I read the PSU thread and am even more confused!

[socalcyclist]

I've already ordered this rig from Newegg and it turned out the PSU and Mobo were both bad. They are currently being shipped back. The Enermax PSU is "Out of Stock" at Newegg so I'll probably need to choose a different one. After reading the PSU thread I'm even more confused now. Apparently this system I have listed here is pretty power hungry with AMD X2 processor, the 7800GT PCI-e video card, Sata HD, DVD Burner, Floppy, 3 case fans with blue lights, etc, etc.

Here are the specs on the Enermax:
Output +3.3V@30A, +5V@30A, +12V1@18A, +12V2@18A, -12V@0.8A, +5VSB@2.5A
I thought this PSU was good enough but now I'm wondering if I need a better PSU for this build? I don't mind spending more money if there's a better PSU for this build.

Please help!!

ABIT KN8 Ultra Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard -
Item #: N82E16813127222 $84.99

AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ Manchester 1GHz HT Socket 939 Dual Core Processor Model ADA3800BVBOX -
Item #: N82E16819103562 $295.00

eVGA 256-P2-N516 Geforce 7800GT CO SE 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card -
Item #: N82E16814130256 $285.00

Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive -
Item #: N82E16822144701 $96.00

LITE-ON 16X DVD±R DVD Burner Black ATAPI/E-IDE Model SHW160P6S04 -
Item #: N82E16827106013 $41.99

NEC Beige 1.44MB 3.5" Floppy Drive -
Item #: N82E16821152001 $10.00

CORSAIR ValueSelect 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered System Memory Model VS2GBKIT400C3 -
Item #: N82E16820145579 $141.50

ASPIRE X-Plorer ATXB8KLW-SS Silver Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case -
Item #: N82E16811144101 $58.00

ENERMAX EG425P-VE SFMA 2.0 ATX12V 420W Power Supply -
Item #: N82E16817103459 $64.99

 

[pkme2]

Fortron 450W, Seasonic !

 

[Luckyboy1]

OCZ 600 watt Powerstream model. Avoid the Modstream models as they give about 30% less power. I also like the brand that was out of stock. For a good price on the 600 watt powerstream, go here...

http://www.magnum-pc.com/product.asp?pf_id=OCZ600ADJ&dept_id=05-002

and it is quieter than the Enermax models at full load and is something you can buy and forget the power issue on.

 

[socalcyclist]

Originally posted by: pkme2
Fortron 450W, Seasonic !

I was looking at the Fortron 450w but its specs don't seem as good as the Enermax:
+3.3V (4.6V max.), +5V (6.5V max.), 12V1 (15.5V max.), 12V2 (15.5V max.)

Plus it's less money so I'm thinking the Enermax I already bought should be better, right?

 

[Luckyboy1]

Unfortunately, in power supplies, you generally get what you pay for. In fact, a rather nonscientific, but accurate way of judgeing quality is simply to pick up the power supply and the heavier one wins! I know this seems unfair and innacurate, but you'd be surprised. Don't drop an OCZ Powerstream on your foot unless you like the podiatrist!

 

[socalcyclist]

This one looks good and not too pricey. Will this be more than enough for my system?

Antec TRUEPOWERII TPII-550 ATX12V 550W Power Supply 115/230 V UL, TUV, CB, FCC CLASS B, CUL

 

[EatSpam]

Zippy 460w EPS12V PSU... Its the only PSU I use in standard builds anymore.

 

[pkrush]

Get the OCZ Powerstream 520, since it's about $70 cheaper than the Powerstream 600 and has a single 12 volt rail so you don't have issues with drawing too much power from 1 12 volt rail and practically none from the other.

 

[smopoim86]

Originally posted by: socalcyclist
This one looks good and not too pricey. Will this be more than enough for my system?

Antec TRUEPOWERII TPII-550 ATX12V 550W Power Supply 115/230 V UL, TUV, CB, FCC CLASS B, CUL

I put that psu in a system with an x2 4800+ and a 7800gtx. It works great.

 

[socalcyclist]

Originally posted by: pkrush
Get the OCZ Powerstream 520, since it's about $70 cheaper than the Powerstream 600 and has a single 12 volt rail so you don't have issues with drawing too much power from 1 12 volt rail and practically none from the other.

Uhh, see this is one of the things that confused me. I read one sticky on another forum where it basically stated two 12V rails are best. Then I read somewhere else, maybe here, about going with 1 rail because of possible problems with two. I'm beginning to think everyone has their own opinion and making the right decision is a crap shoot.

 

[socalcyclist]

Looks like the Enermax will be back in stock by the 20th so will probably just be getting that one. Hopefully it's good enough!?

 

[Bobthelost]

Ok for a start the system you're using is NOT power hungry at all. At full load It will draw less than 17A or so from the 12V rails. For proof of this check out the old FX-60 review, the system power of a much more impressive computer doesn't break 230W from the wall, or less than 200W in total supplied from the PSU. Even if it's all on the 12V rail it doesn't take a genius to work out it's not all that much.

