Future Proof Power Supply?

Dynamix3D · Nov 9, 2004

Okay I am debating on what power supply I should get for my next rig. Let me state what kind of components I will be running so this way you guys have an idea of how much power I am going to need.

Nforce 4 SLI Motherboard
AMD 64 3000+ overclocked to whatever I can get out of it
1GB PC3200 OCZ Platinum Rev2. RAM
NEC 3500A
Lite-On DVD-ROM
Dual 6800GT's in SLI
4-5 Case fans
Vantec Fan Controller
SB Live Audigy 2 Platinum
74GB Raptor for OS and Program installations
and I will probably wait to buy one of those new 7200.8 Seagate drives for storage

Now this is pretty much gonna be my setup, of course I wanna have some room incase I add other devices, but for the most part I don't see myself adding much else to this setup.

What do you recommend would be the best power supply for this kind of setup? I want to know how many watts should I get, and which is the best quality power supply I should go with.

I have been thinking about the Antec 550W but I have been iffy towards it because I don't understand why it is so much cheaper than all the other PSU's with the same wattage. This leads me to believe that it is not a true 550w.

Gamingphreek · Nov 9, 2004

OCZ Powerstrea... hands down best PSU out there.

Followed very closly by Enermax which is followed closy by Antec.

1 OCZ Powerstream
2. Enermax
3. Antec True Power
4. Zalman, Seasonic, etc...

-Kevin

Mik3y · Nov 9, 2004

get a pc power and cooling 510W. pricy, but is far more then enough even wtih 2 gt's.

Mik3y · Nov 9, 2004

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek
OCZ Powerstrea... hands down best PSU out there.

Followed very closly by Enermax which is followed closy by Antec.

1 OCZ Powerstream
2. Enermax
3. Antec True Power
4. Zalman, Seasonic, etc...

-Kevin

even though ocz powerstream is excellent, pcp&c will have to top out as the most reliable and most powerful, though not the quietest.

imo, the best power, reliability, and quietness goes to the enermax 600W silent one.

Dynamix3D · Nov 9, 2004

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek
OCZ Powerstrea... hands down best PSU out there.

Followed very closly by Enermax which is followed closy by Antec.

1 OCZ Powerstream
2. Enermax
3. Antec True Power
4. Zalman, Seasonic, etc...

-Kevin

I was looking at the OCZ Powerstream, the only thing I don't like about it is the green sleeving and the green fan. I wish it could have just been plain. I really don't like green and it wouldn't match the rest of my lighting scheme since I plan to have blue LED fans.

The Enermax I was liking though. The 600W version.

Dynamix3D · Nov 9, 2004

Originally posted by: Mik3y

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek
OCZ Powerstrea... hands down best PSU out there.

Followed very closly by Enermax which is followed closy by Antec.

1 OCZ Powerstream
2. Enermax
3. Antec True Power
4. Zalman, Seasonic, etc...

-Kevin

Click to expand...

even though ocz powerstream is excellent, pcp&c will have to top out as the most reliable and most powerful, though not the quietest. imo, the best power, reliability, and quietness goes to the enermax 600W silent one.

I guess I may go with the Enermax because I want something that is quiet. Right now the loudest thing in my PC is my hard drive and my power supply. I'm hoping in my next rig that both will be quieter.

imported_whatever · Nov 9, 2004

Originally posted by: Dynamix3D
I really don't like green and it wouldn't match the rest of my lighting scheme since I plan to have blue LED fans.

You could always just replace the fan with a different one.

DrCool · Nov 9, 2004

wow, that will be one serious rig..

That setup is going to be a beast when it comes to power consumption.

I'd definitley recommend the Enermax 600W NoiseTaker v2 with active PFC
http://www.directron.com/eg701axsfma20.html

enermax is the best overall power supply manufacturer.

1) very clean / tight rails
2) very quite
3) quality construction
4) feature packed
5) latest connectors/connections
6) will fit any ATX case

Dynamix3D · Nov 9, 2004

Originally posted by: DrCool
wow, that will be one serious rig..

That setup is going to be a beast when it comes to power consumption.

I'd definitley recommend the Enermax 600W NoiseTaker v2 with active PFC
http://www.directron.com/eg701axsfma20.html

enermax is the best overall power supply manufacturer.

1) very clean / tight rails
2) very quite
3) quality construction
4) feature packed
5) latest connectors/connections
6) will fit any ATX case

Yea I'm hoping for it to be as speedy as possible. My only concern with all these power supplies is noise. I am looking for the quiest one that I can get. I like the sound of the Coolermaster Real Power 450 because it has only 1 x 120mm fan that only puts out 22db. I just don't know if that would be enough wattage for my system. I wish all these more powerful PSU's came with 120mm fan's since they are much quieter for the amount of cfm they put out.

Spikesoldier · Nov 9, 2004

why dont you run one 6800GT now, and add the other later?

if youre going for super monster rig, why dont you get an FX processor?

but to answer your question, i would get one of those $150+ PSU, or the enermax with the dual 12v rails.

Dynamix3D · Nov 9, 2004

Originally posted by: Spikesoldier
why dont you run one 6800GT now, and add the other later?

if youre going for super monster rig, why dont you get an FX processor?

but to answer your question, i would get one of those $150+ PSU, or the enermax with the dual 12v rails.

Yes I actually do plan on getting only one 6800GT at first, but I figure since my plans are to get a second in the future, I might as well get the power supply that will support both now, rather than having to worry about upgrading that also in the future. And I definately won't spend the extra money for an FX processor when its been proven that the 3000+ can be overclocked to 2.6Ghz.

