new power supply, is 500W, 22A enough

[adsmith82]

The system will include the Q6600 and also an 8800GT. Everything else is basically standard, a hard drive, a dvd drive, a flash card reader... oh, and 4GB ram. I am going with a RAIDMAX SMILODON case that includes a 500W psu because it is a nice looking case, build quality seems decent, has good features, and includes plenty of fans. The rebate helps too. If I remember right, Newegg's pictures show 22A on the 12V+ line, (newegg's site has not been working right all day... is it just me?).

Anyway, if I could get multiple opinions on whether this is enough PSU for the system... I know some people are all about expensive PSU's, and I have had one system with a core 2 duo and 7900 GS and the PSU failed, and I think it was like 350W or 400W, don't remember the 12V amperage, but it was a cheap brand. Anyway, I realize the PSU is important. What I don't get though is that I have seen charts of how much power CPU's and GPU's use, and it isn't as much as one might think. Anyway, some opinions on this would be good. Thanks.

 

[DSF]

Do you know who manufactures the PSU in the Smilidon? I wouldn't trust a no-name PSU to put out the wattage it claims. Nvidia calls for a PSU that has 26A on the 12V rail by the way. I don't know how much wiggle room they build into that recommendation, but even setting the build quality of your PSU aside you're below the spec.

 

[nefariouscaine]

Originally posted by: DSF
Do you know who manufactures the PSU in the Smilidon? I wouldn't trust a no-name PSU to put out the wattage it claims. Nvidia calls for a PSU that has 26A on the 12V rail by the way. I don't know how much wiggle room they build into that recommendation, but even setting the build quality of your PSU aside you're below the spec.

I'd question the ability of that psu to run the quad & that GT for the long run. Most PSU units found inside a case are of generally lower quality and that amperage is likely not a sure thing either - you just about buy a case and get a free psu

You're building with decent parts (quadcore & 8800GT) but want to so cheap on a PSU - not a good idea

there are plenty of good quality units in the 50-75 dollar range that are made by good brands with nearly double the 12v output of that RAIDMAX PSU

if you're trying to keep that tight of a budget get the version with out a PSU and buy a separate one

there are a few Seasonic units i'll list that should get a decent recommendation IMO - both are rated for 17 amps on the 2 +12v rails they have - don't be fooled by the 380w rating on the one

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817151040

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817151032

I'm not a advocate of expensive PSU's just good quality - its harder to find a top end psu at a low end price than it is with other hardware

my PSU's tend to last longer than anything else in my Rig so I might as well spend an extra $50 on it so I know its going to last - just my 2cents

 

[Lunyone]

Okay here are a couple of options that I'd consider over your selection:

CASE/PSU Combo - $109 shipped! Only $16 more than your selection after your $20 MIR on newegg ($93 + 20 shipping - $20 MIR = $93). PSU is of good quality and has 34A on the 12V rails. Case is pretty nice (no windows) and is generally pretty cool (temperature wise)
Antec Sonata III 500 Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811129024
or this option:

CASE - $60 shipped.
COOLER MASTER Centurion 534 RC-534-SKN2-GP Black / Silver Aluminum & Mesh bezel / SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811119104

PSU - $55 shipped. Same PSU as in Sonata III case combo.
Antec earthwatts EA500 ATX12V v2.0 500W Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, CUL, FCC, TUV, CE, CB, C-tick, CCC - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817371007

Total combined ~$115

or use a different PSU w/33A on the 12V rail and has 5 yr. warranty! $75 - $10 MIR - $10 Google checkout = $55
Corsair VX 450w Power Supply - CMPSU-450VX
http://www.buy.com/prod/corsai...loc/101/205466485.html

or simply get your Case w/o PSU and add a quality PSU to it for $50-75 or so.
RAIDMAX SMILODON ATX-612WB Black SECC STEEL ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811156063

You can decide, but that PSU might boot the system up, but there is no guarantees that it'll last for very long and it might take some thing with it. I personally would get the Sonata III case w/500w PSU and call it good, but you like the looks of the Raidmax, so it's up to you.

 

[adsmith82]

thank you all for your recommendations... the antec case is ok... the conservative style is nice, i really like the antec solo case, but i don't know about the sonata... i will look at all the cases/psu's at newegg and see what all my options are

just out of curiosity, where can i find nvidia's requirements for 12v amperage?

