How Bad is This PSU?

Elfear

Diamond Member
May 30, 2004
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770
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I'm trying to figure out just how bad my L&C B500E is. It is rated at:

+3.3V@28A +5V@50A +12V@18A
-5V@.8A -12V@1.0A +5VSB@2.5A

5V & 3.3V combined is 230W
5V & 3.3V & 12V combined is 422W
Total Output 500W

I'd like to start OCing my rig but I don't want to be held up by my PSU.
 

myocardia

Diamond Member
Jun 21, 2003
9,291
30
91
18A on the 12v rail isn't going to get you very far, especially with a 9800 Pro. You might want to look into an Enermax psu; they're the best for the money, IMO (and they have alot of power on the 12v rail).
 

Avalon

Diamond Member
Jul 16, 2001
7,567
156
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I've got an Enlight 420w PSU right now that I've been doing most of my OC'ing on. It has 18A on the 12v rail. Do you think I could get noticeably better overclocks with a better 12v rail PSU myocardia?
 

RussianSensation

Elite Member
Sep 5, 2003
19,458
765
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You could always try first and if you run into problems, you can always run out and buy a new power supply. Overclocking for an extra 100 for the price of a good $60 power supply isn't worth it. Arguably you could have spent that $60 extra to buy a faster grade cpu in the first place. So try overclocking till you can't go any longer. More likely you cpu will limit you way before your power supply.

My 2.6@3.2 lives happily on a 12A 12v rail 350 watt $20 turbolink power supply. I am sure it can go higher but I dont think the cost of a new power supply is worth the 3.4-3.5ghz speed increase. You are already at 3.44 so see what limit you can reach before you spend any more money that could go towards a faster hard drive, videocard, etc.
 

myocardia

Diamond Member
Jun 21, 2003
9,291
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It depends, Avalon, what does your 12v rail run under load? Also, a 9500, even flashed to 9700 and overclocked, doesn't use anywhere near as much power as a 9800 Pro, just more than a "stock" 9500 does.
 

Avalon

Diamond Member
Jul 16, 2001
7,567
156
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Under load I'm within .05v of spec. Was just curious. If it makes any difference, I'm upgrading to a 9800 pro in a week.
Plus, I honestly hate my PSU. It has so many damn leads, if that was ever a bad thing :D
Just gives me a reason to upgrade it to one not so cluttered and better for OCing my rig when I add a couple juice intensive items to it :)
 

Big Lar

Diamond Member
Oct 16, 1999
6,330
0
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IMHO, the amont of Amps of a 12V rail, really means nothing, as long as it puts out 12V. What,(again), IMHO matters more; is the FLUCTUATION of the 12V rail. My PCPower and Cooling 840,(2x420 redundant),is only rated 15a on the 12V rail, yet I get an Unwaivering 12.43 day in, day out.

Larry

Edit: I forgot, I run a 3.4, with a FX5900 Ultra, 2 scsi drives, 1 15k, 1 10k, 3 pci cards, 2 cdroms and a burner,(all scsi), 2 printers/both usb,and all this run at 4113, with a supply rated at 15a. It's more about Quality rather than Quantity.
 

Elfear

Diamond Member
May 30, 2004
7,147
770
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I think 420W is plenty for me now, but I want to overkill a bit in case a 6800 is in my future. I know they only require 350W now but for overclocking and future cards I'd rather have too much than too little.

Are the PSUs I listed just mediocre then?
 

yourdeardaniel

Golden Member
Mar 20, 2004
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Originally posted by: Elfear
I think 420W is plenty for me now, but I want to overkill a bit in case a 6800 is in my future. I know they only require 350W now but for overclocking and future cards I'd rather have too much than too little.

Are the PSUs I listed just mediocre then?

probably. check out old anandtech PSU comparison. 2003 Power Supply Roundup Part II: Better Faster Cheaper. i think enermax, and pc power and cooling are good PSUs.