7900 Gtx

[Spithead051]

For those of you who may not know, the BFG 7900 GTX is the best/fastest PCI express card on the market. Now, I am a very heavy gamer, and I have a somewhat limited budget, but I want to buy two of these cards. However, I'm trying to find out if my PSU is going to handle these cards. I have an Antec Smartpower 500w PSU. When I went to BFG and SLIZone websites they both recommended a minimum PSU of 500w. So, should I upgrade or stay with what I have? One thing however is that I don't have the money to go out and also buy a 800 watt PSU. So what are your recommendations? I would really appreciatte the advice.

[Alaron]

You'll need one of the power supplies under "Dual 7900GTX" here: http://www.slizone.com/object/slizone2_build.html#certified_powersupplies
Those are the only SLI certifed units.

I would just stick with one card until you can afford both the card and a new power supply. One 7900GTX will play any game you throw at it.

[Spithead051]

Ok, but one other thing I'm worried about is when I do decide to buy a second card if there will be some little difference that will throw the whole thing off. Things such as drivers, BIOS version, or some other miniscule detail. I'm probably sounding really nitpicky but I've had so many bad computer experiences I want to make sure. Also, is Hiper a good brand?

[Spithead051]

This is the link to the PSU i'm thinking of http://www.xoxide.com/hiper-power-supply-black.html

[Alaron]

That unit is good, but not for two 7900GTX cards. In my link there is a specific list for your setup. Its under "Dual GeForce 7900 GTX or Dual GeForce 7800 GTX 512 MB*"
With 2 top of the line cards, you need a lot of power. I would only run a setup like that with the power supplies that nVIDIA recommends. Such as:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104014

[Spithead051]

Actually could this possibly be a better choice? http://www.thermaltake.com/product/Power/PurePower/w0099/w0099.asp

[Alaron]

It is a better choice, since nVIDIA lists it for your setup. I've never used it though. I am a bit leery of the split connection at the main ATX power connector. It could lessen the quality of the power in the whole system.

I would just choose a regular PSU from the list instead, such as the one I linked to earlier.

[Spithead051]

Ok, that one looks good, one other question. Do you have any idea what the dimensions are on the 7900 GTX? I sat on hold for an hour with BFG and didn't get helped and newegg and the BFG website. Also do you know if the MSI k8n nforce4 platinum will fit the board. On the SLI site it says the board is SLI compatible, of course. But the 7900 GTX is a huge card, so do you have any idea if that would fit, I think it will though.

[blue60007]

It's going to block the slots between the two PCI-E x16 slots and the one below the bottom x16 slot.

Looking at a picture, the only thing I would be concerned about would be the bottom card hitting either the chipset fan or blocking the SATA port(s). It's hard to tell how far the fan sticks up, but I doubt they would make the mistake of making the fan too high to put 2 cards in... See if that fan sits at or below the level of the top of the slot. (does that make sense?)

[Spithead051]

Not really, from what I see on different pictures the card plugs in and then the fan will hang down one expansion slot, it doesnt go much above the slot, nothing more than an inch if that. The biggest thing I am concerned about is the length from the expansion slot. But for as far as I know I will fit two cards, it will just be a really tight fit. But I doubt it will overheat, I will have two 80mm fans in the front, a 120 in the back, an 80 on the side and I will also throw in my extra PCI bay fan under the second card to pull more air away. Does this sound good?

[blue60007]

Oh, what I mean is, does the fan stick out further (away from the board) than the slot sticks out? It shouldn't (very bad design on MSIs end if it does), but it doesn't hurt to double check.

I would go with Alaron's first suggestion...just go with one card for now (it'll play any game *very* well) and wait on the second one and proper power supply. Compatibility shouldn't be an issue, I recall the drivers becoming more leniant in terms of what hardware is compatible.

Once you have one card you can stick it in the bottom slot once to make sure if fits and kinda make a guess as to how much room there will be with two in there. At least just get one card first, then you should be able to get an idea of how two would fit in there. If you really want two right now, then you could go ahead and do that.

[Spithead051]

Ok, now i understand. No, the chipset fan is even with the slots. But, I need to know the dimensions to determine if it will even fit in my case, I think it will but I hate cases that are overly crammed with cables squeezing behind cards. But I also want feedback on cooling issues and dimensions. I really need to know how far out the card goes from the expansion plate, because from what I read on newegg the card is really long, but no one will tell dimensions

[jfk]

For those of you who may not know, the BFG 7900 GTX is the best/fastest PCI express card on the market.

I'll let my X1900 know that.:rolleyes:

[Spithead051]

Ok, I think what I will do is buy one 7900 GTX and not upgrade the PSU or anything because I don't think I will need it. Does this sound good or not?
PS: Nvidia rocks the house!

[blue60007]

Yeah, you can always add another card and a proper power supply later.

[Spithead051]

Well, I did some measurements and discovered that a 7900GTX would not fit in my case because it is 11 freaking inches long. So, I have decided to buy two 7900GT's. I just want to double check if my PSU would handle it it's a 500w Antec Smartpower. Also, does anyone have any idea what the dimensions are on the card so that I can double-check the fit, I know one will fit no doubt, but because I can get these cards for $250 a piece I'm going to buy them both so I need to know before I order.

[jfk]

The 500W SmartPower is not SLI certified. I wouldn't run it.

[Spithead051]

But, I called Antec and they said that the PSU supposedly is SLI-certified, but due to the fact that it was built before SLI it didn't recieve the certification. But, either way the wattage would be enough right?

[Alaron]

Even if it was originally built before SLI, the new units coming out now could be certified. But they are not.

Only run SLI systems with power supplies certified by NVIDIA. Choose one from this list: http://www.slizone.com/object/slizone2_build.html#certified_powersupplies
The Antec TruePower 550 is a good choice. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103932

[blue60007]

You really should have something SLI certified...I checked the specs and it's only a little less powerful than their TP-II 550. It's not so much the wattage, it's the 12V amperage that's really going to make a difference. I'm surprised Antec didn't try selling you one that was SLI-certified.

It's a tough call. Looks like you are running a 3500+ with 3 hard drives (that many worries me...)?

[Spithead051]

Well, does anyone happen to know the dimensions of the 7900 GT thats all I need to know now.