need help finding a PSU

[Stern]

Hey, I am upgrading my comp and couldn't find the ultimate PSU choosing thread thingie, so I am just posting here. The rig will be (hopefully!)

AMD X2 4200+
ASRock Dual Sata2 (hopefully be upgraded to something else, recommendations on this too?)
Corsair 2GB XMS
120GB Seagate Barracuda
Western Digital 400GB WD4000YR
Audigy 2 ZS
Sapphire X1900 XTX 512MB
DVD-RW
CD-RW

Now I have never had a PCI Express card before, and I hear they draw more power and so on when they are under stress. Currently I have a 500W Superflower SF500T-14BK, will I need to upgrade this or will it be enough? I will (duh ) be playing games on this, so it will be under stress. Also any recommendations on what motherboard to upgrade to(possibly?) I got the Dual Sata2 as a step from AGP to PCI Express, so I could still use my X850 XT PE AGP card on it.

Any suggestions muchly appreciated, I am in Ireland and will be ordering from either
KM Elektronik or Komplett

If you are able to give me a direct link on either of these sites it would definitely be hugely appreciated! Thank you all in advance for anyone who posts

 

[Praxis1452]

Seasonic 500W would be good not sure I've heard that brand before... so..

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: Stern
Hey, I am upgrading my comp and couldn't find the ultimate PSU choosing thread thingie, so I am just posting here. The rig will be (hopefully!)

AMD X2 4200+
ASRock Dual Sata2 (hopefully be upgraded to something else, recommendations on this too?)
Corsair 2GB XMS
120GB Seagate Barracuda
Western Digital 400GB WD4000YR
Audigy 2 ZS
Sapphire X1900 XTX 512MB
DVD-RW
CD-RW

Now I have never had a PCI Express card before, and I hear they draw more power and so on when they are under stress. Currently I have a 500W Superflower SF500T-14BK, will I need to upgrade this or will it be enough? I will (duh ) be playing games on this, so it will be under stress. Also any recommendations on what motherboard to upgrade to(possibly?) I got the Dual Sata2 as a step from AGP to PCI Express, so I could still use my X850 XT PE AGP card on it.

Any suggestions muchly appreciated, I am in Ireland and will be ordering from either
KM Elektronik or Komplett

If you are able to give me a direct link on either of these sites it would definitely be hugely appreciated! Thank you all in advance for anyone who posts

here`s your thread and good luck!!

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=27&threadid=1815673

 

[Howard]

see sig

 

[LOUISSSSS]

mb: i'd def get the asua a8r32-mvp deluxe for your setup you'll enjoy excelent gameplay with that and the gpu.
psu: i'd get the fortron in my pf or the 700 watt model, pcpc510 model, seasonic 600watt model, or enermax 620 model

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: Howard
see sig

too funny.....he wasn`t refering to your link...rofl....

 

[Bobthelost]

A 450W PSU from a good brand should handle that system without a sweat. I don't know (and hence don't trust) superflower, so i would think hard about getting a new one.

I wouldn't bother changing the motherboard, as far as an upgrade goes it's not going to be economical in the slightest.

Random info: PCIe cards dont draw any more power because of the interface, but the high end cards have more chips on them, so they draw more power. Some of the old AGP cards drew so much power you needed to attach a molex cable to them. The X1900XTX is a very power hungry card though so while i'd go for a 400W PSU for most builds for yours i'd go for a bit of comfort blanket and get a 450W.

 

[Stern]

Well i really like this PSU it has a 120mm fan which is really really quiet and a button on the back for alternating speed (auto/high/low). Also it is 500W if you people are saying 450W will do, shouldn't this do (really?)?

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Your Super Flower was a well recieved unit when it came out about 4 years ago. They are/were made by Topower as OCZ used to be. The problem you*may*face is cross loading when using this unit. It's 12V@27A and 5V@42A. Generally, inorder to get full 12V output the 5V line must have a substantial load on it. With a modern system the 5V line is lightly loaded. This would be a non-issue if you used 10 HDDs A single transformer supplies all lines and this is why they are interdependant.
The 14 at the end of the part# indicates a 140mm fan. I would save or sell the unit and use something else. Look for 12V@30A with 3.3&5V at 30A or less. You want a PSU that has a strong 12V line, not a strong 5V line. Always look at the combined output of dual 12V rail PSUs, that's what matters.
For cheap but good, look to Fortron/Sparkle. For quiet but expensive, look to Seasonic. For VG build quality plus modular, look to Enermax. For near as efficient and not as quiet as Seasonic but less ca$h, look to Enhance.

If efficiency is a major factor for you, look at http://www.80plus.org for tested units.
Mark this resource site. Be sure to read some of the links on the left http://www.jonnyguru.com/PSUInquisitor

Sorry, but I only shop for myself. Link what is avalible to you and these guys will discuss it. Hopefully with links to reviews.