Now for various reasons (dual rails, deredation over time, operating tempertaure, peak load at startup etc.) those numbers need to be padded out a bit. Now you DO NOT need a 500W PSU with 34A on the 12V rails, you don't. Enermax, FSP (fortron), Seasonic, Antec, Silverstone, OCZ and PCP&C can generally be expected to supply thier rated power in real world enviroments (check out the seasonic reviews which have a real world PSU test rig, or JonnyGuru's tests or Tom's hardware) so you can pretty much take thier numbers as what they will supply. Chuck in a rather large comfort blanket for upgrades, peak load and all the others, say 8A and you've got 25A total. Look for PSUs that are rated to supply that sort of current on the 12V rail from the aforementioned companies and you'll be fine.

The short short version is that a 400W $40 PSU can supply all the power you need and more. The enermax liberty 400W would power your system without blinking, as would the seasonic s12 430W, as would pretty much any antec over 400/450W (i'm not an antec fan, in that price range i'd rather go fortron), OCZ and PCP&C would more than do the job, but they'd be a waste of money (what they do well, you don't need. Some do but not that system). Silverstone has a good name, hipper isn't bad (but for some reason i don't like them, not sure why ), Ultra aren't a favourite but aren't terrible either by most accounts.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Personally I would go with a fortron instead of the OCZ modstream.
Antec is still having bad CAP issues from what I have been reading in other forums.
If you like the Enermax brand that you have previously been using I would stay with the Enermax brand.

But if you desire a change go with the Fortron brand.

With Fortron brand PSU `s you get no bling bling..
but what you do get is good solid top notch reliability and quality!!!

The Fortron is probably the only brand on the market right now where you get alot more than what you pay for......price in this case can be decieving...in a good way!!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi...Submit=ENE&N=50001919&Manufactory=1919

Any and all reviews of the Fortron PSU`s Blue Storm brand are all very good and solid performers!!

As noted no Bling Bling but I will take quality and reliability over Bling Bling any day of the week!!

The Enermax Brand is also a good brand!!
My preference though would be Fortron!!

 

[Techno Pride]

if you don't plan to upgrade that rig anytime soon, an FSP Greenpower 350 would suffice.

I can't tell how your rig can be THAT power hungry to require a 600w PSU to run.

 

[Luckyboy1]

The specs for that Antec power supply don't say whether or not they are short term demand capabilities (usually less than 1 second) or if they calculate it using peak values or RMS values. As a result, I'll assume the worst because Antec has a history of doing just that in their specs.

The gentleman who metioned the limiting factor on the OCZ 600 watt Powerstream vs. the 520 watt Powerstream, which is the model I have by the way; well he's exactly right and I almost mentioned it, but being lazy and tired of getting beat up for telling the truth on power supplies led me to not mentioning it as I've gotten so cynical over time, that I fear in most cases, my postings are entirely ignored despite facts vs. wishfull thinking.

You would be much better off with the OCZ 520 watt Powerstream model than the Antec offering. It is quieter, has a heavier transformer which is where most of the cost of the power supply is in the first place and is what seperates the men from the boys so to speak. It also is shielded better and has more accurate voltage pots to tune the voltages, which with the Powerstream simply won't be needed unless you want a power that is not spec.

 

[KoolDrew]

Fortron AX450-PN.

 

[Howard]

If you don't overclock, a high-quality PSU with at least 22A (combined) off the 12V rail(s) will suffice. The Fortron AX450-PN will do you quite well, although its efficiency is a bit lower than other PSUs.

 

[Bobthelost]

Originally posted by: Luckyboy1
The specs for that Antec power supply don't say whether or not they are short term demand capabilities (usually less than 1 second) or if they calculate it using peak values or RMS values. As a result, I'll assume the worst because Antec has a history of doing just that in their specs.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH! :disgust:

I hate it when people do thisl;

1)RMS = Root Mean Square = a way of expressing AC power/voltage/current in DC terms. As such RMS is irrelevant for a PSU output.

2) Peak values are almost always mentioned in the spec sheet, if not then you see a hell of a lot more mention of it, either way even a cursory look at some reviews would show you that the TPII range is speced with sustained power.

I don't like antec much, they are mostly a budget PSU brand that gets mistaken for a first rate brand by many. However the criticism should be restrained to the places they deserve it. Bad caps primarily.

 

[Luckyboy1]

In affects the value you get out even though it's not an wave form.

 

[jdkick]

No complaints with Enermax over here. I'd suggest more then 420W tho... here's what i'm running at the moment:

Enermax NoiseTaker 485W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103457

You could also step up to the Liberty line which is more robust (higher amperage per +12V rail) and modular connectors.

As for dual +12V rails... I understand that two rails @ 18A will offer more stable voltage and run cooler then a single rail @ 36A.

 

[Bobthelost]

Originally posted by: Luckyboy1
In affects the value you get out even though it's not an wave form.

Explain if you could because that makes no sense, what affects the value you get out? The Vripple? Of course it does, but that's a seperate specification, and since they do state the Vripple in the spec sheet i think you just stuck in the RMS term without thinking. Either way you don't look at the RMS there as it's measured in terms of peak amplitude.

 

[Luckyboy1]

Originally posted by: Bobthelost

Originally posted by: Luckyboy1
In affects the value you get out even though it's not an wave form.

Explain if you could because that makes no sense, what affects the value you get out? The Vripple? Of course it does, but that's a seperate specification, and since they do state the Vripple in the spec sheet i think you just stuck in the RMS term without thinking. Either way you don't look at the RMS there as it's measured in terms of peak amplitude.

You are exactly right Sir! Thanks for catching that one!