Battle of the PSUs

[villageidiot111]

I'm looking for a good psu to power the following system.

Athlon 64 3400+ 754
MSI K8N Neo Platinum
1Gb Corsair value ram
Radeon X800 Pro
2 Optical Drives
Western Digital Raptor 74Gb
Seagate 200Gb Sata Hard Drive
WMP54G network card
Chaintech av710 sound card

I am looking at the following two power supplies.
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...tion=17-104-934&depa=0
http://www.newegg.com/app/View...tion=17-104-154&depa=0

Which of the two would you choose, and why? If you have any other suggestions, please share them. My budget is under $100, but the cheaper the better.

 

[Patrick Wolf]

OCZ Modstream

It's modular. :thumbsup:

 

[Sniper82]

I am debateing on the modstream 450 or 520 or the Antec Neopower. But I can't decide. Would 450watt be plenty for that system?

 

[Sonic587]

You can't lose with either. :thumbsup:

 

[CheesePoofs]

Originally posted by: wolfman579
OCZ Modstream

It's modular. :thumbsup:

that is really cheap for the 450 watt modstream .... $80. Is it normally that cheap there? or is this a sale?

Originally posted by: ^Sniper^
I am debateing on the modstream 450 or 520 or the Antec Neopower. But I can't decide. Would 450watt be plenty for that system?

A 450 watts quality power supply (which the modstream is) will easily power that system ... and more.

 

[Amaroque]

Out of the two choices you posted, I'd go with the OCZ. Any 450 watt quality PSU will power that system w/o breaking sweat.

 

[Patrick Wolf]

Originally posted by: CheesePoofs

Originally posted by: wolfman579
OCZ Modstream

It's modular. :thumbsup:

that is really cheap for the 450 watt modstream .... $80. Is it normally that cheap there? or is this a sale?

I think it's always that price.

 

[sxr7171]

Originally posted by: wolfman579
OCZ Modstream

It's modular. :thumbsup:

Plus it's single rail which will help you if you ever upgrade to NF4 or any future SLI solution.

 

[Glpster]

Originally posted by: sxr7171

Originally posted by: wolfman579
OCZ Modstream

It's modular. :thumbsup:

Plus it's single rail which will help you if you ever upgrade to NF4 or any future SLI solution.

Does anyone know if the LEDs inside this OCZ modstream can be turned off? I like this powersupply, but don't want it lighting up my room at night while trying to sleep or playing a game that I'd like total darkness for.

 

[Patrick Wolf]

Originally posted by: Glpster

Originally posted by: sxr7171

Originally posted by: wolfman579
OCZ Modstream

It's modular. :thumbsup:

Plus it's single rail which will help you if you ever upgrade to NF4 or any future SLI solution.

Does anyone know if the LEDs inside this OCZ modstream can be turned off? I like this powersupply, but don't want it lighting up my room at night while trying to sleep or playing a game that I'd like total darkness for.

I HIGHLY doubt it will be so bright as to bother you, but I guess that depends on where your case is at. I don't think you can turn the LED off.

 

[Insomniak]

Originally posted by: sxr7171

Originally posted by: wolfman579
OCZ Modstream

It's modular. :thumbsup:

Plus it's single rail which will help you if you ever upgrade to NF4 or any future SLI solution.

Bingo. Modular, and the single rail is the big one. Dual rails are really not a good idea, I don't know why everyone seems so caught up with them - their amperage is so anemic.

 

[slash196]

The amperage doesn't have to be as high, because each rail is only powering half the system.

 

[Insomniak]

Originally posted by: slash196
The amperage doesn't have to be as high, because each rail is only powering half the system.

Doesn't matter. Amperage needs are per device.

For example, the A8N-SLI Deluxe needs a minimum of 18A on the 12v rail to function properly. If you have two 12v rails with 15A each, neither rail has enough amperage to satisfy your motherboard. And no, it doesn't take 15 amps from one and 3 amps from the other it doesn't work that way. Amperage is not additive. 15 amp + 15 amps still equals 15 amps. It does not equal 30 amps. You're stuck.


If you buy a dual rail PSU, you're pretty much selling yourself short unless each rail has 18A or more. Even then, I'd rather have a strong single rail PSU with 30+ Amps on the 12v.

 

[Sniper82]

I decided to buy the 450watt modstream and save the $34 instead of going with the 520watt. I dont think another 70watts and 2 more amps on the 12v is that much more future proof.

 

[Todd33]

I got the 450W Mod Stream, really nice PSU. Quiet and good specs.

 

[Glpster]

Originally posted by: Todd33
I got the 450W Mod Stream, really nice PSU. Quiet and good specs.

How brightly does the LED light shine out the back of the power supply?

Do you think it is too bright to sleep by should your PC be kept in your bedroom?

 

[Navid]

I have a Fortron 350W.
Like both of these PSUs, it only has an intake fan (intake with respect to the PSU).

So, the air pressure inside the PSU is higher than the outside air (and the air inside the case). As a result, it sends warm air inside the case from any of its holes and cracks.

It is specially noticeable when the fan RPM goes up when gaming.

That is not the best setup for cooling. I am in the market for a better PSU and am considering the ones that also have an exhaust fan.

 

[kd2777]

I have the Blue Storm and love it. I have it with;

ASUS SLI Deluxe
two 6600GT Exteme Version - Leadtek
3000+ @ 2.25 GHz
1 GB GEIL ULTRA pc-4000
Raptor 74gb
120 Seagate
Liteon CD/rw
Sony 710 Dual layer DVD burner
4 120mm fans
and card reader.

It powers mine without fault. According to the BIOS the Voltages are stable as can be.

kd

 

[Todd33]

Originally posted by: Glpster

Originally posted by: Todd33
I got the 450W Mod Stream, really nice PSU. Quiet and good specs.

How brightly does the LED light shine out the back of the power supply?

Do you think it is too bright to sleep by should your PC be kept in your bedroom?

No clue, I can't see it in my desk, I only saw it when I installed it. I think the light goes inside the case, it points in the direction of the fan. I don't believe you can see it from the rear.

 

[Sniper82]

Originally posted by: Todd33

Originally posted by: Glpster

Originally posted by: Todd33
I got the 450W Mod Stream, really nice PSU. Quiet and good specs.

How brightly does the LED light shine out the back of the power supply?

Do you think it is too bright to sleep by should your PC be kept in your bedroom?

No clue, I can't see it in my desk, I only saw it when I installed it. I think the light goes inside the case, it points in the direction of the fan. I don't believe you can see it from the rear.

I don't have one(yet) but if you have a case with a window and your sleeping beside the window it might bother you but if not then you shouldn't have any problems. There might be some light coming out the back of the PSU in total darkness but I doubt enough to bother anyone.

I tape a piece of box on my case window when I leave it on at night. If you have a intake fan on the window just cut a hole out for it.

 

[Lyfer]

The bluestorm looks so fvcking sweet, two independent 12v rails too, OMG that owns. I would take the Fortron over the OCZ in a heartbeat.

 

[GprophetB]

so if your PSU doesnt have anough Amps on the 12V rail what does it do if it cant borrow from the other rail.

 

[Navid]

Originally posted by: GprophetB
so if your PSU doesnt have anough Amps on the 12V rail what does it do if it cant borrow from the other rail.

In general, if a PSU does not have enough Amps, its voltage will drop.