Help me pick the best PSU!

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GimpyFuzznut

Senior member
Sep 2, 2002
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I'm going to be putting together a new system very soon. I'm trying to get my hands on an Opteron 165 at the best price. I will have an eVGA 7800 GT and an ASUS A8N32-SLI Deluxe mobo. I currently have an original Antec Sonata case with a 380 (?) Smartpower PSU. This is most likely going to be insufficient because of the particular requirements of the video card.

I will later be moving to an Antec P180 so I am going to have to purchase a PSU anyway. Can anyone recommend one? I will not be running SLI yet, but will maybe make that move later. Components in my PC will likely only include 1 HD (a Raptor later on), an Audigy2 ZS sound card (new one later) and 2 optical drives (1 DVD burner, 1 DVD).

The PSU I was looking at in particular was the OCZ Powerstream and Modstream series. Can anyone tell me the real big differences between the two - because there is a huge price difference. I want to overclock my Opteron CPU once I have the Antec P180 setup and proper cooling... so what would be a good recommendation for this? Need something reliable, safe, and quality. Don't want cheap crap but don't want to spend $300 either.
 
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GimpyFuzznut

Senior member
Sep 2, 2002
347
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And how about the Antec PSUs? The 500W-550W Truepower II and NeoHE are also cheaper than the OCZ Powerstream 550.
 
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kruull

Member
Aug 12, 2005
110
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1. As far as i heard/noticed - get the Enermax Liberty 500/620W or the Seasonic 12 - 600W... id atehr go for the Enermax. I also read good reviews on the Akasa 550/650W PSUs or Tagan 530/580W.

2. the 380W PSU should be enough the system will eat max 300W! Id get a 450W PSU though (at least) - there was a link where u could check how powerfull PSU u need... let me find it - ill add it on the 28th
 
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Indyboy2

Senior member
Mar 14, 2005
317
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Ocz is a top notch power supply with a great warranty dept.Modstream has modular cables that can be disconnected from the main power supply and use only the cables you need i have never owned a modstream but from what i've read the voltages are not as tight as a powerstream and the cables are stiff.I am currently running a powerstream 600 watt power supply and its quiet and powerful no problems so far.Also power supply units from enermax,seasonic,topower,antec,coolermaster,sparkle,are good also for the price xcilo has 550 watt power supply for a good price around 75.00 had the 480 model in my spare rig never had problems plus a three year warranty also.Stick with a name brand usually you cant go wrong .
 
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GimpyFuzznut

Senior member
Sep 2, 2002
347
0
0
Yay! I bought the...

Seasonic S12-500W - $160 CDN
ASUS A8N32-Deluxe - $250 CDN
eVGA 7800GT - $380 CDN

I chose the Seasonic over the OCZ PStream 550 which was similiarly priced becaused it seemed to be of higher quality from the readings I did. I avoided the Antec PSUs because of problems with the chosen mobo. Did I make the right choice?
 
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smittysan89

Member
Dec 25, 2005
123
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0
Seems like it. I think im just gonna stick with my Antec SmartPower 450watt. I hope its enuogh i think it will be.
 
Zap

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
22,377
7
81
There is a lot more to it than just the wattage rating. Modern systems draw more 12V so you'll want PSUs that put out more +12v amperage. Some manufacturers are very liberal, to say the least, in their wattage ratings so always look at amperage.

The Seasonic S12 series are good quality - I'll leave the arguments to others but nobody can deny that they are not good. One thing though is that the OP mentioned using a P180 case in the future. That case needs a PSU with long cables and IIRC the S12 series has short motherboard cables.
 
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potato28

Diamond Member
Jun 27, 2005
8,964
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0
I'm surprised no one mentioned a Fortron PSU. They star tat $50, and are 450 watts...
 
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kruull

Member
Aug 12, 2005
110
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0
Originally posted by: Indyboy2
Ocz is a top notch power supply with a great warranty dept.Modstream has modular cables that can be disconnected from the main power supply and use only the cables you need i have never owned a modstream but from what i've read the voltages are not as tight as a powerstream and the cables are stiff.I am currently running a powerstream 600 watt power supply and its quiet and powerful no problems so far.Also power supply units from enermax,seasonic,topower,antec,coolermaster,sparkle,are good also for the price xcilo has 550 watt power supply for a good price around 75.00 had the 480 model in my spare rig never had problems plus a three year warranty also.Stick with a name brand usually you cant go wrong .
Click to expand...

