Power supply questions

[jbreits]

I have a couple questions on a power supply purchase I'm going to be making.

Background:

Mobo: ECS nForce4-A754 (PCI Express)
CPU: Athlon 64 3400+
Video Card: nVidia 6600 256MB PCI Express
RAM: 1 GB stick
2 HDD, 1DVD+RW, 1FDD, 1 case fan, 3 PCI (not PCI-E) cards.

I have my eye on a Skyhawk ATX-GM250SC 520W Power Supply.
http://www.shg.com.tw/front/bin/ptlist.phtml?Category=62768

1. Has anyone had any experience with this brand? I haven't heard of it.
2. It has dual +12v rails. One with 14A and one with 12A. Will that be enough to power a system like this? If not, and I was going to get a PSU with single +12V rail, what kind of amps should I be looking for?

Thanks,
JBreits

 

[imported_Kensai]

I've heard of them.. I would class them in the "Generic" quality section.

Something like
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817101513

Quality manufacturer w/ 28A 12V.

 

[jbreits]

I currently have a 450W power supply with 25A on the 12V rail. However it is a 20pin (yes I read the sticky post on 20pin vs 24pin). I thought if I was upgrading the rest of my system, I might as well get a power supply that fits my system just right.

So is 14A and 12A not enough? If rail 2 is drawing more than 12A, will it pull some more from rail 1?

Thanks,
JBreits

 

[imported_Kensai]

Originally posted by: jbreits
I currently have a 450W power supply with 25A on the 12V rail. However it is a 20pin (yes I read the sticky post on 20pin vs 24pin). I thought if I was upgrading the rest of my system, I might as well get a power supply that fits my system just right.

So is 14A and 12A not enough? If rail 2 is drawing more than 12A, will it pull some more from rail 1?

Thanks,
JBreits

25A is enough, but who made it?

Nope, it's all about how the PSU allots it's rails. Maybe Rail 1= CPU + Mobo + memory, etc. Rail 2= Video + peripherals.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Originally posted by: Kensai

Originally posted by: jbreits
I currently have a 450W power supply with 25A on the 12V rail. However it is a 20pin (yes I read the sticky post on 20pin vs 24pin). I thought if I was upgrading the rest of my system, I might as well get a power supply that fits my system just right.

So is 14A and 12A not enough? If rail 2 is drawing more than 12A, will it pull some more from rail 1?

Thanks,
JBreits

25A is enough, but who made it?

Nope, it's all about how the PSU allots it's rails. Maybe Rail 1= CPU + Mobo + memory, etc. Rail 2= Video + peripherals.

True PSUs are stupid sometimes. They could have 1 really stressed rail but the 2nd is very free. That is a problem with dual 12v rails.

 

[daftpunkit]

Enermax 535w All In One- Newegg #: N82E16817103462
ePower Tagan TG-480-U22 480W- Newegg #: N82E16817101516
AeroCool Turbine Power 550W- Newegg #: N82E16817101208
CoolerMaster Real Power RS-550W- Newegg #: N82E16817171006

All are Dual rail 12V, with good power outputs. They all have had good reviews on them.

 

[imported_Kensai]

Enermax 535W is my choice.

 

[jbreits]

Thanks for the replies. Although, you all have your reservations about the brand and such, I still am confused as to whether this is a legitamte option (power-wise).

Right now, I think I have narrowed my options down to 3:

1. Keep my current 20-pin (generic and too loud for my liking) power supply which states 26A on +12v
2. Skyhawk ATX-GM250SC 520W - my main concern here is the 14A,12A 12v rails. I don't know if they are powerful enough
3. Rosewill RV450S ATX 450W - http://www.rosewill.com/product/product.aspx?productId=181. It seems like a good PSU. Has good reviews sounds like it is quiet. Has a single 22A 12v rail.

Any suggestions out of these 3?

Thanks,
JBreits

 

[KoolDrew]

Fortron AX500-A.

 

[imported_Kensai]

Lesson 1: Don't trust Generic brands.
Lesson 2: See above.
Lesson 3: Rosewill is a low end tier manufacturer.

 

[PKing1977]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817194001


on sale

PKing

 

[KoolDrew]

Originally posted by: PKing1977
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817194001


on sale

PKing

That is just overkill...

 

[jbreits]

OK. I understand.

But suppose that you were limited to the 3 choices listed above, in your opinion what would you do?

If I have a single 12V rail, what kind of amps would I need to power a system like the one above? Is 22A enough?

Thanks,
JBreits

 

[KoolDrew]

Specs don't mean much as some definitely won't be able to supply that amperage while some may supply even more. By todays standards something with +12V@26A is good.

 

[imported_Kensai]

Originally posted by: KoolDrew
Specs don't mean much as some definitely won't be able to supply that amperage while some may supply even more. By todays standards something with +12V@26A is good.

Agreed and for a high end A64 + 7800GTX, 32A+ is recommended. With an SLI, system, you better have at least 36A 12V.