OCZ modstream 450W or 520W

[xTYBALTx]

The reason the DFI guys are suggesting high wattage PSU's is most likely because people buy crappy PSU's rated for 450W that put out far, far less.

 

[Bona Fide]

Originally posted by: xTYBALTx
The reason the DFI guys are suggesting high wattage PSU's is most likely because people buy crappy PSU's rated for 450W that put out far, far less.

Exactly. What they mean by 480W is a crappy 480W PSU. If you get something by a respectable brand (Antec, Fortron, OCZ, Seasonic, Thermaltake), you should be okay with ~450W. I have a 460W PurePower in mine, and everything runs without a hitch. DFI NF4 Ultra-D, btw.

 

[entropy1982]

Wow guys i didnt expect to get such great advice thanks so much i will go with the modstream 450...

What do you guys think?

 

[cpush]

sounds good.

 

[Texun]

I don't have a loaded SLI rig but I do have the OCZ MS 450 and it works great. I would much rather pay for a solid PS instead of something like this 550W generic.

 

[WildHorse]

Better to buy the non-modular Powerstream instead of the mdoular one, if you believe the below (I do):

from here
DON'T LOSE POWER WITH MODULAR PLUGS
Due to their look, convenience, and cost savings for manufacturers, modular plugs have become a popular power supply feature. Unfortunately, there has been little or no discussion of the impact of this feature on overall performance and reliability. The fact is, modular plugs limit power by adding to electrical resistance. The voltage drop can be as much as would occur in 2 feet of standard wire. Worse yet, modular plugs utilize delicate pins that can easily loosen, corrode, and burn, creating the potential for a major system failure. That's why pros specify uninterrupted wire!

 

[nycdude]

I am still building my new rig and haven't tested it out but I picked up a ocz 520w when they had a rebate on it at Monarch. I was initially gonna pick up a 450w but I was too late when they also had the rebate for it. I guess I will see how it does in my new A64 system.

 

[imported_Frallan]

Originally posted by: CraigRT

Originally posted by: KayKay

Originally posted by: CraigRT

Originally posted by: KayKay
DFI-Street.com recommends against the 450 W Modstream, stating that 480W is minimum for any DFI NF4 board

http://www.dfi-street.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16754

That is honestly such BS... any modern computer can run on 450W, within reason. (dual 7800GTX, tons of hd's, etc)

The guy who works for DFI and one of the DFI engineers that posts on that forum says so

They're lying
it's like the 6800GT when it came out, they were saying it was required to have 450 or 480W or something, when in reality, people were running them on SFF Shuttle PC's with 240W of power without issue.

I don't care who says 480W is what you need, it's not true at all.

@ Craig

Just what proof do U have for your statement?

U have your system as proof which makes in an anecdote and since it works for U - more powa to ya... But unless U want to guarantee that it works for another bloke as well dont recomend out of spec things bc then Ure just beeing an @sshole. Now I may agre that there is a high probability that it might work but have a look at this b4 saying anything more. http://www.dfi-street.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17340

Now since Im regular at dfi-street Id say get the PS 520 not the Modstream. The Fortron Blue Storm 550 are usually recommended. There is also a LONG thread about PSUs and DFI here http://www.dfi-street.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10854 with LOTS of good info in it.

 

[Topweasel]

Its all about the 12 volt rail. How much actually can be pushed through that. Nothing more nothing less. As for not needing a 480W PSU. Toms stress test awhile back when they had both GTs and the dual core in them they only had one HDD and one ODD but the Intel machine was hitting almost 500 watts and the AMD was getting to the high 300's. Although most of the draw was on the 12v line, those are still pretty hefty and wouldn't work with 75% of those 350W PSU's and 50% of those 500w PSUs. So to tell someone that thses guys are lying for recommending a 480W PSU is insane not only is it possible to use up all the W it can shell out it also could completely drain a 12v line. I don't care how many shuttles can use the 6800 the fact is no body should do that to their PSU unless they want it to die early.

 

[rickn]

Originally posted by: scott
Better to buy the non-modular Powerstream instead of the mdoular one, if you believe the below (I do):

from here
Worse yet, modular plugs utilize delicate pins that can easily loosen, corrode, and burn, creating the potential for a major system failure. That's why pros specify uninterrupted wire!

that sounds like someone just making stuff up. if the plug was the problem then we'd have seen every harddrive, cdrom, dvdrom, from now til 15yrs ago having troubles, as the modstream uses just standard molex connector. there's no doubt that there is some added resistance, this may be a reason that the modstream did not make the ATX cable modular like Ultra-X did. All I know is that when I went from TruePower 550 to modstream 450, my voltages are BETTER on the modstream. Go figure

 

[xTYBALTx]

Originally posted by: Topweasel
Toms stress test awhile back when they had both GTs and the dual core in them they only had one HDD and one ODD but the Intel machine was hitting almost 500 watts and the AMD was getting to the high 300's.

