Antect Neopower 650 vs OCZ GameXstream 600

[bizzyd1441]

I need a new psu, and have been considering the Antec Neopower 650W and the OCZ GameXstream 600W. Right now newegg is offering both for $100. My specs are:

Intel Core2Duo E6300 1.86 ghz
1 gig DDR2 ram
Sapphire X1900GT 256MB video card

My current 400w psu isn't enough for the card, and I might get an ATI HD 3870 512mb video card in the near future.

I'm not sure if the Antec Neopower 650 or the OCZ GameXstream 600 is better to get, and I intend to be playing the latest games on my system.

 

[MarcVenice]

For 100$ I'd buy something else ... In fact, you could save enough money to buy a HD3870 instead. Btw, what 400w PSU do you have ? You don't need THAT much power, so it might be wise to make 100% sure you need a new PSU.

http://www.buy.com/retail/sear...e&display=col&dclksa=1 it's 60$ if you use the google checkout.

Deadset on a 600w unit ? http://www.buy.com/prod/corsai...loc/101/206178324.html it's 86$ if you use the google checkout.

Or this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817171024 way more power then you will EVER need though, best to just stick with the 550vx from buy.com.

Btw, how important is modular ? Otherwise consider the 520hx at buy.com for 80$.

 

[bizzyd1441]

Right now I have a 430 watt MadDog psu, it has two 12v rails each with 15 amps. I've been to Sapphire's tech help forums, and the moderators there have told me it does not supply enough amps for my Sapphire X1900GT 256mb video card. I think this is bull**** and the card is just defective (lots of artifacting and overheating).

Are you sure the psu's you suggested will provide enough amps to run an HD3870?

 

[LordGestle]

I'm running a Q6600, with 3870 (8800GT on another machine), on a Antec Neohe 500 watts. Had x1950XT's in there prior. 500 Watt name brand should do you fine (probably overkill but allows for some upgrades). However, if your card is artifacting/overheating this will not help you unless the fan on the PSU improves your cooling.
Lockups or reboots in one thing, artifacts is strictly cooling or your gpu is shot.
I agree that replacing that PSU is not a bad idea, just doubtfull if that will fix your problem based on your symptoms.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817103940
I'm running on 4 systems. 69.99$ free shipping.

 

[MarcVenice]

What's the combined output wattage of those 12v rails ? Maddog sounds cheap, but then again, I might be wrong

All PSU's mentioned have ample amps to run a HD3870.

 

[bizzyd1441]

the combined wattage of the 12v rails is 312, and the combined amps is 26.

On Sapphire's tech help forum I've been posting about my video card problems, and i've been hearing my psu isn't good enough to run my X1900GT 256mb card.

http://www.sapphiretech.com/en...showthread.php?t=19247

That's why I've been going for a higher (600watt) psu.

 

[MarcVenice]

Thing is, if it's a crap 400w PSU then chances are it's not rated at 50c continuous but rather at 25c. During operation the temperature will go up, and for each degree it's very much possible that your PSU can put out 2-3w less. Let's say it heats up to 50c, then it can only put out 325-350w. Should still be enough though. Now, PSU's also degrade, all PSU's do, some degrade faster then others. It's possible that your PSU can only put out 250-300w, and hence is giving you trouble.

You HONESTLY don't need a 600w unit, a decent 500w unit will easily suffice, like the one I mentioned. Up to you, don't know your budget ... 86$ for a 650w corsair tx is a pretty good price though, can't really go wrong with it. Difference with the units I mentioned is that they are rated at 50c continuous, they can put out their rated wattage even if they heat up to 50c. And the components used are higher qaulity, and won't degrade nearly as bad and not nearly as fast as in a crappy PSU.

 

[bizzyd1441]

Thx for all the advice, this forum has been much more helpful than Sapphire's tech help forum...I actually decided to go with the Corsair 520HX from amazon for $105. I only bought from amazon cause I had $65 in unused gift certificates, and the 520HX seems like it should be handle my current card and a future upgrade to a 3870. At least I hope it does lol.