Mid sized power supply recomendation

[videobruce]

Notice I didn't ask "what's the best".
I'm looking for a mid size replacement power supply for a nForce2 MB w:
AMD Athlon 2800,
2 HDD's,
2 optical drives,
audio card,
Win 2k,
Real gamming applications aren't a issue,
I don't overclock,
Lastly, fairly quite, not the quietist, but reasonable so.

But, I do want to plan for a replacement processor & MB that would be considered mid end at best. I have a 300watt Sparkle Power supply now. It is on the noisy side and doesn't have a on-off switch on the rear. On my other box I have a Antec TruePower 330 that I like ans wonder if the next size up would be ok or are they as good or better choices now since I haven't shopped lately.

I don't want to go much over, say $80 or $100.
Input?

 

[Lord Evermore]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104952
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104953

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=PS-E1136FA

Full spec can be found at http://www.enhanceusa.com/

Future proof? The $150 PSUs of today will be $100 in six months...Betcha!

 

[videobruce]

I know there isn't anything as "futureproof", but want to have some 'headroom'.
I wasn't looking for cheapo either.

 

[Lord Evermore]

FSP is Fortron Source. They MAKE a large number of the power supplies other companies sell. Very reliable, good quality, no frills so they're cheap. I'm using one of the first I linked to now on an X2 4200+ with a slight overclock, 2 hard drives, 2 optical, 7600GT, nforce 570 board. No problems at all due to power. Cables are a bit short but they reach fine in my mid-tower, and there's less clutter, just not as easy to route.

 

[myocardia]

I'd recommend Enhance, also. Here's all of them: link. But, if you're wanting to go cheap, you really can't beat FSP.

 

[Operandi]

Whats with all the low-end PSU recommendations?

Go with this 400 watt Enhance or either the 330 or 380 watt Seasonic S12; two of the best regardless of price in my opinion. Assuming you'll don't go with any super high-end video cards when you upgrade you'll set for a long time.

 

[Lord Evermore]

There's a difference between "low-end cheap because it's low quality" and "quality, cheap, good value". FSP is not low-end, just no-frills. The second one I linked is essentially the same specs as the Enhance (actually better on the +5V rail), slightly different numbers of connectors, in a retail package, for 16 dollars less.

We recommend what's a good value for the needs of the poster. Not higher-end units that yes, might be better, but not as good a value because the extras aren't needed and just result in higher cost.

 

[smthmlk]

i second the fortron models suggested above. The seasonic 330/380 will also work, but you may not need a psu of that caliber. The enhance models are alright too, but if cost is an issue, fsp is fine.

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: Lord Evermore
There's a difference between "low-end cheap because it's low quality" and "quality, cheap, good value". FSP is not low-end, just no-frills. The second one I linked is essentially the same specs as the Enhance (actually better on the +5V rail), slightly different numbers of connectors, in a retail package, for 16 dollars less.

We recommend what's a good value for the needs of the poster. Not higher-end units that yes, might be better, but not as good a value because the extras aren't needed and just result in higher cost.

I know the difference between "low quality" and "cheap", and I've built many, systems with FSP units. But those units you linked to are low-end by FSP standards and especially compared to the Enhance and Seasonic units in my post.

 

[s44]

Originally posted by: Lord Evermore
There's a difference between "low-end cheap because it's low quality" and "quality, cheap, good value". FSP is not low-end, just no-frills. The second one I linked is essentially the same specs as the Enhance (actually better on the +5V rail), slightly different numbers of connectors, in a retail package, for 16 dollars less.

The Enhance is still way more efficient, though (80+ certified). Not sure how long it would take to earn the money back via the electricity bill, but this and the active PFC are nice features.

Actually, I wish there were as many different good PSU choices in the <450W range as there are at the ultra-high-end. There are some nice, efficient ones, but their prices sort of creep into "might as well get 500W" territory.

 

[Lord Evermore]

Active PFC actually makes your electrical bill higher, for most consumers in the US, where only businesses are charged for poor power factor and so save money if they have it corrected. A consumer paying extra for active PFC is throwing money away.

http://www.dansdata.com/gz028.htm

As for efficiency, even if you pay 25 cents per kilowatt-hour, the difference for 24x7 for a year might be a few dollars. And it might put out a little more heat.

 

[videobruce]

I didn't want "cheap" or "low end". But, I didn't want to go over say, $75 either. Yes I know there are supplies over $500.

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: Lord Evermore
Active PFC actually makes your electrical bill higher, for most consumers in the US, where only businesses are charged for poor power factor and so save money if they have it corrected. A consumer paying extra for active PFC is throwing money away.

http://www.dansdata.com/gz028.htm

As for efficiency, even if you pay 25 cents per kilowatt-hour, the difference for 24x7 for a year might be a few dollars. And it might put out a little more heat.

A completely insignificant amount of power is used to power the Active PFC circuit yes, but regardless of how it's measured PSUs without PFC or Passive PFC are still wasting more energy then units with APFC. US consumers are not charged for the wasted energy because they aren't using it but it's still being wasted nonetheless.

APFC is a positive thing not only in terms of efficiency, but it also lets you design a better performing and more efficient circuit designs. All of the best units are inherently designed with APFC in mind.

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: videobruce
I didn't want "cheap" or "low end". But, I didn't want to go over say, $75 either. Yes I know there are supplies over $500.

Look at the Seasonics and Enhance in my first post. The Enhance is probably the best PSU per $$ but the Seasonics are bit better in terms of noise (both are very quiet), build quality, and slightly so in performance but cost more.

You can check out the reviews at SPCR, they reviewed both of them.

 

[Boyo]

I would go with a Seasonic in your case. Great PSU>