1. #1
    The Patient
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    Need advice on best video card that my PS can handle!?

    In the next 2-3 months I am going to look seriously into upgrading my desktop. It is an older Alienware Area-51 X-58. Specs are as such:

    Intel Core i7 920 (no-oc due to memory @ 2.67GHz)
    6 gigs DDR-3 1066 memory (limits my ability to oc the 920)
    Western Digital VelociRaptor 10k RPM (300g)
    Samsung Spinpoint F2 (1TB)
    Western Digital 7200 RPM HD (750 g)
    PNY Nvidia Geforce 9800 GTX+ (No-oc)
    BFGTech Nvidia Geforce 9800 GTX+ OC (SLI'd with PNY) (Causes random video card driver crashes)
    Corsair H70 Watercooling (For future OC when I purchase faster memory)
    Alienware NPS-750AB-1 750watt 24-pin ATX PS

    My major question is, what video card can I upgrade to with my power supply. I know that the wattage is fine for even a 580gtx, however I also know that running powerful cards requires a higher voltage on the rails. So help me understand what my powersupply is capable of with this bit of info:

    Alienware NPS-750AB-1 750W ATX Power Supply


    General Features:
    Output Power: 750 Watt
    Input Voltage: 100 - 240V ~ 10A, 50/60 Hz
    80 PLUS Compliant
    Typical Efficiency (50% Load): 83.88%
    Average Efficiency: 81.63%
    One (1) 24-pin ATX Connector
    Seven (7) Large Molex Connectors
    Six (6) Serial ATA Connectors
    Four (4) 6-pin PCI Express Connectors
    One (1) 4-pin 12-Volt ATX power connector
    One (1) 8-pin EPS + 12-Volt power connector
    Maximum Combined Power on +5V and +3.3V Output is 150W
    Maximum Combines Power on +12VA, +12VB, +12VC, +12VD Output is 700W


    Specifications:
    +5V / 16.0A
    +5VFP / 3.0A
    +12VA / 18.0A
    +12VC / 18.0A
    +12VE / 18.0A
    -12V / 0.2A
    +3.3V / 30.0A
    +12VB / 18.0A
    +12VD / 16.0A

    I believe its the 12 volt rail that's the key component for the power hungry 570 and 580, but which one? Also I would have to use the 4 pin molex adapters that are included with the 570 and 580 because the PS doesn't have 8-pin PCI express connectors, just 6-pin (and not even 6+2...). Finally: I could upgrade PS but I really don't want to considering Alienware did a great job weaving the powersupply throughout the case (not that I couldn't do the same) and it would be a pain to undo all that work and then attempt it myself with a new power supply all while spending $250+
    Last edited by Isendar; 2011-10-11 at 10:58 AM.
    "Quit rolling your fat, greasy, cheetos grubbing fingers all over the keyboard!" - Random Burning Crusade Raider circa 2007
    "...tinkering with hardware...more or less electric LEGO for masochists." - Partial quote from Joel Johnson of Kotaku.com
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  2. #2
    Would it be possible to get a picture of the sticker on the side of the PSU?

  3. #3
    The Patient
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    The sticker stupidly faces towards the back of the case and i'm not anxious to remove my watercooling and disconnect my powersupply/wiggle it out *again* just to take a pic. But I went ahead and did more research and it looks like this powersupplies 12v rail @ 18a each is just not enough to power a 570 or 580 (almost for the 570). Not having an 8-pin connector was a tell-tale sign. Its not that I don't have the power, its that the rail can't transfer that much power when needed. Not a big deal since my powersupply can handle 560ti SLi without any issues. I just got the M18x laptop with x-fire 6990's. If I am impressed by the gpus, I may hold out until the next 680/690 comes out and buy a powersupply to cater to that. Although by that time I may end up just building a whole new system
    "Quit rolling your fat, greasy, cheetos grubbing fingers all over the keyboard!" - Random Burning Crusade Raider circa 2007
    "...tinkering with hardware...more or less electric LEGO for masochists." - Partial quote from Joel Johnson of Kotaku.com
    1/11/06 N/A Ten Day Guest Pass Expired = Vanilla Veteran Proof! (Haters still gonna hate)
    Never forget, that you were warned about the Mists of Pandaria. YOU were WARNED! (10/21/11)

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