How big should my PSU be?

noonhigher

Member
May 2, 2003
33
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P4 3.0Ghz
1GB 3200 DDR
9700 PRO AGP
capture card PCI
sound card PCI
Motherboard w/ 4 onboard devices 875P
7 80mm fans
5 hard drives
mouse/key

I'm thinking 500+ but when I use this PSU CALC I get like 650+? (any other PSU calc's out there?)

If 600watt psu any one know a good one?

EDIT:spelling, oh and thanks for the adivce now and in advance!
 

AgaBoogaBoo

Lifer
Feb 16, 2003
26,108
5
81
Whatever those calcs say, if you get an Antec or Enermax at 500W you'll be fine. Antecs are extremely nice and I think their highest is 480W. That will be more than enough because if you look at their other products, their 300w is the equivalent of some generic 500w PSU's. I think that 400Watts is enough, but if you really want to, 480W will be a whole lot more than you need, but its still an option.
 

dexvx

Diamond Member
Feb 2, 2000
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Dell Dual Xeon PowerEdge Servers with 6 SCSI U320 are only using dual 350W redundants.

Quality better than Quantity.
 

noonhigher

Member
May 2, 2003
33
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Bump, anyone else have any more opinions about this?

Thanks for the advice ya all!! Thinking I will just get one in the 500 range or an Antec 480w.

 

amdskip

Lifer
Jan 6, 2001
22,530
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Originally posted by: dexvx
Dell Dual Xeon PowerEdge Servers with 6 SCSI U320 are only using dual 350W redundants.

Quality better than Quantity.
Yup, I bet money a good QUALITY power supply that is 300w would run your system just fine.

 

blade

1957 - 2008<br>Elite Moderator Emeritus<br>Troll H
Oct 9, 1999
2,772
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Actually, Antec's highest psu now is a 550w. See here.


I have no experience yet with P4 systems but I've heard they need more power than comparable amd systems. I'd like to think you'd be ok with a 400w one, but you may as well get the largest you can afford. That way it'll possibly last you for future upgrades. ;)


btw, if you go Antec, get a "TruePower" one. Your ears will thank you for it.
 

AgaBoogaBoo

Lifer
Feb 16, 2003
26,108
5
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Originally posted by: blade
btw, if you go Antec, get a "TruePower" one. Your ears will thank you for it.

Why do you say that? Are the fans on the other models loud? I ask because I'm going to be ordering a new system in about 3 weeks so I'd like to know.

Currently, I'm planning on getting the Smart Blue 350W which has thermally controlled fans.
 

oldfart

Lifer
Dec 2, 1999
10,207
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I run:

P4 @ 3.06Ghz (soon to be "higher" I hope)
1GB 3200 DDR
9700 PRO AGP
sound card PCI
Motherboard 875P
3 80mm fans
1 hard drive
mouse/key
1 CDRW
1 DVD-RW

With an Antec True330.
Antecs True Power's are great. Very quiet as well.
 

mechBgon

Super Moderator<br>Elite Member
Oct 31, 1999
30,699
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With the amount of money you'll have invested in the other parts, you might as well spend an extra $50 and go overkill on the PSU. Some people get cross with me for suggesting that, but I don't believe in "just enough" on a component with a service life of 3 to 5 years. Also consider a decent line-interactive UPS as insurance.
 

Mem

Lifer
Apr 23, 2000
21,476
13
81
I would go with an Antec TruePower 480w PSU(always nice to have lots of power) that will give you headroom for future expansion.
 

blade

1957 - 2008<br>Elite Moderator Emeritus<br>Troll H
Oct 9, 1999
2,772
1
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Originally posted by: AgaBooga
Originally posted by: blade
btw, if you go Antec, get a "TruePower" one. Your ears will thank you for it.

Why do you say that? Are the fans on the other models loud? I ask because I'm going to be ordering a new system in about 3 weeks so I'd like to know.

Currently, I'm planning on getting the Smart Blue 350W which has thermally controlled fans.


I have a smartblue 350 also and the fans are definitely louder than the TruePower versions, but not real annoying. Though I can hear them and I can't from the TruePower psu. Noise tolerance does vary of course.

 

billyjak

Platinum Member
Oct 9, 1999
2,869
1
81
I run 4 Hardrives and 7 case fans, burner, dvd combo burner, floppy, Audigy 2 and have 450w PC Power and Cooling Power Suppy.
I'm pushing it though.
Get a PC Power 510w from Here
Don't skimp on the Power Supply or your looking for trouble.
I used just about every kind made and PC Power is the best.