Need help on amount of wattage I need for a PS

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Burrens78

Senior member
Oct 19, 2004
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My Antec True 380 that came with my sonata case just died. I went to buy a radimax 350 watt, but the thing is horribly loud. I want something on par with what I used to have.

I pretty much narrowed my choice to a couple of Sparkle models, but I don't know how much wattage I need.

This is what I have on my system:

Athlon XP 2100+ overclocked (10.5 @ 200) 1.675 vcore
Radeon 9700pro w/ VGA silencer (not overclocked)
Chaintech av710 sound card
1 optica drive
2 maxtor HDD

Do I need at least 350, or is 300 watts enough?

TIA!
 
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Amaroque

Platinum Member
Jan 2, 2005
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Originally posted by: Burrens78
Do I need at least 350, or is 300 watts enough?

TIA!
Click to expand...

I would say any quality 300W would be fine for that system. You may want to get a 350W for some extra headroom though.

You definitely do not need a 450W PSU.
 
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Wingznut

Elite Member
Dec 28, 1999
16,968
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Originally posted by: Amaroque
Originally posted by: Burrens78
Do I need at least 350, or is 300 watts enough?

TIA!
Click to expand...
I would say any quality 300W would be fine for that system. You may want to get a 350W for some extra headroom though.

You definitely do not need a 450W PSU.
Click to expand...
Seconded.

 
jonnyGURU

jonnyGURU

Moderator <BR> Power Supplies
Moderator
Oct 30, 1999
11,815
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106
You need a 5580W Powmax!!!!!!



Or a good 300 or 350 watt Sparkle or Topower. ;)
 
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ts3433

Platinum Member
Jun 29, 2004
2,731
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If you get a Sparkle, make sure it's a Fortron-made one (look for "FSP" in the model number). These are the good ones. Seasonic is also good.
 
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Burrens78

Senior member
Oct 19, 2004
200
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I didn't think I needed 400W. I am considering these two models:

1
2

I would prefer the quieter one. Any suggestions as to which that would be?
 
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ts3433

Platinum Member
Jun 29, 2004
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The second one is junk. "ATX-350GU" is the model number--no "FSP" in there at all.

Check SilentPCReview to see how quiet various PSUs are.
 
MDE

MDE

Lifer
Jul 17, 2003
13,199
1
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Link

I had one running multiple systems similar to yours (faster CPUs, more optical drives and PCI cards) without any problems. It's currently running a P4 Northwood 3.2 @ 3.6 perfectly well.

EDIT: Why not RMA the Antec PSU?
 
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Burrens78

Senior member
Oct 19, 2004
200
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I wanted to RMA the Antec PSU, however the Antec site says that I need the purchase receipt, which I no longer have.

This PSU is the one that is bundled with the Sonata case. I wish I kept the receipt.

Lesson learned!
 
Gamingphreek

Gamingphreek

Lifer
Mar 31, 2003
11,679
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81
I would recommend the Seasonic Super Tornado for your price point.

Also PLEASE search the forums before posting. We have had this quesetion asked at least 5 times a day.

-Kevin
 
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Burrens78

Senior member
Oct 19, 2004
200
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I was considering a Seasonic, until I read a review by a user on Newegg who switched to the Sparkle because the Seasonic Tornado was too loud.

If I go Seasonic, 300 should be enough right? The 350W is priced a little more than I want to spend.

Is the Seasonic Super Tornado made by Fortron too? Looks very similar (then again, they all do).
 
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Bonesdad

Platinum Member
Nov 18, 2002
2,213
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Originally posted by: Burrens78
I wanted to RMA the Antec PSU, however the Antec site says that I need the purchase receipt, which I no longer have.

This PSU is the one that is bundled with the Sonata case. I wish I kept the receipt.

Lesson learned!
Click to expand...

Where did you buy your PSU? If you purchased from an online retailer, you may still be able to print your invoice from their website. I just had to RMA a 2.5 year old EPOX board, but Newegg still had all my invoices in history!
 
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Burrens78

Senior member
Oct 19, 2004
200
0
0
Originally posted by: Bonesdad
Originally posted by: Burrens78
I wanted to RMA the Antec PSU, however the Antec site says that I need the purchase receipt, which I no longer have.

This PSU is the one that is bundled with the Sonata case. I wish I kept the receipt.

Lesson learned!
Click to expand...

Where did you buy your PSU? If you purchased from an online retailer, you may still be able to print your invoice from their website. I just had to RMA a 2.5 year old EPOX board, but Newegg still had all my invoices in history!
Click to expand...

Circuit City unfortunately.
 
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ribbon13

Diamond Member
Feb 1, 2005
9,343
0
0
The Seasonic Tornado's are hardly loud. The cooling solution on most 6600gt's is quite a bit louder. The only reason it would be loud is if his system ran really hot. Otherwise it stays at a rather low speed. 120mm fans are quieter.
 
Gamingphreek

Gamingphreek

Lifer
Mar 31, 2003
11,679
0
81
Seasonics are the quietest on the market. You only get quieter with fanless.

The Modstreams are very nice on the inside. People are not having a lot of problems with them. Their hardware runs fine, however people are reporting abnormally low 12V readings, which leads me to believe that there is a manf. defect or a broken sensor.

-Kevin
 
Googer

Googer

Lifer
Nov 11, 2004
12,576
7
81
Originally posted by: Gamingphreek
Seasonics are the quietest on the market. You only get quieter with fanless.

The Modstreams are very nice on the inside. People are not having a lot of problems with them. Their hardware runs fine, however people are reporting abnormally low 12V readings, which leads me to believe that there is a manf. defect or a broken sensor.

-Kevin
Click to expand...

I knew it, This guy always answers to PSU questions!
 
Gamingphreek

Gamingphreek

Lifer
Mar 31, 2003
11,679
0
81
Well generally if you know a lot about a topic then you feel the need to post.

What does me posting on PSU threads have to do with ANYTHING??

-Kevin
 
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Burrens78

Senior member
Oct 19, 2004
200
0
0
Do you happen to know if Seasonic manufactures their on PSUs, or are they rebadged Fortrons?

Thanks for all your input so far!
 
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ts3433

Platinum Member
Jun 29, 2004
2,731
0
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Originally posted by: Burrens78
Do you happen to know if Seasonic manufactures their on PSUs, or are they rebadged Fortrons?

Thanks for all your input so far!
Click to expand...

I believe Seasonic is like Fortron in that they're an original manufacturer. IIRC, PCP&C Silencers use Seasonic parts.
 
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