What size PSU do I need?

[VivienM]

Planning on building new rig, X2 3800+, 7800 GT, 2-3 HDs, 2 optical drives, etc. Not planning to do SLI...

Is 400 or 430W enough? Or should I go for 500W? (looking at the Antec NeoPower if I get a P180, or the Smartpower 400W in the 3800B as a lower-budget alternative)

 

[bunnyfubbles]

Wattage is the most deceptive aspect of the PSU, you should never be too concerned with it as much as you should other aspects that aren't as easy to pick up on - there are far too many low quality PSUs with inflated wattage ratings out there.

 

[vanvock]

Get the biggest, badest one you can afford. If you don't need it now you probably will in the near future. Make sure it's got a strong 12v rail. These new systems are power hungry beasts so I wouldn't go less than 480w but like bunny said that rating alone can be misleading.

 

[VivienM]

Originally posted by: vanvock
Get the biggest, badest one you can afford. If you don't need it now you probably will in the near future.

Other than a second vid. card with SLI, what possible upgrades 'in the near future' would require a big beefy PS?

 

[arcas]

There's a pretty detailed recommended power supply listing stickied in the "Recommendations" forum over at dfi-street.com. A good 12V rail is important. For example, as I recall DFI recommends at least 26A on the 12V rail for non-SLI systems.

Whatever you buy, take a look at its specs. As has been said, you can't just go by wattage. For example, my Antec Sonata has a 380W PSU with 24A on the 12V rail which, at the time, was better than a lot of 450W PSUs.

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Text..Read this, particularly the first half of the review,as it explains in non-technical detail how PSUs are rated inorder to be marketed.
A very solid PSU can be had for $80-$100. A fairly gooden' for $60-$80. I use two Fortrons that have 18A at 12V and a Zippy/Emacs that has 32A @ 12V. The Fortrons are rated at 400 watt and are in basic comps. The Zippy is rated at 460 watts and is going in the current build.

Best bang for the buck will be found in the FSP Group PSUs rated>450watt called Fortron or Sparkle. Go for a 550watt if you can.


...Galvanized

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: GalvanizedYankee
Text..Read this, particularly the first half of the review,as it explains in non-technical detail how PSUs are rated inorder to be marketed.
A very solid PSU can be had for $80-$100. A fairly gooden' for $60-$80. I use two Fortrons that have 18A at 12V and a Zippy/Emacs that has 32A @ 12V. The Fortrons are rated at 400 watt and are in basic comps. The Zippy is rated at 460 watts and is going in the current build.

Best bang for the buck will be found in the FSP Group PSUs rated>450watt called Fortron or Sparkle. Go for a 550watt if you can.


...Galvanized

Then of course you have the Mother of all PSU`s.....
PCP&C......
http://www.pcpowercooling.com/home/

SLI Ready: Turbo-Cool® 510 Express / SLI Power Supply $219.00
Output: +5V @ 40A
+12V @ 34A/38A
-5V @ 0.3A
-12V @ 2A
+3.3V @ 30A
+5VSB @ 3A
continuous = 510W
peak = 650W

🙂

or lest we forget--
MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE PSU: TURBO-COOL® 1KW
Output: +5V @ 30A
+12V1 @ 16A
+12V2 @ 16A
+12V3@ 36A
+12V1,V2,V3 = 66A (70A pk.)
-12V @ 0.8A
+3.3V @ 30A
+5VSB @ 3.5A
continuous = 1000W
peak = 1100W
🙂

 

[vanvock]

Other than a second vid. card with SLI, what possible upgrades 'in the near future' would require a big beefy PS?



You didn't say what you were going to do with the rig. Overclocking, more fans, water cooling, more drives , sound card, fancy lights..........if you don't tinker then it's not such a big deal, just going for a little future proofing. I've seen a lot of trouble threads due to undersized psu's.

 

[AntiStatic]

here is a handy calculator to figure it out- http://www.extreme.outervision.com/index.jsp

 

[GTaudiophile]

Originally posted by: AntiStatic
here is a handy calculator to figure it out- http://www.extreme.outervision.com/index.jsp

Nice tool!