Looking for an alternative PSU, opinions much needed

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MichaelZ

Senior member
Oct 12, 2003
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I live in Melbourne, Australia and I've been looking everywhere for a local Enermax PSU seller with no luck. Only choice is to order from interstate which I'm not keen on if something goes wrong. Right now I've found a local seller near by selling this Globalwin

Basically it's a 520W by Globalwin. It has some figures which look more impressive than Antec 550W Retail. I planned on an Enermax for the massive 35A on the 12V rail to better overclock my P4. If I am unable to find one, would this be a viable alternative for better results?

+12 V DC 30 A
+5 V DC A 58 A
+3.3 V DC 28 A

---other---
- 5 V DC 0.8 A
- 12 V DC A 1.0 A
+5 V SB 2.5 A

Currently running 3.61ghz fully stable and tested @ 1.52V. Current PSU is a Ritmo 500W with:

+12 V DC 20 A
+5 V DC A 38 A
+3.3 V DC 30 A

There is 10 more amps on the 12V rail and surely this would improve my system stability at a higher OC right? I'm quite sure my CPU has more potential, it's D1 yes, but it's a 3.0C which I bought from work and it was from an older shipment that will OC higher than some of the newer ones we received recently. The only problem is my current PSU is still an el cheapo one and I get the feeling it's holding me back. MB is capable of high FSB no problems and heat is not an issue as I'm using Zalman 7000A-Cu with good case ventilation. CPU ideal is 32-34C and does not exceed 50C full load when room temperature is a cool 20C. I have KHX DDR433 which can run @ 444mhz @ 2,3,2,6, so that's another concern chalked off.

Ok guys, so what do you think on this PSU issue? I would love to hear what you think about this little dilemma I'm in. I planned on getting a good power supply ages ago and it seems obtaining a higher OC can definatly be attributed to the PSU after other factors are addressed. I plan on making this PSU purchase as worthwhile as I can.

Lastly there's a Antec with a reinforced 12V rail in the form of Antec 550W TC EPS12V Would this be better than both the Enermax and the Globalwin?

Sorry about the length, wanted to be complete and didn't miss out anything.
 
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Margalus

Member
Oct 28, 2003
118
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0
enermax would be the best. The antec would be good too. I don't know about globalwin. But judging from their heatsinks, they are all show and no go ;)

the spec's look good on the globalwin, but the question is; what is the quality of the supply?
 
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Duvie

Elite Member
Feb 5, 2001
16,215
0
71
The main question I have is what does the 12v rail look like now??? What are you idle volatges and under load being reported as???


Have you look at hte newer enermaxes with the 2 independent 12v rails??? I think it was the 470 watt version and the 2 12v rails combined were 31A....
 
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Sokratz

Member
Mar 24, 2004
193
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I suggest going the ld ordering route. Test the bad boy before installing it. a PSU is easy to replace compared to a lot of other parts if it fails, just have a cheapy backup if necessary.
 
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AsiLuc

Member
Apr 11, 2004
75
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0
Maybe you shouldn't think in terms of: "How many amps?"
How about: "How do I get the most stable power with the least noise (power ripple I mean)?" Get a PC power & cooling, Antec TruePower or Enermax.

Reviews:
Extreme overclocking
MadShrimps

Personally, I like TruePowers. Judge PSU's by weight. Good luck!
 
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MichaelZ

Senior member
Oct 12, 2003
871
0
76
thanks very much for the replies dudes.

Duvie, I'll get back to ya on the current voltage stability. Don't remember them off the top of my head and I'll have to check them out later when I get home.

As far as the new enermaxs are concerned, I'm not aware of the 2 independent 12V rails but the 470W and the 550W versions are the ones i'm currently looking to get. could you explain more about the two indepedent ones? thanks.

Asiluc, that PSU u linked unfortunatly is also not avilable here. I'm already hard pressed finding enermax so that option is out.

It's unlikely anyone will let me try out the PSU especially if I'm ordering online from interstate. I guess I could just go ahead and get that Antec 550 with a high 12V and surely Antec has true rating and stability. Also, since it'll be purchased locally I can just return it if things don't work out.

As far as the stability of the globalwin is concered... well I don't know ;) That's why I'm here asking. The peak values that PSU pumps out looks respectable, but there's the question of stability etc etc
 
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bootoo

Senior member
Apr 13, 2002
671
0
0
Fortron or sparkle 530? Nice price, adjustable pots if you want to open it, mine has dead-on rails overclocked.
 
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MichaelZ

Senior member
Oct 12, 2003
871
0
76
ok i got some readings on the voltages provided by my current PSU. don't have 3.3V unfortunatly.

