Power Supply recommandation

[dmarook]

Hello everyone,

I am in the process of gradually upgrading my PC. My current specs are as follows:

Intel E4500 @ 2.8GHz with AC Freezer Pro 7 cooler
ASRock 4 CoreDual-SATA2
533MHz DDR2 2GB RAM
ATI Radeon 9800 Pro 128MB AGP
3 SATA and 1 IDE HDDs
Creative Audigi 2 Value PCI
One PCI SATA Controller card
One PCI Firewire card
Plextor DVDRW Drive
USB Card reader
One Powered USB HUB
Logitech PS2 Keyboard and USB Mouse
A 2GB USB 2.0 Flashdrive (Stays plugged in mostly)
Occasional USB connection to Mobiles, PDAs, USB Scanner etc.
Thermaltake Lanfire Xaser III VM2000A Case With Fan-Controller and four 90mm Fans
Antec True Blue 480W Power Supply

My plan was to gradually upgrade my graphics card (to ATI HD2900/2950 Pro or a Nvidia 8800GTS), then a better motherboard from ASUS or ABIT and finally my eyes were set on the Antec P182 Case.

But my current rig has been doing a few odd staff even at stock CPU speed. After a bit of research, I've figured out that I have been overlooking a vital component of my setup and that is my power supply. The PSU calculator at Antec's website tells me that with my current set-up should need 500+ Watts. and with my planned upgrades, I probably will need a minimum of 700 watts, specially if I go for an ATI card. But reading around various forums, I wonder if I really need that much power. Also When I get the new graphics card, I will definitly need a new PSU as my current one has no PCIe connectors.

Keeping my planned upgrades in mind, may I request some suggestions for a good ATX PSU which is quite and is going to keep me going for at least 3 to 4 years? Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in Advance.

- dmarook

 

[AmberClad]

500W+ for your current setup is absolutely ridiculous. Even if you change the video card, that still wouldn't need 500W.

I did a quick estimate using the calculator and your current setup and I only came out to around ~300W. When you're using the calculator, don't add USB devices that are self-powered. Also, don't add your keyboard and mouse -- those draw a tiny amount of power, and in any case, the calculator includes those by default, so you don't need to.

 

[MarcVenice]

Any decent 500w PSU will be PLENTY of power for your rig. Several recommendations come to mind, lets start cheap, and work our way up. Cheap means, reliable, stable, enough power, but not modular and perhaps no sleeved cables either. First, antec earthwatts 500w, several good deals to be had around the net, going for 60$ I believe on newegg.com, might be had for 50$ at fry's. Corsair vx450/550w, can be had for 60$ after rebates as well I think, checkout clubit.com. Corsair 520hx, modular, sleeved cables, 40a on 12v rail, can be had for 80$ at clubit.com as well. Last suggestion, but don't know the exact price, coolermaster i-green 500w. Seeing the amount of HD's and PCI cards you've got, I'd most likely go with the 550vx or 520hx.

 

[JEDIYoda]

What i don`t understand and please correct me if I am wrong.....

But most of the sites that do extensive PSI testing say your PSI sshoul run at only possibly somewhere between 55% and 65% of total capaicty. They are citing such things a lingevity of the PSU...

The arguement that a PSU should be ablw to run at 100% 24/7 is simply bogus!

so it say you just needed only a 300watt PSU wouldn`t it make sense for somebody to recommend say a 500 watts PSU?

I am of the opinion that everytime you upgrade you shouldn`t have to biu a new PSU...

confused....

 

[AmberClad]

I never said that he shouldn't get a 500W PSU . If I thought that, then I wouldn't have a 500W+ PSU either would I?

But I'm under the assumption that the calculator is supposed to give you the estimate for amount of wattage you need, not the amount you're recommended to have, or the amount that would result in the highest efficiency for the PSU. It should be up to the user to add a bit of safety margin if they desire. Essentially, when I use that calculator, if I see it pop out a number of 500W, then I'm going to assume I need a 700W PSU to achieve a bit of future upgradeability room.

So don't be confused between what I would recommend, and what I said I thought the calculator should be displaying (300W). My "500W+......ridiculous" comment was aimed at the overestimate by the calculator. I wasn't saying that actually getting a 500W+ PSU was ridiculous.

 

[dmarook]

Originally posted by: MarcVenice
Any decent 500w PSU will be PLENTY of power for your rig. Several recommendations come to mind, lets start cheap, and work our way up. Cheap means, reliable, stable, enough power, but not modular and perhaps no sleeved cables either. First, antec earthwatts 500w, several good deals to be had around the net, going for 60$ I believe on newegg.com, might be had for 50$ at fry's. Corsair vx450/550w, can be had for 60$ after rebates as well I think, checkout clubit.com. Corsair 520hx, modular, sleeved cables, 40a on 12v rail, can be had for 80$ at clubit.com as well. Last suggestion, but don't know the exact price, coolermaster i-green 500w. Seeing the amount of HD's and PCI cards you've got, I'd most likely go with the 550vx or 520hx.

Thanks. I'll Have a look at them.