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Need Advice on which power supply to use in my C2D system

slickr4

Member
Apr 7, 2002
131
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My new rig coming in is going to be a C2D e4300 OC'd to at least 2.7ghz, 2gb ddr2800 ram, 256mb evga 7600gt video card, gigabyte ds3 mobo, dvd/rw, serial ata 160gb hard drive.

Which power supply should i go with?

Raidmax 450w (rx-450k) or Ultra V Series 500W? or should I go with the FAR Ultra X-Finity Series 600w??

Thanks in advance!
 

RallyMaster

Diamond Member
Dec 28, 2004
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Don't be cheap. Get a Corsair HX520W. I'm pretty sure many others will tell you the same. NEVER skimp on the most important part of your system.
 

996GT2

Diamond Member
Jun 23, 2005
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76
A 450W FSP AX-450 (dual +12V at 18A each) will work perfectly fine, and you'll save some cash. Your graphics card is pretty undemanding in terms of power usage (doesn't even need separate PCIe power), and you aren't running a lot of other accessories and parts such as a RAID-5 setup or anything like that. So a $100 PSU isn't really necessary for your system unless you plan to upgrade a lot of parts in the future and want to keep the same PSU. Many people on AT tend to suggest high-priced PSUs since they are the "heart of your system," but I really don't see the need for getting an expensive, high-end PSU when a solid Fortron unit will work just fine for your relatively undemanding system.

Just so you know, I have personally been running a FSP AX-400 (the 400W version of what I'm recommending to you) with my the setup in my sig for about a year now with absolutely zero problems. A friend of mine has the same PSU in his rig (X2 3800+ @ 2.5, X800GTO^2 unlocked and OC'd to X850XT PE levels, dual HDDs), and he hasn't had any PSU issues either. Another friend of mine built a C2D rig in late 2006 with a FSP AX-450 (E6300, X1900AIW) and also hasn't had any PSU problems.
 

manimal

Lifer
Mar 30, 2007
13,559
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Second the Corsair HX520. 70 bucks recently in hot deals. I payed 100 bucks and I am still happy with it. Dont skimp on a PSU, I have an ultra that I got free AR and it did ok for a while but it started to show some serious issues-restarts etc-after hitting the 6 month mark. Most cheapo PSUs will last a few months then take your lovely new gear to the toilet faster than drinking a glass of water in Tijuana.
 

RallyMaster

Diamond Member
Dec 28, 2004
5,581
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Let's see, pay $57.99 + 7.64 for a FSP AX-450....or pay 70 for a Seasonic-built, modular, sleeved, near-silent and more efficient unit....tough choice, yes?

Just because a rig is running doesn't mean it's getting as much juice it needs later on when you actually push it.
 

RallyMaster

Diamond Member
Dec 28, 2004
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I know that, but from what I read they don't use as high quality capacitors as the ones in Corsairs or Seasonic's S12/M12 lines.
 

herbiehancock

Senior member
May 11, 2006
789
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Originally posted by: RallyMaster
I know that, but from what I read they don't use as high quality capacitors as the ones in Corsairs or Seasonic's S12/M12 lines.

Yeah, instead of Nippon-Chemicon caps on the secondary side Seasonic puts OST caps there. Seasonic does use a Hitachi for the primary. I wouldn't even be concerned at all about those caps.......I doubt you can find a significant population that has had any trouble out of those brands of capacitors.

It's not like Seasonic is using Fuhjyyu capacitors on the secondary side like the old Channel Well built Antecs did have.......and where the "bad cap" reputation of Antec power supplies was gained.

Antec's sourcing these ps from Seasonic has made a big difference in their longevity and performance. I'd not slam them at all.

But another alternative "cheapie" power supply to think about is the Enhance ENP-5150GH. Darned stable, quiet output, and not too expensive. Sure, you give up sleeving on the cables, but a small price to pay to get a good quality power supply for under %70. They can be found at ewiz.
 

RallyMaster

Diamond Member
Dec 28, 2004
5,581
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The ENP-5150GH came out to be 76 for me when I was looking for a PSU to replace the SmartPower a couple months back....and I ended up going with a 80 dollar Corsair :p
 

Henny

Senior member
Nov 22, 2001
674
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Get a Fortron Blue Storm and don't look back. FSP's are the best PSUs made and have a long unblemished reputation for quality.
 

SparkyJJO

Lifer
May 16, 2002
13,357
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Rule #1: NEVER, EVER skimp on a PSU. This means Raidmax, Powmax, etc - stay AWAY. Ultra V series isn't all that great either. The Ultra X2 and above are fine for Ultra PSUs.

A good budget PSU would be the Enhance units, eWiz has the 500W unit for $67.