Power Supply HELP

P|LE · Post by **P|LE** » Fri Nov 09, 2007 10:19 am

well, my rosewill 550 watt power supply kicked the bucket recently and I'm on a spare that i have from an old compaq. So I'm gonna buy a new power supply. Just wanted to hear advice as far as some models you peeps like, brands, recommended wattage, rails amps, anything. Links would be nice too. Thanks.

My system for reference:
Intel D865PERL motherboard
4 pieces of ddr400 512 mb ram (7-4-4-2.5)
x1950xt agp 8X video card (pci express plug not molex though)
p4 3.4 ghz 1mb cache prescott
western digital raptor 36 gig hard drive
lan card pci slot
Four 80mm fans
ocassionally connect a sony dvd burner external via usb and a 500 gig seagate external hard drive via usb also.
logitech mx518 mouse
no name mini keyboard usb

eXg. focus · Post by **eXg. focus** » Fri Nov 09, 2007 10:50 am

no matter what wattage you need, if you can find a PC Power and Cooling brand PSU, you'll be happy. I'm probably gonna get either the 610 or the 750 watt in the next month, then I'll put my 550 watt Antec Tru Power in the other comp.

Also, for reliability and power stability, avoid Modular cabling. It's easier on the eyes, I know, but it causes more resistance than you want. And if you can get a single rail that's preferable as well.

BugZz · Post by **BugZz** » Fri Nov 09, 2007 10:55 am

Go with antec my 500watt is very good. holds my 8800GT's like its nothin

Post by **eXg. Pun1sher** » Fri Nov 09, 2007 4:46 pm

Very nice HD btw. I'll agree with most of the above posted. Your system won't take a super large PS, which is good. I personally have only used 2 brands in every system I've ever built, and save one lightning strike, have never been let down, and agree whole heartedly, CHEAP PS'S will send you directly to the 9th plane of hell, in short order. By name brands, IMO, always. My two brands are Antec, and PC Power and Cooling. I'm sure that both of their bottom of the line PS's would leave a bit to be desired, but you step up to the mid to high level ones, 500+ watts, you'll be fine. The one thing I had USED to think was what f0cus said about staying away from modular connects. True, true every "splice" point weakens your overall transmission, adds resistance, and technically COULD be a point of failure a normal "direct wire" setup sidesteps. I have used two of the newer Antec NEO PS's and both had very solid modular plugs, and wires pre-loomed for better airflow, and I have jammed in the case blindly, moved stuff, yanked stuff out, and have yet to have a single PS modular connect go bad, so at least for the Antec ones, I vouch for them. Big advantage, is only putting in what you need, which is great for airflow, and neatness.

IMO, more IS more with PS's. I'm not beating up on the El Cheapo's and Sparkle supplies out there, but I'll choose a ugly, flat black painted power supply any day, over a no-name, chromed, bling bling power supply any day.

PuN

P|LE · Post by **P|LE** » Sat Nov 10, 2007 4:39 pm

thanks focus,suki,pun. I just thought I'd add that an active pfc and an efficiency of greater then 80% should be desired. I've been eyeballin this one:

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=PS-PHA500&show=p

I've owned antecs in the past and they are definitely great. Pc power and cooling look top of the line stuff. I also like bfg's offerings, thermaltake has a few nice ones and Rosewill (even though mine went, I have to admit it was nice). One thing i can't stand is a ps with neon lights. Or any neon lights in a computer case for that matter.

eXg. focus · Post by **eXg. focus** » Sat Nov 10, 2007 4:46 pm

P|LE wrote:thanks focus,suki,pun. I just thought I'd add that an active pfc and an efficiency of greater then 80% should be desired. I've been eyeballin this one:

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=PS-PHA500&show=p

I've owned antecs in the past and they are definitely great. Pc power and cooling look top of the line stuff. I also like bfg's offerings, thermaltake has a few nice ones and Rosewill (even though mine went, I have to admit it was nice). One thing i can't stand is a ps with neon lights. Or any neon lights in a computer case for that matter.

Yeah, PC P&C don't make PSU's with less than 80% efficiency

And I was looking at a rosewill too, but was advised by some at Hardocp to avoid that brand.

Oh yeah, and that is a SEXY psu in that link

Post by **eXg. CrUsH** » Sat Nov 10, 2007 5:07 pm

Out of the "Budget Brands" Rosewill is def the best to go with. But as a hardcore gamer, it just doesnt have the efficiency, amprage, or capacity to handle the hardware most of us gamers would use it for. I see a upgrade in your future as far as getting on the DDR2 train and PCI-E. I would go with a power supply that will handle what you have right now and also handle a full system overhaul if you decide to go that way in the future. Let us know what you decide.

This is the power supply that I bought when I did my computer build.

http://www.xoxide.com/ultra-xfinity-600w-titanium.html

# +12V1: 18A
# +12V2: 20A

Voltages are very stable, and has flex cable for easy cable managment, Its dual rail also.

eXg. focus · Post by **eXg. focus** » Sat Nov 10, 2007 5:19 pm

Heres the one I've got right now. Looking at either a Cooler Master or PC Power and Cooling upgrade, 'cause this one is going in the AMD rig.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6817371002

eXg. Phenom · Post by **eXg. Phenom** » Sat Nov 10, 2007 8:53 pm

Dont listen to all those posers.
You want the OCZ Stealth 600 watt ps.
Not only is the officiancy crazy high but its consistent and well built.

Plus, when your getting a power supply, you always obviously want to get enough to support your G-card, so idk maybe 450 watt for yours, but then speakers and other things come into play.

600 watt is where its at.

Queer Eye 4 The Dung Guy · Fri Nov 23, 2007 4:28 pm

I ended up going with the one focus has: Trio 550 watt Antec
Paid $54.99 at zipzoomfly.com

Now the only thing left to do is plug it in and touch all the pins with my sweaty pinky finger.

thanks for the ad-vice.
Pile

Post by **eXg. Pun1sher** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 5:56 pm

Antec just makes some good damn PS's IMO. The only one I ever had fail, was due to an extremely close, direct lightning strike. I ended up going with a PC Power and Cooling model for my new build.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6817703005

PuN