GPU/VGA booster

[Zap]

Is there a standardized term for these? I'm talking about the power supplies with PCI-E plugs that fit into 5¼" drive bays. I'm thinking about buying one because my gaming rig is a SFF box using an SFX PSU and the most powerful one +12v -wise that I've found is the Enermax 320W with 24A. It's running my system fine, but I tried replacing my 7900GTO with an 8800GTS and the PSU fan ramped up really quickly and really high which it never does with the 7900GTO, making me think that the PSU isn't going to suffice in the long run (I put the 7900GTO back in and the fan speed is nice and low again).

So, I was thinking of ditching the optical drive for a secondary PSU and going external optical or shoehorning a notebook slim drive somewhere in there.

Any opinions/reviews on those drive bay PSUs? The ones I see as available are FSP, e-Power (two models) and Thermaltake. Is there one to avoid for any reason? Is one a standout? I'm just going to be powering a single 8800GTS 320MB.

[MrWicked1968]

I'm no expert, but I like the 400w epower unit you linked to in another thread.

the 250 Thermaltake and the FSP booster X3 are sli certified for dual 79xx series cards, the TT has 21amps on the 12v rail (25amps peak) and the FSP is rated at 25amps.

[Zap]

The lower ePower is at 30A and the higher one is 38A, IIRC. The TT is the cheapest at around $44 and would almost double my available +12v power, so unless there's a reason I shouldn't get it...

[jonnyGURU]

I just call them 5.25" bay PSU's. ;)

The Ultra is a 300W continuous and has both +12V and +5V rails (so it has Molexes you can use for drives) and actually has an 8-pin PCI-e as well as two 6-pins.

That's what I use in my mini-box w/ the 7950GT OC. Powers EVERYTHING.

It's not modular like the Topower, but it's a lot less money!

Should be available by the end of May.

[Zap]

Cool, I'll look forward to it. How many +12v amps?

[jonnyGURU]

I don't remember.

I have to pull mine back out so I can mod the power cord, so I'll let you know by tomorrow.