I need a new Antec Power Supply...

[PC Freak]

I'm looking at the Antec Truepower 2.0 550W power supply, but it may be too much for my needs.

It will be supporting an AMD 3500, 1) 6800GS, 2 dvd-rw's, 3 HD's and 1GB of memory.
I will be adding another 6800GS down the road and 1 more GB of memory also.

What recommendations would you make for a power supply?

 

[hwlcd69]

I think 430 is more then what you'll need.

 

[John]

Smartpower 2.0 500w @ $70

 

[The Boston Dangler]

Check here and here.

 

[PC Freak]

Smartpower 2.0 500w @ 62.75

 

[maluckey]

Avoid Antec. Not well recieved on Extremesytems.org, nor THG stress test. Their quality has suffered over the last year.

http://www.tomshardware.com/howto/200507111/stresstest-09.html

Even THG gailed the True Power (two of them), which is their better offerings.

 

[PC Freak]

If not Antec then who?

 

[The Sauce]

I just bought an Antec Phantom 500W.

 

[Rossfool]

Antec NEOPOWER 480 ATX 480W Power Supply @about$90.00
Whatabout this one?

 

[ribbon13]

Bah, screw Antec PSU. Seasonic S12-430 should be more than sufficient for your needs. I will admit though, a Seasonic S12-430 in an Antec SLK3000B makes an awesome gift for any family members complaining about computer noise

 

[John]

Originally posted by: maluckey
Avoid Atec. Not well recieved on Extremesytems.org, nor THG stress test. Their quality has suffered over the last year.

http://www.tomshardware.com/howto/200507111/stresstest-09.html">Even THG failed it (twice), and they're fanboys of Antec!</a>

You can't even link correctly. How exactly has their quality 'suffered'? Maybe you'll respond with the 'failed capacitor' issues. Heck I just RMA'ed an Intel i865 for leaking capacitors. I guess we should boycott Intel too.

In addition the THG tests should be taken with a grain of salt. Simply because a particular psu mfg's unit didn't pass their tests doesn't mean their products should be avoided. As a system builder & service tech. I am able to work with different hardware in real world situations. I can tell you from experience that Antec works fine in a vast majority of computers around the world. Now before you start thinking that I am some Antec zealot, please keep in mind that I don't use Antec in my own rig.

** Quoting your post really freaks Fusetalk out. Check your link now.

Originally posted by: ribbon13
Bah, screw Antec PSU. Seasonic S12-430 should be more than sufficient for your needs.

I don't mind you pimping Seasonic in 99% of the posts you make around here, but there are other viable options; Antec being one of them.

BTW, nice avatar.

 

[maluckey]

In addition the THG tests should be taken with a grain of salt. Simply because a particular psu mfg's unit didn't pass their tests doesn't mean their products should be avoided.

Two different Antec PSU units of the same model failed. One failed every test, while the other failed line regulation. The test was fairly representative and all other PSU's passed. Many Antec also failed in systems stressed by OC'ers on Extremesystems.org It seems that the high quality Antec of years back was replaced with poor regulation/design/cross loading issues along with hit or miss QC.

A cheap 200 watt PSU may power a low stress office setup, but for how long? Dell uses a 250 Watt FSP in many of their newest offerings. Watts are not necessarily all the same with PSU manufacturers. Deceptive labeling seems to be the norm. Antec rates PEAK power on most of thei models at 25 C. Who's PSU runs at 25 C? That would require the room to be at around 20 C. Sweater anyone?What's the cost when a PSU fails? I have had several Antec fail on me while Trying a max OC benchmark. It was expensive to replace the vid card mobo and a couple of drives. I switched loyalties and never had another issue...

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: maluckey
Avoid Antec. Not well recieved on Extremesytems.org, nor THG stress test. Their quality has suffered over the last year.

http://www.tomshardware.com/howto/200507111/stresstest-09.html

Even THG gailed the True Power (two of them), which is their better offerings.

Who cares what the people at ExtremeSystem.org have to say???
We have equally knowlwdgeable people who use all sorts of different products!

What you are seeing even on this thread is something better than any review you will ever see....

That is personnal opinions brought by people who are using the product....

I would`nt put Antec in my top 3 or 4 PSU`s but I would say Antec is a solid brand that has stood the test of time and alot of people are using Antec who swear by it!!!

Haver a good day!!

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: ribbon13
Bah, screw Antec PSU. Seasonic S12-430 should be more than sufficient for your needs. I will admit though, a Seasonic S12-430 in an Antec SLK3000B makes an awesome gift for any family members complaining about computer noise

What I find interesting is the poster askes specicifically about which antec...
The person posting didn`t say which PSU to choose....
I find it interesting that some people can`t read and comprehend other peoples threads...