Really though, that just proves my (our) point. If I read you right, a 6800GT SLI rig with an X2 came out under 400W. Now, there's 400W PSUs and there's "400W" PSUs. If I was going to run a PSU rated between 420-480W for the system you just described, it would be PCP&C or maybe SeaSonic. If I wanted to go Antec or Enermax, I would look for a minimum 500W or maybe even 550W.

But the fact of the matter is that the SLI, dual core processor computer is only using ~390W.

However, all of this is really academic. Since the PSU is such an important item, and not getting enough power = "teh sux," we all overcompensate for our power needs. Which is fine, but we should understand that. So then it's a question of what is overcompensating? And how much do you want to "future proof" your PSU?

 

[furballi]

V = I x R

If you have 20 amps flowing across a connector with a contact resistance of 0.01 ohm, then the voltage drop would be 0.2V.

A modular PSU adds one additional plug at the back of the PSU for each cable. Therefore, expect to lose about 0.2V to 0.4V if you connect a high current device to this cable. Why? Because you have a 0.01ohm contact resistance at the hot line AND common line.

For optimum performance, all power and common output lines should be soldered directly to the motherboard. Avoid the use of adaptors or extension cables on high current circuit.

 

[Topweasel]

Originally posted by: xTYBALTx

Originally posted by: Topweasel
Toms stress test awhile back when they had both GTs and the dual core in them they only had one HDD and one ODD but the Intel machine was hitting almost 500 watts and the AMD was getting to the high 300's.

Really though, that just proves my (our) point. If I read you right, a 6800GT SLI rig with an X2 came out under 400W. Now, there's 400W PSUs and there's "400W" PSUs. If I was going to run a PSU rated between 420-480W for the system you just described, it would be PCP&C or maybe SeaSonic. If I wanted to go Antec or Enermax, I would look for a minimum 500W or maybe even 550W.

But the fact of the matter is that the SLI, dual core processor computer is only using ~390W.

However, all of this is really academic. Since the PSU is such an important item, and not getting enough power = "teh sux," we all overcompensate for our power needs. Which is fine, but we should understand that. So then it's a question of what is overcompensating? And how much do you want to "future proof" your PSU?

I understand exactly what your saying. But look at the stats on your PSU. It has a max amount of Watts that can be used on each Rail. Even the best PSUs tend to have about half he max watt output going o the 3.3v and 5v in those sub 400watt setups I am still talking about 2/3 or more of that power being used on 12v lines. Most sub 500watt and alot of over 500 watt power supplies wouldn't be able to handle it. I think just like MHz we are running into a period where a normal PSU isn't going to work and something is goign to change, seperate 12v rails is only a stop gap.

 

[furballi]

Peak system load occurs in GAME mode. The CPU and video cards are working at 100% load. Fortunately, other devices such as optical drives and other HDDs are idling. 300 watts TOP for an AMD SLI system and perhaps 400 watts if you run an Intel chip. Any reputable 400 watts PSU will do the job as long as your system is adequately vented.

Note that the PSU must draw air from inside the case for cooling. If the case temp is higher than 40C, then the PSU cannot run cooler than 43C. The power output decreases significantly at higher temperature. This applies to ALL PSUs. A PSU rated for 40C or 50C operation is preferred over one rated at 25C.

To keep the PSU cool, there should be a side duct to draw room temp air into the PC. This duct will supply the CPU fan and PSU fan with cooler air. A fancy PSU isn't going to deliver the goods if your PC lacks adequate air flow.

 

[anarchyreigns]

Originally posted by: KayKay

Originally posted by: CraigRT

Originally posted by: KayKay
DFI-Street.com recommends against the 450 W Modstream, stating that 480W is minimum for any DFI NF4 board

http://www.dfi-street.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16754

That is honestly such BS... any modern computer can run on 450W, within reason. (dual 7800GTX, tons of hd's, etc)

The guy who works for DFI and one of the DFI engineers that posts on that forum says so

No he doesn't. RGone, AngryGames and CPUZ have all said the 450W Modsteam is fine, as have the OCZ techs that have posted on DFI Street. OCZ underates its PSU's and all have peak power above 480 watts. The 450 might not be the best choice for an all out 6800 Ultra SLI rig, but it certainly is fine w/o SLI.