Powering 4x eVGA GTX 280

[Jon855]

As the title states, I need to find a good PSU that will be able to deal with the power requirements of 4 GTX 280 running at load.

When it comes to the PSU dept, I really know nothing and I would also like to have some good headroom on the PSU if possible, thanks.

 

[Steelwormpilot]

Four GTX 280? May I ask why? You can only SLI up to three GTX 280, the fourth one would be more or less useless in the system.

 

[JM001]

Four GTX 280? May I ask why? You can only SLI up to three GTX 280, the fourth one would be more or less useless in the system.

It could be for a specialized environment. I remember seeing an article a couple of weeks back about how some university managed to get 4x9800GX2s together. I think they were processing DNA data? I can't remember but I think it would have its use in folding as well. If folding is is needed then 4 GTX280's would do some crazy folding.

To OP: I think you would def need at least a 1200W PSU as you would probably draw 1KW worth of power just on the GPU's. Last I remember Ultra has a 1600W PSU out there. You might wanna check that out.

 

[Dangman]

Four GTX 280? May I ask why? You can only SLI up to three GTX 280, the fourth one would be more or less useless in the system.

It's most likely for GPU folding.

@ OP:
Nothing less than a 1000W PSU. Looks like you'll need a PSU with 4x6Pin and 4x8Pin connectors. Haven't found any PSU like that yet.

But you have a few options:
Corsair HX1000 1000W PSU: Has 6x 6+2Pin connectors. Could support up to 3 GTX 280s with just those connectors. Use one molex to 6Pin and one molex to 8Pin connectors to power the 4th GTX 280

Thermaltake Toughpower W0155RU 1000W PSU: Has 3x6Pin connectors and 3x8Pin connectors. Could support up to 3 GTX 280s with just those connectors. Use one molex to 6Pin and one molex to 8Pin connectors to power the 4th GTX 280

Thermaltake Toughpower W0156RU 1200W PSU: Has 3x6Pin connectors and 3x8Pin connectors. Could support up to 3 GTX 280s with just those connectors. Use one molex to 6Pin and one molex to 8Pin connectors to power the 4th GTX 280

Cooler Master Real Power Pro RS-C50-EMBA-D2 1250W PSU: Has 4x6Pin connectors and 3x8Pin connectors. Could support up to 3 GTX 280s with just those connectors. Use a molex to 8Pin connector to power the 4th GTX 280.

 

[EnderW]

PC Power & Cooling 1200
http://www.pcper.com/article.php?aid=458&type=expert&pid=1

 

[geok1ng]

http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=113&products_id=23844

Thermaltake Toughpower Power Express - 450 Watt Supplementary Graphic Power Supply Unit

2 of these and you are good to go, 225w/30A max for each VGA, futureproof and for $70 a piece i pretty much doubt you found a better deal from such a good brand,

 

[Apallohadas]

It could be for a specialized environment. I remember seeing an article a couple of weeks back about how some university managed to get 4x9800GX2s together. I think they were processing DNA data?

They were doing medical imaging. Rendering the data normally would take several days, they got it down to a few minutes using the GPUS.

 

[drgnfang]

I can't remember but I think it would have its use in folding as well. If folding is is needed then 4 GTX280's would do some crazy folding.

Based on what we've seen with tedkj's setup (http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1326115) it's ~30k + PPD.