Just a side note not aimed at all at PC_Freak....
I have never been one to pimp my opinion concerning which is the best pSU; where a specific PSU was mentioned!!

I will always be a PCP&C person!!
Yet as always I agree that the price is prohibitive for the vast majority of users!!

Good Luck!!

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: PC_Freak
If not Antec then who?

PC Power and Cooling-

Turbo Cool 510 SLI .

With PFC, Tighter 1% voltage regulation (antec 5%), bigger internals, and a better warrenty.

Unlike PC Power and Cooling Turbo Cool 510 that has PFC, Antec Does not USE PFC and that is bad since you will be drawing 550watts from your wall at all times.

PFC only draws the what is needed from the wall plus the inefficancy of the unit. So if your electronics use 100watts and your PSU has a 75% efficancy rating then you will only be using around 125watts of electricty from the wall. A PSU with out PFC will always draw what ever it was rated for, in this case you will have use 550watts + the ineficancy from the wall 24/7 and that's not good if you leave it on 12Hrs a day no less 24 hours a day.

I cannot understand why they call it smartpower? If I did my math correct, the Antec Will cost you $564.0921 in higher electrial bills. Or about 47.007675 per month if left on 24/7. So buying a high a turbo cool 510 will pay for it's self in 6months of use or longer if left on only 8 hours a day.

The Turbo Cool will pay for it' self in one year if left on only 8 hours per day.

What the Antec will cost to run over the Turbo Cool-
8 Hours per day 365 days per year = $188.0307 or $15.669225 per month in electrical costs


PC Power and Cooling beats Wimpy Antec; Hands Down.

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: JEDIYoda

Originally posted by: ribbon13
Bah, screw Antec PSU. Seasonic S12-430 should be more than sufficient for your needs. I will admit though, a Seasonic S12-430 in an Antec SLK3000B makes an awesome gift for any family members complaining about computer noise

What I find interesting is the poster askes specicifically about which antec...
The person posting didn`t say which PSU to choose....
I find it interesting that some people can`t read and comprehend other peoples threads...

Just a side note not aimed at all at PC_Freak....
I have never been one to pimp my opinion concerning which is the best pSU; where a specific PSU was mentioned!!

I will always be a PCP&C person!!
Yet as always I agree that the price is prohibitive for the vast majority of users!!

Good Luck!!

I noticed that too. He seems to know not enough but just enough to pick a brand name. Antec PSU's in my opinion is overated.

I will always be a PCP&C person!!
Yet as always I agree that the price is prohibitive for the vast majority of users!!

NO it is not if you look at the post above this one, PC Power and Cooling Pays for it's self iif you are an Antec user.

Also Ribbon and I discussed this PSU earlier in the Week. The Specifications on that PSU are horible. The Seasonic he always recomends shares both the 5volt and 3.3volt on a common rail. This is something I would expect to see in a cheap $50-60 PSU or one you get in a Cheap $24 Case and PSU combo. For $100 I expect to have separate lines for 5.5 and 3.3Volt, there is no excuse for it. For $99 I would expect to see better. For $89 I could do better.

 

[t3h l337 n3wb]

Antec may be good, but there are other better PSU manufacturers out there. I recommend the following PSU's:

1. Seasonic S12 series - Quiet, efficient, and powerful, but kinda pricey compared to most other brands.
2. Sparkle (FSP) 550W - This PSU is ~$100 on Newegg with a whopping 36A on a single +12V rail. Amazing product, and Sparkle (FSP) > Antec in PSU quality.
3. Enermax 430W - ~$75 on Newegg with 33A on the single +12V. About the same quality as Antec, but still pretty powerful and cheap too.
4. Fortron (FSP) 450W - Really cheap, but pretty powerful, and great quality.

 

[orangat]

Originally posted by: Googer
.........

NO it is not if you look at the post above this one, PC Power and Cooling Pays for it's self iif you are an Antec user.

Also Ribbon and I discussed this PSU earlier in the Week. The Specifications on that PSU are horible. The Seasonic he always recomends shares both the 5volt and 3.3volt on a common rail. This is something I would expect to see in a cheap $50-60 PSU or one you get in a Cheap $24 Case and PSU combo. For $100 I expect to have separate lines for 5.5 and 3.3Volt, there is no excuse for it. For $99 I would expect to see better. For $89 I could do better.

Since the total draw on 3.3v and 5v rails are so low, does combined rails even matter.

