New build - How much watt PSU?

[kren1221]

I'm building my first pc. i have most of the parts ready but don't know how much watts of power supply i should use. can anyone give me an estimate? I'm thinking about maybe getting a 750 watts PSU, is that too much or too little? any suggestions will be appreciated.

Mobo: EVGA 132-CK-NF78-A1 LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 780i SLI ATX Intel motherboard

CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor

HDD: Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
(I'm thinking adding 1-2 more Hard Drives in the future)

Video Card: MSI NX8800GTS 512M OC GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card

RAM: CORSAIR XMS2 DHX 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory

Sound card: Creative 53SB000003000 7.1 Channels 24-bit 192KHz PCI Interface Elite Pro Sound Card

PC case: Thermaltake Armor Series VA8003BWS Black Full Tower Case w/ 25CM Fan

CD/DVD op drive: haven't decided yet (any suggestions will be great)

[alex530]

Welcome to the board. Before we get to the power supply, a few observations about your build. You have selected an SLI mobo but only one video card. Unless you plan on running SLI, you could save some money and get a P35 mobo. Something like the Asus P5K-E would be good.
As far as power supply, this 620W Corsair should be good.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139002
As far as optical, most people here recommend a Lite On retail drive, such as this one.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106072

What OS are you planning on using?

[spartan015]

if you are running SLI you might be pushing about 740 watts (according to neweggs power calculator)

[Katreat]

If you plan to eventually go SLI then check out the Nvidea site, they have a list of all SLI certified PSU for the different video card combinations. Sorry, dont have the link handy.

I would guess you will want 750-800 for twin 8800 but I might be off a bit. Be sure you buy a quality unit.

If not planning on SLI just relize you could sae a lot of money by going with a p35 board and smaller PSU like the one Alex recomends. Then use that money for a video card upgrade sooner.

for DVD i would go Lite-on retail SATA. Great quality at a fair price.

Kat

[kren1221]

wow thanks for the heads up guys >.>. didn't really know buying a SLI Mobo could burn a hole through my wallet . so if i get a Asus P5K-E mobo that alex530 recommended, should i get a different video card or can i keep my current video card? if i have to get a new video card what would you recommend for gaming and maybe a little be of photoshop??

to alex530: I'm gonna run window xp as my OS

and thanks again for the advice!!

[shadowpr]

You can still get that video card.

[alex530]

That video card will be fine. If you choose the 620W Corsair PSU that should also give you some headroom for a future GPU upgrade down the road as well.