High end power supply search...

[DerwenArtos12]

I've currently got the seasonic s12-600w. Good power supply and extremely quiet, wich was one of the main reasons for getting it origonally. However, that was over a year ago to be run in an htpc with much lower performance parts. I have since upgraded the HTPC into a combo gaming rig and Tivo. I'm running a 3700 san diego at 2.9ghz, I've got two gigs of ram, a pair of raptors, a 7800gt, sapphire theatrix 550 and a DVD+-RW. The seasonic is running noticably warm though not at full speed on the fan, and my voltages are lower than I'd like. 3.3v is at 3.18v, 5v is at 4.89v and 12v is at 11.58v. Not horrible by any measure but much lower than I'd like, especially on the 12v. The PSU does have dual 12v and I'm using DFI's utility to measure voltages so I don't really know wich 12v rail that is. I'm going to be moving this whole set-up to a new case and adding two 200gb hard drives, another theatrix550, and an additional dvd+-rw. I have all these parts and the new case just waiting but, I know that adding all the extra hard drives is going to mess with my 12v during access and with the ammount of TV i record that is ALL the time.

So, here is my question, finally, I've been doing a lot of research, and I'm no noob to power supply's, what are your suggestions? I'm really looking for three things:
1) reliability
2) adjustable voltages on the rails, internal or external does not matter
3) high amps on 5 and 12 volt rails(I'm probably not stopping at 4 hard drives)

Based on my research I've found the Supermicro 645W EPS12v PWS-0060 is probably the closest to what I'm looking for. I'm perfectly willing to modify the sheet metal to cool it better and quieter, anyone want to reject that and substitute something better?

 

[essasin]

PC Power and Cooling is not quiet but it is the best power supply money can buy. How much money you want to spend?

 

[Gagan]

OCZ GamerXstream 700w

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Originally posted by: essasin
PC Power and Cooling is not quiet but it is the best power supply money can buy. How much money you want to spend?

I happen to think anyone spending $500 on a power supply is INSANE. I'm not running sli so having the four 12v rails is less than useful to me, especialy with one amp less per rail than my seasonic has. granted it would move my hard drives off to another rail, 17x4 is 68amps sure but, I'd only be able to use three since I'm not in SLI so 17x3 = 51amps, 5 more than the supermicro has on it's one rail and almost five times the price.

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Originally posted by: Gagan
OCZ GamerXstream 700w

tripple rail, 15a per 12v rail and if common sense prevails that is one rail per video card for sli and a shared rail between the motherboard and the accessories wich, is more or less the root of my problem.

 

[essasin]

How about the forton source? fx600 or fx700? You are one hard to please person if you do not like the offerings from Pc power and cooling, seasonic and forton source

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Originally posted by: essasin
How about the forton source? fx600 or fx700? You are one hard to please person if you do not like the offerings from Pc power and cooling, seasonic and forton source

I'm extremely picky. again both power supplies have four 12v rails and the best I could utilize would be three, much better prive-performance ratio but for some reason both the 600w and 700w are specked out with the same ampereges on all the rails. 15a on the 12v rails leaves me with 45 total amps, one less than the supermicro. and only a 2year warranty?

like I said, I'm really really really that picky.

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Interesting piece of information, FSP group power supplies in the gln line aren't manufactured by fortron power. I went directly to fortron power's site and they don't list anything above their industrial grade 550w and the gln line is completely missing. Does anyone know who manufactures them for FSP?

 

[Bobthelost]

Hold it, you think a 600W PSU is struggling with that (rather low powered) system?

I wouldn't bother upgrading, you're talking about building the following:

Single core AMD
2GB RAM
4xHD
7800GT
2xTV tuner
2xDVDRW

A 500W PSU will laugh at that, you are working in a HTPC case at the moment, could it be that the seasonic is having to vent the case heat? A low noise PSU is not typically going to excell at that, while in a larger case with better cooling it shouldn't be an issue.

