Windows 7: A little fun computer building

I was wondering about power supplies and SLI. First off, My power supply was 50 watts more than my last, but apparently wasn't SLI ready, so I have a single graphics card stuck to the board (Nvidia 460 single Gig). Hasn't done as well as I had hoped. So I'm thinking you have to buy power supplies that specifically say SLI ready on them so that you may have the proper cables provided, am I right? my 800 watt has enough power, but not enough cables it seems. I am looking for a new power supply, are there any suggestions on this, or will an SLI ready work? Perhaps I will also upgrade to a 900 watt just in case.



Secondly, Are there better graphics cards suited to SLI mode than the 460, or is it just "newer is better" as in 470, 480. My preference is a card that doesn't strain itself to the point of overheating, but works very well in SLI mode and does very well in games. I have plenty of cooling. would another 460 1 GB really boost graphics or should I scrap this card? I read positive reviews on it and it is a fairly cool card. But perhaps it lacks too much. I'd love to hear any ideas, perhaps you've had a good time about your SLI setup?

nVidia has a list of certified PSUs:

Build an SLI PC - Certified SLI-Ready Power Supplies

There are probably lots of PSUs that would work fine that nVidia hasn't tested. You'd want one with four 6 pin PCI-E power connectors. (6+2 connectors can be used with either 6 or 8 pin.)

I haven't tried SLI, but I imagine that two 460s would be more powerful than any single card (including the 580).

I had a Crossfire X setup with a pair of Radeon 4870s, but gave up on it after struggling with drivers. Perhaps nVidia does better.

I just bought and installed this when my Ultra 600w modular was thought to be under powering my rig. I love the modular cables, the length and quality of the cables. Also it's 80% Silver rated.
Ultra X4 1050-Watt Modular Power Supply - 135mm Fan, ATX, Lifetime Warranty w Registration, 80+ Silver, NVIDIA SLI & ATI Crossfire Certifications, Vibration Dampener Included U12-40502 at UltraProducts.com

what would I have to do to prepare my system for new power? Do i just turn it off and change it out? Will the hard drives still have all my saved data on them (SSD and HDD). Will my system have the same settings? Bios should as it has that small battery in the motherboard. Its just an easy switch of cables right? I've seen the guts of my computer and its not too complicated, though I may need to remove my CD reader

DustSailor,
It's fairly easy. All your data stay's and your not changing any data cabling unless you want to. But all the power connectors come off and get removed along with the PSU. Then in the case of a modular PSU you install the PSU and then begin reconnecting all the power back to the mobo and then to all the components not forgetting the GPU power connectors if needed. The art comes with sorting all the various multiple connector cables and deciding which goes where. It's fun to reduce the number of cables down to a bare minimum and keep the case as uncluttered as possible, better air flow. Go slow and run the new power cables behind the mobo and back out to the component to achieve this...it takes time but the rewards are good looking.

This is also a great time to add more or premium fans to maximize airflow and lower case noise. Also any other additions like a card reader, second optical drive, hot swap drive bay are best added now. But heat control with two GPU's I would look closely at my cooling and if it can be improved.

Hey thanks. I know this is old but I've come across this thread and wanted to let you know that I had a blast changing it out. Recently I've changed out my mb and processor, so I've done it all. I'm going to look into better fans though, as my current computer runs some hot. Its good with the air-flow, but all the air gets real hot and I think I need to get it out of the computer a little faster than I am now. Thanks again, you've helped me quite a bit

Those 580's are gigabyte's OC models with the custom cooler? They don't dump the hot air out of the case like the standard models so that's probably the cause.

Yea, think so. Just dumping right back into my computer. this computer has all the hot air coming out the top, which just means that it heats up everything on its way out.

Excellent room heater in the winter and a crazy source of added and unwanted heat in the summer. Check out one or two of these bad boys if you have a couple of 120mm fan holes side, top or back.
Omni A.L.C.
Vantage A.L.C.