Do Antec power supplies have separate 3.3/5v rails or is it only for cetain models?

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: orangat

Originally posted by: Googer
.........

NO it is not if you look at the post above this one, PC Power and Cooling Pays for it's self iif you are an Antec user.

Also Ribbon and I discussed this PSU earlier in the Week. The Specifications on that PSU are horible. The Seasonic he always recomends shares both the 5volt and 3.3volt on a common rail. This is something I would expect to see in a cheap $50-60 PSU or one you get in a Cheap $24 Case and PSU combo. For $100 I expect to have separate lines for 5.5 and 3.3Volt, there is no excuse for it. For $99 I would expect to see better. For $89 I could do better.

Since the total draw on 3.3v and 5v rails are so low, does combined rails even matter.

Do Antec power supplies have separate 3.3/5v rails or is it only for cetain models?

Thats fine, but for $99 expect better than that. For the $75 and higher price range I expect separate rails and maybe PFC with 3% or better voltage regulaton. That Seasonic has 5% regulation and shared rails. POS.

SO if you use too much amperes on 5v with a PSU like the seasonic then you leave zero 3.3 volt power for your motherboard. Great IDEA

 

[Mik3y]

PSP&P is awesome, but I would never, ever put my money towards it. They're too damn loud! Seasonic for me.

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: Mik3y
PSP&P .

Huh?

 

[Googer]

Breaking News: Antec PSU's cannot deliver adequate power
http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=2608

 

[ribbon13]

Originally posted by: Googer
Unlike PC Power and Cooling Turbo Cool 510 that has PFC, Antec Does not USE PFC and that is bad since you will be drawing 550watts from your wall at all times.

Holy sh!t, are you THAT ignorant? That's NOT what PFC is about, and all ATX PSUs are switching power supplies that only draw the current they need. PFC or power factor correction is to modify the phase between voltage and current at the input of a device to reduce the reactive current to optimize the load of such device on the power system. Best explanation of PFC I've seen

Originally posted by: Googer
I noticed that too. He seems to know not enough but just enough to pick a brand name. Antec PSU's in my opinion is overated.

Fscking hypocrite now?

Also Ribbon and I discussed this PSU earlier in the Week. The Specifications on that PSU are horible. The Seasonic he always recomends shares both the 5volt and 3.3volt on a common rail. This is something I would expect to see in a cheap $50-60 PSU or one you get in a Cheap $24 Case and PSU combo. For $100 I expect to have separate lines for 5.5 and 3.3Volt, there is no excuse for it. For $99 I would expect to see better. For $89 I could do better.

You mean, you spout a bunch of bullsh!t and I tore your arguement to shreds with facts, and you didn't have the balls to admit it? You want to know why I always recommend Seasonic? Simple: I don't like seeing threads about PSU problems.

I'll quote this 'discussion' for all to see. If you knew so much about PSUs to begin with, why would you have suggested an inferior one?

Originally posted by: ribbon13

Originally posted by: Googer
Personaly I believe this is a betterPSU Sparkle PSU's are built like a tank.

Well, let's test your beliefs. (Edit: With the help of the PDF linked right there on newegg, even though when I wrote this post I found it from FSPs corporate page)

My problem with that Seasonic Model is in the specificatoins:

• AC Input: 100-240V, 50/60 Hz
• Voltage Regulation: ±5% on all lines except -12V line ±10%

Exactly... negative twelve. The FSP550PLG-SLI offers +9%/-4% load regulation on that rail, not too much different and totally moot since this rail doesn't need to have highly regulated power. Also, Seasonic's S12 offers 1% line regulation across all rails, while Fortron backs off to 2% on a the -12v and 5vsb

Problem #2 the 3.3volt and 5volt lines share one rail.

• 
  Good PSU's have separate rails for
  3.3v and 5v This Seasonic Does not-
  
• +3.3V: 30A / +5.0V: 30A
• +3.3V & +5.5V Combined: 180W

You're also incorrect here my friend. The FSP550PLG-SLI also uses a shared rail... only offering 150W combined maximum. Given how little these rails are used in this day and age (Not once on a ATX12v based system have I seen more than 8A draw on either, and I've done quite a bit of testing), this is common practice.

Problem #3 18A is not enough 12volt current to run most modern computers.

• +12V1: 18A / +12V2: 18A

Eighteen amps. Multiplied by two. And in no real world example that I have seen, has a quality dual-rail ATX12v PSU been incapable of running a full loaded system.

