• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Power supply recommendations

Page 2 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.
Originally posted by: Blain
Originally posted by: Howard
Originally posted by: Blain
3. My opinions are developed by my experience and understanding.
I pity you if your experience has led to you to believe that PSUs that supply than 500W are useless.
4. I do assume a "cheapie" 180W PS is crap... you are correct.
Of course. It's a cheapie 180W. But what about a good 180W? :disgust: And why aren't there any PSUs rated between 180W and 500W?
* Where did I say a sub-500W PS was useless?
I hope you're talking about "low-end" systems.
 
Originally posted by: Duvie
Originally posted by: Operandi
Originally posted by: Atheus
Originally posted by: Operandi
since you don't need anywhere near 500 watts

Sure about that? X1900XT, dual core, 2GB, 2 HDs...

Maybe the real, actual power usage would be 400 or less, but you never want to buy the bare minimum power supply. Running them at their absolute limit is not good for the longevity of the unit.

He (HeavyB) is probably looking at most 200-250 watts. The 380 watt S12 is more then enough.



You are wayyyyy wrong....First of buddy he says he will be ocing...Find the PSU calculator...An e6300-6400 with l;ike 1,.45v and 3.4ghz will be like 130watts by itself...../q]
I wonder how that calculator figures the power draw of OCed CPUs. My rough estimates put the usage of a 3.4GHz 1.45V Core 2 at ~95W.
 
Originally posted by: Howard

I wonder how that calculator figures the power draw of OCed CPUs. My rough estimates put the usage of a 3.4GHz 1.45V Core 2 at ~95W.

I'm speculating that spec sheet max TDP is what's used to determine wattage for all of the components in that calculator, which is why it's guestimates are always about 50% higher than what I would assume.

Edit: Said TWD, meant TDP.
 
Originally posted by: jonnyGURU
Originally posted by: Howard

I wonder how that calculator figures the power draw of OCed CPUs. My rough estimates put the usage of a 3.4GHz 1.45V Core 2 at ~95W.

I'm speculating that spec sheet max TWD is what's used to determine wattage for all of the components in that calculator, which is why it's guestimates are always about 50% higher than what I would assume.



Funny thing is E6600 when uyou us eit and use similar OC is more like the number you suggest...

Bottom line 200-250watt is a ridiculous number...YOU need to find maximum load and then give yourself some headroom since even good PSU are only 80% efficient
 
Originally posted by: HeavyB
I will be setting up a C2D E6400 or E6600 rig with an ATI X1900GT vid card, 2 SATA HDs, 1-DVD burner +2G of RAM in a Lian-Li PC-7B plus II and can't decide on a PS to get. Its been awhile since I've built a rig from scratch and the number of manufacturers/models of PS is a little overwhelming. At the top of my list for 500W PS is

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104934

I'm not a big gamer and won't be going SLI ever, but do need to power at least 2 HD and will be overclocking. Any other models I should be looking at for under $100?

Since you're running a fairly power-hungry video card (x1900gt) and plan to overclock, I would probably go with a 500w unit from a good company if I my budget permitted. Some models I would look at:
- Enhance ENP-5150GH, ~$85
- Seasonic S12-500, $119 (free shipping, no CA tax) [review]
- Enermax Liberty 500w, $119 (free shipping) [review]
- Silverstone ST50EF-Plus 500w, $122 [review]
- Corsair 520HX, $125 [review 1] [review 2]
- Fortron FSP550, $131


The Fortron AX500 you mentioned in your original post would probably work just fine, but since you plan to overclock, if it were me, I would pick up a slightly higher grade psu, favoring the enhance model linked above if my budget was limited, and probably the seasonic s12-500 or the corsair 520hx if more funds are available. There are lots of good psu's in the $85+ range that will satisfy your needs and last a long time.

A top-shelf 400w unit will work, too. The enhance enp-5140gh & seasonic s12-430 should be adequate, while the Fortron FSP400-60GLN (~$56) [review] would be the cheapest unit I would ever consider for your setup given what you plan to do with it, and I would only really consider it if I were really hurting for cash.
 
Originally posted by: Duvie
Originally posted by: jonnyGURU
Originally posted by: Howard

I wonder how that calculator figures the power draw of OCed CPUs. My rough estimates put the usage of a 3.4GHz 1.45V Core 2 at ~95W.

I'm speculating that spec sheet max TWD is what's used to determine wattage for all of the components in that calculator, which is why it's guestimates are always about 50% higher than what I would assume.