Short version i think you're wasting your money, you know that motherboard monitoring software isn't worth the effort to load it up for voltages, and you're worrying about nothing.

 

[DerwenArtos12]

I'm not in an htpc case, it's in a centurion 532 with 120mm front and back and a pair of 80mm on the side. so i doubt breathing is the issue. The extra voltages I'm pushing through the mb are my main reason for worrying, I'm using 1.55v on the cpu and 3.2 on the ram, both of wich noticably sag under load. my bios setting of 1.55v reads at 1.52 idle at 1.5 under load and the ram is 3.15 at idle and I've seen make it to 3.05 under load. the 7800gt is also over volted, running 1.5 core no overvolt on the memory, yet. And like I said, it's going to be 4 here shortly but, I have another 4 scsi drives that are set up for raid 5 with a controller card on the shelf that I really want to toss in also.

I tend to doubt a 500w would laugh at it as my 600w can't seem to keep the voltages steady, wich is a major concern for the overclocks I'm running.

 

[Bobthelost]

You're still using motherboard monitoring software for measuring the voltages, which is worthless. As to the overclocks, yes that increases the power draw, but a %15 overvolt is not going to turn a rather efficent CPU into a pentium D. RAM only sucks down a small ammount of power, overvolting it is irrelevant, overclocking and overvolting the 7800GT will again increase the power draw, but at no point will it double it.

If you're going to waste (and at this stage waste is what it is) hundreds of $ on a new PSU where you don't know you need it at least find a multimeter and test to see if your voltages really are dipping/varying that much.

Hell, stick the stats into the (rather paranoid) http://www.extreme.outervision.com/psucalculator.jsp calculator, if your PSU can't handle it then you've got a defective PSU and should be looking at an RMA. (admittedly that's without the overvolt on your 7800GT, so calculating it as a OC'd 7800GTX it hits 390W)

Even with 4 more SCSI 15k drives that calculator only just breaks 507W.

Test it to see if you have a problem at all first

 

[Gagan]

The 700w OCZ is quad 12v rail

 

[DerwenArtos12]

I wasn't looking to spend hundreds was my main point, the supermicro is a server grade PSU thats 645w and only $130, i was just hoping to find some more commonplace competition but, apparently there isn't much.

I tried out your calculator and plugged in everything I have in the system and it came it 589watts.

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Originally posted by: Gagan
The 700w OCZ is quad 12v rail

Yeah, one for each video card, one shared motherboard and accessories and one strickly for accessories, I only have one video card so I would only ever use three was my point.

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Originally posted by: DerwenArtos12
I wasn't looking to spend hundreds was my main point, the supermicro is a server grade PSU thats 645w and only $130, i was just hoping to find some more commonplace competition but, apparently there isn't much.

I tried out your calculator and plugged in everything I have in the system and it came it 589watts.

I just realized it doesn't account for capacitor aging either, I've been running this power supply in one system or another for about a year and a half now wich easily pushes capacitor aging to 20% TDP wich, according to your calculator means I should be running 707watts for everything I want to put in it or with just whats in it now 592watts.

 

[Bobthelost]

Originally posted by: DerwenArtos12
I wasn't looking to spend hundreds was my main point, the supermicro is a server grade PSU thats 645w and only $130, i was just hoping to find some more commonplace competition but, apparently there isn't much.

I tried out your calculator and plugged in everything I have in the system and it came it 589watts.

Really? That's including the SCSI cards i presume, i only hit 535W (but obviously i must have missed some things). Either way it's a conservative estimate of how much power you need. A good 600W, which the seasonic is, should be able to handle it.

I don't know if a server grade PSU is the right path, don't they have weaker 12V rails than most current systems? Either way if you're going to go and spend $130 plus shipping you should take the time to test the PSU first. Hell if you're worried about power draw just connect everything up and see if it falls over or not.

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Originally posted by: Bobthelost

Originally posted by: DerwenArtos12
I wasn't looking to spend hundreds was my main point, the supermicro is a server grade PSU thats 645w and only $130, i was just hoping to find some more commonplace competition but, apparently there isn't much.

