Looking for a reasonably priced PSU for a Dual AMD system

[Sir Fredrick]

I am planning on building a system based on the 760MPX chipset, which can handle a regular PSU as opposed to the special PSU required for the 760MP. However, I can imagine that the power requirements are still much more strict than those for a single system.

Can anyone reccomend a reasonably priced PSU for such a system? Is it likely that the following would work:
allied PSU

Or how about Enhance?

I would like to get a good PSU, but I don't want to spend a fortune either, a pair of MP procs isn't exactly cheap.

 

[Utterman]

Well if you are building that type of system, you need a Pentium 4 complient PSU. This type of psu uses 2 extra ports that go into the motherboard. In my system, I'm using a enermax 431 watt PSU and it seems to be powering everything pretty well.

Here are my specs:
A7m266-D
512 reg. DDR crucial mem
2x 1600+ MP processors

 

[ReCo]

You can also use the Antec 350W PP352X power supply, it sell for about $56. It is a new PS from Antec. You can check it at this link http://www.directron.com/antecpp352x.html

 

[John]

Enermax, Antec, Sparkle, PCP&C 350+ watt units. Newegg and directron offer agressive pricing.

 

[saltedeggman]

I think its recommended to use a 400watts+ PSU to run dual amd rig

 

[Sir Fredrick]

Thanks for the replies guys. Ok, which one would you go for:

Enermax

Antec

I considered the 350W units, but I have a tendency to hook up a LOT of devices to my computer (4 SCSI drives and 3 SCSI CDROM/R/DVD drives in my current one, all PCI slots filled), so the extra power is probably a good idea since the AMD systems are sensitive to power issues.
The enermax has 8 power connectors which is a nice bonus, but if the Antec is a better PSU all around I'll go for that.

Thanks.

 

[Sir Fredrick]

^

 

[MichaelD]

<< Thanks for the replies guys. Ok, which one would you go for:

Enermax

Antec

I considered the 350W units, but I have a tendency to hook up a LOT of devices to my computer (4 SCSI drives and 3 SCSI CDROM/R/DVD drives in my current one, all PCI slots filled), so the extra power is probably a good idea since the AMD systems are sensitive to power issues.
The enermax has 8 power connectors which is a nice bonus, but if the Antec is a better PSU all around I'll go for that.

Thanks. >>



That's a lot of SCSI! :Q I'd love a SCSI RAID setup...someday. Those drives suck juice, big-time. I'd go w/no less than a 400-watt, AMD-approved PS.

The Antec is nice. I have the PP412x. (400W AMD-approved, P4-compliant) It has plenty of connectors and the cords are LONG, which is nice when you have a full tower. Never used an Enermax, but I know they are just as good.

*EDIT*
I know you said "reasonably priced" but the PS is prolly the most important part of the system and in a power-sucking rig like you're looking to build, I wouldn't skimp. This ain't a cheap hobby, is it?

 

[Sir Fredrick]

<< That's a lot of SCSI! :Q I'd love a SCSI RAID setup...someday. Those drives suck juice, big-time. I'd go w/no less than a 400-watt, AMD-approved PS.

The Antec is nice. I have the PP412x. (400W AMD-approved, P4-compliant) It has plenty of connectors and the cords are LONG, which is nice when you have a full tower. Never used an Enermax, but I know they are just as good.

*EDIT*
I know you said "reasonably priced" but the PS is prolly the most important part of the system and in a power-sucking rig like you're looking to build, I wouldn't skimp. This ain't a cheap hobby, is it? >>



Yeah, it's a lot of SCSI, but my current system which is a Dual PIII450 is running off of a 350W psu with no problems...it was on a 300, but I had the opportunity to upgrade to 350 for free, so I took it.
Several of the SCSI drives are older, 7200RPM...only one is running at 10kRPM. I don't have them RAIDed either as I would see no significant benefit from doing that for my applications.

The new system will probably get a new Maxtor Atlas 10k, with one of the other 7200RPM drives for extra storage. I want something that can handle more than that, as it's highly likely that I will upgrade and add more peripherals and possibly HDs as time goes on...my current system started with only one drive and a CDROM.

 

[rmblam]

For what it is worth, I have the Antec SX 1040 with the 400watt PS and 3 SCSI drives, 1 IDE, 1 DVD, and 1 CDRW on my Tiger MP. Works beautifully.

Unless you have a SCSI adapter that will utilize the 64bit slot then the MPX may be overkill for you. There are some issues with those slots and the broken USB is kind of not funny. http://www.2cpu.com/Hardware/tyantigermpx/

I am glad I have the MP.

 

[Sir Fredrick]

My SCSI card will work with a 64bit PCI slot, but it runs at 33MHz.

I considered the MP, but I was under the impression that the MPX had a few other enhancements. I'm waiting on revision 1.05 of the ASUS board since that will have the fixed USB, and some of the other issues might be ironed out as well.
The other problem with the MP is that Tiger is the only manufacturer using it.

 

[Geekbabe]

<< Thanks for the replies guys. Ok, which one would you go for:

Enermax

Antec

I considered the 350W units, but I have a tendency to hook up a LOT of devices to my computer (4 SCSI drives and 3 SCSI CDROM/R/DVD drives in my current one, all PCI slots filled), so the extra power is probably a good idea since the AMD systems are sensitive to power issues.
The enermax has 8 power connectors which is a nice bonus, but if the Antec is a better PSU all around I'll go for that.

Thanks. >>



I'm running a dual MP 1600+ system on a Tyan MP and I went with the 400 watt Antec PS, I figured my investment was hefty enough to not scrimp when it came to the PS.

 

[rmblam]

<< My SCSI card will work with a 64bit PCI slot, but it runs at 33MHz. >>



That will be nice then. My Tekram will too, but that is not enough to get me to upgrade.



<< I'm waiting on revision 1.05 of the ASUS board since that will have the fixed USB >>



Have they figured out a way around the MPX chipset problem or are you referring to the USB 2.0 card they are bundling with it?

That may be a bit of a problem burning up another PCI slot just to get USB; if you have a lot of add on cards.

The onboard LAN helps there though. I assume Asus is implementing that? They did the realtek thing on the nforce board. Strange.


Hey Baffled, who let you out of OT?

 

[Sir Fredrick]

<< Have they figured out a way around the MPX chipset problem or are you referring to the USB 2.0 card they are bundling with it?

That may be a bit of a problem burning up another PCI slot just to get USB; if you have a lot of add on cards.

The onboard LAN helps there though. I assume Asus is implementing that? They did the realtek thing on the nforce board. Strange. >>



AMD has fixed the USB problem in the chipset, and revision 1.05 of the Asus board should have the new, fixed chipset. Onboard LAN helps, but I'm going to have another NIC in there anyway.

 

[Sir Fredrick]

I must admit that I'm getting awful impatient waiting for it to become available.

 

[Jen]

i find it always best to go with more than what you need in power cause as you add more items in the future you might find what your useing now isnt enough for later on

 

[Sir Fredrick]

I hate making decisions.