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Enermax vs. Antec?

Looking around for cases and the only difference between the Antec SX1040 and the Enermax FS-710 seems to be the Power Supply. Therein lies my question -- is it worth the extra $30 for a 400W Antec power supply versus the 330W Enermax? Also does it really matter that the Enermax isn't on the AMD Supported List (I'll be using this with a 1700XP/Dragon+)?

Thanks 🙂
 
Enermax is AMD approved, and they have always had some showing up and not others on AMD's list. I use the Enermax 465P-VE on my XP2000+ & XP1800+ rigs. I would go with the SX1040B (black) since it has a 400w for $30 more. Killer cases ( I own 2) if that helps your decision any, heh. 😉
 
Thanks for the input. Why go for 400W though? I don't plan on doing heavy (if any) overclocking of my 1700XP ... seems like overkill.
 
People used to think 128MB of memory was overkill too. You will most likely have the psu for years to come, so really that 30.00 goes a long way IMHO.
 
If you don't need the extra space, may I suggest the Antec SX635, comes with a nice 350W PS and is a delight to work with. It's the one I'm using right now.

-Ice
 
koni:
You and I seem to be looking at the same upgrades today...I'm watching your threads with much interest 🙂
 
Ditto on what icecool83 said.

Unless you need a LOT of space, the Antec SX635 with the 350W (AMD and Intel P-4) certified PS is more than enough. It has removable (without any tools) drive bays and snap in fan cases (total of 3).


It keeps my system (with 2 of the 3 fans used), at a cool 25-30C. And it's easy to work with. And it fits in the bay of my computer desk (with a little mod, like cutting out the back for better airflow).

I'm rambling, anyway...Great case. I think I paid about 100.00 delivered.
 
Do Antec power supplies have a dual fan setup like the Enermax ps?? I want to get the Antec SX830.
 
Another vote for the Antec 635 🙂
I used to use a Addtronics 6890 but have found that the cooling ability of this case is not up to scratch for such an expensive case 🙁
When i popped all my stuff into the Antec i got an imediate 5C drop in temps across the board, enough to allow my XP 1600+ to run at 2000+ overclocked 🙂
I like the size of the Antec, because its smaller it turns over air in the case much easier than in my larger cases giving better cooling performance 🙂
Also the 350 watt PSU u get with the 635 is top notch.
Antec cases are my case of choice for the money. YMMV though 😉
 
Antec cases are the stuff. I've got a 1040 and I love it.

I needed the space for four HDDs, two optical drives, a PC card reader, floppy, and a front panel USB/temp monitor. The 1040 was just the ticket. PLUS the neat thing about Antec sx series cases is that at least one of the HDD cages has active cooling. (I modded mine so that both my cages have active cooling)
 
Of the two, i'd prefer the Antec, but not for $30 more. I've used that model Enermax before, and I'm running an XP1700+ on a 300w Antec now, and both worked fine. If you have a relatively normal setup (not running dozens of drives, etc.), the 330w Enermax will be more than sufficient. No dual fans on the Antec (well, the 300w model anyway, don't know about the 400), but that's not a biggie, since i yanked out the loud fan inside and replaced it with a L1A Panaflo (a very easy mod, BTW).

IMHO, unless you have stability problems or want to build a "super system" with dozens of drives and heavily overclocked , go with the PS which comes standard in your case (unless it's low wattage like 250w or less, or some POS like a Deer, in which case chuck it and buy a quality brand). That system works for me, but as others have said, YMMV.
 


<< Do Antec power supplies have a dual fan setup like the Enermax ps?? I want to get the Antec SX830. >>



I'd like to know, too.
 
Konichiwa,
I don't know if they have a CompUSA in the 7th Layer of Eternal Damnation...(according to your profile, thats where you live, but I digress, I thought CompUSA WAS the 7th Level of Eternal Damnation....) but you might want to check this Sundays CompUSA flyer... They have an Antec case with the Antec 350 Watt PS for $99. I think its the 1035.

Dave

Edit: You can also check this hotdeal thread here
 


<< Another vote for the Antec 635 🙂
I used to use a Addtronics 6890 but have found that the cooling ability of this case is not up to scratch for such an expensive case 🙁
When i popped all my stuff into the Antec i got an imediate 5C drop in temps across the board, enough to allow my XP 1600+ to run at 2000+ overclocked 🙂
I like the size of the Antec, because its smaller it turns over air in the case much easier than in my larger cases giving better cooling performance 🙂
Also the 350 watt PSU u get with the 635 is top notch.
Antec cases are my case of choice for the money. YMMV though 😉
>>



Whoa, how did u get it to 2k+? That must have been some extreme cooling and very good stepping. BTW, anyone know if Antec cases other than 1030B and the 1040B come in black and are midtower. BTW, I prefer Antec, but I got an Enlight that works well too.
 
I don't know about Antec PSUs but personally I love their cases. I have a SX800 with an Enermax 365 VE-FC. The power supply is pretty quiet and generates a lot of air-flow inside the case. However, Enermax PSUs are cursed by the low voltage on the +5V rail. I suspect it is holding back on my overclocking. People claim to have better overclocking results after the power supply mod though.
 
I wouldnt hesitate to spend just $30 more for a PSU upgrade, especially from 330W to 400W. I think you'll be a lot more comfortable with the 400W, even if you dont do overclocking.
 


<<

<< Do Antec power supplies have a dual fan setup like the Enermax ps?? I want to get the Antec SX830. >>



I'd like to know, too.
>>



Some do, some do not. I believe the one in the SX830 does not have dual fans, but I'm not positive - didn't look closely last time I built with one. My 400W PP412X does not. The PP352X does.
 
I've read about the low 5v rail on the enermax but have yet to see it below 4.97v on mine and normally it 5.01 or so. Maybe I dont have the cpu voltage hight enough but when I replaced my antec 300w with the enermax 350, I did notice the noise level dropped.

I have the antec 800 series case and love it. Great if you want in and out of it a lot. Built solid too. I've been drooling over a bare 1200 series antec, its the 800 with 3 more 5.25 bays on top!
 
Whoops post didn't go through... Anyways I got an SX635 adn I had that as a test case since my colorcase took months to ship to me and after 1 month of waiting I went out and got a case to useteh nw ocmpnents I just bought. SX635 rocks... great cooling (I get the athlon xp1700+ to run at 35c full load with all possible case fans installed plus Antec cycklone below my vid card for extra cooling... gotmy ti200 up to ti500 speeds!!! anyways... in teh color case provided above (with HEC 350 watter with 2 PS fans like the antec 350 watter in the SX635) and all possible case fans and also teh Enligt 7237 case (with sparkle 300 watter) at max load cpu temp is around 44-45C... surprised to see such a large difference since my setup in each consisted of the exact same components (moved form one case to another) besides teh power supplies already installed. Go witht eh SX635.... sweet case!
 
The Enermax 330W is fine. I am running an XP1700 @1503Mhz with it on a notoriusly powersupply picky K7s5a and NO problem whatsoever. If you get the black one tho, be careful as the paint scracthes fairly easily unlike my genuine Antec sx1040B. Either way, GREAT case.
 
my case came standard with the antec. i have a p4 1.8 and the antec didnt even last through the win xp install. the ps was really hot, and i have 5 fans in the rig! i bought the enermax 465-ve and it doesn't even get remotely hot. plus the fans are adjustable so it is really quiet. most people dont think they need that much power, but for high performance systems, it is essential.
 
The 330 & 431W Enermax PSU's both have 2 fans. The Antec 350w has 2, the 300 & 400 PSU's only have one. You can go here and see all the specs.
 
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