8-way SLI and Crossfire Power Supply (PSU) Roundup

Test Systems

AMD AM2 with SLI Test Platform
Component	Brand/Model	Live Pricing
Processor	AMD X2 5000+	Click Here
Motherboard	ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe	Click Here
Video Card	2 x NVIDIA 7800GTX 512MB SLI	Click Here
Memory	2 x 1GB Corsair XMS2-6400C3 (@2.2V)	Click Here
Hard Drive	Western Digital 250GB	Click Here
Cooling	Corsair Nautilus 500	Click Here
Operating System	Windows XP Professional	Click Here

Intel 775 with Crossfire Test Platform
Component	Brand/Model	Live Pricing
Processor	Intel Pentium Processor 965 (HT Disabled)	Click Here
Motherboard	Intel 975XBX (Bad Axe)	Click Here
Video Card	2 x ATI X1900 Crossfire	Click Here
Memory	2 x 1GB Corsair XMS2-6400C3 (@2.2V)	Click Here
Hard Drive	Western Digital 250GB	Click Here
Cooling	Corsair Nautilus 500 (fan speed on High)	Click Here
Operating System	Windows XP Professional	Click Here

Testing Procedure

Aside from the components listed above, we had a 120mm and an 80mm fan plugged into the 4-pin molex connectors as well as a third 80mm case fan plugged into the motherboard’s 3-pin fan header. We also added our ASUS AGEIA PhysX P1 PPU for more power draw.

Once the system was up and running, we took the Idle wattage and voltage readings while the system was sitting on the desktop with no other applications running. We then ran one instance of Prime95 torture test and 3DMark2006 GPU tests, all while playing an audio CD to bring the system to max power! Once the system heated up and the GPU and PSU fans were running full blast, we then took the Load wattage and voltage readings.

Take note that we are testing these PSUs on an AM2 5000+/SLI system as well as a Intel 965 EE/Crossfire system in order to show real world situations of enthusiast systems, which are what these power supplies are marketed towards.