I tried out your calculator and plugged in everything I have in the system and it came it 589watts.

Really? That's including the SCSI cards i presume, i only hit 535W (but obviously i must have missed some things). Either way it's a conservative estimate of how much power you need. A good 600W, which the seasonic is, should be able to handle it.

I don't know if a server grade PSU is the right path, don't they have weaker 12V rails than most current systems? Either way if you're going to go and spend $130 plus shipping you should take the time to test the PSU first. Hell if you're worried about power draw just connect everything up and see if it falls over or not.

I'd go so far as to say that a lot of server power supplies concentrate on teh 5v rails and just forget about the 12v. but the supermicro i found over at badcaps is rated at +3.3V @ 30A, +5V @ 30A, +5VSB @ 4A, +12V @ 46A. What you missed in your calculation were the overclocking, the soundcard, the 3-120mm fans, 2-80mm fans, usb mouse and keyboard, usb webcam, firewire ipod connection that has one of 3 ipods hooked up pretty much all the time, and on CCFL. Plus the fact it's a year old and been running close to 24/7.

 

[JEDIYoda]

First of all those URL`s that supposedly tell you how many watts etc you would need are at best not very accurate!!

2nd of all what bobthelost said-- A 500W PSU will laugh at that, you are working in a HTPC case at the moment, could it be that the seasonic is having to vent the case heat? A low noise PSU is not typically going to excell at that, while in a larger case with better cooling it shouldn't be an issue.

Is not necessarily true!! Some 500 watt PSU`s will laugh at that.

3rd of all..you stated -- quote:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by: essasin
PC Power and Cooling is not quiet but it is the best power supply money can buy. How much money you want to spend?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------




I happen to think anyone spending $500 on a power supply is INSANE. I'm not running sli so having the four 12v rails is less than useful to me, especialy with one amp less per rail than my seasonic has. granted it would move my hard drives off to another rail, 17x4 is 68amps sure but, I'd only be able to use three since I'm not in SLI so 17x3 = 51amps, 5 more than the supermicro has on it's one rail and almost five times the price.


Where did you get the 500 dollar figure????
esassin never mentioned a particular PSU from PC Power & Cooling!!

http://www.pcpowercooling.com/home/

I have both of these PSU`s....
http://www.pcpowercooling.com/products/viewproduct.php?show=T51DX

and this one ---
http://www.pcpowercooling.com/products/viewproduct.php?show=T51SLI

You don`t need the 850 watt or the 1k PSU!!!

the Turbo Cool 510`a will laugh at almost anything you can even think about throwing at them!! -- you can iether for under $200. If you order from them directly and most orders will arrive within 48-72 hrs of placing the order!!

Personally you don`t need to have dual 12v rails.....

Interesting piece of information, FSP group power supplies in the gln line aren't manufactured by fortron power. I went directly to fortron power's site and they don't list anything above their industrial grade 550w and the gln line is completely missing. Does anyone know who manufactures them for FSP?

How so?
There is nothing wrong with a PSU company NOT manufacturing there own PSU!
Alot of companies have different lines that are manufactured by other companies!!

Goof Luck!!

I am sure if you wait til later in the day some others such as galvanized and a few more will be able to help you!!

I would say mind you when it comes to PSU`s for sure 100% you cant go wrong with Fortron if you really don`t want to spend a terrible lot of money!!

Mind you that OCZ 600/700 watt goes for I believe $199 at NewEgg...
I personally would still get a PC Power and Cooling Turbo Cool 510 over the OCZ!!

Have a nice day!!


NOTE--- Super Micro is just a superb brand of PSU that most people on this forum have never heard of!!

I would place Semimicro right up there will the top PSU`s....

Zippy/enhance and PC Power & Cooling as well as certain brands of Enermax and Siverstone and Seasonic.

But you need to note that almost all PSU`s that are Industrial PSU are in noway quiet!!!
Thats why you hear of people cganging out the fans in the Zippy and PC Power & Cooling and Super Micro brands..

