Antec True 430w for $70?

[TrojanAaron]

Hey guys, just wanted some input as to whether this PSU is any good. I'm pretty NEWB and I just jumped on that ATI X800XT Platinum Edition that im going to be putting into my Dell Dimensions 4550.

Antec True430

I'll probably get it from Monarch kuz its $70 shipped as opposed to $92 fron Newegg. What do you guys think?

My Rig:

Dimensions 4550
P4 2.66ghz
1 Gig PC 2700
DVD-rom
Dual Layer DVD-RW
120gb @ 7200rpm
60gb @ 7200rpm
Sound Blaster Live
4 Occupied USB ports

 

[fstime]

26A will push that system easily.

 

[batmanuel]

Be careful adding a standard PSU into a Dell. For a long while they were using standard connectors on the mobo power connector, but changing the wiring around. Most people didn't find out about this until their PSUs or mobos burninated due to the wires not matching up. Not sure if they are still doing it, but I'd check to make sure that your wiring in your Dell was standard ATX spec before upgrading. You don't want to see any black smoke.

Also, the Dell PSUs are ususally rated very conservatively and tend to be pretty beefy, so you might be able to run a X800PE just fine on the stock PSU.

 

[FlyingPenguin]

Newer Dells use a standard ATX PSU but older ones use a proprietary connector. You can tell by comparing the color of the wires and what pins they're connected to:

Standard ATX pinout diagram here: http://xtronics.com/reference/atx_pinout.htm

Dell PSU pinout diagram: http://pinouts.ru/data/dell_atxpower_pinout.shtml

They sell adapter cables to allow a standard ATX to connect to a proprietary Dell mobo.

I'm normally a big Antec fan, but I've lately I've started buying the Enermax NoiseTaker PSU instead for my clients. It's a dual 12 volt rail design which I don't think that particular Antec model uses: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103459

It's also on sale for a nice price right now, and I think it's a better PSU than the Antec you linked.

What sold me on this PSU was this review: http://www.pcabusers.com/reviews/enermax/noisetaker-eg425p/main.htm
This review is actually for the 1st revision of the PSU. The one at NewEgg is the revision 2 which has an even heftier 12v supply (32 Amps versus 29 Amps).

I have these installed in my main workstation and my LAN party rig. They're rock stable and very quiet.

 

[KoolDrew]

You can get a Fortron 500w Blue Storm for cheaper and it is a much more capable PSU.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Uh why are people getting TP 1.0s when TruePower 2.0 is out....

And forget Fortron. Antec >> Fortron

 

[TrojanAaron]

Originally posted by: FlyingPenguin
Newer Dells use a standard ATX PSU but older ones use a proprietary connector. You can tell by comparing the color of the wires and what pins they're connected to:

Standard ATX pinout diagram here: http://xtronics.com/reference/atx_pinout.htm

Dell PSU pinout diagram: http://pinouts.ru/data/dell_atxpower_pinout.shtml

They sell adapter cables to allow a standard ATX to connect to a proprietary Dell mobo.

I'm normally a big Antec fan, but I've lately I've started buying the Enermax NoiseTaker PSU instead for my clients. It's a dual 12 volt rail design which I don't think that particular Antec model uses: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103459

It's also on sale for a nice price right now, and I think it's a better PSU than the Antec you linked.

What sold me on this PSU was this review: http://www.pcabusers.com/reviews/enermax/noisetaker-eg425p/main.htm
This review is actually for the 1st revision of the PSU. The one at NewEgg is the revision 2 which has an even heftier 12v supply (32 Amps versus 29 Amps).

I have these installed in my main workstation and my LAN party rig. They're rock stable and very quiet.

I took out my Dell PSU and did a direct comparison to an old PSU that I had sitting around. I compared the 20 pin connecters and they match up exactly (color for color) with the exception of a single (the one and only) white wire that my old PSU has and the Dell has blank.

I imagine the missing white wire would be the "KEY (blank)" in the diagram at your link

Anybody have any idea what that white wire is or whether its going to affect my computer if theres suddenly power coming through where it used to be blank?

