What PSU to get? Antec vs. Enermax

[arcenite]

I am going to be replacing my fried mobo and suicidal PSU in the next few weeks. I have already decided I am going to get another EPoX 8RDA+. My question is, what PSU should I get. I am looking in the high 300's low 400's. I have heard about people talking about their Antecs blowing up though, and I don't want this to happen to me again. Please advise, money is no concern for a high quality PSU (i've learned my lesson).

Thanks in advance

Bill

 

[brunswickite]

Enermax, is what i have, havented owned antec but quality is same i would assume

 

[Tennoh]

I have an Enermax 450. Its good but if I were to buy another PS soon, it would be an Antec TruePower series because it doesn't combine rails like most other PS units.

 

[SuperSix]

Originally posted by: Tennoh
I have an Enermax 450. Its good but if I were to buy another PS soon, it would be an Antec TruePower series because it doesn't combine rails like most other PS units.

Antec is better. Quieter, better rail specs, and has a better warranty.

 

[eplebnista]

Another vote for Antec!

 

[Brian48]

Yep. Antec 330w TruPower or the 430w version if you want to spend a little more. Best PSU's I've used to date.

 

[paulj2]

I also like and use the Antec True Power series. In addition to running quiet and having 3 separate rails, they can also control 3 of your case fans.

 

[Mitzi]

Had my Antec TruePower 430 for a couple of months now...very pleased with it. Never owned an Enermax so can't comment.

 

[Chaotic42]

I've had my Antec TruePower 550 for about 2 weeks. It is quiter than my PC Power and Cooling 330W was (but since it was stressed, that might have had something to do with it), and since it has a bottom fan, it keeps my computer cooler. I paid $175 for the PCP&C a few years ago, and $110 for the Antec.

 

[NumbaJuan]

both are very good choices, grab a coin and give it a toss

 

[caboob]

I have an Antec TP 550W that I've owned for 3 months and I think its dying a slow death. It currently is powering an 8INXP, OC'd 2.53B@3.30, 2 HD, 1 DVD/CDRW, 5 case fans (hooked into a vantec fan controller). Since install, its been getting progressively louder and in the last week I've been experiencing cold boots. I have an Enermax 651 on the way so we'll see if the cold boots are a PSU problem or a mobo problem. In my other rig I have a 350W Enermax Whisper that has been rock solid for over a year now.

 

[arcenite]

Thank you everyone for your responses... Since I've gotten more or less equal responses about both brands, i'm still confused. I guess i'll go with an antec TruePower 430...

Bill

Edit: Caboob, please tell me your results

 

Originally posted by: eplebnista
Another vote for Antec!

 

[zodder]

My Antec has been flawless for about a year. I chose the Antec because it had less molex connectors and less wires. I try to keep a clean case and I had no idea what to do with all the extra wires.

 

[Anubis]

ANTEC

I have the True Power 430. thing is solid as a rock. and its quiet also.

i just buily a sys for a friend and put a Antech 350 in it and its solid also. they get my vote

 

[WhiteKnight77]

Antec vote here. I have a TruePower 480 and don't hear one peep from it.

 

[Pilsnerpete]

I had the antec sl350 until I had to put it in a client machine! Said the 350w Sparkle was too loud. I kept it, but HAD to
lower the rpm of the fan. The sl400 is pretty high on my list of great power supplies.

 

[jeffrey]

I'll toss a vote in for the ENERMAX EG465AX-VE (W)FCA. I am a certified fanboy of this PSU.

 

[Mallow]

Antec is better IMO. However, they aren't as quiet as people say. I expected to hear nothing... I still hear it.

 

[Turbonium]

Another vote for Antec TruePower...

 

[NeilPeart]

I recently purchased an Antec PP1080 (the updated SX1000 case) with an Antec TruePower 430 for $99 at Fry's! I had previously owned an Enermax 430 Watt PSU, and the Antec maintains tighter voltages and is noticeably quieter. The nice PP1080 case was the reason I purchased the system, and the PSU only sweetened the deal. Many retailers sell the PSU alone for around $75; asking $99 for two products (which separately retail at nearly the $99 asking price) of such high quality is crazy. If you have access to a Fry's in your area, I would run out right now and pick one up, as they sold out within days. I realize this may sound like an endorsement, but I was simply amazed by the great deal I found last week. Don?t miss out if you have the opportunity.

 

[dcdomain]

No Fry's up in here... but...
My Antec 300w truepower recently died on me... had it since October of 2000. =T... guess it was a one time thing... freaking took my mobo with it. Could have been the mobo's fault or the psu.. who knows.

 

[arcenite]

^ that's exactly what I'm talking about. Has anyone had their enermax take their mobo out?

Bill

 

[NeilPeart]

aRCeNiTe,
Just because dcdomain's Antec PSU (which by the way isn't one of the super high-quality TruePower series) died and took his mobo with it, doesn't mean it's a common event. In fact, unless tons of members start posting about their Antec's failures, I wouldn't even worry about it. Yes, Enermax used to be a premier PSU manufacturer, but Antec was always up there as well. Enermax just became very gimmicky and really didn't improve the quality of their PSUs. Antec's TruePower series truly elevated their quality (which even challenges the mighty PC Power & Cooling brand in terms of performance, but is much quieter). If you want to get a more well-known PSU with a few features or gimmicks, then get an Enermax. If you want the highest quality PSU, then get a PC Power & Cooling model. If you want a super quiet PSU (and have a system that's not insanely filled with high-power peripherals), consider the Zalman or Nexus models. If you want a PSU that also includes some Enermax-like features, approaches PC Power & Cooling in terms of quality and almost hits Zalman's/Nexus' low noise floors, then get the Antec TruePower series. If you like their cases then you might as well save some money and buy the $99 PP1080/TruePower 430 bundle.

 

[Brian48]

dcdomain's Antec pp303x is actually made by Channel Well. A great PSU in it's day, but it's pretty antiquated these days (low 12v rating). Antec no longer carries this model. The current, non-TruPower models are actually made by Herolchi (at least with the pp352x anyway). Not sure who makes the TruPowers for Antec though.