Antec PP253X, PP255XH, PP303X Enermax VE line

[jhalada]

I am looking into building some quiet systems for office with
- Thunderbird 1 GHz
- Matrox G450
- Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 45
- 3COM network card
- no CD, DVD, sound card,
I haven't decided on motherboard / memory.

These will be desktop cases most likely Antec KS780 or KS788 cases. My question is which one of the listed power supplies is the quietest.

The specifications on the web sites and hardware sites are a little vague. It seems that Enermax turns of 1 of 2 fans in the power supply, and Antec claims to have a smart power supply that adjusts itself to load and temperature.

Does anybody have experience with either of these power supplies? Is 250 Watt power supply sufficient? The cheapest solution seems to be Antec KS788 with a built in PP255XH power supply, which also claims to be ATX 2.03 vs. 2.01 compatibility. Is ATX 2.03 what Pentium 4 needs? (I don't care about P4)

Anyway, with a system as lightly loaded as the one above, do I need more than 250 Watts? I could buy a case minus a power supply and a desired power supply separately, but it will add about $20 to $50 per PC, and will be slightly more work.

Also, reading the specs of the power supplies, they say how many Amps they can deliver for different Voltage levels. I know that the CPU uses < 2V, and there is some kind of voltage regulator that provides it. Which voltage level is the CPU using? Are the CPUs still split voltage as they were in the past? Do they possibly draw power from more than 1 of these voltage lines? (Sorry about loosing probably wrong terminology)

Any suggestions welcome.

 

[Russ]

If the choice is between Antec and Enermax, it's a no-brainer. The Enermax is superior in every category.

Russ, NCNE

 

[slpaulson]

I would defidently get 300 watts too.

 

[jhalada]

Russ,

[*]If the choice is between Antec and Enermax, it's a no-brainer. The Enermax is superior in every category.

Does it include noise? From reading the specs (and it is like the joke about touching parts of the elepahnt) it seems to me that Antec has some control over their only fan in the power supply, while Enermax controls only 1 of 2, while the other one keeps going. But I could be completely wrong.

Do you by any chance have one of the Enermax power supplies?

 

[Mikewarrior2]

Russ,

Can you reply here: NOS440 Claiming Enermax's are POS.



Mike

 

[Jhhnn]

Russ is right about the quality of the Enermax, but it may be more than you need or want to pay for. The T-Bird may fall into the same category. What apps will you be running?

I have a 300w Antec and a 330w Enermax, the noise levels are pretty much the same. Other users have reported that their Antecs are louder than they would like, it may be a QC issue. In you configuration, either unit's fan will be loafing, the system won't generate enough heat to get them to rev up if you use decent case fans.

For your purposes, a rev 2.03 psu will just have an extra plug (or two) you can't use. The Antec site is vague about the relative outputs of the pp253x and the pp255xh. If they are very close, then the pp255xh would probably work well for processors up to 850Mhz, and might serve in your relatively low power application. The pp253x is amd approved for up to 850mhz. I wouldn't hesitate to try it on a prototype basis, see how it goes.

 

[Russ]

<< Do you by any chance have one of the Enermax power supplies? >>



Yes, as well as every other popular brand on the market. I've used them all. Jhhnn is correct that the dual fan Enermax puts out about the same noise as the single fan Antec.

Russ, NCNE

 

[jhalada]

Jhhnn, Russ,

Thanks for replying. Antec has some additional info when you click on the specsheet button. Here are the links:
PP253X
PP255XH

It looks like PP255XH has some extra power available, so it is probably marginally better.

The use of the machines will not be for full time load, but bursts of activity, specifically redrawing maps, that needs to be very fast, because the user is looking at it and waiting as it is happening.

I guess I have to decide if the PP255XH is enough. If it is, I will get the Antec case that comes with it and is cheap. In case I have to go to separate case + PS, I think I am leaning to Enermax, even though it is a little more expensive than Antec. I found a good price for Antec PP303X here, for $35.53

 

[SimonSays]

Antec is good but Enermax is better

 

[Russ]

jhalada,

Jhhnn is also correct that the Enermax may be more then you need. Looking at the proposed system configuration, and assuming that it will stay that way, a quality 250W or the Antec 300W would be just fine.

BTW, for motherboard get the Microstar K7TPro2A. Nice stable piece of work.

Russ, NCNE

 

[GiZzO]

<< dual fan Enermax puts out about the same noise as the single fan Antec >>



Hmm how quiet is that Antec?...Im hoping the Enermax is as quiet or quieter then my current PCP&amp;C Silencer 275w