Suggestions for a 375W to 425W replacement PSU?

[BernardP]

My 350W Antec Smart Power 2.0 has died an early death.

I am looking to get a replacement, and I will bump the power a little. My system is low-power (see sig) and I am planning to add a 8600GT soon.

I am open to suggestions for a replacement in the 375W to 425W range. I would like a readily available, well-known, quality brand, and a relatively quiet fan.

Being in Canada, local availability is not a given, and adding shipping costs to an online purchase can easily ruin a deal.

The 380W Antec Earthwatts would seem to fit the bill, but I want to make sure this one doesn't also suffer from even a hint of badcapacitoritis.

I have not made up my mind in favor of the Earthwatts and am open to other suggestions.

 

[SparkyJJO]

The earthwatts don't have the badcaps issue. Only the truepower, truepower 2, smartpower, and smartpower 2 series had that problem. The rest are A-OK.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Originally posted by: SparkyJJO
The earthwatts don't have the badcaps issue. Only the truepower, truepower 2, smartpower, and smartpower 2 series had that problem. The rest are A-OK.

:laugh:

 

[MarcVenice]

Do you have fry's in canada ? 50$ for 500w earthwatts, which are seasonic built.

 

[BernardP]

Originally posted by: MarcVenice
Do you have fry's in canada ? 50$ for 500w earthwatts, which are seasonic built.

No Fry's up here.

I am looking at the 380W Eartwatts, which is enough for my system. Is it also Seasonic-built?

How do we know Seasonic build these for Antec?

I would have liked to find a 380W P/S on Seasonic's web site

 

[Zap]

The whole Earthwatts series is Seasonic made. Seasonic also makes the S12-II in a 380W capacity.

 

[MarcVenice]

380w might be a little on the low side, although it should be fine, 'even' with a 8600gt. How soon do you see yourself upgrading? If it's within 6 months, buy a 500w PSU that you can reuse by then. If you are not upgrading, then 380/430w should be just fine.

 

[tomoyo]

Originally posted by: BernardP
My 350W Antec Smart Power 2.0 has died an early death.

I am looking to get a replacement, and I will bump the power a little. My system is low-power (see sig) and I am planning to add a 8600GT soon.

I am open to suggestions for a replacement in the 375W to 425W range. I would like a readily available, well-known, quality brand, and a relatively quiet fan.

Being in Canada, local availability is not a given, and adding shipping costs to an online purchase can easily ruin a deal.

The 380W Antec Earthwatts would seem to fit the bill, but I want to make sure this one doesn't also suffer from even a hint of badcapacitoritis.

I have not made up my mind in favor of the Earthwatts and am open to other suggestions.

Earthwatts 380W is more than enough for most systems. Don't even worry about anything else.

 

[BernardP]

Originally posted by: MarcVenice
380w might be a little on the low side, although it should be fine, 'even' with a 8600gt. How soon do you see yourself upgrading? If it's within 6 months, buy a 500w PSU that you can reuse by then. If you are not upgrading, then 380/430w should be just fine.

I am moving up from a 350W P/S to something around 400W, and am checking that it is a true 400W. The Antec Earthwatts has 34 Amps on two 12V rails, which is more than the 25 Amps total I had on the dead 350W PSU.

Because of space limitations in my smallish case (3 hard drives), I have to go with a short videocard, so it could be the 8600GTS at most

Once I get the 8600GT, I won't upgrade the videocard before I get an all-new system (3 years?). I am only an occasional gamer.

 

[Lunyone]

Check out how well the 380w Antec does:
8800gtx on 380w Antec PSU!
http://www.overclockers.com/articles1452/

Just an example, so you shouldn't have any issues with what you want to do.

 

[BernardP]

Originally posted by: Lunyone
Check out how well the 380w Antec does:
8800gtx on 380w Antec PSU!
http://www.overclockers.com/articles1452/

Just an example, so you shouldn't have any issues with what you want to do.

Very reassuring. I am going shopping tomorrow and have shortlisted these models:

Antec Earthwatts 380
Corsair VX450
Enermax Noisetaker II 370 and 425
Seasonic S12 II 380
Silverstone Strider ST400

If I can't find what I want locally, the Antec Eartwatts is looking good on DirectCanada.com for $ 52.75 w air shipping

 

[s44]

Your dead Antec's not under warranty? If it is, you can RMA it and they'll replace with an Earthwatts...

 

[BernardP]

Originally posted by: s44
Your dead Antec's not under warranty? If it is, you can RMA it and they'll replace with an Earthwatts...

It will cost me a fortune to ship it from Eastern Canada to California. And AFAIK, they will send me another Smart Power P/S. They must have a lot of them in reserve.

I checked with the store where I bought it, and they tell me that Antec replaces a dead Smart Power PSU with an identical one.

Also, I am currently using a replacement PSU I borrowed from a friend, and I need a replacement now.

 

[BernardP]

So...

After visiting five computer stores in town, it's always the same thing when trying to buy locally. They have a lot of junk, and when you find a good product from a reputable brand, it is grossly overpriced. I did see the Antec Earthwatts 380 for $70 :frown:

I finally ordered the Antec Earthwatts 380 online from DirectCanada.com for $52.76 shipped and added a Scythe S-Flex 1200 rpm 120 mm case fan for $12.34 shipped. And I don't have to pay the provincial sales tax.

My computer should be noticeably quieter after these upgrades.

EDIT: 10/22/2007

Received and installed the Earthwatts power supply and Scythe case fan. Everything is running fine and is much quieter