Power Supply Upgrade

[whattaguy]

My current system:

DFI LanParty NF3 UT250
AMD64 3000+ @ stock
2x512 PC3200 Patriot DDRAM
4x PATA HDDs
MSI 9800Pro (Green version)
Echo Layla3G Soundcard
2x Optical drives
1x Floppy Drive
2x Case Fans

I currently have a Thermaltake Purepower 480 on my system, and would like to upgrade to a Seasonic PSU.

Is the Seasonic 400 going to be enough? Or should I go for the Seasonic 460?
I would like some headroom with a good PSU.

Thanks.

 

[Gamingphreek]

If you really want Seasonic, their S12 series, while not being the most powerful PSU's in the world, are very high quality and virtually silent.

Other than Seasonic: Fortron/FSP, OCZ (Might be a bit expensive), PCP&C (Even more expensive and higher quality than the OCZ), Enermax.

-Kevin

 

[whattaguy]

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek
If you really want Seasonic, their S12 series, while not being the most powerful PSU's in the world, are very high quality and virtually silent.

Other than Seasonic: Fortron/FSP, OCZ (Might be a bit expensive), PCP&C (Even more expensive and higher quality than the OCZ), Enermax.

-Kevin

Thanks.

I think I already made my decision on which one for a silent/quality PSU, but is the Seasonic 400W going to be enough? I think it has 21A on the 12V rail whereas the 460W has 25A on the 12V rail. I was wondering because AMD64s seem to be power hungry.

Thanks.

 

[fstime]

Nope, 18A on the 12V will run an A64 with 11.90+ ( 6800NU, 3 HD) on the 12V, 21A is more than enough.

 

[Gamingphreek]

Nope, 18A on the 12V will run an A64 with 11.90+ ( 6800NU, 3 HD) on the 12V, 21A is more than enough.

Not if he is OCing. 18A is considered the minimum for a P4 system, and decent for a moderatly loaded A64 system.

I was wondering because AMD64s seem to be power hungry.

God forbid you look at Intel. AMDs idles at IIRC 89 and load maxes at ~108. THe P4 OTOH Idles at 110 (Lower if you include EIST) and under max load have been known to flirt with the 200Watt mark.

-Kevin

 

[fstime]

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek

Nope, 18A on the 12V will run an A64 with 11.90+ ( 6800NU, 3 HD) on the 12V, 21A is more than enough.

Not if he is OCing. 18A is considered the minimum for a P4 system, and decent for a moderatly loaded A64 system.

Nope, its fine for overclocking, I know first hand, 3200+ at 2.5 ghz. 11.92 on the 12V. People on this board overdue PSUs way to much.

3200+
6800NU
3 Hard drives
4 Fans
2 Optical drives
Floppy

HIGH: 11.94
LOW: 11.92


Bottom line, keep your 480 watt until its time to upgrade.

 

[bookman]

If you want a bit of headroom, look for 20A or more on the 12V rail(s). There are good reviews of PSU on www.silentpcreview.com - though they have an emphasis on silence, they are also very mindful of power stability.