Need help picking a PSU

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DarkManX4lf

Senior member
Jan 24, 2006
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Ok I had this Rosewill 500w psu for almost two years I think and its been fine so far but I think its going to slowly die soon...just this month two other cheap psu's in my other build died...well anyway I need help picking a psu.

Whats in my rig:
Asrock 939 Dual SataII
AMD x2 3800+ OC'ed to 2.75ghz @1.45v
2x1gb ddr ram
6800gt
3x 120mm fans w/controller (on low setting)
2x 7200rpm ide drives
1x sata drive
2x dvdrw/cdrw drives
2x usb devices connected constantly
1x front usb panel/cardreader
keyboard and mouse of course(both usb)
1x floppy drive
1x soundblaster audigy 2 (non zs)

well based on that which psu should I get? im looking at prices $140-$150 and below...i'm pretty sure with all that I need at least 500w+...any suggestions?
 
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acegazda

Platinum Member
May 14, 2006
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I'm pretty sure you DON'T need 500w+!:D
That system will probably not draw more than 350w at any given time so in light of that, I'd suggest the enhance 5140gh. It has 28amps on the 12v rails combined and has 80% efficaincy. It is relatively quiet and has the quality of a seasonic psu. It is arguably the best value on the market ATM for $67 shipped.

EDIT: If you feel you are going to upgrade your vid card anytime soon to say... dx10? Then get the enhance 5150gh. Same psu except 36amps combined on the 12v rails and more on the 5v rail as well.
 
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DarkManX4lf

Senior member
Jan 24, 2006
562
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yeah that is a nice psu but by looking at it i hate the fact its not...sleeved cables (i think thats what its called) . should have also added a modular psu would be prefered (but not absolutely needed) :)
 
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acegazda

Platinum Member
May 14, 2006
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Oh... in that case, take a look at enermax's liberty series. The 400w version has 30amps combined on the 12v rails and the 500w version steps it up to 32amps. Also consider the seasonic s12 430w if you'd prefer a quiet, non-modular psu.
 
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DarkManX4lf

Senior member
Jan 24, 2006
562
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yeah i checked the reviews at johnny guru but there are just too many good psu's to pick from...i had my eye on the Corsair HX520W, since its modular and it has "flexforce" cables...or atleast they look like flexforce cables...but johnny guru is just one guy...i thought maybe the ATers could give me some suggestions :D
 
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dBTelos

Golden Member
Apr 17, 2006
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Enermax Liberty 400W or Enhance ENP 400W would both be good. The Enermax would be more quiet and is modular, which the Enhance is sorta the opposite.
 
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DarkManX4lf

Senior member
Jan 24, 2006
562
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if i did get a 500w psu and i only needed a 400w or 450..would I hurt my components at all ? what would be the down side of having more power and less power consumption ?
 
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dBTelos

Golden Member
Apr 17, 2006
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Your componants all toghether don't need any more then 300W. 400-450W is being safe.
 
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acegazda

Platinum Member
May 14, 2006
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Nothing about having more power than you need is necessarily BAD, other than the feeling you get that you just wasted money... :(
 
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DarkManX4lf

Senior member
Jan 24, 2006
562
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Originally posted by: acegazda
Nothing about having more power than you need is necessarily BAD, other than the feeling you get that you just wasted money... :(
Click to expand...

so basically (heres a stupid question :) ) when having a higher wattage psu (500w compared to 400w) my electric bill will be higher each month ?


also i read in a few posts and articles online that having a more efficient psu reduces electric bills? how does that work ?
 
Fullmetal Chocobo

Fullmetal Chocobo

Moderator<br>Distributed Computing
Moderator
May 13, 2003
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Originally posted by: DarkManX4lf
Originally posted by: acegazda
Nothing about having more power than you need is necessarily BAD, other than the feeling you get that you just wasted money... :(
Click to expand...

so basically (heres a stupid question :) ) when having a higher wattage psu (500w compared to 400w) my electric bill will be higher each month ?

also i read in a few posts and articles online that having a more efficient psu reduces electric bills? how does that work ?
Click to expand...

A large PSU will not increase your electric bill. A PSU is only going to generate the power required by the components, so long as it is capable of doing so. Efficieny comes into consideration by how much power it has to pull from the wall to generate that power.

So say all of the components in your computer require 340 watts of power. A 400 watt power supply and a 600 watt power supply are both only going to generate 340 watts of power for your components.

Efficiency comes into play in how much electricity each PSU pulls from the wall socket to generate that 340 watts. So a highly efficient PSU might pull 370 watts of power from the 120v line, but a inefficient PSU might pull 460 watts of power from the wall to generate the 340 watts required by the components. Thus the efficient PSU pulls less from the wall, decreasing your electric bill.
 
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dBTelos

Golden Member
Apr 17, 2006
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Unless you run your system 24/7, you probably wont see much difference. But higher efficiency will = a smaller electricity bill.
 
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DarkManX4lf

Senior member
Jan 24, 2006
562
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thanks guys for the replies i think i'm gonna go with a 400w or a 500w just in case later on if i decide to get a sli mobo or something.
 
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