EDIT: Use your current PSU and if you have problems getting enough 12V omph, you'll know why

...Galvanized

 

[Bobthelost]

The reason that a new PSU is being recomended is that poor grade PSUs either lie about thier ratings, or degrade more quickly over time. It probably would be alright, but i prefer buying a PSU with a name like enermax, fortron or seasonic etc. behind it.

Edit: Aha, if GY's right then it's probably worth sticking with. Worst case it won't work and you'll need to buy another one, as opposed to the other worst case of it working and then dying and taking other parts with it.

PS: Nearly all PSUs have 120mm fans at the moment, most have thermal fan controlls so you don't have to mess around with buttons on the back

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: JEDIYoda

Originally posted by: Howard
see sig

too funny.....he wasn`t refering to your link...rofl....

So? If he was, I wouldn't need to mention it. At least try to be petty in a way that makes sense.

 

[Stern]

Although from first glances I am liking the sound of 500W Seasonic S12-500.

 

[Stern]

ok thats weird I hit the reply button on that ages ago and it only got through now. here is the link for the seasonic from the website I'm gonna order from
KM Elektronik

sorry its in german

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Seasonic S12 500 PSU and the ASUS A8N32-SLI motherboard. Those are the links on the komplett website. I cant do K&M cause i cant understand it enough. sorry.

 

[Stern]

muchly appreciated, thanks all!

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune
Seasonic S12 500 PSU and the ASUS A8N32-SLI motherboard. Those are the links on the komplett website. I cant do K&M cause i cant understand it enough. sorry.

Why that motherboard?

 

[LOUISSSSS]

the seasonic 500 watt should be fine for your system. i'd also get the a8r32 for optimal crossfire performance

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune
Seasonic S12 500 PSU and the ASUS A8N32-SLI motherboard. Those are the links on the komplett website. I cant do K&M cause i cant understand it enough. sorry.

Why that motherboard?

Because its high performance and well cooled on teh chipset. I would also recommend the A8R32-MVP as an alternative. I prefer the A8N32. I think it would be more personal preference. Of course, if he has any intention of Crossfire, go ahead and get the MVP. Cant find it on the komplett website though.

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune
Seasonic S12 500 PSU and the ASUS A8N32-SLI motherboard. Those are the links on the komplett website. I cant do K&M cause i cant understand it enough. sorry.

Why that motherboard?

Because its high performance and well cooled on teh chipset. I would also recommend the A8R32-MVP as an alternative. I prefer the A8N32. I think it would be more personal preference. Of course, if he has any intention of Crossfire, go ahead and get the MVP. Cant find it on the komplett website though.

I guess I was wondering why the A8N32-SLI over the A8N-SLI Premium, since they both use passive cooling but the A8N32-SLI is completely wasted on an application like this (it also consumes more power). I actually wouldn't recommend any SLI motherboards at all.

 

[Bobthelost]

Also the A8N32 runs rather hot, it's effectivly got two southbridges on it to get the dual 16x slots. The A8N SLI premium will be cooler and easier to cool.

 

[Stern]

I wasn't planning on crossfire or SLI. To be honest I'm very very behind on all these motherboards these days and there is so much to read.
I just want one that works, has nice features (gigabit lan, compatibility with all the parts i plan for it, good reputation) If there is a cheaper board you could recommend it would be welcome. I already have an audigy 2 zs so it doesn't need onboard sound. just lan, plenty of usb, firewire and the other standard ports. also a nice layout for cabling and cooling.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

The EPoX 9NPA+ Ultra is an absolutely excellent board! Replace the fan with the Zalman NB47J to remove the noise of that tiny little fan.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune
Seasonic S12 500 PSU and the ASUS A8N32-SLI motherboard. Those are the links on the komplett website. I cant do K&M cause i cant understand it enough. sorry.

Why that motherboard?

Because its high performance and well cooled on teh chipset. I would also recommend the A8R32-MVP as an alternative. I prefer the A8N32. I think it would be more personal preference. Of course, if he has any intention of Crossfire, go ahead and get the MVP. Cant find it on the komplett website though.

Thats is a very nice mobo!!!
Great Choice!!

 

[Bobthelost]

Originally posted by: JEDIYoda

Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune
Seasonic S12 500 PSU and the ASUS A8N32-SLI motherboard. Those are the links on the komplett website. I cant do K&M cause i cant understand it enough. sorry.

Why that motherboard?

Because its high performance and well cooled on teh chipset. I would also recommend the A8R32-MVP as an alternative. I prefer the A8N32. I think it would be more personal preference. Of course, if he has any intention of Crossfire, go ahead and get the MVP. Cant find it on the komplett website though.

Thats is a very nice mobo!!!
Great Choice!!

It is if budget is not a factor, a good motherboard, but not an economical one.

 

[Stern]

these would all work with my CNPS9500 right? Because I bought that for the ASRock Dual Sata2 but it doesn't fit because they have a weird mounting bracket. Not that I'm complaining, the stock fan that came with the X2 4200+ runs it at 29 idle, but I did want to make use of my oversized fan