Funny thing is E6600 when uyou us eit and use similar OC is more like the number you suggest...

Bottom line 200-250watt is a ridiculous number...YOU need to find maximum load and then give yourself some headroom since even good PSU are only 80% efficient

The 80% efficiency is in converting from the AC input to the DC output. That means a quality 400W PSU puts out 400W, not 320W. So efficiency doesn't have anything to do with how big of a power supply you get, just how much power it draws from the wall to get that power.

 
Originally posted by: modestninja
Originally posted by: Duvie
Originally posted by: jonnyGURU
Originally posted by: Howard

I wonder how that calculator figures the power draw of OCed CPUs. My rough estimates put the usage of a 3.4GHz 1.45V Core 2 at ~95W.

I'm speculating that spec sheet max TWD is what's used to determine wattage for all of the components in that calculator, which is why it's guestimates are always about 50% higher than what I would assume.



Funny thing is E6600 when uyou us eit and use similar OC is more like the number you suggest...

Bottom line 200-250watt is a ridiculous number...YOU need to find maximum load and then give yourself some headroom since even good PSU are only 80% efficient

The 80% efficiency is in converting from the AC input to the DC output. That means a quality 400W PSU puts out 400W, not 320W. So efficiency doesn't have anything to do with how big of a power supply you get, just how much power it draws from the wall to get that power.
Pretty much.
 
Originally posted by: Duvie
You are wayyyyy wrong....First of buddy he says he will be ocing...Find the PSU calculator...An e6300-6400 with l;ike 1,.45v and 3.4ghz will be like 130watts by itself.....

My systems are comparable to his and according the charts I needed just at 400watts...No figure you wont get 100% efficiency you need more....

Wake up!!!

As it's already been pointed out to PSU powered is measured after the conversion to DC not before, making efficiency a moot point here.

Read this carefully and look at the specs of the hardware. Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6700 (quad core CPU), 8800GTX, 650i SLI board, WD Raptor HD; peak power was 331 watts before the conversion to DC, thats less then 300 watts DC. Even with a very aggressive overclock there is no way the OP's system is going to draw more power then the machine tested in the DailyTech article.

Either get the above information through you thick skull or stop posting in threads you know nothing about.
 
Originally posted by: Operandi
Originally posted by: Duvie
You are wayyyyy wrong....First of buddy he says he will be ocing...Find the PSU calculator...An e6300-6400 with l;ike 1,.45v and 3.4ghz will be like 130watts by itself.....

My systems are comparable to his and according the charts I needed just at 400watts...No figure you wont get 100% efficiency you need more....

Wake up!!!

As it's already been pointed out to PSU powered is measured after the conversion to DC not before, making efficiency a moot point here.

Read this carefully and look at the specs of the hardware. Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6700 (quad core CPU), 8800GTX, 650i SLI board, WD Raptor HD; peak power was 331 watts before the conversion to DC, thats less then 300 watts DC. Even with a very aggressive overclock there is no way the OP's system is going to draw more power then the machine tested in the DailyTech article.

Either get the above information through you thick skull or stop posting in threads you know nothing about.

Exactly...

The only other thing I'd like to point out, is that Operandi meant 'than' rather than 'then' in his post. It annoys me to no end the sheer number of people that make this mistake with words that are simply similar. I mean at least their/there/they're or its/it's all sound the same... Than and then aren't even pronounced the same, ffs.

If you you're comparing two things, you use than (ex: Prices in Houston were less than in Oakland). It is a conjunction or in rare instances a preposition. Then is an adverb most of the time (and can be a adjective or noun). Generally it refers to a period of time (ex: Prices in Houston were less then.)

Hopefully that will help going forward. If you still have doubts about the two feel free to look in a dictionary!

PS: The only reason I'm bitching about this is that it's way too late!
 
Originally posted by: modestninja
Originally posted by: Operandi
Originally posted by: Duvie
You are wayyyyy wrong....First of buddy he says he will be ocing...Find the PSU calculator...An e6300-6400 with l;ike 1,.45v and 3.4ghz will be like 130watts by itself.....

My systems are comparable to his and according the charts I needed just at 400watts...No figure you wont get 100% efficiency you need more....

Wake up!!!

As it's already been pointed out to PSU powered is measured after the conversion to DC not before, making efficiency a moot point here.

Read this carefully and look at the specs of the hardware. Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6700 (quad core CPU), 8800GTX, 650i SLI board, WD Raptor HD; peak power was 331 watts before the conversion to DC, thats less then 300 watts DC. Even with a very aggressive overclock there is no way the OP's system is going to draw more power then the machine tested in the DailyTech article.

