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Is this power supply too expensive for what you get?

There are cheaper options, but that looks like a pretty solid PSU. $100 for a modular 500W PSU is not really too bad, especially if it actually comes close to the claimed 80% efficiency.

Do you really need a 500W monster, though? Unless you are running high-end SLI and OCing, most people would have difficulty topping out even a 350-400W unit (as long as it is a good quality one from a reputable manufacturer).

Something like this Fortron unit would probably power just about anything you could throw at it for half the price.
 
Originally posted by: Matthias99
There are cheaper options, but that looks like a pretty solid PSU. $100 for a modular 500W PSU is not really too bad, especially if it actually comes close to the claimed 80% efficiency.

Do you really need a 500W monster, though? Unless you are running high-end SLI and OCing, most people would have difficulty topping out even a 350-400W unit (as long as it is a good quality one from a reputable manufacturer).
Click to expand...

My video card requires a 450W. In the future, I will SLI 2 video cards (7800GT) but I cannot justify the $600 on 2 vid cards right now.

edit: One of these 3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductCo...4130249,N82E16814130256&SubCategory=48
 
Originally posted by: Xyron
Originally posted by: Matthias99
There are cheaper options, but that looks like a pretty solid PSU. $100 for a modular 500W PSU is not really too bad, especially if it actually comes close to the claimed 80% efficiency.

Do you really need a 500W monster, though? Unless you are running high-end SLI and OCing, most people would have difficulty topping out even a 350-400W unit (as long as it is a good quality one from a reputable manufacturer).
Click to expand...

My video card requires a 450W. In the future, I will SLI 2 video cards (7800GT) but I cannot justify the $600 on 2 vid cards right now.
Click to expand...


It doesn't, even an SLI system it's unlikely to break 400W. The reason 450W is recomended is because of the vastly overrated crap that OEMs tend to use.

A 500W will be more than enough, 600W is a waste of money for all users other than those with tens of HDs.
 
Let's say I do need 400W of power to run my system.

I buy a 400W PS with 70% efficiency = 280W of power

500W PS with 80% efficiency = 400W

to run my system I need the latter.
 
Originally posted by: Xyron
Let's say I do need 400W of power to run my system.

I buy a 400W PS with 70% efficiency = 280W of power

500W PS with 80% efficiency = 400W

to run my system I need the latter.
Click to expand...

...I'm gonna be nice and just say that you don't know much about how PSUs work. Certainly you're in no position to be questioning anyone's advice given that post.

Efficiency affects how much power the PSU draws from the wall, not how much power it can supply to your components. You should be able to run a 7800GT SLI just fine on the PSU I linked to, as long as you don't want to watercool and voltmod them...
 
No, PSUs are rated by the DC power they supply, so for a 280W PSU running at 70% you'd draw 400W.

But you won't draw even nearly that much.

120W for the CPU (top of the line p4 might do that)
20W for the mobo
80W for the GPU
4x20W for the HDs
That's 360W and it's a worst case calculation.

For your system you could run it on a good 350W PSU, 450W for a bit more leeway and room for SLI (a bad idea imo, but that's another thread 😀 )
 
Actually everybody on this thread doesn`t know a whole lot about PSU`s other than mathias99.
More important then even total watts it takes to run your rigg is the amps to the various 12v rails as well as amps to the 3.3v and 5v..but usually to a lesser degree!!

I for one would not touch the Enermax....
For the price in this price range and a tad higer you cannot beat this Fortron..
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104954

If I had more money I would go with Zippy or OCZ and if I just wanted to splurge I would with the PC Power & Cooling products!!

 
Originally posted by: JEDIYoda
Actually everybody on this thread doesn`t know a whole lot about PSU`s other than mathias99.
More important then even total watts it takes to run your rigg is the amps to the various 12v rails as well as amps to the 3.3v and 5v..but usually to a lesser degree!!

I for one would not touch the Enermax....
For the price in this price range and a tad higer you cannot beat this Fortron..
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104954

If I had more money I would go with Zippy or OCZ and if I just wanted to splurge I would with the PC Power & Cooling products!!
Click to expand...

Ehhh, what do you know. You still use an Intel rig. 😛




 
Did we start on amps already? How about we skip straight to active power factor control and it's efficency hit?

Looking at the ampage is only so useful, when you've got a 50% saftey margin and a decent brand PSU then you'll never run out on any of the rails unless you've got a really odd build. The cheap and nasty designs cheat by neglecting the 12V rail and providing ridiculously high specs on the lower voltage rails.

There's a time and a place for indepth discussion of PSUs, when the OP doesn't know even the basics about them then it's a waste of time.
 
op - what exactly is your build going to be? if you lay out the specs, we will definately be able to choose one for you that we would buy personally.
 
Originally posted by: Bobthelost
Did we start on amps already? How about we skip straight to active power factor control and it's efficency hit?

