How Bad is This PSU?

[Elfear]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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
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]

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]

How do these PSUs look?

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=17-148-009&depa=1

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=17-153-007&depa=1

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-154-015&depa=1

 

[Big Lar]

They all look good, but how bout the 420 watt Nspire supply at http://www.markonecomputers.com/ I had a redundant of thiers, and it was damn good.

 

[yourdeardaniel]

get an enermax, stable rails. no reboots anymore for me (most of the time).

 

[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?

 

[yourdeardaniel]

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.