+5V: fluctuating @ 4.78V ~ 4.81V
+12V: fluctuating @ 11.67V ~ 11.79V
-5V: fluctuating @ -4.89V ~ -4.98V
-12V: fluctuating @ -11.45V ~ -11.54V

Vcore hovering @ 1.50 ~ 1.52V (set to 1.525 in BIOS, slightly undervolted by either board or PSU)

obviously, an el cheapo PSU. ^
 
myocardia

myocardia

Diamond Member
Jun 21, 2003
9,291
30
91
Originally posted by: i82lazyboy
ok i got some readings on the voltages provided by my current PSU. don't have 3.3V unfortunatly.

+5V: fluctuating @ 4.78V ~ 4.81V
+12V: fluctuating @ 11.67V ~ 11.79V
-5V: fluctuating @ -4.89V ~ -4.98V
-12V: fluctuating @ -11.45V ~ -11.54V

Vcore hovering @ 1.50 ~ 1.52V (set to 1.525 in BIOS, slightly undervolted by either board or PSU)

obviously, an el cheapo PSU. ^
Click to expand...
Yeah, 11.67v is way too low (in my book, anyway) for your +12v rail. That's getting down to the point where it's starting to cause stability problems, though not quite. You'd probably be happy with an Antec TrueControl 550, though it doesn't have anywhere near the 12v output of the 460 watt Enermax (35A 3.3v,35A on 5v, 33A on 12v). That's what I want for my next psu. Here's a link to it (so you can get the model number, etc-- even though you won't be able to order it): link, and here's the same psu with copper shielding for a few dollars more: link. The 550 watt version does have slightly more output, but you don't need that much. Just save yourself some money and get the 460 watt.
 
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Margalus

Member
Oct 28, 2003
118
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0
that enermax eg465 is a great psu, and the one I would recommend no matter how hard it is to find it. Not only does it have more power than antec on the 12v rail, it is whisper silent and cannot be heard. It also puts out far less heat than my antecs.
 
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Shimmishim

Elite Member
Feb 19, 2001
7,504
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76
if you get an antec don't get the true control...

it's a waste of mney and you can barely increase the voltages with the dials they have on the psu...

you're better off with an antec 430 or 480 watt and just modding all the rails to get more volts like i did...
 
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MichaelZ

Senior member
Oct 12, 2003
871
0
76
i may just bite the bullet and order myself the below PSU from interstate. it can be COD'ed to my local post office and i'll pay a bit extra on the delivery. but seems ok...

store 1

store 2

note this is AU dollars and computer parts are taxed a fair bit so don't be shocked at the price. this is actually a fairly good price for a top quality PSU here.
 
myocardia

myocardia

Diamond Member
Jun 21, 2003
9,291
30
91
Don't get that psu. I warned you. It has less than half as much 12v power as the slightly cheaper Enermax that I linked you to, see for yourself: link to Noistaker 470's specs. You would be better off buying yourself a $65 (Australian) Antec SL350, it has more 12v power than that psu does. If you do, you'll be sorry...
 
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Acanthus

Lifer
Aug 28, 2001
19,915
2
76
ostif.org
Originally posted by: Shimmishim
if you get an antec don't get the true control...

it's a waste of mney and you can barely increase the voltages with the dials they have on the psu...

you're better off with an antec 430 or 480 watt and just modding all the rails to get more volts like i did...
Click to expand...

Did you have it under extreme load or something? My Truecontrol adjusted my rails to perfection in about 5 minutes.
 
EarthwormJim

EarthwormJim

Diamond Member
Oct 15, 2003
3,239
0
76
Originally posted by: myocardia
Don't get that psu. I warned you. It has less than half as much 12v power as the slightly cheaper Enermax that I linked you to, see for yourself: link to Noistaker 470's specs. You would be better off buying yourself a $65 (Australian) Antec SL350, it has more 12v power than that psu does. If you do, you'll be sorry...
Click to expand...

Your forgetting it has two separate 12v rails. One is 16a and the other is 15a (IIRC this one is reserved especially for the mobo). And the earlier Enermax PSU's got their ratings at much lower temperatures than the newer Noisetaker series.
 
myocardia

myocardia

Diamond Member
Jun 21, 2003
9,291
30
91
Are you sure about that? If so, forget what I said, though he'd still save a little money if he bought the Enermax 460, and still have all of the power he needs. (ALWAYS a good thing!:D)
 
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MichaelZ

Senior member
Oct 12, 2003
871
0
76
hehe, i made the same mistake as well. i think that PSU has quite a good concept.

basically there is 16 or so amps dedicated for the motherboard and another 15 for all the other 12V parts in the system.

there is another option, a very pricy option, see below:

Enermax 550W

this is a bit overkill especially considering the price...

opinions? would the price increase be worth it? or 470W dual 12V rail is fine.
 
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Margalus

Member
Oct 28, 2003
118
0
0
Originally posted by: myocardia
Don't get that psu. I warned you. It has less than half as much 12v power as the slightly cheaper Enermax that I linked you to, see for yourself: .
Click to expand...

I like the one you linked to, I have that model. But the one in question here does not have half the current. It has one 12v rail at 17A and a seperate 12v rail at 15A, 32A for the 12v combined ;)
 
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