4870+4870X2 PSU Recommendation?

[DavyGT]

I'm thinking of getting a 4870 and a 4870 X2 so I can run a CrossFireX setup. I was wondering if a ~700W-800W PSU would be enough? I was also wondering if I should buy it now, with the heat problems or wait until the 45nm refresh. My case doesn't have the best ventilation...

[ShadowFold]

A good 700w would be good yes And its always a good time to buy! Unless the new series of cards comes out in like a week but thats not the case. I recommend the PC Power and Cooling 750w, it comes in three colors so choose whichever you like.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...g+750w&x=0&y=0

[DavyGT]

Ok, I just got my new motherboard. Thanks, I'll get the upgrades ASAP.

[MatTheCat]

Originally Posted by DavyGT

I'm thinking of getting a 4870 and a 4870 X2 so I can run a CrossFireX setup. I was wondering if a ~700W-800W PSU would be enough? I was also wondering if I should buy it now, with the heat problems or wait until the 45nm refresh. My case doesn't have the best ventilation...

Why a 4870 and a 4870x2?

Strange choice....why not 4870 CF or just 4870x2?

[DavyGT]

Originally Posted by MatTheCat

Why a 4870 and a 4870x2?

Strange choice....why not 4870 CF or just 4870x2?

Why not? Get the very best possible for the most of my money. It depends on how well 3x4870s scale compared to 2.

[ShadowFold]

4870X2 + 4870 would be killer.. If I had the money and the mobo I would do it

[purecain]

i agree, should be fun testing that system...

[Megasty]

Buy now & buy often Also, don't buy into AMD mearly shrinking these things. They won't. The next set of cards won't come out for another 6 months or so & they will pwn all when compared to these. However, these boys are already overkill. The way the 4870x2 is shaping up, you'll only need it by itself to max out everything. But I'm not going to be saving any cash on these cards anytime soon either.

[t_ski]

You need to go to the AMD site and look up PSU recommendations. IIRC dual 4870's require at least a 750W PSU. Check it out here:

http://game.amd.com/us-en/crossfirex...2;%20HD%204870

Obviously, since the 4870X2's are not released yet, you won't find any info there on that card. When it shows up in the next month, I would say split the difference between dual 4870X2's and dual 4870's, then buy a PSU at least that big.

[MatTheCat]

Originally Posted by DavyGT

Why not? Get the very best possible for the most of my money. It depends on how well 3x4870s scale compared to 2.

1 ) Providing the rest of your system is decent a lone 4870 will max out all modern titles except Crysis and a few other poorly optimised numbers such as Gothic 3 etc...

2) From what I have read, more than 2 way Crossfire is pointless and yields no real benefits.

If I were you, I would either go 2* 4870 CF (if you already have a 4870) or if you dont, just wait until 4870 X2 comes out and go with that......Also, have you read up on the issues with microstutter and multi GPU solutions.......certainly put me right off persuading me to stick with single GPU solution.

[Scrizz]

Originally Posted by MatTheCat

1 ) Providing the rest of your system is decent a lone 4870 will max out all modern titles except Crysis and a few other poorly optimised numbers such as Gothic 3 etc...

2) From what I have read, more than 2 way Crossfire is pointless and yields no real benefits.

If I were you, I would either go 2* 4870 CF (if you already have a 4870) or if you dont, just wait until 4870 X2 comes out and go with that......Also, have you read up on the issues with microstutter and multi GPU solutions.......certainly put me right off persuading me to stick with single GPU solution.

I thought micro stutter was supposed to be fixed in the Hd4870X2

[Megasty]

Originally Posted by Scrizz

I thought micro stutter was supposed to be fixed in the Hd4870X2

With cat 8.5, I didn't have any microstuttering with the 3870x2. The problem with the 4870x2 is suppose to be completely taken care of.

[t_ski]

It is less. Microstuttering is far less with the 4870x2's than it was with the 3870x2's. There was a link from madshrimps to another page where this was tested on these cards.

EDIT: http://www.hardforum.com/showpost.ph...51&postcount=1

and this one:

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...d.php?t=194808

[ShadowFold]

Originally Posted by MatTheCat

2) From what I have read, more than 2 way Crossfire is pointless and yields no real benefits.

From what ive seen, most games start not getting any performance at all with 4 cards. 1 card = 100%, 2 cards = 180%, 3 cards = 230% and 4 cards = 230%.

[Wile E]

Originally Posted by t_ski

You need to go to the AMD site and look up PSU recommendations. IIRC dual 4870's require at least a 750W PSU. Check it out here:

http://game.amd.com/us-en/crossfirex...n™%20HD%204870

Obviously, since the 4870X2's are not released yet, you won't find any info there on that card. When it shows up in the next month, I would say split the difference between dual 4870X2's and dual 4870's, then buy a PSU at least that big.

You can't go by that. They are taking into consideration the crappy psu's that some manufacturers release. A top of the line 700W would be fine. Although, a top of the line 750W+ would be even better. lol.

[hayder.master]

take only the 4870x2

[Tatty_One]

I am sure I read that a 4870x2 requires a minimum of 600W but of course thats based on a fairly standard setup, if you have lots of bits of metal in the case it might well need more.

[john.l]

yestarday i buy the zalman ZM1000-HP for the same configuration of cards (im waiting for x2 release) because cpu hard discs in raid and memory needs also power. dont forget the efficiency of the psu

[yogurt_21]

lol according to that chart form amd you need a good brand 1200w to run trifire 4870's personally I'd go for a good brands kilowatt to be safe with ocing. if you don't plan on ocing, then a good brand 750w+ will do.