 

[DerwenArtos12]

I wasn't saying there is anything wrong with a company not building their own, it was meant to be mildly information and I was hoping someone would actually know who builds them. The supermicro I keep harping about is a rebrand of an Ablecom which is manufactured by LiteOn.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: DerwenArtos12
I wasn't saying there is anything wrong with a company not building their own, it was meant to be mildly information and I was hoping someone would actually know who builds them. The supermicro I keep harping about is a rebrand of an Ablecom which is manufactured by LiteOn.

That is also what I had read at Badcaps.com!!
In Europe Lite On is a premier company!!
They make great stuff!!

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Originally posted by: JEDIYoda

Originally posted by: DerwenArtos12
I wasn't saying there is anything wrong with a company not building their own, it was meant to be mildly information and I was hoping someone would actually know who builds them. The supermicro I keep harping about is a rebrand of an Ablecom which is manufactured by LiteOn.

That is also what I had read at Badcaps.com!!
In Europe Lite On is a premier company!!
They make great stuff!!

It's a shame they've not gotten the reputation in the states they deserve, I've never had a problem with anything they've manufactured.

 

[Bobthelost]

Originally posted by: DerwenArtos12

I'd go so far as to say that a lot of server power supplies concentrate on teh 5v rails and just forget about the 12v. but the supermicro i found over at badcaps is rated at +3.3V @ 30A, +5V @ 30A, +5VSB @ 4A, +12V @ 46A. What you missed in your calculation were the overclocking, the soundcard, the 3-120mm fans, 2-80mm fans, usb mouse and keyboard, usb webcam, firewire ipod connection that has one of 3 ipods hooked up pretty much all the time, and on CCFL. Plus the fact it's a year old and been running close to 24/7.

Those numbers cannot be sustained power 552W on the 12V rails alone? Hell that mounts up to 800W total.

USB/firewire devices i did miss, and the sound card, but i OC'd it and included 4 120mm fans Either way your number is less than 600W and that's a conservative estimate of PSU needs.

Either way i'm going to sit here and call you a fool if you waste $130 + shipping based upon nothing more than motherboard monitor

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Originally posted by: Bobthelost

Originally posted by: DerwenArtos12

I'd go so far as to say that a lot of server power supplies concentrate on teh 5v rails and just forget about the 12v. but the supermicro i found over at badcaps is rated at +3.3V @ 30A, +5V @ 30A, +5VSB @ 4A, +12V @ 46A. What you missed in your calculation were the overclocking, the soundcard, the 3-120mm fans, 2-80mm fans, usb mouse and keyboard, usb webcam, firewire ipod connection that has one of 3 ipods hooked up pretty much all the time, and on CCFL. Plus the fact it's a year old and been running close to 24/7.

Those numbers cannot be sustained power 552W on the 12V rails alone? Hell that mounts up to 800W total.

USB/firewire devices i did miss, and the sound card, but i OC'd it and included 4 120mm fans Either way your number is less than 600W and that's a conservative estimate of PSU needs.

Either way i'm going to sit here and call you a fool if you waste $130 + shipping based upon nothing more than motherboard monitor

I've been called much worse things than a fool for less money than $130 so I'll take as a compliment.

Do I get to point and laugh if the $130 plus shipping levels out my voltages?

 

[Bobthelost]

Nope, not if you're still using motherboard monitor to test them.

If you were to get a multimeter or occiliscope and 1) found they were fluctuating as much as you think 2) they stabalise afterwards then by all means laugh away.

 

[DerwenArtos12]

Originally posted by: Bobthelost
Nope, not if you're still using motherboard monitor to test them.

If you were to get a multimeter or occiliscope and 1) found they were fluctuating as much as you think 2) they stabalise afterwards then by all means laugh away.

I'm going to bed in hopes that galvanized finds this thread. when I get up this afternoon I'll grab my voltmeter out of the garage just to get you to eat crow