What is a good power supply for this sytem?

[bullion416]

I am planning on buying a new processor, board, and memory next week. I will most likely end up getting an AMD XP 2600+ with the Abit NF7-S board. I will use my current case, but it only has a 300W Antec power supply. My first question is, how big of a power supply would I need to power the XP 2600+ chip (I also have a cold cathode light in my case too if that makes a difference). Secondly, what brand is the best for the money (i don't want to spend a fortune but i want a good powersupply). Thanks

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Originally posted by: bullion416
I am planning on buying a new processor, board, and memory next week. I will most likely end up getting an AMD XP 2600+ with the Abit NF7-S board. I will use my current case, but it only has a 300W Antec power supply. My first question is, how big of a power supply would I need to power the XP 2600+ chip (I also have a cold cathode light in my case too if that makes a difference). Secondly, what brand is the best for the money (i don't want to spend a fortune but i want a good powersupply). Thanks

I like the Antec smartpower a 400 watt PSU onsale here for 50 bucks. The thing about a PSU is not what it says it puts out but what it puts out when you measure the 3.3 and 5 v outputs. There are plenty of PSU's that say 500 watts etc etc but dont put out the power of lower units. This unit puts out 230 watts which will work just dandy.



PSU

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Here is also a PSU shootout.



Review

 

[Corporate Thug]

antec truepower 380W

 

[bullion416]

Thanks for the info. Does anyone know of anyone that could use my Antec 300W PSU? I hate to just throw it in the corner and not do anything with it.

 

[4x4expy]

You should be fine. The Athlon itself is not going to be too much for the 300w ps. If you are going to run say a 9800pro along with a pair of sata drives in raid, along with a large storage drive, fans, and more fans, several cold cathodes, then yes you will run into a problem quick. All of the extras are what stress your PS. That is why guys can run there shuttles with a ~250psu, along with 9700p cards and p4/barton cpus. (There is just not room in the case to add a bunch of power sucking components.) I suggest you build your system around the PSU you have, if there is a problem, you can replace it then.

 

[slicksilver]

Sparkle/Fortron Group FSP350BT is all you will ever need. Well that is for most of the cases unless you plan to go to get a processor above P4 3275 Mhz.....and its only $32 at newegg

 

[bullion416]

I haven't heard much about Sparkle or Fortron Group power supplies before. Are they comparable to Antec PSU? I just don't want to get a power supply that is crappy and runs hot and is unreliable.

 

[WaTaGuMp]

Originally posted by: bullion416
I haven't heard much about Sparkle or Fortron Group power supplies before. Are they comparable to Antec PSU? I just don't want to get a power supply that is crappy and runs hot and is unreliable.

If you read the review the Fortron got the editiors choice, I havent used one myself always had Antec.