how much power for an Athlon XP?

[Jumpem]

If I were to put together a system with a 1.53GHz, 1GB Ram, 1 HD, DVD, and a CDR/W how much power do you guys think I'll need? Would a 350W Enermax be enough, or a 400W Antec?

 

[T2T III]

If you look at the AMD list of recommended power supplies, there are some AOpen 300 watt supplies that can handled all of the AMD processors (including the AMD 1800+). I can't vouch for the AOpen power supply, though. However, the Enermax also sounds very promising - especially if it's the "whisper quiet" model.

 

[Brutus]

<< If I were to put together a system with a 1.53GHz, 1GB Ram, 1 HD, DVD, and a CDR/W how much power do you guys think I'll need? Would a 350W Enermax be enough, or a 400W Antec? >>



1.53Ghz - 70 watts
M/B - 40 watts
1HD - 20 watts
1Gb Ram - 60 watts
1 DVD - 25 watts
1 CD-RW - 25 watts
Cooling fans?
Audio card?
Video card?
Modem/Nic?

My own personal 'Rule of Thumb':

Total Watts * .80 = Recommended Capacity of +3.3v and +5v combined (185 watts for Enermax)

Note: I'd like to think there is a certain amout of margin in the formula I use, but then some HDs use 60 watts (Old Cheetah) and some video cards use as much as 25, 50, 100 watts... YMMV

 

[agentK]

i say, if you can shed the dough, get the 400w antec. you wont have to worry about future upgrades. (extra cards, fans, etc.) better to have it there when you need it than runnin' out and gettin a new one.

 

[Jumpem]

Brutus right now I'm planning on:

Athlon 1.53GHz
Asus A7V-E
1GB PC2100
60GB IBM
Pioneer 16x
Plextor 24/10/40
Geforce3 Ti500
Audigy Platinum
3Com NIC
5 80mm case fans and 1 80mm cpu fan

 

[Mem]

Go to AMD recommended PSU guide list here for info on which power supplies.

 

[Brutus]

<< Brutus right now I'm planning on:

Athlon 1.53GHz
Asus A7V-E
1GB PC2100
60GB IBM
Pioneer 16x
Plextor 24/10/40
Geforce3 Ti500
Audigy Platinum
3Com NIC
5 80mm case fans and 1 80mm cpu fan >>



If you don't have a case already, then the Enlight from NewEgg may be a good economical choice. The one with the 340 watt psu has a HighPower brand psu. Some have called them trash, I've owned three without any problems.

Currently I'm using the 300 watt Enlight ($47) case w/psu from Newegg and running the same basic components you are (power demand). However I'm only running two case fans and 512MB DDR. Also, I am shopping for a Great Deal on a quality 400+ watt supply. The only one I find in which most everyone agrees is top quality is ~$200...

Power supplies are like cars, they got any kind of ride and drive your wallet can afford. Since I'm performong very well on a cheap 300 watt psu, you may feel comfortable trying one also, however I feel uncomfortable and now wish I'd gotten a bare case and a good power supply, or at least the 340 watt Enlight.

BTW, the combined +3.3v and +5v of the HighPower 340 is as high as a lot of 400-450 power supplies. Just FWIW...

Edit:
Forgot your original question. The Antec and Enermax have a very good reputation. I have no first hand experience. It seems I've heard of many DOA Enermax lately, this is probably due to their popularity. I firmly believe that with the 1+ Ghz processor and 512+ Mb ram, quality is essential. If you can afford it get a power supply you won't have to worry with i.e. PC Power and Cooling...