Looking to buy two XFX R9-290A Video cards and Crossfire them. Each has a minimum system requirement of 750Watts. My PC has a Coolmax CUG-950W power supply and has been driving two XFX HD-5770 cards for over three years.
My question is; will the actual PS still be able to drive the two new cards? Or do I need a 1500W PS? (If such beast even exists!).
Advice will be greatly appreciated.
Merry Christmas to all !
Merry Christmas, Manigue..
I would suggest you to go to pcpartpicker.com, choose ur mobo, video cards in SLI & accessories.. after completing ur online virtual pc build, the wattage required gets automatically updated.. Even the "Choose a Power Supply" option is automatically filtered to show only those units which suffice ur required Wattage & Amperage..
After having determined the Wattage, you can very easily select ur chosen brand online..
Alternately, you can google "pc power supply calculator".. many online power calculators but pcpartpicker.com is by far the most detailed & comprehensive I came across. Others are a little vague..
Good Luck & Best Wishes !!
A 950W should be able to handle two R9-290s if it's of a good quality. I've never heard of Coolmax PSUs so couldn't say definitively. I'd also consider just getting a GTX980 instead of CrossFiring two R9-290s.
Your power supply isn't really all that good.
Coolmax CUG-950B 950W Review
Performance0Functionality9Value5Aesthetics8Total Score
4
Summary
Coolmax really disappointed me this time. I was hoping for something that performed like big brother 1350W, and instead got something that did well up to a certain point and then wet the bed big time at any load more than that. The CUG-950B performs very well at 600W, miserably at 700W, dangerously at 800W, and completely fails to even try for 950W. While this unit is hampered by inadequate cooling as much as anything, I have to believe the OEM never really intended the design to hit 950W. Epic fail ensued when I even tried for it. And it's just not cool that the CUG-700B looks to be the same unit, only an older revision.
Come on, Coolmax - you can do better than this. I know you can. I don't want to see another unit perform like this.
The Good:
- fully modular
- enough cabling for two high power video cards
- well packaged
- nice owner's manual
- OCP worked... sometimes
The Bad:
- can't do more than 700W at room temp
The Mediocre:
- dangerously high ripple above 700W
- can't cool itself well above 700W
- very poor voltage regulation above 700W
- very poor efficiency above 700W
- innards look nearly the same as the CUG-700B
- OCP/OVP/UVP did not step in when the ripple went nuts
- need I go on at this point?
I have also notice this.
You have a case I have never heard of with 6- 80 mm fans.Case Full ATX (Generic)
Cooling Fans (6) 80mm
Crossfire needs quality case with proper air circulation. You would have to run 80mm fans at 100% and then it would sound like a air port with lots of plains taking off.
I agree with Boozad.
GTX980 instead of CrossFiring two R9-290s.
Two R9 290s will consume 550W of your Power Supply. But I'd better go replace your power supply so to be sure.
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