Best Price/Performance PSU

[apapia]

I'm looking for help deciding what to buy for a PSU for my new system.
New System:
P4 2.4C w/moderate overclock (3 - 3.4GHz, air-cooled w/ SLK-900U, TT SF2)
Abit IS7
Sapphire Radeon 9500
2 WD 7200RPM HDs
Pioneer DVD
36x/12x/48x burner
Nexus Fan Controller
5 Case Fans, perhaps UV lighting/LEDs
Chieftec AX-01 Silver Case
Generic Floppy

Maybe someday I'll go RAID or something, but what do you guys think this will need for power requirements as it is?
The PSU should be relatively quiet as I'll probably use L1A case fans and a thermally controlled CPU fan so I don't want the PSU to be the bulk of the noise. Is it realistic to find a decent PSU that can handle this with potential for a few upgrades for under $50? Thanks guys!

 

[Excelsior]

Id say try to find an Antec 400W,such as the one Marmaduke had for sale in the FS forum. PP412x, you can tweak the pots if you need more power.

 

[novice]

IMO, the best price/performance power supplies are the Enlight units from newegg.com. I have a 420 watt unit that I grabbed for $46 shipped that has been excellent in an overclocked Athlon system. It is currently $55 but is of quality construction and offers dual fans. If that is too steep, take a look at their single fan 360 watt model. Very close to the output of the 420 Watt unit and just $39 shipped. If I have any power related problems with my new Shuttle AN35N Nforce 2 motherboard and existing Enlight 300 Watt this will be what I order:
link
Chuck

 

[mechBgon]

How's the noise level on the Enlight 420W dual-fan unit?

 

[novice]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
How's the noise level on the Enlight 420W dual-fan unit?

It isn't bad at all. No worse than the Sparkle 350 watt unit or the Extreme 320 watt that it replaced. I am hoping it is helping keep my system temps down as well. Runs under 38 C at idle with XP1700+ @2.1 Ghz, Speeze hsf shown

here, (maybe the best $12 cooler available) I am running an 80mm Enermax adustable fan on mine at 3500 rpm, and a couple of case fans.

 

[Fallengod]

Personaly, I wouldnt buy anything but Antec. PSU is one part of a computer you DONT want to get cheap on.

 

[Greenhorn1]

You couldn't go wrong with an Antec, Enermax, or PC Power and Cooling. You'll have to spend more for one of those 3 but they are good quality and reliable. If you need a quiet PSU, I would stay away from the PC Power and Cooling (550 watt model). I have a PC Power and Cooling 550w PSU and it is quite loud.

Best of luck with your purchase decision,


Greenhorn1.