Either get the above information through you thick skull or stop posting in threads you know nothing about.

Exactly...

The only other thing I'd like to point out, is that Operandi meant 'than' rather than 'then' in his post. It annoys me to no end the sheer number of people that make this mistake with words that are simply similar. I mean at least their/there/they're or its/it's all sound the same... Than and then aren't even pronounced the same, ffs.

If you you're comparing two things, you use than (ex: Prices in Houston were less than in Oakland). It is a conjunction or in rare instances a preposition. Then is an adverb most of the time (and can be a adjective or noun). Generally it refers to a period of time (ex: Prices in Houston were less then.)

Hopefully that will help going forward. If you still have doubts about the two feel free to look in a dictionary!

PS: The only reason I'm bitching about this is that it's way too late!

whay twoo funyeeee
 
Originally posted by: JEDIYoda
Originally posted by: modestninja
Originally posted by: Operandi
Originally posted by: Duvie
You are wayyyyy wrong....First of buddy he says he will be ocing...Find the PSU calculator...An e6300-6400 with l;ike 1,.45v and 3.4ghz will be like 130watts by itself.....

My systems are comparable to his and according the charts I needed just at 400watts...No figure you wont get 100% efficiency you need more....

Wake up!!!

As it's already been pointed out to PSU powered is measured after the conversion to DC not before, making efficiency a moot point here.

Read this carefully and look at the specs of the hardware. Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6700 (quad core CPU), 8800GTX, 650i SLI board, WD Raptor HD; peak power was 331 watts before the conversion to DC, thats less then 300 watts DC. Even with a very aggressive overclock there is no way the OP's system is going to draw more power then the machine tested in the DailyTech article.

Either get the above information through you thick skull or stop posting in threads you know nothing about.

Exactly...

The only other thing I'd like to point out, is that Operandi meant 'than' rather than 'then' in his post. It annoys me to no end the sheer number of people that make this mistake with words that are simply similar. I mean at least their/there/they're or its/it's all sound the same... Than and then aren't even pronounced the same, ffs.

If you you're comparing two things, you use than (ex: Prices in Houston were less than in Oakland). It is a conjunction or in rare instances a preposition. Then is an adverb most of the time (and can be a adjective or noun). Generally it refers to a period of time (ex: Prices in Houston were less then.)

Hopefully that will help going forward. If you still have doubts about the two feel free to look in a dictionary!

PS: The only reason I'm bitching about this is that it's way too late!

whay twoo funyeeee

heheheh...
 
Originally posted by: Blain
Originally posted by: Howard
Originally posted by: Blain
3. My opinions are developed by my experience and understanding.
I pity you if your experience has led to you to believe that PSUs that supply than 500W are useless.
4. I do assume a "cheapie" 180W PS is crap... you are correct.
Of course. It's a cheapie 180W. But what about a good 180W? :disgust: And why aren't there any PSUs rated between 180W and 500W?
* Where did I say a sub-500W PS was useless?
* I would use a quality 180W PS for a low end system.
* This thread is getting weird.

No the thread is not getting weird!
The thread is going where threads like this usually go when somebody offers a differing opinion instead of getting on your hands and knees and worshiping those who believe there opinions are the only opinions that count!!

Been there had that happen.....I still stick to my guns!!
YES-- They will attempt to put words in your mouth!!!
Good Luck!! 😀
 
Originally posted by: modestninja
Originally posted by: Duvie
Originally posted by: jonnyGURU
Originally posted by: Howard

I wonder how that calculator figures the power draw of OCed CPUs. My rough estimates put the usage of a 3.4GHz 1.45V Core 2 at ~95W.

I'm speculating that spec sheet max TWD is what's used to determine wattage for all of the components in that calculator, which is why it's guestimates are always about 50% higher than what I would assume.



Funny thing is E6600 when uyou us eit and use similar OC is more like the number you suggest...

Bottom line 200-250watt is a ridiculous number...YOU need to find maximum load and then give yourself some headroom since even good PSU are only 80% efficient

The 80% efficiency is in converting from the AC input to the DC output. That means a quality 400W PSU puts out 400W, not 320W. So efficiency doesn't have anything to do with how big of a power supply you get, just how much power it draws from the wall to get that power. -- Thats wrong!!

As it's already been pointed out to PSU powered is measured after the conversion to DC not before, making efficiency a moot point here.
 
Back
Top