Need a new PSU, which one?

Scott78945

Member
Oct 12, 2002
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I have a new computer but it only came with a 300W PSU. I want to get the Radeon X800GTO2 256MB video card and I need to beef up my PSU. I am currently running an Intel P4 3.0ghz w/ HT. How many watts should I be looking at? 500? 450? My case has BTX technology in it so I am unsure which one that I can get. But down the road I may be upgrading so I want to have enough power to do so. What do people recommend? I don't want to spend a fortune on the PSU. If I can get under $50 that would be nice.
 

Scott78945

Member
Oct 12, 2002
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Will that be enough if I decide to get a 7800GT down the road? I was told to have at last 450W with the 7800GT. I only want to buy one PSU and not upgrade it again down the road. i will look it up on Newegg and see. Thanks.
 

imported_rod

Golden Member
Apr 13, 2005
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How many Watts doesn't matter. What you need to look for is the amp on the +12V rail(s).

e.g. My computer came with a 450W PSU (with a mere 8A @ +12V), but the replacement was a 480W PSU (with a huge 28A @ +12V). The original PSU would never have handled my rig, but the new one has had zero problems.

Basically, only buy a brand name PSU, and make sure it has plenty of Amps on the +12V rail(s). 20A+ should handle a full system with a 7800GT with no worries.

RoD
 

Finns14

Golden Member
Oct 6, 2005
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just got an ASPIRE 500w and its running fine plus there is a good rebate for it on newegg
 

Scott78945

Member
Oct 12, 2002
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I think I see the Aspire one you are speaking of. I see its $29.99 after rebate which doens't seem bad. I thought it was all about the watts. How many amps on the +12V should I be looking for? Is there a minimum or something?
 

atybimf

Platinum Member
Sep 17, 2005
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mmm. fortron 450W for $50. it has 2 +12V rails both at 18A (so 36A)
 

Finns14

Golden Member
Oct 6, 2005
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if you don't have high demands on your system I will sell you my 420w for very cheap its brand new
 

orangat

Golden Member
Jun 7, 2004
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Originally posted by: Scott78945
I think I see the Aspire one you are speaking of. I see its $29.99 after rebate which doens't seem bad. I thought it was all about the watts. How many amps on the +12V should I be looking for? Is there a minimum or something?

Aspire is a bad brand. Thats why its so cheap. It might explode on you.
 

bvchurch

Junior Member
Nov 7, 2005
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I would highly recommend one of the power supplies from Epower/Tagan/Topower, Topower of course is the principal company and is the manufacturer of OCZ's power supplies.

One of the best bang for the buck power supplies Epower Puma II
28A on the 12V line

I run an older model of this power supply on my computerTagan 480 u22
Dual 12 V rails, each 20A
 

Finns14

Golden Member
Oct 6, 2005
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Originally posted by: orangat
Originally posted by: Scott78945
I think I see the Aspire one you are speaking of. I see its $29.99 after rebate which doens't seem bad. I thought it was all about the watts. How many amps on the +12V should I be looking for? Is there a minimum or something?

Aspire is a bad brand. Thats why its so cheap. It might explode on you.


This guy is obviously a fan boy and doesn't know what he is talking about a PSU will never explode for one thing unless by some act of god and this PSU has had alot of good reviews and its got great specs for the price so...

 

JEDIYoda

Lifer
Jul 13, 2005
33,986
3,321
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Scott not to put a damper on your parade but...

anything under 50 dollars is in my opinion wsted money!

Save your money and spend around 100 dollars and get a Seasonic or a nice OCZ or maybe even a Zippy or a Fortron!!

Good Luck!!

I would recommend a PCP&C but you stated 50 dollars......lol
 

CraigRT

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
31,440
5
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Don't buy aspire junk... it's like wanting to play games and buying an FX5200.... These power supplies are just not worthy of a good system. You risk having issues, or worse off, having the PSU blow up and take the system with it..

Spend more and buy a good one, like mentioned above.

anyone feel free to QFT this post! :p
 

JEDIYoda

Lifer
Jul 13, 2005
33,986
3,321
126
Originally posted by: Pix3lDezigner
Buy THIS.

SilverStone SST-ST60F 600Watt ----hmmmm
I don`t think so.....
SKU: sstst60f
Status: In Stock

Sale Price: $158.00

Shipping: usually same day shipping
Warranty: 1 Year

If I was going to spend almost $200 I would go with one of 2 PSU`s....

HIGH PERFORMANCE PSU: TURBO-COOL® 510 DELUXE --$193.50 ditrct from PCP&C or
SLI Ready: Turbo-Cool® 510 Express / SLI Power Supply-- $219 again all there PSu`s have a 5 year warranty no questions asked!!

5yrs vs 1 yr warranty you do the math....

or I would go with the SeaSonic S12-500 ATX12V 500W Power Supply $129 at NewEgg!!
They are all backed by Seasonic's industry-leading 3-year warranty.

Or you could go fortron--- Blue Storm 500watt--
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104954 -$89.99 NewEgg!!

whats the warranty...lol


 

JustAnAverageGuy

Diamond Member
Aug 1, 2003
9,057
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76
Originally posted by: Finns14
a PSU will never explode

They can and do. If you feel comfortable putting a $40 "500W" PSU in your system, then by all accounts, go ahead, but dont' say I didn't warn you about it taking your entire computer with it.
 

JEDIYoda

Lifer
Jul 13, 2005
33,986
3,321
126
"This guy is obviously a fan boy and doesn't know what he is talking about a PSU will never explode for one thing unless by some act of god and this PSU has had alot of good reviews and its got great specs for the price so... "

okay here`s proof that PSU`s explose...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817148012
Taken from the NewEgg site,,,rofl....

Great but PROBLEM

Love the looks and performance of this power supply - but the only problem is - it blew up in less than one month. From across the room I heard the Capacitor POP and smoke! Computer was working great up until then. Maybe I was just the un-lucky one! NEWEGG ROCKS - sending me a new one - if this one fails I will post AGAIN!

 

orangat

Golden Member
Jun 7, 2004
1,579
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Originally posted by: Finns14
Originally posted by: orangat
Originally posted by: Scott78945
I think I see the Aspire one you are speaking of. I see its $29.99 after rebate which doens't seem bad. I thought it was all about the watts. How many amps on the +12V should I be looking for? Is there a minimum or something?
Aspire is a bad brand. Thats why its so cheap. It might explode on you.

This guy is obviously a fan boy and doesn't know what he is talking about a PSU will never explode for one thing unless by some act of god and this PSU has had alot of good reviews and its got great specs for the price so...

Fanboy? Aspire is one of the worst brands around. The only good thing about it is bright neon lights and colored cables.

 

Scott78945

Member
Oct 12, 2002
126
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The funny thing is that I don't need one with colored lights or fancy wiring. Just the basic coloring and wiring is fine with me as my case is not transparent. Thanks for all the suggestions. Is is possible to have too much wattage in a PSU? Will it hinder the performance of the PC?
 

orangat

Golden Member
Jun 7, 2004
1,579
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Just get a Fortron/Antec/Sparkle if you want to save money since they are decent for the $. Seasonics or PCPC if you want top quality. There is no such problem as too high wattage. The pc will only use as much as it needs.

Aspire/Xazer/X-whatever are poor quality psu's with colored lights to attract noobs who don't know any better.