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New system-psu power recommendations please

V

voodoochili

Member
Hi all,
I'm building a new system will be around 3 gig cpu, 2 optical drives, 3 HDD's nvidia 6600 or 6800 not sure yet, primary use video editing and gaming =). I've only ever had a 350 psu, but I know things have changed since my last system. I know psu's go above 500 , but I just need a solid psu for stability and I'm NOT oc'ing the cpu. I was looking at thermaltake 420 for about 60 bucks, but wasnt sure if i needed to get 480, anyway thanks for help
v
 
Look for a good brand 400W PSU with half (or slightly more) of the total output allocated on the +12V rail(s) - that means at least 18 or 19 Amps on the +12(s). Actually I would like to see a 60/40 split in favor of the +12 (at least 20 A). That should do for almost any system no matter how loaded.
. However, if $$$ were no object, I would go for something like the Silverstone 460W. Has 12cm fan and two +12V rails with a total of 29 Amps. Not to mention active PFC. About $82. I think enermax has a similar model too. The Coolmax 500 looks like a winner too with Active PFC, 3 position fan switch, and 28 A on +12.

.bh.
 
WTF did you just say, my head still hurts from trying to figure that out LOL, but seriously whats all this about the 12volt rails and etc, and how do i figure it out, you think a thermaltake 420 is enough power ?

thanks
V
 
Amps x Volts = Watts. Say you're looking at a 400W PSU, then half that is 200. so you want the VxA of the +12V line to be equal or greater than 200. In the case of the thermaltake you mentioned: 12 x 18 = 216 which is greater than half of 420. So by my rule of thumb, thats OK.
.bh.

:moon:
 
Originally posted by: voodoochili
Hi all,
I'm building a new system will be around 3 gig cpu, 2 optical drives, 3 HDD's nvidia 6600 or 6800 not sure yet, primary use video editing and gaming =). I've only ever had a 350 psu, but I know things have changed since my last system. I know psu's go above 500 , but I just need a solid psu for stability and I'm NOT oc'ing the cpu. I was looking at thermaltake 420 for about 60 bucks, but wasnt sure if i needed to get 480, anyway thanks for help
v
Click to expand...

If your going to get the 6800 ultra, then I would suggest a lot more amps on the 12V rails. Your supply doesn't need to have two 12V rails but make sure it has at least 25 amps on the one 12V rail. The Vantec stealth 520 is a good choice. PC Power and Cooling also make killer PSU's (alas, their PSU's are a tad pricey, but worth it).
 
Originally posted by: voodoochili
where did yuo get the 12x18 number hehe
Click to expand...

12 volts X 18 amps, that will give you the watts.

All the above mentioned units are excellent, but also take a look at Tagan's 480 watt unit. It has 28A's on the 12volt, ative PFC, is dead silent (750 RPM fans), and the quality is beyond any PSU I've used recently Antec's, Enermax's, Vantec's included.

Also, Thermaltake would be my last choice, over-rated crap IMO, the 380 Tagan has more power on the 12v then the 420 thermaltake.
 
Originally posted by: Operandi


All the above mentioned units are excellent, but also take a look at Tagan's 480 watt unit. It has 28A's on the 12volt, ative PFC, is dead silent (750 RPM fans), and the quality is beyond any PSU I've used recently Antec's, Enermax's, Vantec's included.

Also, Thermaltake would be my last choice, over-rated crap IMO, the 380 Tagan has more power on the 12v then the 420 thermaltake.
Click to expand...

The Tagans do NOT have active PFC on the units sold in the USA. That includes the one ones listed on Newegg.

Also I've read many complaints of these units running hot, making strange clicking noises, etc.

The reviews I've read are all about units in Europe, and they rave. I've yet to read a review about one of the units sold in the states. They look identical on the outside, and even some online dealers are advertising them as active PFC. They're not.

I was going to go for the 380w version, but I've read too many bad things.

 
Originally posted by: bomberz1qr20
Originally posted by: Operandi


All the above mentioned units are excellent, but also take a look at Tagan's 480 watt unit. It has 28A's on the 12volt, ative PFC, is dead silent (750 RPM fans), and the quality is beyond any PSU I've used recently Antec's, Enermax's, Vantec's included.

Also, Thermaltake would be my last choice, over-rated crap IMO, the 380 Tagan has more power on the 12v then the 420 thermaltake.
Click to expand...

The Tagans do NOT have active PFC on the units sold in the USA. That includes the one ones listed on Newegg.

Also I've read many complaints of these units running hot, making strange clicking noises, etc.

The reviews I've read are all about units in Europe, and they rave. I've yet to read a review about one of the units sold in the states. They look identical on the outside, and even some online dealers are advertising them as active PFC. They're not.

I was going to go for the 380w version, but I've read too many bad things.
Click to expand...

Danm.. Can you show me some links?, I wasn't aware Tagan was selling different units in the states...

I've heard of the "clicking" problems but those seemed to isolated cases dealing mainly with some of the first production models.

For what?s its worth my unit can in retail package in both German and English, before many retailers carried Tagan in the United States.

Also, isn't any unit with a universal voltage input going to have PFC by necessity?
 
How about the Seasonic Super Silencer? They have models from 300W to 460W. Very quiet and solid power. There's an extensive test and review at SPCR.
 
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