Looking at the ampage is only so useful, when you've got a 50% saftey margin and a decent brand PSU then you'll never run out on any of the rails unless you've got a really odd build. The cheap and nasty designs cheat by neglecting the 12V rail and providing ridiculously high specs on the lower voltage rails.

There's a time and a place for indepth discussion of PSUs, when the OP doesn't know even the basics about them then it's a waste of time.
Click to expand...

I completely disagree. +12V amps is really more important than total Watts. If you get a 350W PSU with 25A@+12V, then that will run most any non SLI rig (at stocks speeds anyways).
But a 450W PSU with only 18A@+12V would not be recommended for an A64 sytem with a high end VC, no matter who makes it.

For example: I love Fortron, but I wouldn't get this PSU for my system. The 400W's is plenty, but the +12V amps are severely lacking.

 
Originally posted by: Ike0069
Originally posted by: JEDIYoda
Actually everybody on this thread doesn`t know a whole lot about PSU`s other than mathias99.
More important then even total watts it takes to run your rigg is the amps to the various 12v rails as well as amps to the 3.3v and 5v..but usually to a lesser degree!!

I for one would not touch the Enermax....
For the price in this price range and a tad higer you cannot beat this Fortron..
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104954

If I had more money I would go with Zippy or OCZ and if I just wanted to splurge I would with the PC Power & Cooling products!!
Click to expand...

Ehhh, what do you know. You still use an Intel rig. 😛
Click to expand...

True..but my 100% gaming rigg is AMD!!! hehehe
 
Originally posted by: Bobthelost
Did we start on amps already? How about we skip straight to active power factor control and it's efficency hit?

Looking at the ampage is only so useful, when you've got a 50% saftey margin and a decent brand PSU then you'll never run out on any of the rails unless you've got a really odd build. The cheap and nasty designs cheat by neglecting the 12V rail and providing ridiculously high specs on the lower voltage rails.

There's a time and a place for indepth discussion of PSUs, when the OP doesn't know even the basics about them then it's a waste of time.
Click to expand...

Actually even more important than any of this is what was the actually temp the PSU was rated at....
alot of companies don`t list the temp there PSU`s are rated at..thus throwing up a huge red flag..
becuase say you purchase a PSU rated at 450 watts at 25c......then in actuality that PSU as the temps go up loses wattage and could in reality be only a 350 watt or 300 watt PSU....

there are alot things that factor into purchasing a good PSU!!

Thast why if Im going to get an el cheapo then Fortron IMO is the way to go!!
 
I don't class fortron as elcheapo.

I've been using one of them for the last three years and i haven't got a bad thing to say about them. Not the greatest for voltage stability, not the greatest for efficency, not the greatest for noise, cable management or anything else. But alwasy within spec and always good enough.
 
Originally posted by: Ike0069
I completely disagree. +12V amps is really more important than total Watts.
Click to expand...

Or you just find out/calculate the total 12v watts. If you want a 12v RAIL here you go. 😛 I dunno where these people are getting thier figures for SLI, but I had to get one of these dedicated for my Quadro SLI.

Enermax's other lines are mediocre consumer grade crap like Antec, but the Liberty's are pretty nice for what you get in the sense that its got feature's like modularness attached to a PSU that isn't just for doorstopping. These are worthy of the extra $20. And before anyone says' OMG BLING IT MUST SUXXORZ!!!!!11!!!1ome' take a look at the sizable list of reviews.
 
Originally posted by: Bobthelost
I don't class fortron as elcheapo.

I've been using one of them for the last three years and i haven't got a bad thing to say about them. Not the greatest for voltage stability, not the greatest for efficency, not the greatest for noise, cable management or anything else. But alwasy within spec and always good enough.
Click to expand...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104954
by el cheap[o I meant and should have stated in that pricr range fortron is king!!🙂
 
Originally posted by: JEDIYoda
Actually everybody on this thread doesn`t know a whole lot about PSU`s other than mathias99.
More important then even total watts it takes to run your rigg is the amps to the various 12v rails as well as amps to the 3.3v and 5v..but usually to a lesser degree!!

I for one would not touch the Enermax....
For the price in this price range and a tad higer you cannot beat this Fortron..
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104954

If I had more money I would go with Zippy or OCZ and if I just wanted to splurge I would with the PC Power & Cooling products!!
Click to expand...

You really aren't as smart as you think. The Liberty is one of the best PSUs out there.

If you want to see some legitimate PSU reviews, check out SilentPCReview.com.

The Fortron Blue Storms do really well, but cheaper Fortrons look like they peak at under 70% efficiency, have lower build quiality and make more noise.

