PC Upgrade question

[hujo]

Hey there,

Looking to upgrade my old PC as a render machine for Octane Render. Was hoping to install 2 GTX 980 ti’s, was wondering if this would be possible or a complete no go with my current machine? Will the current case, motherboard etc allow for the 2 new graphics card or is it a bad idea? I know I would probably have to upgrade the power supply to 1000W, just wondering what else I’d need to do? Not very good when it come to PC tech, any help greatly appreciated!

It’s current specs are as follows:

Case - COOLERMASTER CM690 MKII ADVANCED CASE
Processor - Intel® Core™i7-2600 Quad Core (3.40GHz, 8MB Cache) + HD Graphics
Motherboard - ASUS® P8P67 (NEW REV 3.0): USB 3.0, SATA 6.0GB/s, CrossFireX™
Graphics Card -1GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 560 - DVI,HDMI,VGA
Power Supply - CORSAIR 650W TX SERIES (TX650) 80+ ULTRA QUIET PSU
Processor Cooler - COOLIT ECO A.L.C (ADVANCED LIQUID COOLER)

looking to add

Graphics Card - 2x GTX 980’S
Power Supply - Corsair 1000w rm series tm modular 80 plus® gold ultra quiet

will that do the trick I wonder?

Cheers!

[smicha]

I have p8p67 (but WS grade, see the footer) and 2600k set to 4.5ghz at 1.32V working constantly and there is barely any difference between this great cpu and a new 6600k - so I think you can stick with your hardware for long time.

With 650W you may give a shot with 2x 980tis (4 of them with 5960X draw about 800-1000W with watercooled setup (see the thread on 4 titans X on this forum in the gpu section). Just make sure to get referentce cards that dissipate heat outside a case.

Any questions - shoot me

[hujo]

Thanks for the reply Smicha!

I'm trying to get the update through PC Specialists. They originally built my PC as I'm not that confident to do that myself. I've asked them about graphics cards and they said the 980TI's they supply are non reference, is this a deal breaker do you think, should I look for non reference cards and try install them myself? What is the big advantage of reference cards? Also seems my case " COOLERMASTER CM690 MKII ADVANCED CASE" has quite a few slots for fans, how many fans would you recommend with 2 cards, do I need to bother with water-cooling? Any advice very much appreciated!

Thanks,
Hugo

[glimpse]

hi, Hugo.

You do not need to bother with watercooling..& with less than three or four GPUs ist's not economical anyway..

I mostly agree with Smicha, but sorry, not this time, because:
* firstly, You have vey good motherboard, Hugo. Most of motherboard have typical spacing between PCIe, while Yours has a bit better - if You would have two dual slot GPUs they would have a gap in between.. & that allows You to use non reference coolers (STRIX, WINDFORCE, ACX, etc). These coolers do not emit the heat out of the case & if place in close proximity loose cooling eficience, however!! if You You leave more space between cards & provide enough airflow, they are much cooler & more silent under the load =)
** secondly, Your [url=file:///C:/Users/tom/Downloads/CM_690_II_Advanced_product_sheet.pdf]case[/url], with HDD bracket removed You can have one fan in front & two in the bottom - this would give You 3x fans (at least, as You can have tho more configured as intakes from side as well). with that amount of airflow, You can keep You case cool enough & there's no need to take reference coolers, at least in Your case I wouldn't.

Curently helpintg to build 3x Poseidon equied build (those are non reference cooler equiped GPUs, with hybrind capabilities). Even ASUS representatives do no recomend to put those cards side by side as backplate minimse the gap between cards too much for them to proveide enough cooling, but.. they shine if You leave more room to breath (like in Your case with motherboard).

one more thing, for pair of GPUs & Your system You do not need 1000W PSU.. stick with somethign like 850 & You'll have enough..unless You're planing to upgrade.. in this case reference cooler equiped GPUs might be better deal..but..if You're going to stick with Your mobo, pair of GPUS (980Ti)..then do not waste money =)

[smicha]

Tom,

This is what I said and I completely agree with you he's got great mobo and a cpu - no need for upgrade nor watercooling (does not make sense for 2 cards as you said) (p8p67 can handle no more than 2 cards - he can use only 16x slots, not 1x). Just insert 2x 980 ti and he's ready to go. If they are nonreference he'll need a very well ventilated case specially with a fan blowing air next to gpus. And as I mentioned 650W is enough for 2x980 ti.


S

[smicha]

p x, 2-12. 2-13, 3-21 give very important info on PCIe speed
http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/LGA ... _P8P67.zip

[hujo]

Thanks again for all your help, put the upgrade aside because of work but looking to sort it this week. Was in touch with the company that I’m looking to get customise my PC, they said the model of 980ti’s they supply are the Zotac GTX980Ti Amp Edition, do these cards sound ok to you? If i'll need additional fans can you point me in the right direction of some models?

Other option would be I buy two of these EVGA reference models and install them myself. If I did would I not have to worry about additional cooling, fans etc?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/EVGA-SuperClock ... ords=980ti


Thanks again!

H

[teddyboy16]

Hi Hugo,

I have these fans. Noiseblocker NB-Black Silent Pro PL-2 120mm.

[smicha]

These evga are fine - have reference coolers but zotac will heat your case up. I you want to go only with air cooling I'd go with only reference coolers that dissipate heat outside a case.

Yes- pl2 are great fans but it all depends how many cooling units (radiators) you will go with for watercooling.... If you asking me about air cooling a case - try to put an extra fan next to gpus (at their right hand side).

[hujo]

Tom,

And as I mentioned 650W is enough for 2x980 ti.


S

Is 650 W, really enough for 2x980ti's?! So far I decided to buy 1 Egva Hybrid 980ti (http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-GeForce-Cool ... B00Z0UX8TA) Going to add a second next pay cheque or wait for a GTX 1080 if they are released soon. I was thinking of running the Egva Hybrid 980ti on my current 650 W PSU, then getting an 850 / 1000W PSU next month along with the second card. Bit hesitant to run two cards on 650 W as most people seem to say they need 1000W?
What's the danger in using a lower powered PSU like my 650w, will it damage the cards or make them less efficient if there's not enough juice getting to them?

Thanks again, sorry for all the noob questions!