Think my Enermax 550W is flaking out, would the Antec 650W Eartwatts be overkill?

Krakn3Dfx

Platinum Member
Sep 29, 2000
2,969
1
81
My system:

ABit IP35-E
Intel q9300 running at 3.3GHz
8GB of G.Skill DDR2 800 (2GB x 4)
EVGA GTX 260
Creative X-Fi
MAXTOR STM3500630AS
SAMSUNG HD103SI
SEAGATE ST3320620AS
2x Lite-On LH-20A1L DVDRW drives

My system has been doing some flaky stuff like not booting properly 30-40% of the time, started getting worse when I threw in the Seagate 1TB drive, so I'm thinking my 4 year old Enermax PSU isn't doing the job or is just dying on me. Thinking maybe replacing it with a newer, more powerful model could resolve my issues hopefully.

Reading good reviews for the Antec 650W Earthwatts model, is it recommended? I thought about the Corsair TX 650W, but it's like $30 more at Microcenter, and I'd like to save that $30 if the Antec is pretty good, which is seems to be.
 
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mpilchfamily

Diamond Member
Jun 11, 2007
3,559
1
0
No such thing as overkill with PSUs. The system pulls only the power it needs. The PSU doesn't force the full rated wattage at the system. The Antec would be a great replacement for you.
 

Fayd

Diamond Member
Jun 28, 2001
7,970
2
76
www.manwhoring.com
then i think your enermax psu needs warranty replacement if it's within warranty, rather than replacement with another type of psu. a 550w psu should have no problems handling that.
 

mpilchfamily

Diamond Member
Jun 11, 2007
3,559
1
0
Upgradeing from an Enermax would be a good idea. Not that they make bad PSUs but some models have been known to have a high fail rate. But then the same can be said of Antec as well. But there Earthwatts models are solid PSUs.
 

Modelworks

Lifer
Feb 22, 2007
16,240
7
76
Buying based on watts alone without considering the rails is risky.

So adding it up:

ABit IP35-E - 6A
Intel q9300 running at 3.3GHz - 8A
8GB of G.Skill DDR2 800 (2GB x 4) -NA
EVGA GTX 260 - 15A
Creative X-Fi - 1A
MAXTOR STM3500630AS -1A
SAMSUNG HD103SI - 1A
SEAGATE ST3320620AS 1A
2x Lite-On LH-20A1L DVDRW drives 2A


Total: 35A @ 12V minimum
 

cmdrdredd

Lifer
Dec 12, 2001
27,052
357
126
You could look into a Corsair TX750. It's $109 with a $10 MIR at newegg.

750 watts and 62A on the +12 rail. Would last you a long, long time.
 

HarlanPepper

Junior Member
Nov 17, 2003
15
0
0
No such thing as overkill with PSUs. The system pulls only the power it needs. The PSU doesn't force the full rated wattage at the system. The Antec would be a great replacement for you.

Don't you want to ideally stay in the 40-60% load range for the most efficiency from any power supply? If that's the case, there is such a thing as overkill (from a cost per watt standpoint) I would say... unless things have changed recently.