PSU Help

Reiniku

Senior member
Dec 6, 2004
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well, when my parts finally come in i will built my new rig. as of the moment all i have (including coming items) will be:

AMD64 3400+
Asus A8V Deluxe
Thermalright XP-90 w/ 92mm Panaflo M1a
2x 512mb Kingston ValueRam PC3200 <- (upgrading after i upgrade vid card)
Pioneer 8X DVDRW+- Drive
Khypermedia 42x CDRW
Seagate 120GB IDE
Seagate 200GB IDE
Maxtor 300GB SATA
Radeon 9600 256 (NP) <- (upgrading to a 6600gt or 6800oc)

in a Raidmax 868 /w 420 watt psu

my problem is that my raidmax psu output is:
+3.3V@26A +5V@32A +12V@13A -5V@0.5A -12V@0.8A +5V(SB)@2A

when i upgrade to a 6600GT or 6800OC im not sure this will be sufficient. unfortunately, im also at a lack of funds right now but i do have other options. I have a few psus on hand that i could use instead of hte stock raidmax one.

the first is an A+GPB/Athena Power 450W ATX Power Supply
Output: +3.3V@30A, +5V@45A, -5V@0.5A, +12V@20A, -12V@1.0A, +5VSB@2.0A

the second is an Antec P4 ATX12V 350 Watt Power Supply
Output: +3.3V@28A;+5V@35A;-5V@0.5A;+12V@16A;-12V@0.8A;+5VSB@2A

the third is an Antec 380W Power Supply (this one would be difficult to get, since i have to take it out of my mom's sonata and switch another one into hers)
Output: +3.3V@28A, +5V@35A, -5V@0.5A, +12V@18A, -12V@1A, +5VSB@2A

i want to know which would be my best option to run what i have, after upgrading the video card. the Antec 380W seems to be the most appealing one atm, but i dont feel much driving to her work just to steal her psu.
 

11427

Senior member
May 9, 2003
412
0
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Yanno,.. I've never had a problem with Raidmax PSU's and I've used a lot of them. They were for the most part used in a regular old rig ie: 1 HDD, 1 FDD, 1 CD, a sound acrd and an average vid car. In fact I have one thats been in an old O/C'd K6 machine for about 5 years, it's been running 24 - 7. That said, I don't think I'd use the Raidmax for long in the machine you're putting together.
My suggestion would be to rearrange your upgrade priorities, hold off on the Mem and Video upgrade, leave all the other PSU's where they are and use the Raidmax untill you can get a better one.
Just my two sense, or non-sense if you will ;-)

 

Reiniku

Senior member
Dec 6, 2004
787
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76
i dont really have a problem with them either, but the amps on the 12v rail seem too low to run a 6600GT or 6800OC, which im actually planning to get by around mid january
 

Spike

Diamond Member
Aug 27, 2001
6,770
1
81
13 is too low, get at least 18a.

I agree, you need to upgrade the PSU before the other components, even if it is just for a cheaper but "middle of the road" Thermaltake PSU.

-spike
 

desi01

Member
Dec 9, 2004
52
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0
I would suggest the Antec. Btw the new antec 380W has 24A on the 12V rail instead of 18 so if your mom's psu is the new one i would highly reccomend getting it. It will last you a long time.
 

Reiniku

Senior member
Dec 6, 2004
787
0
76
gonna have to check if the one she has 24a on the 12v rail then :D, its a pretty new antec. maybe 2 months
 

LilHen

Golden Member
Apr 1, 2003
1,100
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Since you're too lazy to get the Antec from your Mom's Sonata, I would choose ...

the first is an A+GPB/Athena Power 450W ATX Power Supply
Output: +3.3V@30A, +5V@45A, -5V@0.5A, +12V@20A, -12V@1.0A, +5VSB@2.0A

I wouldn't want to risk those fancy components with a Raidmax. Never heard of Athena. What's the combined +3.3 &amp; +5 on that thing? Looks good on paper though.
 

BonzaiDuck

Lifer
Jun 30, 2004
16,889
2,208
126
Pick the one that has the greatest juice on the 12V rail -- the A+GBP. I think PC Club was selling those for a while, but I have no idea how reliable they are. But 13 amps? Sounds a bit anemic. As soon as you get this rig up and running, check the voltages to make sure everything is running to spec, and get an idea if the PSU is warming up or staying cool. Keep an eye on the sucker. Then keep your eye on the reviews and keep putting coins in your piggy-bank.