Quiet PSU: Nexus VS Zalman, which one is better?

[s2kpacifist]

The Zalman PSU 400-watt, which is around $124.99 U.S. is a really good PSU. It's also easily available on online stores.

The Nexus PSU 400-watt is around $110, but I have a bit of a problem finding it.

Both are rated @ 20 decebils in idle.

Has anyone compared these two PSU's and is there even a noticable difference between the two besides the price?

Alright here's the newbie question: Do I even need 400 watts for my new rig? I'm using 2 optical drives, Radeon 9800pro, p4 2.8c, MSI 875 mobo, corsair pc3200, and an Asetek Waterchill (that's a hydor pump and a sunon fan) , with 2 panaflo L1a's. Oh yeah and some sort of case lighting, although I have yet to see what that is.

 

[Blastman]

This review might help ...

http://www6.tomshardware.com/howto/20021021/powersupplies-08.html

 

[Dug]

Look for Forton. Exteremly high quality power supplies.
I have the 300w version running an AMD o/c to 2.3Ghz, ATI 9700pro, dvd, cdrw, 2 case fans.

They are very conservative rating considering the output provided.
I would probably look at this-

Fortron FSP350-60BN 350W P4/AMD Ready Power Supply.
Feature: Noise Killer, Ultra Quiet
Max Power: 350W @ 70% output, Peak at 440W

Only $32 at Newegg.

Anybody that has used them will attest to their quality and quiet fans.
I used to have a pcpower&cooling silencer. These are actually just as good and quieter.

 

[vailr]

FYI: www.svc.com has the Zalman 400W PSU, for about $99.

 

[alkemyst]

you can also almost always get the best bang for buck PSU and replace the fan with a high end quiet one...try to match the cfm though.

 

[s2kpacifist]

Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[JKing76]

The Zalman and the Nexus (and two SilenX brands) are all modified Fortrons.

 

[prontospyder]

Originally posted by: Dug
Look for Forton. Exteremly high quality power supplies.
I have the 300w version running an AMD o/c to 2.3Ghz, ATI 9700pro, dvd, cdrw, 2 case fans.

They are very conservative rating considering the output provided.
I would probably look at this-

Fortron FSP350-60BN 350W P4/AMD Ready Power Supply.
Feature: Noise Killer, Ultra Quiet
Max Power: 350W @ 70% output, Peak at 440W

Only $32 at Newegg.

Anybody that has used them will attest to their quality and quiet fans.
I used to have a pcpower&cooling silencer. These are actually just as good and quieter.

Yep, no problems with my 300W Fortron. It's pretty quiet too.