EarthWatts 500 [EA 500] enough

[Exceptione]

I used an online PSU-calculator, but it gives unrealistic Wattages [7xxW].


Is this configuration compatible with Sonata III [that has a EA-500]? If not, what do I need as a minimum?

I plan to buy the following computer components:
Motherboard: GigaByte GA-P35-DS
Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad, Q6600, Socket 775, Boxed
Cooler: Scythe Infinity
RAM: 4*1GB [OCZ Memory Special Ops Edition Dual Channel 2048 MB, PC6400, 800 MHz, 5, Non-ECC, Kit Of 2]
DVDRW: NEC DVD-RW AD-7173S S-ATA, Bulk, Zwart Graphics card: Club3D HD 2600 Pro = Radeon In future this might be upgraded, but I don't expect so
Hardddisk: 1*Seagate Barracuda 7200.10, 320GB (7200rpm, SATA II, 16MB). I anticipate 1 more disk.

-- I hope to overclokc the q6600, to +/- 3Ghz

 

[John]

The EA500 will be more than enough to power your pc and still allow plenty of headroom for future expansion.

Which online psu calc did you use? I used the eXtreme psu calc lite which recommends 279W for your pc, and SnooPs calc recommends a 286W psu. The Q6600 pulls ~100W stock, and the HD2600Pro pulls around 45W which is similar power consumption to the 7900GS & 8600GTS.

 

[Exceptione]

Many thanks! I used http://www.extreme.outervision.com/powercalc.jsp
I was afraid that the EA 500 has too little Ampere or that it isn't expansion proof. Ok, now I am happy

 

[John]

Since I used the same psu calc, how did you manage to come up with 700+W? Configure the system again, click calculate, click print, now copy/paste the results into this thread. I'm curious to see what went wrong.

 

[Exceptione]

System Type: Quad Processor
Motherboard: High End - Desktop
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2400 MHz Kentsfield
Overclocked: 3000 MHz, 1.25 V
CPU Utilization (TDP): 85% TDP

RAM: 4 Sticks DDR2 SDRAM
Video Card: ATI Radeon HD 2900 XT
Video Type: Single Card

SATA HDD: 2 HDDs

DVD-RW/DVD+RW Drive: 1 Drive

USB: 3 Devices

Fans
Regular: 2 Fans 120mm;

Keyboard and mouse: Yes

System Load: 100 %


Recommended Wattage: 1437 Watts

 

[Exceptione]

How did you do it?

 

[John]

Weird, using your exact config n the eXtreme psu calc lite I only come up with 765W. What link are you using?

Here are the adjustments you should make:

1) You choose single cpu even though you have a quad core since it only takes one cpu socket
2) You don't have a 2900XT That behemoth pulls 160+W under load

FWIW in my original config I used the stock Q6600 @ 2.4GHz, so o/c'ed it will pull around 130W.

 

[Exceptione]

Ah, now I have 302 W.
System Type: Single Processor
Motherboard: Regular - Desktop
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2400 MHz Kentsfield
Overclocked: 3000 MHz, 1.25 V
CPU Utilization (TDP): 85% TDP

RAM: 4 Sticks DDR2 SDRAM
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 7900 GS <-- Like you told
Video Type: Single Card

SATA HDD: 2 HDDs

DVD-RW/DVD+RW Drive: 1 Drive

USB: 3 Devices

Keyboard and mouse: Yes

System Load: 100 %


I first followed the link via antec.com.

 

[John]

Yup You'll enjoy the EarthWatts, and so will the people that pay your electric bill.

 

[Exceptione]

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Maximum load is probably 300 watts. The average power savings between 75% efficiency vs 85% efficiency is only about 20 watts under NORMAL use. Actual savings is closer to 10 watts if C1E and EIST are fully functional. I believe the efficiency of that PSU is around 80%.

Don't worry about efficiency unless you have a bunch of PCs running 24/7.

 

[Zepper]

EA-380 would do for that system.

.bh.

 

[GeezerMan]

I use the earthwatts 500. Nice power supply. Made by Seasonic for Antec, IIRC

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: Exceptione
I used an online PSU-calculator, but it gives unrealistic Wattages [7xxW].


Is this configuration compatible with Sonata III [that has a EA-500]? If not, what do I need as a minimum?

I plan to buy the following computer components:
Motherboard: GigaByte GA-P35-DS
Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad, Q6600, Socket 775, Boxed
Cooler: Scythe Infinity
RAM: 4*1GB [OCZ Memory Special Ops Edition Dual Channel 2048 MB, PC6400, 800 MHz, 5, Non-ECC, Kit Of 2]
DVDRW: NEC DVD-RW AD-7173S S-ATA, Bulk, Zwart Graphics card: Club3D HD 2600 Pro = Radeon In future this might be upgraded, but I don't expect so
Hardddisk: 1*Seagate Barracuda 7200.10, 320GB (7200rpm, SATA II, 16MB). I anticipate 1 more disk.

-- I hope to overclokc the q6600, to +/- 3Ghz

Adding another data point:

I'm running my Acer E700, Q6600 + nv8800GTS/320 + Hauppauge dual tv tuner + 4 SATA HDDs + DVDRW + 4 1GB sticks with the stock Acer 300W PSU.

Works great. Someone did some benchmarking and got 205W actually used with an 8600GTS (IIRC) and a set similar to what I listed above, under full/heavy load.