Power Supply & GPU

[Rettere]

I've got an x1900XT and I've heard it need 30A on the +12V rail. Would a power supply with dual +12V rails with 20A on each rail satisfy this requirement?

In otherwords, can you add the Amps on both rails of a dual +12V power supply?

Thanks,
Rettere

 

[acegazda]

Not necessarily. For instance, the enermax liberty 400w has 20amps on each rail, and it only has 30amps combined (only... haha). Usually the mfg will put the combined wattage under the rails, but sometimes you have to email them to find out. Seasonic is really one of the only mfgs that you can add up the amps on each rail and get the combined amps. They're very honest about their ratings. BTW which psu do you have? If you have the hypathetical one you described you should be set.

EDIT: Welcome to the forums!

 

[Rettere]

THanks for the welcome!

I've got an Ultra-brand 500W PSU that's making a sizzling sound whenever I put a heavy load on the GPU. It has 25A on the +12 rail, and I figure I ought to get a real brand of PSU anyway. Any recommendations? I've got an X1900XT, DVD burner, Athlon64 X2 3800, and a hard drive.

I'm looking at a 500W Antec NeoHE, but lots of people have had problems with Antec lately, it sounds like. Plus, everything I find seems to have 15-20A on each of their dual +12V rails, and I just need something to power this GPU.


Rettere

 

[myocardia]

Go cheap on a psu if you want. It's your equipment you're ruining. How about an excellent psu, that won't break the bank: Enermax Noisetaker II EG495P-VE, or an even better one, for not much more: Enermax EG651P-VE FM(24P). <<That one doesn't have dual 12v rails, but it doesn't really need dual. It has 36A on the 12v rail.

 

[dBTelos]

Hmm, that NeoHE you're looking at should suit you will. The first revision of the Neo was terrible and had many problems. The NeoHE is now made by Seasonic and is a great PSU. BTW, what Ultra is it? I have a feeling your going to say 'X-Connect'

 

[acegazda]

hmmm... the x1900xt definetly doesn't need 30amps on the 12v rail(s), I would probably recommend you three products. If you want the psu to be quiet go with the seasonic s12 430w. It has 29amps on the 12v rails combined, and it very quiet and efficiant. It is fairly expensive ($80?) but worth it for most people. My second recommendation is the enhance 5140gh. It is a great value with 28amps on the 12v rails, very good efficiancy and very stable. It is around $68 shipped. The last one is a budget recommendation. For $55 shipped you can get a fortron/sparkle fsp400-thn. It has 28amps combined, but is a budget psu, so it's a little louder, not as efficiant and not really pretty. (The enhance and the seasonic sport cool black finishes) It should do the job though. Good luck!

EDIT: dBtelos... the xconnect has dual 12v rails, does it not? His might be the v-series. Those only have one 12v rail. Not a good psu. 'course, it might run the rig for while, but ultras are loud and supposedly their depreciation rate is high.

 

[dBTelos]

EDIT: dBtelos... the xconnect has dual 12v rails, does it not? His might be the v-series. Those only have one 12v rail. Not a good psu. 'course, it might run the rig for while, but ultras are loud and supposedly their depreciation rate is high.

The X-Connect has one 12V rail, it was made quite a while back. BTW, the V-Series have better quality then the X-Connect's.

 

[acegazda]

Really? The v-series is SUPPOSED to be their cheapo get one free psu. The new X2 connects must have the dual 12v rails, as well as the xfinities, which seam to be halfway decent. The v series 500w psu has 28amps on the 12v rail. Check it out. The x-connect 500w, does have a single 12v rail, but with 34 amps. I would never consider either really...

 

[dBTelos]

Yea, the old X-Connects had a much higher failure rate then the V-Series PSUs. The V-Series are decent but I wouldn't run any highend system on one. I have a 6600GT and A64 running on my V-Series 500W! pretty low end. The X2s are almost as good as the X-Finity PSUs, but not quite.