Is 400W sufficient?

[astryker]

I'm going to be building my first system in the next couple months. The specs so far look like this:

Gigabyte EP45-UD3P mobo
Intel C2D E8400
4 gigs DDR2-800
some variety of Radeon 4850
250gb HD
DVD burner
22" LCD monitor

There's a great deal on NewEgg right now for a Corsair 400W PSU with 30 amps on the 12v rail. It comes to about $30 after rebate and checkout code.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811129042

My question is, would this PSU supply enough power for everything? I should mention I want to try OCing the processor from 3 GHz to 4.

 

[HOOfan 1]

without insane overclocking, yeah that should be fine

 

[magreen]

should be good to go. :thumbsup:

 

[OCNewbie]

You should be fine.

 

[Bonesdad]

I'm also looking at this PSU. You might also consider this one, as I am:

PCP&C

Only about $7 more, but with 35A on 12V and 500 total watts to boot. Reviews for both are good, from what I've seen.

 

[Zepper]

OP, your link not work. Was is a limited time special or something?

.bh.

 

[Bonesdad]

Think he was after this one:

Corsair

 

[Lonyo]

I am using an E5200 / P43 based motherboard / HD4850 / 3HDD's / 6 fans / 4GB DDR2 on that exact PSU (assuming it's the CX400 that you are talking about)
My system draws around 250w maximum from the wall with the CPU overclocked (@3.4GHz), which means actual load is not more than 220w or so, so you should have plenty of headroom and be absolutely fine with that PSU, even overclocked.

 

[ctbrown]

What about this one with free shipping. I have one on my HTPC and it's been quiet and reliable. Lots of good reviews to (5 eggs).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817153023

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: ctbrown
What about this one with free shipping. I have one on my HTPC and it's been quiet and reliable. Lots of good reviews to (5 eggs).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817153023

OMG no!!!

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...id=84&threadid=2263044

Reasons to use the Thermalright TR430:
1) You have an old system that is heavy on 3.3v/5v such as an Athlon XP or Pentium III and need a new power supply.
2) You already are using one and aren't having any problems, and are not doing any video card upgrades to your machine.

Reasons to NOT use the Thermalright TR430:
1) Low +12v output of 18A is not suitable for modern systems unless your video card does not use extra 6 or 8 pin PCIe power plugs.
2) Low 65% efficiency while more modern units are 80+ certified.
3) You need a new power supply for a modern computer (Core 2 Duo, Athlon 64, etc.).

Here are some current-priced (sales/rebates may expire) choices that are from 10x to 1000x better for the OP's Core 2 Duo setup with Radeon 4850:

OCZ StealthXStream OCZ500SXS 500W
This is a cheap price with decent efficiency and 34A on the combined +12v. There are better choices, but if you can get it at $25...
$60 -$35 rebate = $25 with FREE shipping (currently OOS though)

Antec earthwatts EA380 380W
Can't go wrong with a Seasonic built 80+ certified unit with 27A on the +12v for $35 with free shipping and no rebate hassles.

Antec earthwatts EA430 430W
For a bit more power this Delta built 80+ certified unit with 30A on the +12v is a great value at $40 with free shipping and no rebate hassles.

There's also some Newegg deals on the PC Power $ Cooling Silencer 370x and 420x for $24 and $32 respectively, but those don't include free shipping.

A bit higher budget gets into nicer units from Corsair, BFG, etc.

 

[F1shF4t]

Originally posted by: ctbrown
What about this one with free shipping. I have one on my HTPC and it's been quiet and reliable. Lots of good reviews to (5 eggs).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817153023

For simple comps, with integrated or simple graphics (We're talking 8400gs level here) these units are ok. I have 2 running without skipping a beat for the last 2 years in parent's comps.
(I will be changing one of those things to a EA-380 I'm no longer using soon though)

For higher end systems these units are horrendous! Stay away from one like the plague!

 

[geokilla]

Get the OCZ StealthXStream. My sis AMD rig has that and it's running great.

@Zap. My friend has that Thermaltake TR2 in his Intel C2D rig with a X1950. However, he doesn't overclock or anythhing and he's been using it for over 2 years now. Should I tell him to replace it or leave it as is?

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: geokilla
@Zap. My friend has that Thermaltake TR2 in his Intel C2D rig with a X1950. However, he doesn't overclock or anythhing and he's been using it for over 2 years now. Should I tell him to replace it or leave it as is?

If it is working fine, leave it alone.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Yes, I've got one of "those" PSUs, running a C2D E2140 @ 3.2Ghz OCed, along with a stock-clocked X1950 Pro PCI-E 256MB card, one HD, one DVD-burner, and a few USB peripherals. So far, so good.

If I upgrade the video card to a 4850, I plan on upgrading the PSU to an Antec Basiq 500W.