420 watts enough?

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Insomniak

Banned
Sep 11, 2003
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Starting to order parts for my new system tomorrow. I'll be starting with the case and power supply, of course. The case I plan to get is this raidmax model from Newegg:

http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=11-156-148&depa=0

I'll be doing surgery to remove all the crappy, rice-looking LEDs and just have a standard black case with a clear side panel. What I'm wondering about is the power supply. I know RaidMax's PSUs are generally of good enough quality, but I plan to push:

Athlon 64 3500+
Nforce 3 Ultra/ Nforce 4 Ultra (haven't decided yet)
120GB Seagate SATA
Samsung 52x32x52 DVD/CDRW combo
GeForce 6800 GT
2x512 Mushkin PC3200
6x80mm case fans


I think I can make do with 420 watts for all this, but considering I want to upgrade the RAM and possibly the GPU within the next year (to 2GB PC3200 and probably NV45/GeForce 6850 or whatever it will be called), I'm wondering if I shouldn't just cave and shell out for a good 500 watt supply now and keep the one that comes with the case as a spare.

Opinions? Thoughts? Comments? Flames?
 
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LordPhoenix

Golden Member
Jul 1, 2004
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It would probably do good but not for long..

I highly recommend getting a used/new Antec 380W TruePower PSU though.

Since you're gonna dish out $84 bucks, add like 12 more and get THIS http://www.newegg.com/app/view...=11-129-127&depa=0

EDIT: I just noticed they added the $15.99 shipping to the Sonata. They rarely do this. Wait until its Free Fedex Saver Shipping and It might drop down to 96$ as it was 2 days ago.

Sonata!!!
 
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Insomniak

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Sep 11, 2003
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I don't like the Sonata much at all. Lower PSU, higher cost, and the single 120mm fan doesn't cut it in my book.
 
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Insomniak

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Sep 11, 2003
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Originally posted by: LordPhoenix
First of all. The Antec Power Supplies are one of the best. A 200-300W Antec > 500-600W Generic.

Trust me. The Antec Truepower 380W > 2x Raidmax 420Ws :p.

The Sonata is the quietest PC case and is probably one of the coolest. This is a VERY GOOD CASE. Read it's review here http://www20.tomshardware.com/.../20030804/case-06.html @ Tom's Hardware.
Click to expand...


Oh I know all about how great Antec is. And I realize the Sonata is a high quality case. It's just not the type of setup I want.

If I do end up buying a seperate PSU, it will probably be an Antec.

EDIT: wait a sec, does the Sonata have a front intake 120mm as well as the rear exhaust? That may well change things...
 
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LordPhoenix

Golden Member
Jul 1, 2004
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Well then, I guess the Raidmax isn't that bad. I have seen some people with 6800's in them.

But why would you take out all the LED lights and wiring instead of get an Antec Sonata with that already done ? :p

Just for the Side-Panel? If you want to.. Go ahead.
 
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Insomniak

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Sep 11, 2003
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Originally posted by: LordPhoenix
But why would you take out all the LED lights and wiring instead of get an Antec Sonata with that already done ? :p

Just for the Side-Panel? If you want to.. Go ahead.
Click to expand...


Less $$$.

I'm not a huge fan of the side panel either, but I can deal.

The leading candidate before the Raidmax was the black CoolerMaster Praetorian, but $100 for the case, no PSU, plus another 16 shipping? And then additional cost for the PSU?

Brain wouldn't let me. Rice is easily enough removed.
 
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db2

Member
Nov 24, 2004
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I agree that the Sonata is a very good case as is. I am using it for one of my systems that is set up similar to what Insomniak has listed. I did not add any extra fans.
If the location of Insomniak's computer is an area where heat may be a problem then extra fans may very well be necessary.
 
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LordPhoenix

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Jul 1, 2004
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$15.00 for that huge of a difference is better IMO.

Just wait until they get rid of the 15.99 shipping and you'll only have to spend $15.00.
 