That Enermax Liberty is getting over 80% efficiency all the way up to 300W actual DC output, which puts it in a class up there with SeaSonic. Obviously there are other significant things to look at for a PSU, but you can look at the review for that:

http://silentpcreview.com/article279-page1.html
 
Originally posted by: Tostada
That Enermax Liberty is getting over 80% efficiency all the way up to 300W actual DC output, which puts it in a class up there with SeaSonic. Obviously there are other significant things to look at for a PSU, but you can look at the review for that:

http://silentpcreview.com/article279-page1.html
Click to expand...

damn, if you read through the article, it states you typically use 250W...thought that was kinda interesting
 
Originally posted by: ribbon13
These are worthy of the extra $20. And before anyone says' OMG BLING IT MUST SUXXORZ!!!!!11!!!1ome' take a look at the sizable list of reviews.
Click to expand...

Actually I just posted a thread in the Hot Deals section about that PSU for $110. They sent me an Email today saying that it was finally back in stock.
This is the absolute best designed modular PSU I've seen, and it has received numerous positive reviews.

 
Originally posted by: Ike0069
Originally posted by: ribbon13
These are worthy of the extra $20. And before anyone says' OMG BLING IT MUST SUXXORZ!!!!!11!!!1ome' take a look at the sizable list of reviews.
Click to expand...

Actually I just posted a thread in the Hot Deals section about that PSU for $110. They sent me an Email today saying that it was finally back in stock.
This is the absolute best designed modular PSU I've seen, and it has received numerous positive reviews.
Click to expand...

Now if only it didn't have two fans and wasn't so freakin' ugly... 😛

Also, while I didn't read all those reviews, I have yet to see a PSU review from a site other than THG or SPCR that actually managed to do a decent job of testing a PSU. Most of them plug in a bunch of crap, turn it on, and say, "Yep! Looks good! 9.5/10!" Usually the best you can hope for is they took some multimeter readings under load and verified that it didn't catch on fire running a load that's usually around 300W max. I have pity on the ones that actually report BIOS voltage numbers as if they mean something...

Also, no Active PFC. Doesn't matter too much for your electrical bills in the US, but it can hurt efficiency, and wastes power somewhat. Given SPCR's endorsement, I think I'd rather have the Liberty than one of those. Of course, for the price I would (and did) take the Seasonic S12 480W. 😛
 
Originally posted by: Tostada
Originally posted by: JEDIYoda
Actually everybody on this thread doesn`t know a whole lot about PSU`s other than mathias99.
More important then even total watts it takes to run your rigg is the amps to the various 12v rails as well as amps to the 3.3v and 5v..but usually to a lesser degree!!

I for one would not touch the Enermax....
For the price in this price range and a tad higer you cannot beat this Fortron..
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104954

If I had more money I would go with Zippy or OCZ and if I just wanted to splurge I would with the PC Power & Cooling products!!
Click to expand...

You really aren't as smart as you think. The Liberty is one of the best PSUs out there.

If you want to see some legitimate PSU reviews, check out SilentPCReview.com.

The Fortron Blue Storms do really well, but cheaper Fortrons look like they peak at under 70% efficiency, have lower build quiality and make more noise.

That Enermax Liberty is getting over 80% efficiency all the way up to 300W actual DC output, which puts it in a class up there with SeaSonic. Obviously there are other significant things to look at for a PSU, but you can look at the review for that:

http://silentpcreview.com/article279-page1.html
Click to expand...

Actually I personally don`t like anything SPCR does in the form of reviews....
On other sites the efficiency rating which you attempt to point out as being 70% is listed as 70-80%.....
Here`s a site that lists onlt PSU`s that have a 80% efficiency rating...which they test and verify before listing....
http://www.80plus.org/index.html
http://www.80plus.org/suppliers.html
I don`t see Enermax...yet I do see Fortron--FSP Group....hmmmmm

yet I do read alot of reviews from a lot of different sources....
I don`t ever base my opinion on what a single source says about a given product!!
I really don`t think I am all that smart...but I would bet I am smarter than you are when it comes to discussing PSU`s....
For the money in certain price range Fortron is King!! Plain and simple....
Just to clear up a few things until Enermax came out with the Liberty they were just a so so at best company!!
The Liberty is the one exception to what I just said!!
As far as efficiency ratings goes...in the big picture than really is NOT that big of a deal...

I am sorry but I am not a fan at all of modular power supplies....
yet that is a huge issue that was discussed in an adult manner in a previous thread a few months ago...
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=37&threadid=1720779&enterthread=y

there are many good power supplies on the market...
as there are many things that each of us look for as a selling point...
for example..
One person might be caught up in efficiency ratings...
somebody else might be caught up in total amps going to the 12v rail..
somebody else might be caught up in temperature that the power was rated under...25c...40c....50c...etc....
somebody else might want a PSU with an LED Blue can with an anodized blue case..etc....
The bottom line truly is as long as you are happy thats what counts!!
I am happy with both of my PC Power & Cooling PSU`s....
 
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