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best powersupply?

jkresh

Platinum Member
Jun 18, 2001
2,436
0
71
Going to be building a htpc soon, will use my k8n-e and a sempron or 2800+, while my dtr will go in a lanparty ut. As I don?t see buying a cheap power supply for the htpc and if I go with something high end I might as well just use my truepower 480 there and buy something new for the main rig. I will definitely be going to a dual core chip either summer or fall of 05 so I want whatever I buy to be able to handle power requirements for a while (multicore, possibly multiprocessor multicore, maybe sli pci express cards...). Currently looking at the OCZ powerstream 520, X-connect 500, Antec Neopower 480. Seems that in terms of raw power ocz is best, though modular cables would be nice. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
 

BW86

Lifer
Jul 20, 2004
13,114
30
91
if your a neatfreak get the neo, if you want probably the best psu get the powerstream. The ultra is so so. I heard horrible things about it and ive heard great things about it.
 

Sonic587

Golden Member
May 11, 2004
1,146
0
0
You really can't go wrong between the OCZ and the Antec. They are both great.

Steer clear of the X-connect, though. They are made by Poxmax, which is just about the worst PSU company out there IMO.
 

Fuzn

Member
Aug 10, 2004
132
0
0
You're going to get lots of mixed opinions on the x-connect. I'll tell you first hand my experiences with both the Neo Power and X-connect. I first got the neo power since i've been a antec fan. Got it, was very pissed off with the HUGE atx cable and having to use a converter. The cable was just terrible. Finally got it going, my +12v is the same it was with my crappy aspire one... 11.6. I finally got tired of it and returned it for the x-connect. VERY nice looking, and the cables are just beyond awesome. My 12v? 12.1 stable. Good times.
 

gotensan01

Golden Member
Jul 6, 2004
1,446
0
0
I would only buy modular PSU's if I were sitting on a stack of Benjamins. I don't see why it is so hard to just put the unused cables behind the mobo tray.
 

CraigRT

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
31,440
5
0
Originally posted by: Fuzn
You're going to get lots of mixed opinions on the x-connect. I'll tell you first hand my experiences with both the Neo Power and X-connect. I first got the neo power since i've been a antec fan. Got it, was very pissed off with the HUGE atx cable and having to use a converter. The cable was just terrible. Finally got it going, my +12v is the same it was with my crappy aspire one... 11.6. I finally got tired of it and returned it for the x-connect. VERY nice looking, and the cables are just beyond awesome. My 12v? 12.1 stable. Good times.

I love my X-connect too.. voltages are closest to exact I have seen with any PSU I've owned, and I've had mostly Antecs and 2 Vantec IONs. It's been sweet so far, and much nicer looking than the Neo-Power.

the OCZ looks sweet too though :)
 

Zepper

Elite Member
May 1, 2001
18,998
0
0
X-Connect is pretty junk - wait for the same idea to come from a quality PSU maker, not Powmax. Silverstone 460 w/ active PFC is more than anyone would need.
.bh.

:moon:
 

AristoV300

Golden Member
May 29, 2004
1,380
0
0
If you are willing to spend some cash on a PSU then PC Power and Cooling Turbo-Cool 510 is the best one out there IMO.
 

jkresh

Platinum Member
Jun 18, 2001
2,436
0
71
I agree that the pc power and cooling unit may have a small advantage over the ocz, but not much, and I don?t think it is worth an additional $100. As the pc power and cooling unit is 510 sustained and 650 peak, and the ocz is 520 sustained and 720 peak, also amperage numbers are about the same,
 

Chopstick217

Senior member
Jun 9, 2004
379
0
0
I have both antec and ocz power supplies. Both are solid and stable. The OCz powerstream IMO is more quiet when compared to the antec neopower.
 

CraigRT

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
31,440
5
0
Originally posted by: Zepper
X-Connect is pretty junk - wait for the same idea to come from a quality PSU maker, not Powmax. Silverstone 460 w/ active PFC is more than anyone would need.
.bh.

:moon:

Say what you will, but try this for me... go to Google and type in "ultra xconnect"

read all the reviews on the first page and show me which one says it's bad.. (there aren't any)

I realize where you get your opinion from (the whole tigerdirect thing I assume) but the PSU is nice. I have had no problems with mine, and like the reviews say, it's extremely stable when compared to almost anything else. I think it's a bargain. and of course the UV reactive modular cables are wicked too. :)
 

Zepper

Elite Member
May 1, 2001
18,998
0
0
I get some of my info from forums like this one and I have read at least one thread in each about bad experiences with the x-connect. I totally discount most of the reviews of computer gear on the web - they are far too impressed by a pretty face or a simple new idea. I seldom see any tests (particularly of PSUs) that are conducted properly. The only way to really test a PSU is to failure - none of them even come close to that. Most don't even approach half-power output...
. And I know Powmax PSUs and they are bottom-feeders - how far the once-very good Leadman has fallen... And the reps of the conglomerate that distributes it aren't too hot either (Systemax/Infotel/TigerDirect - all parts of the same company are they not?).
.bh.