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Insomniak

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Sep 11, 2003
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Originally posted by: db2
I agree that the Sonata is a very good case as is. I am using it for one of my systems that is set up similar to what Insomniak has listed. I did not add any extra fans.
If the location of Insomniak's computer is an area where heat may be a problem then extra fans may very well be necessary.
Click to expand...


Heat won't neccesarily be a problem, but cooling is something I'm anal about. If I can get more, I want more.

I plan to replace the stock fans that come with the case with high performance, 5000 RPM thermaltakes slaved to fan controllers so I can really crank 'em up if I want, or rein them in if noise is bugging me.

I'm just a crazy bastard when it comes to cooling I think. 6x80mm at 5000 RPM can move a buttload of CFM.
 
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Insomniak

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Sep 11, 2003
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Originally posted by: LordPhoenix
$15.00 for that huge of a difference is better IMO.

Just wait until they get rid of the 15.99 shipping and you'll only have to spend $15.00.
Click to expand...


Well, the case is really more my concern. As noted in the OP, I'm entertaining a seperate PSU anyway. But the Raidmax, looks aside, seems to have better cooling ability than the Sonata and be less expensive to boot...

The case I'm pretty much set on. My concern here is the power supply. Should I just fork the extra dollars for a 500-550W or will I be ok with the 420? Right now I'm leaning towards using the 420 until I upgrade, and then grabbing a new reactor along with the other parts...
 
Gamingphreek

Gamingphreek

Lifer
Mar 31, 2003
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My dad has that case.. THe case is easily dented and uses low quality thin metal. The Fans and PSU are extremely noisy and the PSU has a mere 12A on the 12volt rail which is pathetic. It ireally does look pretty nice though, however it is noisy and the PSU can BARELY power the minimum system components. He didn't think much of my advising against it until he found that he couldn't add any more components.

-Kevin
 
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Insomniak

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Sep 11, 2003
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Hmm. May change things. Odd that the user reviews on Newegg are so positive.

Thanks for the heads-up. May be time to reconsider.
 
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imported_Computer MAn

Golden Member
Sep 30, 2004
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I have that case also. Even though it has 5 case fans the it has grates over all the fan slots cutting the airflow down by like 80%. Plus the fans do not move that much air at all I cut off the grate off the back of the case and replaced the 2 of the fans that came with the case with one I had laying around. The fan I added moves more air than the two that came with the case. It is still an ok case but wont give you the cooling you think it will. The PSU is ok but only 13A for 12v. I powered the system in my sig fine though. Its not the greatest but is ok.

Edit: The airflow will probably be better on this case as I have the midtower version and this one looks to not cut off the airflow as much.
 
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mauiblue

Senior member
Aug 8, 2004
652
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My ThermalTake has a 420 watt PSU and it is driving quite a few hard drives, removable drivies, optical disks, video card, FIVE case fans, and an aftermarket HSF. I might opt for a PC Power & Cooling PSU later on when I do upgrade because I do want to do some UV lighting and upgrade my video card.

But for now, with all what I have installed and running, I do not have any problems with random reboots, errors, or heat issues.
 
Mrvile

Mrvile

Lifer
Oct 16, 2004
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Insomniak, the first one you listed is a sure-fire great quality case. If you're concerned about cooling, don't worry, the Antec can be fitted with 2 more 80mm fans totaling out to 4 80mm fans total. The 400w power supply included is also an Antec quality PSU. I haven't heard much about the TT, it looks ok I guess, better than the Raidmax in terms of aesthetics, but it's made out of crap .8mm steel, and does NOT come with a power supply. It's ok I guess, with the 2x 120mm fans and the fan controller (I don't like fan controllers, so this would be a con for me), but dunno if it's worth 70 bucks. I'd stick with the Antec.
 
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stevty2889

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 2003
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I wouldn't trust the PSU that comes with that case, it may be 420w, but only 13a on the 12v rail, is way way way too weak, and will likely cause problems.
 
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