Also... my Dell PSU has a 4 pin dongle (yellow and black wires) in addition to the 20 pin connecter that attaches directly to the mobo. My old PSU doesn't have that - any idea what that is for? Will any new PSU have that 4 pin dongle?

 

[raildogg]

Originally posted by: DLeRium
Uh why are people getting TP 1.0s when TruePower 2.0 is out....

And forget Fortron. Antec >> Fortron

Wow :roll::disgust:

That is one of the worst, most ignorant posts I've seen in a long time.

How the heck is Antec supposed to be better than Fortron?

Fortron makes its own power supplies, can you say the same about Antec? Dell uses Fortron/Sparkles in its computers. That is why people with 250W power supplies in their Dells can run a 6800GT or X800XL. Many have done that.

That is because Fortron/Sparkle makes the best quality power supplies out there.

TrojanAaron, be careful about selecting a non-compliant power supply for your Dell. If it does not fit, you will have to mod your case. Meaning you will have to actually cut it.

Go to this page and select the right power supply for your Dell. It might be expensive, but you know its quality and will fit.

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: raildogg

Originally posted by: DLeRium
Uh why are people getting TP 1.0s when TruePower 2.0 is out....

And forget Fortron. Antec >> Fortron

Wow :roll::disgust:

That is one of the worst, most ignorant posts I've seen in a long time.

How the heck is Antec supposed to be better than Fortron?

Fortron makes its own power supplies, can you say the same about Antec? Dell uses Fortron/Sparkles in its computers. That is why people with 250W power supplies in their Dells can run a 6800GT or X800XL. Many have done that.

That is because Fortron/Sparkle makes the best quality power supplies out there.

TrojanAaron, be careful about selecting a non-compliant power supply for your Dell. If it does not fit, you will have to mod your case. Meaning you will have to actually cut it.

Go to this page and select the right power supply for your Dell. It might be expensive, but you know its quality and will fit.

Agreed.

 

[TrojanAaron]

yea... its a tough call... that 425w PSU is going to set me back $170 whereas Monarch would cost me under $70 for a 480w Antec. Im pretty comfortable with using an Antec in my Dell... alot of people in Dell forums say that my model (4550) utilizes standard ATX.

But does anyone know about my question either regarding the missing white wire or whether or not new PSUs have that 4 pin dongle that attaches to the mobo along w/ the 20 pin?

 

[raildogg]

I was under the impression that Dell cases, the modern ones, cannot take a power supply with a on/off switch at the back. those pc power and cooling models don't have one.

i believe there is another model which doesn't have one as well, i forget which one.

if i find that, i'll bring it up here

 

[TrojanAaron]

that is correct... but thats something a nibbler or dremel can take care of (open up a 1 1/2" opening for the on/off switch)

Aside from PC Power & Cooling, Fortron has a series w/out the on/off switch. I might end up getting one of those instead for a few bucks more

 

[bob4432]

look at my rig in sig.... but i think i am at the max of the psu...but still works fine, no hiccups

 

[FlyingPenguin]

NM

 

[FlyingPenguin]

NM

 

[KoolDrew]

Originally posted by: DLeRium
Uh why are people getting TP 1.0s when TruePower 2.0 is out....

And forget Fortron. Antec >> Fortron

Fortron is way better then Antec. Also not to mention lately Antecs supplies are not very good at all. The ones with 120mm fans like the TPII's lack functional ventilation and the SP series is just fine for a moderately hungry system, but there are far better options.

Fortron makes great power supplies, are very conservative when it comes to specs and they give you more for your money then anybody else.

 

[nycdude]

Originally posted by: TrojanAaron
Hey guys, just wanted some input as to whether this PSU is any good. I'm pretty NEWB and I just jumped on that ATI X800XT Platinum Edition that im going to be putting into my Dell Dimensions 4550.

Antec True430

I'll probably get it from Monarch kuz its $70 shipped as opposed to $92 fron Newegg. What do you guys think?

I have 1 f/s if you are interested.