Another silly PSU question

[Spike]

I know you guys get so many PSU questions but I hope you will tolerate at least one more as this is not a field I am very well versed in.

Back in the day when I built my first machine I put a $20 300watt no-name into my comp, as I soon found out, that was a big mistake. Eventually I upgraded to a Enermax whisper 350w, which I am using right now after 3 years. Here is my question, do I need to upgrade my PSU and what wattage do you reccomend? Now here is my setup and future dreams:

Currently
Ahthlon XP 2500+ @ 3200+
Abit NF7-S 2.0
512mb GIEL DDR400
Radeon 9600 pro
Lite-On 48x12x48
NEC 2510a 8x +/- (DL)
Seagate 200GB @ 7200
Maxtor 250GB @ 7200
Enermax case with 5 fans (1 120, 4 80)

This Christmas I have it on good authority that my wife will be getting me a 6800GT, and I have a new Antec super-Lanboy case sitting here waiting for me to place my comp in it. So by Christmas, I will have 2 120mm case fans instead of 5 total, and a new 6800GT, what will my power requirements be? Also, I plan to upgrade to a Athlon64 sometime next year (summer probably). Will my 350 be enough for now before I get the A64 setup? or should I upgrade due to a "350 min" requirement of the 6800GT?

Mostly I am am curious on wattages as I think I know the good brands to stick to (Enermax, Antec, Vantec). Thanks for any help!

 

[MEDISIN]

I think this site should answer your question on how much power you need: Linky

Can't go wrong with Enermax or Antec - I've been impressed with Tagan and Zalman as well.

BTW where can I find a woman that buys me parts like that??? That ones a keeper my friend

 

[HardWarrior]

The current knee-jerk wattage recomendation around here is 420. As long as it's in that ballbark, has a 12v rail(s), 28amps or more, you should be fine with room to grow. A higher wattage PSU than 420 is fine too, generates less heat.

 

[Subhuman25]

What are the spec's on that Enermax of your's?I couldn't find your model on Enermax's website to look up the spec's.You can however find the spec's on the PSU label.Can you post them? Voltage/Amps is what we'd need to see.In particular the +12V amperage

 

[HardWarrior]

I saw this at FCPU, this is a NICE PSU for the price. I like Enermax.

 

[Spike]

I don't think Enermax makes the whisper series anymore, or if they do it is more limited. I can post the specs on it tonight when I have time to check it out.

So 420 is the golden wattage now... sounds good, guess I need to save some $$ for it before Christmas.

As for finding a woman who buys you parts... good luck! Just remember, this ones mine!! Actually she has been very understanding of my computer part desires, my birthday was the Seagate 200 GB hd, our 1 year she got me the Antec Super Lanboy, last Christmas was the Abit NF7-S with the AthlonXP 2500+.... she is good to me.

-spike

 

[HardWarrior]

FCPU says they have 4 whispers in stock. You don't have the only hardware woman, Spike. My old lady says I can have all the toys I want as long as one of them isn't a blond. :thumbsup:

 

[Spike]

Well, I think I am going to order the Enermax noisetaker series 420w PSU (unless you guys have something negative to say about it). EG425P-VE-SFMA. What do you guys think of that one? It is in my price range ($68 with free shipping from newegg) and it is a brand I like and have had reccomended to me both in this thread and in others, sound good for some futureproofing that does not include water cooling?

thanks!

 

[Zepper]

Most Antec cases come with a PSU included - it should be adequate for most systems. Otherwise, one of the Silverstone (excellent, made by Enhance) 400Watters should do it - the one with active PFC if you can go the extra $s, or the one without aPFC if the budget is tight...
.bh.

Where's the :sun: ?

 

[Spike]

The super lanboy comes without a powersupply, so that is why I am looking. Also, my question was more on whether or not this 420w Enermax will work for me and for my future system (read the whole thread).

thanks!

 

[Zepper]

My answer covered all possibilities. If the 400, Silverstone would work one could deduce that the Enermax would also. The Silverstone would still be my choice as Enermax's better PSUs are generally overpriced.
.bh.

 

[Spike]

I will to look into the silvertones. My only concern is I have heard many many good things about enermax but have never heard anything about silvertone until now. Do you know any sites that have done review/comparisons of them?