Power Supply

[dlongo75633]

Can you use a Power supply that is NOT SLI compatable on the motherboard? And if you can will you need some kinds of differant cables? Or will it stave your system?

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by dlongo75633 Can you use a Power supply that is NOT SLI compatable on the motherboard?

Do you mean a SLi motherboard? You can use a non-SLi certified power supply but only if you're not running two video cards in SLi mode. If you are planning to run two video cards then it's strongly advised that you get a SLi certified power supply to avoid power problems.

Originally Posted by dlongo75633 And if you can will you need some kinds of differant cables?

Different cables? Not sure what you're asking here.

Originally Posted by dlongo75633 Or will it stave your system?

Depends on your system specs and the power supply you're using.

Cricket

[dlongo75633]

My mother board is a SLI so it sounds like I got the wronge power supply. The one I thought I ordered didn'y come I got another instead.

[Staren]

Just so we're all clear and can offer the right advice, what's the full story? What are your full computer specs, and what PSU did you order and what did you get? Also where did you order from?

[blue60007]

You only need a SLI-Certified power supply if you plan on using 2 video cards at the same time (ie, in SLI). If you do have 2 cards, you really do want a SLI-Certified power supply.

Non-certified and certified power supplies are no different, except the certified ones have been tested by nVidia to handle two video cards.

[dlongo75633]

I have an old board number one and trying to build from there. It is:
Gigabyte GA-8N-SLI LGA 775 Nvidia nForce4 SLI ATX Intel motherboard.
I know not the greatest in the world.
Intel Pentium D Smithfeild processor
I ordered or thought I had ordered was Logisys 575w power supply 100-120v/200=240 cul,fcc,cb,ce,csa
But what I got was a logisys ps550watts power supply with sata and 20/24 pin conectors
I got it from new egg I have looked at my wish list and I probely pushed the wronge button when ordering.

[blue60007]

Is this what you ordered? That hardly looks quality. You can't get a SLI certified unit for $30 (or even a quality unit). The cheapest are usually at least $80 plus. If this is what you ended up with...well that's even cheaper.

Here is the list of certified units. They must have re-did the page and the interface is a bit funky. Click the last drop down menu to see a list. We've been recommending the Corsair 520W watt lately. I think you're finding out SLI isn't too cheap...

[dlongo75633]

Contacted newegg I got a credit because I was sent the wronge thing now to find th right thing.

[glc]

What video card did you order, and do you plan on adding a second one? Keep in mind that even for a single lower end card, you will be spending at least $40+ for a quality power supply. Logisys is total garbage.

[dlongo75633]

I haven't decided on anything yet video card wise. I need a lot of advice on everything . And from the looks of things a whole lot more money. power supply coolmax sli cxi-66b atx v2.01 600w .
I am running a HP Pavlion 4550z I have patched up to half way run. I stay in the blue sea of windows error messages and don't know how long it will last. It is a whole lot better than the emachine that is only 2 years old . Power supply went and took the motherboard, video card out . All I could save out of it was th hhd , dvd and the cdrw. I wouldn't have another emachine if they paid me to run one.

[glc]

Coolmax is also garbage - go to the general hardware forum and read the sticky threads concerning power supplies.

[ExPA]

Originally Posted by glc Coolmax is also garbage - go to the general hardware forum and read the sticky threads concerning power supplies.

Hiya glc... I went through those sticky threads and I was left wondering if they're getting a little dated. I remember seeing one that indicated Antec, OCZ, and XClio --among others-- were rated higher than Seasonic and Corsair... advice which doesn't seem consistent with what I've been hearing lately. I wonder if its time for an update...or maybe I just missed it. cheers.

[Alaron]

Just did a little update. Seasonic and Corsair are now blue for "high end" builds because they are widely recommended nowadays.

[glc]

They aren't necessarily ranked higher - they are all on the "good" list. There's also more than one thread and one of them has an offsite link to a really good article.

[Mr.Ferrari]

Also manufacturers will vary their build quality depending on who they build it for. Its really tough to say so and so is the best.
Sometimes a lower tier OEM will have some great units on the more pricier end, but not so great ones in the lower end.

Its easier to say "XX" brand is generally good.