anybody know how good the Antec Earthwatts ea650 is?

Xenphor · 11-21-2012, 03:57 PM

I got this PSU recently. Unfortunately I was in a bit of a hurry and Frys didn't have the model I wanted but did have this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371044

Anybody have this PSU or know how good it is?

Tsavo · 11-21-2012, 04:14 PM

There are 3 different models of EA-650 made by two different manufacturers; Delta and FSP.

Beyond that, I don't know if it'll burn your house down and elope with your daughter.

Xenphor · 11-21-2012, 04:56 PM

Delta and FSP? Is that good or bad. I'm pretty sure mine is the one in the link because it is also green?

lehtv · 11-21-2012, 05:14 PM

Check out this handy review database which also lists the basic specs and the real manufacturer: http://www.realhardtechx.com/index_archivos/Page673.htm

The original EA-650 was made by Delta and only had an 80 Plus certification. The unit you got is the updated EA-650 Green which is 80+ Bronze certified (up to 88% efficient in 230V AC, I guess). It's a very good unit, you can count on it. Delta is among the top manufacturers. The downsides: three year warranty as opposed to five on most competing units, only two PCIe cables, and no power cord supplied. So nothing major.

Then there's the EA-650 Platinum. Golden award from Hardwaresecrets, that one can't be bad either. It's made by FSP I'd rate Delta higher.

Xenphor · 11-21-2012, 05:23 PM

I just don't want it to fry my components if it goes bad. After reading on the web, it almost seems like PSU failure is all but certain -- At least that and ram; however, my ram already died so I guess I'm good for awhile.

lehtv · 11-21-2012, 05:33 PM

The chances of it going bad in the foreseeable future are very low and if it does, its protections will shut it down safely. Don't worry - safety-wise you wouldn't be any better off with a different unit. Of course, I'm assuming here that you're not stressing it beyond what it's designed to handle.

Xenphor · 11-21-2012, 05:56 PM

No, if anything there might be a problem of system drawing too little power. I have 2 HDs, 4fans, 1 gtx 680, and a 3570k processor.

makken · 11-21-2012, 06:09 PM

IIRC The delta unit has 3 12v rails:

22A on rail 1
22A on rail 2
25A on rail 3

Rail 3 is dedicated to both the PCI-E connectors. I don't know if 25A @ 12V (300W) is enough to drive a GTX 680...

Xenphor · 11-21-2012, 06:56 PM

Uh well I've been using the computer with the 680 for a couple months now and haven't noticed anything. Why would the PSU have two 8 pin PCIe cables if it's not able to power anything that requires those very cables? What device has 2 8pin PCIe connectors that, in addition, are also low powered?

edit: It also says it is SLI ready. How could that be possible if I cannot even power one card?

TemjinGold · 11-21-2012, 08:25 PM

Relax, a 680 doesn't use anywhere near 300w.

infoiltrator · 11-21-2012, 10:17 PM

25A x 12V = 300 WATT plus motherboard supplies 75 watt to each PCIe2.0/3.0 x16 slot =375 Watts.
You can use adapters on the other rail molex plugs if you are using two high end-high power cards.

Not that simple.

http://www.kitguru.net/components/po...ew-green-2011/

lehtv · 11-22-2012, 03:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by makken

IIRC The delta unit has 3 12v rails:

22A on rail 1
22A on rail 2
25A on rail 3

Rail 3 is dedicated to both the PCI-E connectors. I don't know if 25A @ 12V (300W) is enough to drive a GTX 680...

This information is incorrect. The EA-650 Green has two +12V rails, each rated at 38A or 456W. Of course, this doesn't mean the PSU is capable of 2x456W on the +12V, instead it's limited to somewhere around 650W. Over power protection takes care of that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xenphor

edit: It also says it is SLI ready. How could that be possible if I cannot even power one card?

"SLI ready" just means Antec paid for the certification. It's marketing. Of course, it does mean it actually is SLI ready, but so are many PSUs that don't advertise it.

By default, the EA-650 Green has two PCIe connectors so it can only SLI graphics cards that require one PCIe connector each. But given the power on each +12V rail, it shouldn't be an issue to SLI two graphics cards that require 2x6-pin each, using adapters. Such cards typically consume around 150-170W which is only around one third of the +12V rail, leaving enough power to be distributed to the CPU, motherboard and other components. I'd be a bit wary about going SLI with GPUs that require 6+8pin.

makken · 11-22-2012, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lehtv

This information is incorrect. The EA-650 Green has two +12V rails, each rated at 38A or 456W. Of course, this doesn't mean the PSU is capable of 2x456W on the +12V, instead it's limited to somewhere around 650W. Over power protection takes care of that.

eh? is this not the PSU we're talking about?

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php...Story&reid=110

makken · 11-22-2012, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TemjinGold

Relax, a 680 doesn't use anywhere near 300w.

My mistake; I vaguely remember reading that the 680 drew 300+ W under load, but it looks like it was total system power draw, not just GPU.

I take back what I said about the EA650 not being enough to power a 680

lehtv · 11-22-2012, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by makken

eh? is this not the PSU we're talking about?

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php...Story&reid=110

No, that's not. That's the 80 Plus certified version. Did you not click the link in the OP?

billyb0b · 11-22-2012, 02:09 PM

my experience with antec psu's over the past 12+ years have all been great.

Xenphor · 11-22-2012, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tweakboy

That is a budget PSU my friend.

Grab a Thermaltake or Corshair or Antec .. please...... so it will never die and be very quiete and give you 4 12v rails and plenty of ampage and classifications.. gl

It is an Antec...

RU482 · 11-22-2012, 10:28 PM

been running one for a year with no problem

lehtv · 11-23-2012, 04:07 AM

That's nice, but unfortunately it says next to nothing about the reliability and quality of the PSU.

Xenphor · 11-23-2012, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lehtv

That's nice, but unfortunately it says next to nothing about the reliability and quality of the PSU.

Okay. So how is the reliability and quality of the psu then?

lehtv · 11-23-2012, 11:19 AM

It's good, I thought we went over that already.

Zap · 11-23-2012, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lehtv

It's good, I thought we went over that already.

Seriously.

Antec Earthwatts (no matter which one, current or older models) is a reasonable quality PSU that will put out what it claims on the label. Asking another five times won't change that fact.

Xenphor · 11-23-2012, 12:28 PM

Sorry I guess I read the post wrong. Thanks for the information.

lehtv · 11-23-2012, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xenphor

Sorry I guess I read the post wrong. Thanks for the information.

Yeah I can see how the post could be misleading. I just meant that using a PSU without problems for a year is not really indicative of its quality one way or another.