My Baby

[greatfool66]

Finally building a new computer. I work in IT and spend half my day configuring stuff so the goal of this computer is to be an all around main system that is rock solid and technologically transparent, with light gaming. Budged around $1500 for total package.

Case: Lian-Li A05
Psu: FPS 400 Watt
Mobo: Gigabyte D3SL
Cpu: E7200 (will OC until stock volts or temps hold me back, whichever comes first)
Memory: GSkill 2 x 2 GB DDR2 1000
HD: WD640GB
Graphics: Evga 8800GT
Keyboard: Apple Keyboard
DVD: Something beige
Monitor: Dell SP2208WFP
Sound: Emu 0404 PCI
Speakers: Audioengine A2
OS: Vista Home Premium

I've spend quite a while putting together this system but I'm still looking for ideas to improve it. Everything visible is either aluminum or white plastic. The sound system is audiophile quality but adds about $300 so I could drop that and shift money elsewhere. Priced around $1550 right now. Let me know what you think.

 

[chinaman1472]

Different PSU methinks. Corsair 450VX, haven't heard of the FPS 400 Watt and you definitely don't want a low quality PSU, potentially burning out and frying your system.

 

[RedsevN]

Originally posted by: chinaman1472
Different PSU methinks. Corsair 450VX, haven't heard of the FPS 400 Watt and you definitely don't want a low quality PSU, potentially burning out and frying your system.

I was under the impression that FSP Group (or FPS Group?) was a part of Fortron, and has relatively good-quality PSUs. Then again, I think the Corsair VX series may be still better.

 

[nerp]

The FSP should be fine. I have a couple lying around and they've been reliable.

 

[DSF]

If by FPS he means FSP Group then it's probably a decent quality unit, as mentioned above.

 

[greatfool66]

Yes I meant FSP group, I've used a few of them and they are way more reliable than Antec though that might not be saying much.

 

[greatfool66]

The Corsair450vx does look like a better psu, but its $25 more. How long would it take to pay off the $25 at 85% efficiency VS 70 % efficiency?

I'm probably doing this wrong but say it uses 200W at idle then 200/.7= 285, 200/.85 = 235 so a 50W saving at 10 cents a kilowatt hour would be $25/.005 = 5000hr. 5000/24 = 208 days or about 6 months to pay off. Is this anywhere near correct?

 

[DSF]

Originally posted by: greatfool66
The Corsair450vx does look like a better psu, but its $25 more. How long would it take to pay off the $25 at 85% efficiency VS 70 % efficiency?

I'm probably doing this wrong but say it uses 200W at idle then 200/.7= 285, 200/.85 = 235 so a 50W saving at 10 cents a kilowatt hour would be $25/.005 = 5000hr. 5000/24 = 208 days or about 6 months to pay off. Is this anywhere near correct?

You're unlikely to be using 200W at idle. That's more like a moderate load. Otherwise as far as I know that math is a decent approximation. You probably won't be running the 450VX at 85% efficiency all the time though, since the load on the PSU will be relatively small a lot of the time.