i was told that the fan on one is noisy . what hs/f to replace the stock cooler or can a replacement fan be purchased

use the power calculator in my signature