RussianSensation · Nov 9, 2004

If you are going to spend $185+, I'd get the best - PC Power & Cooling 510

A more reasonable pricing for a power supply would be around $85- 125

Then I'd get:

$85 - Enermax 475
$106 - Antec TrueControl 550
$125 - OCZ 520

Since 2 6800GTs will probably stress the 12V rail, Enermax above offers like 31A and OCZ something along the lines of 33 IIRC.

Also OCZ released 600 watt recently, but for the price, again i'd rather get PC Power and Cooling.

Dynamix3D · Nov 9, 2004

Is it a simple process to change the fan on the OCZ 520? Because its seems like thats the best option, but I really don't want that green fan. So if its a simple process to replace the fan, maybe I'll do it then.

RussianSensation · Nov 9, 2004

Hmmm...it shouldnt be too hard by just shoving a Vantec Stealth fan in there. The problem is that you don't want to disrupt the airflow of the power supply so the fan you replace it with should be sufficient. The only problem is that you'll void the warranty. The beauty of this power supply is 5 years warranty and their "free swap" program during the first 3 years.

I am falling even more for the OCZ power supplies. A lot of people simply don't give them enough credit in my eyes.

Just read some of the reviews here and you'll be shocked, just as much as I was. I am thinking of picking up a new power supply myself since my 3.3V drops to 3.01.

Reviews

"I came back with my multimeter and check the rails.
12v = 12.02
5v = 5.02
3.3v = 3.30

Wow. Amazing. Breathtaking. I have never seen a power supply hold up like
this under this much load. Even my PC Power and Cooling 510 couldn't do
this. It's almost unbelievable." - HardwareMods.com

This one review is really insane:
Impressive

"...And measured the following at the EPS-connector:
3.3V: 3.36V
5V: 5.14V
12V: 12.18V
The total power consumption at this load was around 592 Watts ..."

Dynamix3D · Nov 9, 2004

Damn I really want that OCZ, but that green LED messes everything all up. LOL

erikistired · Nov 9, 2004

i'd put in another vote for pc power and cooling power supplies as the top tier. of course, they will cost you, but they make some solid stuff.

http://www.pcpowerandcooling.com/home.htm

AnonymouseUser · Nov 10, 2004

Originally posted by: fisher
i'd put in another vote for pc power and cooling power supplies as the top tier. of course, they will cost you, but they make some solid stuff.

http://www.pcpowerandcooling.com/home.htm

:thumbsup:

Mik3y · Nov 10, 2004

Originally posted by: AnonymouseUser

Originally posted by: fisher
i'd put in another vote for pc power and cooling power supplies as the top tier. of course, they will cost you, but they make some solid stuff.

http://www.pcpowerandcooling.com/home.htm

Click to expand...

:thumbsup:

i agree, but from what i hear, they are loud, unless you go for the silent models. the 510W is extremely loud as i've heard.

Dynamix3D · Nov 10, 2004

Originally posted by: Mik3y

Originally posted by: AnonymouseUser

Originally posted by: fisher
i'd put in another vote for pc power and cooling power supplies as the top tier. of course, they will cost you, but they make some solid stuff.

http://www.pcpowerandcooling.com/home.htm

Click to expand...

:thumbsup:

Click to expand...

i agree, but from what i hear, they are loud, unless you go for the silent models. the 510W is extremely loud as i've heard.

Yea the last thing I want is a loud PSU. I have an Enermax Whisper 350W right now, and this sh*t is the loudest thing in my whole case. My WD 120GB Hard drive would be the next loudest.

I think I'm going to settle for a cheap PSU in the meantime, like an Aspire or something till Coolermaster comes out with there new 550W Real Power. I have spoken to one of the employees and they said it will be out in Q1 2005, so its not that far away. I like the single 120mm fan, and I like the fact that its blue

It's probably also the most quiet you can get @ 22db.

Stangs55 · Nov 10, 2004

PC Power and Cooling is the uncontested top-o-d-line.

After that I'd go with an Enermax, then an OCZ.

(I just built and went w/the Enermax 600W--couldn't be happier)

Dynamix3D · Nov 10, 2004

Originally posted by: Stangs55
PC Power and Cooling is the uncontested top-o-d-line.

After that I'd go with an Enermax, then an OCZ.

(I just built and went w/the Enermax 600W--couldn't be happier)

How loud is it? Because the Enermax was my first choice, but the one I have now is called the "Whisper" yet this is the loudest component of my PC. My case fans are basically inaudible.

DrCool · Nov 10, 2004

Dynamix3D

if you think the enermax whisper is noisey, then you best not even consider the pc power and cooling power supply. they sound like jet engines in comparison.

here is a detailed review of the Enermax Noisetaker Series:
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article149-page1.html

if the noise level of the enermax whisper bothers you, you probably want to go with something like the Antec Phantom 350:
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article188-page1.html

Stangs55 · Nov 10, 2004

Originally posted by: Dynamix3D

How loud is it? Because the Enermax was my first choice, but the one I have now is called the "Whisper" yet this is the loudest component of my PC. My case fans are basically inaudible.

Can't compare to the whisper, but I can say that it isn't loud....but it's not silent. (I don't mean to be ambiguous). I have a Tsunami Dream case and the rear 120mm fan is the loudest component in my system....over it, I can't hear the psu. Hope this helps

Gothgar · Nov 10, 2004

there is no future proof anything

fkloster · Nov 10, 2004

I bought the enermax 660 watt from newegg. Its future proof

Future Proof Power Supply?

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