Go to Tomshardware and have a look how the Powerstream 600 failed...
 
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kruull

Member
Aug 12, 2005
110
0
0
Originally posted by: GimpyFuzznut
Yay! I bought the...

Seasonic S12-500W - $160 CDN
ASUS A8N32-Deluxe - $250 CDN
eVGA 7800GT - $380 CDN

I chose the Seasonic over the OCZ PStream 550 which was similiarly priced becaused it seemed to be of higher quality from the readings I did. I avoided the Antec PSUs because of problems with the chosen mobo. Did I make the right choice?
Click to expand...

A really good one - Seasonic i one of the best oon the market...
 
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kruull

Member
Aug 12, 2005
110
0
0
Originally posted by: potato28
I'm surprised no one mentioned a Fortron PSU. They star tat $50, and are 450 watts...
Click to expand...

Forgot to - had one my self: 400W LN: the thing was really good, not to mention the price! :D
 
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GimpyFuzznut

Senior member
Sep 2, 2002
347
0
0
Bah I'm going to have the cable problem with the Seasonic? I didn't realize this. What exactly is the best way to rememdy that problem? Different PSU?
 
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JustStarting

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 2000
3,135
0
76
Originally posted by: lifeguard1999
Personally, I like the Enermax EG565P-VE FMA 535W Power Supply. It is quiet, has an adjustable fan, provides plenty of power, is SLI certified, and is $88.50 +$7 S&H at Newegg.com or $89.95 + free S&H at zipzoomfly.com.
Click to expand...

Just bought mine for $87.70 shipped at Monarch-

http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant...PROD&Product_Code=100122&AFFIL=pg&NR=1

Over on DFI-Street it is on the "A" List for NF4 SLI mobo's. They are partial to the Powerstream 520W over there for some reason. There seems to be some kind of brand loyalty over there as well- they won't list any Zalman HSF's on the "recommended" list?

 
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fibes

Senior member
Jul 19, 2003
833
0
0
Originally posted by: kruull
Originally posted by: potato28
I'm surprised no one mentioned a Fortron PSU. They star tat $50, and are 450 watts...
Click to expand...

Forgot to - had one my self: 400W LN: the thing was really good, not to mention the price! :D
Click to expand...



link
 
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Indyboy2

Senior member
Mar 14, 2005
317
0
0
There are also many reviews saying its a great power supply,I can only say that im running a pretty power hungry system and its never has givin me a problem
 
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kruull

Member
Aug 12, 2005
110
0
0
Originally posted by: GimpyFuzznut
Bah I'm going to have the cable problem with the Seasonic? I didn't realize this. What exactly is the best way to rememdy that problem? Different PSU?
Click to expand...

Silverstone has a cable set to solve that problem - prices round 15-20$ but i don't where to get it!

If u want to check the cable length of all kinds od PSUs check the tomshardware.com and serach for PSU or Spire....
 
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kruull

Member
Aug 12, 2005
110
0
0
Originally posted by: smittysan89
Well I ended up getting a 520 watt OCZ Modstream. I hope it will be worth it.
Click to expand...

Can't go wrong with that one IMO - maby peaple here are using it and do not report any trouble!
 
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gus6464

Golden Member
Nov 10, 2005
1,848
32
91
Originally posted by: lifeguard1999
Personally, I like the Enermax EG565P-VE FMA 535W Power Supply. It is quiet, has an adjustable fan, provides plenty of power, is SLI certified, and is $88.50 +$7 S&H at Newegg.com or $89.95 + free S&H at zipzoomfly.com.
Click to expand...

I also bought one of these for my new rig. I have an SLI-DR Expert mobo and will be going for a second 7800gt in a couple of months and the enermax will be able to handle it.
 
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GalvanizedYankee

Diamond Member
Oct 27, 2003
6,986
0
0
Originally posted by: GimpyFuzznut
Bah I'm going to have the cable problem with the Seasonic? I didn't realize this. What exactly is the best way to rememdy that problem? Different PSU?
Click to expand...


Get a PSU w/server cabling.

Zippy/Emacs PSM 6600P, $199 @ www.buildtoorderservers.com

One of the very best PSUs that can be had.

Or have PCP&C build you a custom sleeved PSU with the cabling you spec.


...Galvanized
 
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