PSU dilemma + single or dual 1080ti ?

[N.T.T.]

Hello everyone,

I'm completely new to the mining scene, I recently ordered a GeForce GTX 1080 Ti ROG STRIX OC - 11 Go that should arrive by mail tomorrow.

Before that, I had ordered a MSI lightning Z but due to extended delays, I decided to switch to the strix that was in stock.

I have a couple questions, first is : do I need to change anything in my rig (that I currently use solely for playing rocket league & powering my 2 screens, in addition to some electronic music producing through Fruity Loops) to get some optimization going with my strix ?

Here’s my setup (I built the computer 4 years ago) :
 
Monitors = Asus MG278Q (used for gaming) + Asus VE276Q (for media)
Case = Corsair 800D
RAM = 16GB G.Skill DDR3
CPU = Intel 3930k
MB = Sabertooth x79
HD = Seagate Barracuda Green 2TB SATA 6Gb/s 64MB Cache
SSD = Crucial m4 256GB 2.5-Inch
Cooler = Thermalright Silver Arrow SB-E
OS = Windows 7 pro
GPU = GTX 1080 Ti Strix OC
PSU = I ordered a Corsair HX850i to replace my previous one and power the strix.

I haven’t opened the box yet though, and can still return it, I am wondering if I should order a HX1000i instead to run a second gtx 1080ti, since 850W won’t be enough to power both.

What do you think would be best ? would there any sort of incompatibility if I went ahead and bought a second 1080ti as well as the beefier psu ? (the silver arrow is rather huge and I'm afraid it might prevent me from using 2 strix with their big coolers)

Also : I’m gonna have my computer running virtually 24/7, and I need to sleep in the same room, that’s the reason I went for this PSU model, which is supposedly quieter than other ones.  Same reasoning for the GPU

Thanks for your help !   

N.T.T.

[flip4flop]

With 2x 1080 TI it may start getting hot in that room depending on your ventilation or cooling system.  Having them run at around 55-65 degrees C could heat up your room considerably if it's a small space.  Also while it may be quieter than other cards, two of them running will still produce at the very least a low fan spinning sounds 24/7  If you are okay with the added heat/noise then its probably not a big deal and you should be fine.  I would upgrade to the 1k PSU if you plan on running 2x 1080 Tis and all your other components but I tend to be on the conservative side when it comes to power. I like to have a larger buffer than some.

[Cortez7575]

I have the same videocard, and I have a 600w PSU. It is enough for 1 card.

[N.T.T.]

Hey, thanks for your reply !

I live in Belgium, in an old house with a ceiling height of 3 meters, and the computer is close to a big window, plus it's getting pretty cold here so in terms of temp it shouldn't be a problem.

I'm mostly concerned about the noise that it could be producing, I'd like to get some knowledge mining with my main pc first then invest in a 6gpu rig with my december bonus.

Browsing through the web I realized that plugging a second 1080ti would be much more profitable so that's why I came for your help, but I'd be happy just to stick with one for now and invest my money next month in the real mining rig.

What do you think ? 

[Chromexnet]

N.T.T., why do you think 850W is not enough for two 1080tis for mining? Typically you lower the power limit to get a better power efficiency for mining. I'm running two 1080tis with a 650W power supply and it's running just fine (has been for the past few months). I run 65-70% power limit so 160-180W per card. In total my setup pulls less than 500W from the wall so 650W power supply is easily enough.

Now, if you were to overclock your cards and do some SLI gaming then I'd recommend to get a bigger power supply because an overclocked 1080ti can pull 300W.

[N.T.T.]

Hey, well I used this calculator http://www.coolermaster.com/power-supply-calculator/ to get an estimate, but as I said I am very new to this!

Can I ask you what settings you use with the card(s), which program etc ? and what are you mining ?

I was thinking of going for Vertcoin and Zcash at first, any tips ?

[brobribro]

I use Msi Afterburner  for my 1080TIs with power limit 66% clock +70 memory +650,  no crash in 4 months, max TDP 168w.
The rig 6x is in my room with open frame, cards run cooler with this settings  ( fans 50-60%,  55-65°C), low noise do not worry
Remember this setting are good only for mining, if you want to SLI and game you should consider undervolting or another PSU

[N.T.T.]

Hey, well as my rx 480 already satisfies my needs in terms of gaming, I'm assuming that a "limited" 1080ti would do the trick just fine.

So I could potentially put 2 cards on that motherboard without issue ? I'm worried about the size of the cpu cooler https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/512iPyrlUbL.jpg but I guess I'll figure out once I get the first card and I see how it fits inside my case.

Also, for mining purposes, no kind of sli is required ?

Thanks for your help

[leonix007]

Hey, well as my rx 480 already satisfies my needs in terms of gaming, I'm assuming that a "limited" 1080ti would do the trick just fine.

So I could potentially put 2 cards on that motherboard without issue ?

Yes, this should work without any issues.

 

I'm worried about the size of the cpu cooler https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/512iPyrlUbL.jpg but I guess I'll figure out once I get the first card and I see how it fits inside my case.

Just in case it wont fit, consider to use Riser's.

https://www.amazon.com/Extender-Riser-Express-Adapter-Power/dp/B073RBP3V6/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1510188872&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=btc+riser&psc=1

Also, for mining purposes, no kind of sli is required ?


Thanks for your help

No, in most cases, SLI should be disabled.

[evoqon]

I think you can still use your 850W PSU, but with OC of undervolt... Basically, your 850W PSU should be good, but just don't stress it to more than 80% usage for longer life span.

[Chromexnet]

Hey, well I used this calculator http://www.coolermaster.com/power-supply-calculator/ to get an estimate, but as I said I am very new to this!

Can I ask you what settings you use with the card(s), which program etc ? and what are you mining ?

I was thinking of going for Vertcoin and Zcash at first, any tips ?

Yeah, that calculator is good for gaming estimates but for mining you don't need as much power.

My 1080tis are set to run at core +100, mem 0, power limit 65%. Currently I mine vertcoin, mona coin and zcash. Ccminer for vertcoin and EWBF for zcash. I also use nemosminer on zpool.ca to get some bitcoins. You can check whattomine.com to see what coins are good for 1080ti.

[phuocduong]

i used corsair 750W for 2x1080Ti, good

[N.T.T.]

Thanks ! I just received the card I'll be installing it today and keep you updated, thank agaiiin