Power Supply Choice

[CodeName 88]

Hello,
First post at AnandTech

I've just got myself a new gaming rig, but I'm yet to chose the power supply (yes, I didn't turn it on yet).

The specifications are:

Antec P180 Case w/3 Antec Tricools and 1 Aeorocool Turbine 1000 fans
CPU:AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+ Manchester 2x512K L2 Cache 2400MHz (planning to run at 2500MHz)
Motherboard: MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum
Memory: 2 GB of OCZ Platinum PC3200 DDR 2-3-2-5 1T
Video Card: eVga 7800GTX nVidia GeForce
Hard Drive: Western Digital 36.0 GB @ 10000 RPMS
Additional Hard Drives: Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 250GB 7200RPM, 8M Cache SATA
Monitor: Benq FP91G+ Black 8ms LCD
DVD Manufacturer & Model: SONY Black IDE DVD-ROM DDU1615/B2s
DVD R/W: Plextor PX-740A/SW-BL Black DVD R/W
Storage Interface: IDE,SATA,USB,USB2,FIREWIRE
Sound Card: Creative Audigy 2 ZS
Speakers: Creative Inspire P7800
Other Components: Scythe Ninja Heatsink w/Arctic Silver 5 and Thermeltake Thunderblade fan
Antec P180 Case w/3 Antec Tricools and 1 Aeorocool Turbine 1000 fans
56K Modem
Samsung Black Floppy Drive
Logitech MX518 Gaming-Grade Mouse
Icemat 2nd Edition Silver Mouse Pad
Microsoft Digital Media Pro Keyboard

I've bolded the case choice because I want the cables to reach properly (ATX 12V 4pin connector on mobo is top-left).

I've taken a liking of two PSU's: Antec TP-II 550W and Antec Neopower 480W.

I know Seasonics are the best, but they seem to be too expensive (at Newegg, at least). Would the Neopower handle the components well? Which do you recommend? If you have any other recommendation, please don't hesitate to post it. Thanks.

 

[Pabster]

Welcome To AT!

As for the power supply -- definitely go with Seasonic over Antec.

 

[raildogg]

Seasonics are not a good match for the P180 case. problems include length of cables

antec's truepower 2 is by far its best power supply and it will suit your system very well. it is very expensive though. the neopower is a very good choice as well, i would not mind buying it

check out the sparkle 550W png, it offers massive performance and is made to last. it is also cheaper

 

[Operandi]

Welcome to the forums :thumbsup:

the 380 Seasonic S12 is plenty for your system and can be had for $77 from newegg, less else where I'm sure. Otherwise checkout Forton-Source, the Neo is also a good choice.

Lastly ditch the Thermaltake fan for a Panaflo or Yate Loon.

 

[CodeName 88]

Thanks for the suggestions. Would the Seasonic S12 430W be enough for my system? Would the cables be long enough? Thanks.

EDIT: I just read Operandi's post.

I think I'll go with the 430W or 500W Seasonic, probably with two extension cables. The Thermaltake fan has pretty good specs at Newegg:

Air Flow: 78CFM
Noise Level: 21dBA

Is this true? And Newegg doesn't have any Yate Loons nor Nexus.

 

[raildogg]

i would not take that risk since people have had problems with Seasonic's short cable length.

the Fortron 450W at $49.99 will be a good fit however. check it out

 

[CodeName 88]

That PSU seems to be cheap :S

Seasonic with cable extension?

EDIT: Recommended spec for 7800GTX systems is 450W PSU. What do you say?

 

[raildogg]

Originally posted by: CodeName 88
That PSU seems to be cheap :S

Seasonic with cable extension?

cheap? as in price? not really. even if that price is cheap to you, it is made of top quality. it will easily handle your system and then some.

i bought a 350W Sparkle for $40, 3 years ago. i have been adding parts to it constantly, it is still going strong. it is made by FSP, so the quality is tops. just because a thing is more expensive doesn't make it better. a 3400 clawhammer is more expensive than a 3000 venice, does that make it better?

keep in mind that wattage does not mean much when it comes to FSP group. they underrate their psus.

but the Seasonic is a great choice as well.

 

[CodeName 88]

I get your point, but a 450W PSU for 50$ :S?
And about the fans, are the specs posted on Thermaltake's site wrong? (79CFM, 21dBA)

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: CodeName 88
Thanks for the suggestions. Would the Seasonic S12 430W be enough for my system? Would the cables be long enough? Thanks.

EDIT: I just read Operandi's post.

I think I'll go with the 430W or 500W Seasonic, probably with two extension cables. The Thermaltake fan has pretty good specs at Newegg:

Air Flow: 78CFM
Noise Level: 21dBA

Is this true? And Newegg doesn't have any Yate Loons nor Nexus.

Thermaltake's fan specs are flat out lies.

HERE is a link to the Yate Loon from a good retailer.

 

[CodeName 88]

Thanks for the link, but I would like to order the whole package from Newegg. Is there any good fan on Newegg?

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: CodeName 88
Thanks for the link, but I would like to order the whole package from Newegg. Is there any good fan on Newegg?

Panaflo.

 

[CodeName 88]

Thanks. Should I buy 2 Panaflos or keep the Turbine too?

 

[Ike0069]

Seasonics do have a problem with cable length in the P180. Depending on the MB, connecting the ATX connector can be a problem.
Just based on that, I would go with another brand such as Fortron or Enermax. Enermax traditionally comes with extra long cables.
Of course the latest Antec PSU's will also work fine.

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: CodeName 88
Thanks. Should I buy 2 Panaflos or keep the Turbine too?

The Turbine looks like a gimmick to me? I would say two Panaflos.

 

[CraigRT]

If money is no object, then go with a PC Power and cooling...I have no idea about cable length, but they are just about the best thing out there that I've seen. I have never used one, but all reviews, and everyone that uses them, swear by them.

 

[CodeName 88]

Thanks for the tips. I've oreder the TP-II 550 at long last, along with two Antec fans (Antec 75012 120mm 2 Ball Case Cooling Fan - Retail from Newegg). I think they're good enough, I didn't oreder the Panaflos due to the 38mm thickness (I needed two 25mm ones). What do you think of the whole setup now? Thanks.

 

[imported_rod]

Good choice on the PSU. My Antec has run flawlessly since the day i got it.

I woulda gone with Panaflo fans, but Antec make good gear, and if thickness was an issue, then you probably couldn't have got the Panaflos anyway...

RoD