Where's the :sun: ?
 

Tiamat

Lifer
Nov 25, 2003
14,068
5
71
Originally posted by: jkresh
Going to be building a htpc soon, will use my k8n-e and a sempron or 2800+, while my dtr will go in a lanparty ut. As I don?t see buying a cheap power supply for the htpc and if I go with something high end I might as well just use my truepower 480 there and buy something new for the main rig. I will definitely be going to a dual core chip either summer or fall of 05 so I want whatever I buy to be able to handle power requirements for a while (multicore, possibly multiprocessor multicore, maybe sli pci express cards...). Currently looking at the OCZ powerstream 520, X-connect 500, Antec Neopower 480. Seems that in terms of raw power ocz is best, though modular cables would be nice. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Is it important that your htpc be as quiet as possible? If so, I would recommend the Seasonic Super Tornado 400. Higher than 76% efficiency all the time, and very quiet according to www.silentpcreview.com
 

jkresh

Platinum Member
Jun 18, 2001
2,436
0
71
actualy I am going to be using my antec in the HTPC, the new powersupply will go in my main rig.
 

Gamingphreek

Lifer
Mar 31, 2003
11,679
0
81
The OCZ is IMO the best out there. Enermax and Antec are right on its heels. If OCZ would release a Modular version of that at a higher wattage they would have the #1 spot in all.

-Kevin
 

theblackbox

Golden Member
Oct 1, 2004
1,650
11
81
i have an x-connect that i have running in my htpc 24/7 and i have been very impressed with mine. It's delivered constant power, it's fairly quiet, and it's certainly not messy as far as wiring. I got the cheaper solid one, it was under 100 bucks, instead of the flashy one with the lights and windows. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a good powerful and quiet power supply. well, not the quietest, but it works dam well here.
 

gorka

Senior member
Jul 12, 2001
205
0
0
Originally posted by: Gamingphreek
The OCZ is IMO the best out there. Enermax and Antec are right on its heels. If OCZ would release a Modular version of that at a higher wattage they would have the #1 spot in all.

-Kevin


Yep! Hopefully they have one out by Christmas. I'm sure the PSU manufacturers are all giving the Neo design/implementation a second look right now.
 

Darknessxk

Member
Aug 30, 2004
77
0
0
Well, lets just say I personally got unlucky with my Neopower. I LOVED the modular design but the 12v rails just weren't stable for me. It frequently droped to 10.5 under heavy load which auto shut down my computer. Anyways, I RMAed it and now I'm waiting on an OCZ. hopefully it will be better.
 

CraigRT

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
31,440
5
0
Originally posted by: Gamingphreek
The OCZ is IMO the best out there. Enermax and Antec are right on its heels. If OCZ would release a Modular version of that at a higher wattage they would have the #1 spot in all.

-Kevin

I do agree with that :)
except maybe if PC Power and cooling did the same thing :)
 

gorka

Senior member
Jul 12, 2001
205
0
0
anyway, until Enermax or Antec fixes their +12v here would be my choices.

1. OCZ
2. Fortron
3. Sparkle
4. HEC

*PC Power would be with OCZ, but the price is a bit prohibitive.
 

imported_situman

Senior member
Jun 29, 2004
265
0
0
I don't know why people are so against Enermax. I had a 460watt unit and my comp was able to overclock just as high as the Turbocool 510d I have right now. Im looking to sell my Turbocool 510d and replace it with a Noisetaker series only cause it will be easier for me to sleep with the computer on at night. Any takers can PM me.
 

RussianSensation

Elite Member
Sep 5, 2003
19,458
765
126
Originally posted by: Tates
Originally posted by: Operandi
Check out the Tagan 480-U01.

Quiet, strong stable rails. Love mine.

Tagan 480 is the same thing as the OCZ 420, so you can be sure that both have great quality.

Antec and Enermax are made by the same company so they should also be excellent since both receive great reviews.

If I was you, I'd just go for OCZ 470 as it is more than enough for your needs.

Look for reviews here:
Power Supply Special (2 pages or reviews)