PSU Power Query

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hotlips69

Member
Feb 25, 2005
64
0
61
I'm about to build a high-end system from scratch, i.e. Athlon X2 5000, GeForce 7900GTX, 150GB Raptor, 2GB x DDR2-6400 etc..

I want a quality (branded) PSU and was thinking about getting something in the region of 500W.

1) Is this rating going to be powerful enough to easily cope with my new spec with a bit left over for future system development?

2) Realistically, what +3.3v, +5v, +12v should I be looking for?

3) Does it matter if the +12v is on one or split over several outputs?
 
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DaveSimmons

Elite Member
Aug 12, 2001
40,730
670
126
A Seasonic 500watt S-series is SLI-rated and very quiet. Works great with all motherboards except DFI.

I've been using one with my Asus A8N, X2 4200+, nv 7950GTX, 2 HD (Spinpoint 200GB + Raptor 150GB), 2 optical, for over a month without any issues.

If you're sure you won't ever get SLI then the Seasonic S-series 430(?) watt will also work fine with a 7950GTX, I only got the 500watt for the extra cables.
 
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Newf

Member
Jun 18, 2006
33
0
0
Originally posted by: hotlips69
I'm about to build a high-end system from scratch, i.e. Athlon X2 5000, GeForce 7900GTX, 150GB Raptor, 2GB x DDR2-6400 etc..

I want a quality (branded) PSU and was thinking about getting something in the region of 500W.

1) Is this rating going to be powerful enough to easily cope with my new spec with a bit left over for future system development?

2) Realistically, what +3.3v, +5v, +12v should I be looking for?

3) Does it matter if the +12v is on one or split over several outputs?
Click to expand...
1) Yes, 500w is enough.

2) The main issue today will be the 12v rails. Rails combined you want >35amps @ 12v.

3) No, but higher power units will split them up to keep wire gauges manageable and also market multiple rails as an advantage. All the 12v rails are DC coming from the same source so it's not like an audio PSU with separate transformers.

Consider this for a high-end system:
FSP FX600-GLN 600watt SLI 12v:4x15a PSU Active PFC $140+10 6/06
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104014
This is serious, reliable power with no bling.
 
JEDIYoda

JEDIYoda

Lifer
Jul 13, 2005
33,986
3,321
126
Originally posted by: hotlips69
I'm about to build a high-end system from scratch, i.e. Athlon X2 5000, GeForce 7900GTX, 150GB Raptor, 2GB x DDR2-6400 etc..

I want a quality (branded) PSU and was thinking about getting something in the region of 500W.

1) Is this rating going to be powerful enough to easily cope with my new spec with a bit left over for future system development?
As was already stated 500 watts should be enough. The main thing is the 12 v rail.

2) Realistically, what +3.3v, +5v, +12v should I be looking for?
You should be looking for anywhere from 34-40amps on the 12v rail.
Or a combination equalling 34-40 amps depending if you go dual 12v rails.

3) Does it matter if the +12v is on one or split over several outputs?
Click to expand...

No it does not matter if its all on one rail. At one time it was recommended to have dual 12v rails due to a supposed safety issue having all the amps on one rail.
But it has been proven over and over again there is no safety issue.

The main thing is that you do not scrimp on the price of the PSU you purchase.
Spend some money and get a good quality PSU!

Also a quick note those site such as PSU Inquisitor are not vert accurate sites.

Good Luck!
 
skooma

skooma

Senior member
Apr 13, 2006
635
28
91
i'll throw in the enhance 0560g since you didn't mention quiet :p

mines running-
x2 3800 @ 2700
7800gtx
74gb raptor, 250 gb sata
tv tuner pci
2x 1 gig ram
dfi sli-dr
2 dvd opticals

the only minor complaint i have is the fan ramps up quickly. i don't really notice it, but if your a silent freak, you might.

other than that, the rails are tight, the the modular cabling is nice and enhance makes some quality psu's.
 
bob4432

bob4432

Lifer
Sep 6, 2003
11,727
46
91
this is off topic but wait until after july 24th since amd is supposedly going to drop prices to deal with the conroe and also intel's plans to drop prices
 
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hotlips69

Member
Feb 25, 2005
64
0
61
From what I've read, I thought that Enermax was one of the best quality makes around for PSUs.

I've not heard much about Seasonic or Enhance..why are these considered to be better?
 
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Operandi

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
5,508
0
0
Originally posted by: hotlips69
From what I've read, I thought that Enermax was one of the best quality makes around for PSUs.

I've not heard much about Seasonic or Enhance..why are these considered to be better?
Click to expand...

Seasonic and Enhance are actual manufactures of power supplies. Seasonic seems to cover the high-end pretty exclusively while Enhance has both mid-range and top end models.

You don't hear about them as often because they don't waste time advertising to enthusiasts, they are too busy supplying units for severs and work stations for large OEMs. Although that seems to changing with Seasonic.
 
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GalvanizedYankee

Diamond Member
Oct 27, 2003
6,986
0
0
Excussssue me! Your in the UK. I should know better than to post to someone w/o a profile.

Believe what you've read, Enermax is the best & just buy it. Works for everyone ;)
Enhance is the current best-bang-for-the-buck in PSUs, knocking Fortron off that pedestal IMNSHO. ;)

...Galvanized
 
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hotlips69

Member
Feb 25, 2005
64
0
61
Originally posted by: GalvanizedYankee
Excussssue me! Your in the UK. I should know better than to post to someone w/o a profile.

Believe what you've read, Enermax is the best & just buy it. Works for everyone ;)
Enhance is the current best-bang-for-the-buck in PSUs, knocking Fortron off that pedestal IMNSHO. ;)

...Galvanized
Click to expand...

Am I missing something?
Is it considered that living in the UK puts us at a disadvantage somehow, or have I just not understood the joke?

 
A

akshayt

Banned
Feb 13, 2004
2,227
0
0
extreme.outervision.com

I would suggest wait a month or so and get intel conroe with radeon 1900xt crossfire
 
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Howard

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
47,982
11
81
A Seasonic S12-430 would work for your current rig. I believe it would also be sufficient for a second 7900GTX (not sure), though unfortunately it does not have two PCI-e connectors.
 
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hotlips69

Member
Feb 25, 2005
64
0
61
Originally posted by: Howard
A Seasonic S12-430 would work for your current rig. I believe it would also be sufficient for a second 7900GTX (not sure), though unfortunately it does not have two PCI-e connectors.
Click to expand...

On average, how many amps would a single, regular GeForce 7900GTX need on the +12v rail?

 
bob4432

bob4432

Lifer
Sep 6, 2003
11,727
46
91
Originally posted by: Howard
On average? All 7900GTX cards draw the same power when running at the same speed; approximately 7 amps according to this Xbitlabs article.
Click to expand...

is that 7A total or 7A from the extra power cable and then whatever from the pci-e slot?

edit - nevermind, read the article :confused:
 
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hotlips69

Member
Feb 25, 2005
64
0
61
After reading the comments of others on this forum and doing some homework, I've finally decided to go for a Seasonic S12-600 which is 600W with 36A on the +12v and supposedly a high quality brand!

This is technically more than I need at this time, but I want it to have the potential to last a few years through future CPU/Graphic Card upgrades etc... :)
 
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