Now that we've concluded that the Seasonic is at least equal to the Fortron, lets go for the kill: The Fortron is >63% efficient. The Seasonic S12-500 (US version) is >77% efficient. The Fortron doesn't use a 120mm fan, and the Seasonic does. The Seasonic uses all Japanese caps. Fortron uses whatever is cheapest in Taipei that week. The Seasonic has a 3 year warranty. There is no warranty mentioned in the PDF or newegg's site for that PSU.

And Mark R brings up some points Googer just ignores because in reality, he knows little about PSU design and electronics.

Originally posted by: Mark R
The -12V line is unused on modern PCs. Therefore the -12V performance of a PSU is irrelevant. It is expected that the next time the ATX spec is updated, the -12V line will be gone.

Drawing the 3.3V line from the 5V line is a simple way of reducing the number of components in the PSU, improving efficiency, and reducing heat production. Both lines are independently regulated, so get clean power. Separating the 5V and 3.3V lines (as is done on some PSUs) has no benefit over the conventional method but has higher cost. Modern PCs take very little power on 3.3 and 5V lines. Pretty much all power hogs (graphics cards, CPUs, etc.) have now outgrown these low voltages and take their power from +12V. 150W should be more than sufficient. 180W is pretty much overkill.

The ATX spec recommends an 18A maximum. I'd be very worried if any ATX PC couldn't run on the highest specification allowed by the ATX spec.

Dear lord, someone quote me and say 'pwned' for divine sakes. :disgust: Googer, you're obviously making recommendations on a subject you know very little about. Please stop the bullsh!t.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: Mik3y
PSP&P is awesome, but I would never, ever put my money towards it. They're too damn loud! Seasonic for me.

First I would ask have you owned a PCP&C PSU?
Second I would ask did you read that from SPCR site?
If so let me point out that SPCR also called the zalman 9500 loud and thats just not what people who own the 9500 are saying about the Zalman!1
They are saying it is quiet!

Also in the last 3-4 months the good people at SPCR have introduced a new quiter fan control speed curcuit!
They have addressed that issue very well by the way!!

yet the bottom line is...
I had a talk with the tech people at PCP&R for my money they were right on when addressing that noise issue!

They stated they test all the fans they use on there PSU`s not for noise factor as much as reliability over the long term!

Contrary to popular belief gamers and personnal PC users are not there bread and butter..
The industrial segment of the PC industry is there bread and butter...facotirs and hospitals and other industries that require dependability over noise factor!

Yet the people at PCP&C have been listening and have taken corrective measures to deal with the noise issue!!



Also i read a comment that went like this...
I recommend Seasonic becuase I am tired of hearing about PSU problems...

Thats one reason I donot use anything other than PCP&C PSU`s!!

Then we have the comment-- Thats fine, but for $99 expect better than that. For the $75 and higher price range I expect separate rails and maybe PFC with 3% or better voltage regulaton. That Seasonic has 5% regulation and shared rails. POS.

There is no such thing as true seperate rails!!
Dual rails are a myth!!
Dual rails are NOT needed to run anything including the top of the line components for todays systems!
Even "seperate" rails use the same suorce and are in laymans terms branched off from the main rail.....

here`s some quotes from a pthread on mine in the C&C forums....
its a very good thread and addresses alot of issues including the modular issue...

"The issue about a noisy fan was addrerssed in there newer units.....yet IMO if your an industrial user fan noise is not at all included in the equation!
What you care about is reliability and quality and the fan needs to do its job...quiet or not the fan must be uber reliable!

As gamers we need to understand that not all companies are out there to provide components for our use at a cheap and affordable price to the everyday computer user!

We say there prices are high yet considering what there customer base is how do you put a price on reliability supposedly even under extreme industrial applications?

I do know that medical and research facilities(not all but some) use there PSU`s and some even request that there PSU`s be used in equipment that is bought.

So we say they are expensive......
There customer base says they are reliable and how do you put a price on that kind of reliability?

Even the tech told me there are good companies on the market.......
This is just our approach and our emphasis has always been on providing top quality , reliable units to all our customers. "

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...&STARTPAGE=1&FTVAR_FORUMVIEWTMP=Linear

 

[ribbon13]

Even if you make valid points Jedi, you need to learn how to present them in a more readable fashion. And I think most people who have been in the computer business as long as I have would put Seasonic, Zippy/Emacs, and PC Power & Cooling in the same league. Seasonic's primary market is countries with very expensive electricity, which is why they are so good at making efficient (80Plus) PSUs, Zippy is very much a bastion of the world wide server market, and PC Power & Cooling is what the military, mission-critical servers and life-support computers use.