 

[adsmith82]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811129031
27A combined for 12V as opposed to 34A for the Sonata III... would 27A be enough? though for $5 difference, might as well go with the Sonata even though I prefer the looks of the other

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811147055
maybe too big of a case, but looks good and has 30A combined

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811147054 (they have a silver/black model also, looks nicer, but no pic of psu)
about $65 shipped and has 450W psu with 27A combined 12V, will likely choose this one if you all think 27A will be sufficient, but if you think it's risky, might go with the Sonata III or look for a nice PSU seperately

 

[adsmith82]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817101030
ePOWER, about $30 after shipping and rebate, 450W w/ 28A 12V+

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817709011
Sunbeam, $27, 580W, 25A

There are a number of psu's with higher 12V+ amperages for under $50... have found some with 34A even; should I trust them?

 

[Lunyone]

Okay here's how I'd handle your situation. If you look at my link in my signature, there is a link for PSU Tiers. There is a list (not complete) of different PSU's based on quality. I personally wouldn't buy anything below a Tier 3 PSU. Any of the PSU's that I've listed would be a Tier 3 or better and are made pretty well. General rule is that if you spend less than $50 on a PSU, you'll probably have a Tier 4 or worse PSU. This is not always the case, but in general it is the case. My big problem is that your going to spend $280 on CPU $250 on GPU and want to spend less than $35 or so on a PSU. I don't recommend doing this. With a Q6600 being used and a 8800gt, I'd recommend the Corsair vx450w PSU or at least the Antec Earthwatts 430w PSU. Both have at least 30A on the 12V rails and are quality units. The Sonata III case w/500w Antec Earthwatts is a very nice setup. I understand that not everyone likes the looks of the Sonata case, but the combo is hard to beat at that price level. You can decide what you want to do, but please don't buy a Tier 4 or worse PSU to save some $. You'll probably end up with a blown PSU and possibly other parts.

 

[MarcVenice]

Buy this case http://www.microcenter.com/sin...tml?product_id=0265143 + the antec earthwatts 500w for 55$ at newegg.com. Totals out at 75$. That's 25% of what the q6600 costs. If you can't spend that on a decent case/psu, then you are simply being stupid. Here's what happens with PSU's inside those cases you intend on buying: http://www.jonnyguru.com/modul...views&op=Story&reid=71 They actually claim to have 25a on the 12v rail, but they often BLOW up when they are actually being asked to put out 25a * 12v = 300w of power on the 12v rail.

Wisen up mate, you don't want your PSU to take out your 500$ q6600 + 8800GT, having to buy it all over again WITH a decent PSU.

 

[Puffnstuff]

Well when I bought my ps I paid $270 for it because that was cheap insurance against loosing everything attached to the ps should it let go. When you use a cheap ps you roll the dice and take a chance. Do you really want to take a chance with your expensive hardware?

 

[PolymerTim]

Originally posted by: MarcVenice
Here's what happens with PSU's inside those cases you intend on buying: http://www.jonnyguru.com/modul...views&op=Story&reid=71 They actually claim to have 25a on the 12v rail, but they often BLOW up when they are actually being asked to put out 25a * 12v = 300w of power on the 12v rail.

MV, I found that article just a few weeks ago and loved it. It seems like most of the PSU reviewers on really test the mid and upper range PSUs so its nice to see just what you can expect of the really cheap ones, especially after a few years of use. Most of those power supplies had been running for years in older systems, but when asked to give a significant fraction of their quoted power they just melt-down. For the OP, the take home message is that while amperage and wattage are prerequisites for your system, they do not equal quality. Most computers consume far less power than people expect so a high quality 380-450W PSU is more than most users need while a cheap 700W PSU might take out half your system when it blows.

Usually, I can't find much info on PSUs in case combos, but yours actually has quite a bit of newegg history. I don't put much faith in newegg reviews, but I figure a PSU failure is hard to debate. The reviews on the RAIDMAX SMILODON ATX-612WBP show at least 6 failures in the first 100 reviews! Assuming the PSU is the same one the Raidmax sells separately, its reviews are equally dismal.
So if you like the case, that's fine; just buy the case. The fact that they are willing to throw in a PSU for only $13 more is not a good sign for the PSU. As others have said, you can get a quality PSU for as little as $50-$60 so don't skimp on this part.

 

[adsmith82]

ok, ordered the Antec Sonata III w/ Earthwatts 500w, 34A... after looking at all my options, it was probably the best value for quality case and psu... I could have saved a little buying a cheap case and nice psu separately... the epower power supplies at newegg look like good quality psu's at good prices, but the sonata case is quality as well so... thanks everyone for advice and helping me understand psu quality vs power, etc...

 

[MarcVenice]

Yay, another person we saved from disaster ! Good luck with your build

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: MarcVenice
Yay, another person we saved from disaster

:thumbsup:

While the EarthWatts may not be the best PSU in the world, it is one heck of a better choice than just about anything else bundled with cases, and probably a better choice than anything else in a similar price range. No, not the $90 regular price of the 500W by itself, but the $50-or-less sale/rebate pricing. This is just IMO of course.