back from the dead...what do I need to look for now?

[h4x0r]

Alright guys, I'm looking at building a new box soon and it looks like I'll be going with the Asus M2N32 board with an amd x2 6000. Either way, its been about 5 years since I put something together and I'm a bit out of the loop on new stuff. Mainly, I just need to know what I need to look for in a PSU (other than power ratings)...ie, PCIe connectors, PFC, etc...I have a solid Enermax psu in my current setup that I might use if all I need is a PCIe power cable converter, but I'm not sure how that works. Sorry for the ignorance!

 

[SparkyJJO]

It'll help to know what other hardware you'll be running What graphics card?

PFC is a helpful thing, many PSUs have it now. If you use a battery backup it can help make your battery last a little longer. Higher efficiency is good too, an 80+ certified PSU is nominally 80% efficient or better. They run cooler, thus can be quieter. Unless you plan to run dual 8800GTX cards in SLI or dual HD2900 cards in crossfire you won't need more than 2 PCIe power connectors. Most PSUs have at least one now, and above 400W you'll see two.

Brands. Can't really go wrong with Seasonic or Corsair (Seasonic-built) for quiet running. I have a 620W Corsair and while it is definitely overkill for what I have right now it has plenty of power for future upgrades, is practically silent, and has high efficiency and PFC. They have a 520W model as well. If you aren't looking to spend that much and don't plan on the latest graphics cards, Enhance has a couple units worth looking at. Ewiz has the ENP-5140GH 400W and the ENP-5150GH 500W units that are 80+ certified, have active PFC, and only run $56 and $67 respectively (go through froogle to get a couple bucks discount). The 500W should be able to run many systems out there no problem. It would run mine without a sweat. FSP is another generally good PSU maker.

If you were to get a PCIe adapter for your current PSU, they usually plug into two standard molex plugs (preferably on two separate lines from the PSU) and give you a PCIe power connector from it.

 

[h4x0r]

Well, I doubt I'll be using any of the 8800 series cards, simply due to funds, so I was looking some of the 8600 line. Aside from that, I'll probably only have one HD and a couple of dvd drives. Nothing much more than that though, so its not like I need a 750w psu. Thanks for getting back to me on this...it doesn't look like too much has changed then.