The Right PSU

[Fordeus01]

I recently purchased my latest system...
Intel Core 2 Duo E6400
Abit AB9 Pro Motherboard
eVGA 7950gx2
2GB of Corsair XMS2 DDR2 800
74GB WD Raptor
My current PSU is the APEVIA (ASPIRE) ATX-AS500W-SV ATX12V 500W Power Supply LINK.
While I am aware that ASPIRE isn't know for being reliable, do you think there is any chance that this will run my new system?
I did the Xion PowerReal XON-600F14T-201 ATX12V V.2.01 600W Power Supply for only 70 dollars after MIR's LINK. Should the Aspire 500W work fine or should I go ahead and purchase the 600W PSU...
Thanks
Peter

 

[Lord Evermore]

It technically might run it. However the Aspire vastly breaks the ATX specification, which apparently calls for no more than 20A on any single 12V rail. The Aspire is rated at 34A. That's not necessarily a bad thing if it can handle the power, but it's better to have large amounts of power split into 2 or more rails. The Xion is split into two rails, they're still over 20A but not by much. However it doesn't tell you what the total wattage available on the 12V rails is, which is bad, because it's not just 22x12V+22x12V.

I'm sure you can find better deals on good power supplies. A good 400W ought to be enough for your system, let alone a 500 or 600.

But, since you already have the Aspire, it doesn't hurt to give it a try (as long as you can try it out without leaving yourself without a computer until you can get a new one if needed). The Aspire really ought to be fine.

 

[myocardia]

That Apevia psu won't even run that system at all. It's a 20-pin psu. You'll need a 24-pin or a 20+4-pin psu, like that Xion you linked to.

edit: Evermore, you're talking about two different ATX specifications. I've got an Enermax psu with 34A on the 12v rail, and I've been using it for 2 1/2 years now, every single day, but it's the older ATX spec, for motherboards with only one 12v rail, like that Aspire psu he linked to.

 

[Fordeus01]

Not to ask too much of a n00b question but why would I need a 20+4 pin PSU instead of just a 20 pin PSU...:/
Peter

 

[Operandi]

You don?t need anything more then 350-400 watts. Quality over quantity, and neither Xion or Aspire would qualify as quality.

 

[Lord Evermore]

Originally posted by: Fordeus01
Not to ask too much of a n00b question but why would I need a 20+4 pin PSU instead of just a 20 pin PSU...:/
Peter

Because the mainboard takes 24 pins. The extra pins are just more voltage supply wires and a ground wire.

I didn't even think about looking at the pin-outs.

The 12V rail was suggested to be limited to 18A and split to 2 rails if you go past that, in the 2.01 specification. I wasn't that far off. Still makes sense to look for it.

 

[Fordeus01]

So then I HAVE to get a new PSU?......bummer..........I guess in that case any recommendations
Peter

 

[myocardia]

These are your best two for reliability, in a psu that doesn't cost a fortune: Enermax psu's. Also, I'd definitely get the Liberty, because of it having so much more power on the 12v rails. Also, any OCZ or Seasonic that's over 500 watts, or any Antec that's over 550 watts will do fine, too, but Antec still aren't as good/reliable as Enermax, Seasonic, or OCZ. Oh, and definitely look for one with dual 12v rails, along with having a 24-pin connector.

edit: Oh, and if you're planning on overclocking, you're gonna want at least 600 watts.

 

[Fordeus01]

Would I be correct in assuming then that the Xion PowerReal 600W PSU would not be reliable (its a excellent price and cool looking )? The reviews that I found of it did not seem to have a problem with it...
Hard-h2o
LINK
DriverHeaven
LINK
And its 24 Pin, and dual 12v rails...
Peter

 

[akshayt]

get a quality 600 watts psu, or atleast 500-550 seasonic, fortron etc.

 

[Bobthelost]

Look at the reviews of the 7950GX2. The power draws they quote are nearly all from the wall (20% more than the PSU delivers) and for the entire system.

You do not need anything more than a 500W even that's a bit paranoid.

Now, to your choice, the first is a second tier review, mulitimeters to test with, but the power draw will have been at most 180W or so, not much of a test for a 600W PSU.

The second shows that it's a bit crap:

he PowerReal 600W unit could work with 550W worth of load on its 4 primary lines, but would soon shut down if pushed any higher. This is within the true specifications of the unit, as the unit can officially handle 538W on the 4 primary lines. What we enjoyed about the unit is that it never became considerably audible, even while working at full load.

They are testing @ 18.5*C and make no mention of a hot box so there's a damned good chance it will crap out before it reaches it's rated power.

Will it work? Yes.
Should you buy it? Hell no.