Help me decide which PSU

cmge

Member
Aug 2, 2005
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im planning to set up a new rig and i need some suggestions on these PSU's

Fortron AX500-A 500W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104934

Thermaltake W0073RU 520W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817153025

OCZ Modstream OCZ52012U 520W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104155

bang for the buck and performance wise which of the 3 is better... as u can c id like to have the cables sleeved to increase air flow.. having it modular is nice as well... any suggestions is highly appreciated.. thanks in advance
 

rs1089

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Oct 6, 2005
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Go with the fortron if you're on a budget, and stick with the ocz modstream if you want to spend a little more for appearance. Do not buy the thermaltake because i read a review about it and it LOOKS promising, but having so many different modular connections for that power supply is ridiculous; having so many indirect connections from the power supply to your devices can really make the voltages unstable.
 

cmge

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Aug 2, 2005
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ahhh... i read some reviews that the modstream cables are very stiff... im guessing that would it would pose as an obstacle if im trying to hide my cables as well
 

Ricemarine

Lifer
Sep 10, 2004
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I'd go with an Antec NeoHE (as long as you don't have an asus mobo, incompatibility so it seems) 500w, or the Enermax 485w Noisetaker or the 500w liberty.
 

cmge

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Aug 2, 2005
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Originally posted by: Ricemarine
I'd go with an Antec NeoHE (as long as you don't have an asus mobo, incompatibility so it seems) 500w, or the Enermax 485w Noisetaker or the 500w liberty.

doe the Antec NeoHE have more connections than the modstream?..
 

Atheus

Diamond Member
Jun 7, 2005
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Get a fortron/sparkle or even better a PC power & cooling, they have the best build quality and reliability.

My fortron PSUs have never failed, but i've had two antecs die - one died quietly but burned the ATX connector on a motherboard (ruining it), the other exploded in my face but didn't take any components with it.
 

cmge

Member
Aug 2, 2005
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i guess i hsould hve been more specific... im willing to spend up to $120 for a PSU... heres the rig im planning on building

A64 3500+ Venice
x850xt pe pci-e
2x1GB OCZ DDR400
2x250GB Western Digital HD PATA
1x74GB Raptor SATA
DVD Burner
Sapphire Theatrix 550
Audigy 2 ZS

and probably some fans in the case (2x120mm or 4x80mm)

so something along those lines that would have enough connectors to feed them... ive seen my friends modstream and it seems inadequete if he plans to put more (i.e fans, optical drive, case lights)

and preferale sleeved... i really liked the sleeved stuff... modular would be nice but sleeved is more preferable.. .. any help would be greatly appreciated... thanks again
 

GalvanizedYankee

Diamond Member
Oct 27, 2003
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If your willing to spend $100 on a very good PSU.

Zippy/Emacs HG2-6400P, $85 at www.buildtoorderservers. I got one for $100 to my door.
12V @ 30A, it has a thermally controlled fan that is better noise wise than Fortron's
"Noise Killer" 80mm fan. Zippy/Emacs rate with the better PCP&C PSUs=Fact.
Most Zippys are rated full load @ 40C. Most lesser PSUs are rated way below this temp.
As PSU temps rise output falls=Fact.


You will be hard pressed to find better at a $85 price point. Call BTOS Monday on the toll-free
line, talk to George=very nice Chinese speaking guy. He stays in touch with Zippy Taiwan.
His English is easily understood..;)

Note: For a stand alone at home PC very few of us need more than 30A on the 3.3V or 5V
line. Many PSU providers hide the wattage rating by giving us 40+A on the 5V line.
Look at the spec of your linked PSUs.

EDIT: Sleeve you own with split or spirel sleeving. Modular offers voltage drops across the
plugs that is not desirable.

...Galvanized
 

cmge

Member
Aug 2, 2005
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hmm.. it hink ive narrowed down to a new list..

Ultra X-Finity 500W
Aerocool Turbine 550W
Enermax Liberty ELT500AWT

any suggestions?
 

cmge

Member
Aug 2, 2005
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and how about in comparison to the Antec Smart Power 2.0 500W?... Enermax and Antec are known for quality... and the price diff is about 50$... Enermax > Antec?