Which PSU?

[JDCentral]

I'm planning to build an Athlon XP system for use as a game server and/or DVR.

Here are my specs:

ASUS A7N8X Deluxe rev 2.0
512 MB OCZ Performance PC3200 DDR400 RAM (1 stick)
Athlon XP-M 2600+ (OCed, of course)
NEC DVD-RW Drive
Hauppage Video Tuner (not sure which one, yet..)
2x 120 GB Seagate PATA Hard-drives
Floppy drive
Leadtek Geforce 6600GT

After reading This Article, and going to the power calculator, I got a min wattage of 280 Watts. So I'm thinking a 350W PSU. Here's what I'm looking at:

FSP Group (Fortron Source) ATX400-PA ATX12V 400W

SPARKLE FSP350-60BT ATX12V 350W

ENERMAX Noisetaker EG375P-VE-SFMA ATX 370W

And Here's the newgg.com comparison chart

Remember, this is a socket A system! Also - I'll spend up to $70 on the PSU, but don't want to go totally overboard. I was originally going for an Antec TPII 430W, but realized it was overkill.

P.S. I'm leaning towards the enermax.

 

[oznerol]

Text

 

[KoolDrew]

Sparkle FSP350-60PN

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: ducci
Text

seconded. there is nothing in that computer sucking down that much. that power calculator sounds like crap. if that system drew even 200 watts from the wall i'd be shocked.

edit: that calculator is the one that grossly overestimates hard drive draw. the labels on my seagates say they draw about 10 watts. so 25 is just way over. it'll tell you it needs 50 when you really need 20.

 

[JDCentral]

Yeah.. those are peak wattages.

The antec looks good, and saves me $10. I'll keep that in mind.

 

[KoolDrew]

The Sparkle is a much better PSU and is only $4 more. It is definitely worth it.

 

[fstime]

This one blows all the other ones away!!!!!!!

 

[KoolDrew]

Originally posted by: BouZouki
This one blows all the other ones away!!!!!!!

LOL

 

[designit]

Originally posted by: BouZouki
This one blows all the other ones away!!!!!!!

Well i use this and none can match it

 

[JDCentral]

Only a complete idiot with a disregard to numbers would ever purchase one of those 700W PSUs for a home computer.

It just isn't necessary... :-D

Why not just get dual redundant supplys?

 

[JDCentral]

Update: Sparkle is now in my cart for purchase later... mostly because more people say Sparkle is higher quality than Antec, but usually not the other way around.

 

[KoolDrew]

Originally posted by: JDCentral
Update: Sparkle is now in my cart for purchase later... mostly because more people say Sparkle is higher quality than Antec, but usually not the other way around.

Which one? The one I recommended is better then the one you originally chose.

 

[JDCentral]

Oh... I chose the one I had originally.

Since this is an Athlon XP system, don't I need strong 3.3 and 5 V rails? (Min of 28 amps on 5 V rail is what I was told)

EDIT: There's only like a 2A difference on the 3.3 and 5V rails... there preettty close PSUs. What's the major difference and/or reason you would push the other one?

 

[JDCentral]

Any other ideas? Otherwise I buy the Sparkle.

 

[imported_Kensai]

Originally posted by: JDCentral
Only a complete idiot with a disregard to numbers would ever purchase one of those 700W PSUs for a home computer.

It just isn't necessary... :-D

Why not just get dual redundant supplys?

My home computers draws more power than a fair number of low-mid range servers that I know of.

~Get the Sparkle.

 

[Saga]

Sparkle should be fine. I have a system nearly identical that is running a 6800Ultra and 5 drives total and before I did a case swap it was performing perfect on a 350w.

 

[tfinch2]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817151021

 

[JDCentral]

I finally decided on the SPARKLE FSP350-60PN 350W, mostly because people said that it was really quiet... oppposed to the BT, which I guess is ultra loud.

The seasonic has a pitiful 5V rail, though...

Thanks for the help!

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: JDCentral
I finally decided on the SPARKLE FSP350-60PN 350W, mostly because people said that it was really quiet... oppposed to the BT, which I guess is ultra loud.

The seasonic has a pitiful 5V rail, though...

Thanks for the help!

With a 65% efficiency rating, I wouldn't be too thrilled about that Sparkle. I'm sure it will be fine though.

 

[JDCentral]

Well... it's either 65% or 70%.

Not enough of a difference for me to be really nit-picky

I mean, even the $300 Zippy only has 70%.

EDIT: this $500 PSU has 85%... I guess I'll have to buy a new one.

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: JDCentral
Well... it's either 65% or 70%.

Not enough of a difference for me to be really nit-picky

I mean, even the $300 Zippy only has 70%.

EDIT: this $500 PSU has 85%... I guess I'll have to buy a new one.

Or the Seasonic I linked has 80%. I was just pointing it out. You asked for our opinion so I gave mine. No need to act like an asshat.

I know that isn't the only thing to be concerned about, but I'd rather have a decent 5V rail, dual 12V rails, and 80% efficiency than a strong 5V, a weak single 12V rail, and 65% efficiency.

You said you would spend up to $XX in your OP, and I made my suggestion that fit the criteria for less money and I guess you took offense to it for some reason.

 

[dwcal]

Originally posted by: JDCentral
The seasonic has a pitiful 5V rail, though...

I know you already decided, but the SS300 costs a little less and has 30A on the 5V rail. I'm really happy with mine.

Link

 

[JDCentral]

Sorry, tfinch. I didn't mean to be an 'asshat' (I've decided that asshat is going to be my word of the day, btw... it's a new one to me!)

I was just pointing out what I was looking for.

After further review, I've switched to the SS300, as dwcal has mentioned. It's only like $6 more than the sparkle, and gets the 80% efficiency with a strong 5V rail.

Thanks for the recommendations!

 

[JDCentral]

Also... just for reference, dwcal - what are your system specs?

 

[oznerol]

Originally posted by: JDCentral
Sorry, tfinch. I didn't mean to be an 'asshat' (I've decided that asshat is going to be my word of the day, btw... it's a new one to me!)

I was just pointing out what I was looking for.

After further review, I've switched to the SS300, as dwcal has mentioned. It's only like $6 more than the sparkle, and gets the 80% efficiency with a strong 5V rail.

Thanks for the recommendations!

I like when people talk about power supplies as if they're electrical engineers.

I imagine by asking this, you will go search google and return with a witty retort, but regardless, do you even know what PSU efficiency is?

The mantra of "higher is better" is rampant on these forums and it gets annoying. A higher efficiency doesn't neccessarily mean a better PSU. A more quiet one, perhaps. A cooler one, yes. But other than that, is it really worth more money? Not really.

I like how people say "it's only $6" more, etc etc. I stand by the Antec 300W PSU. It's solid enough, quiet enough, and the cheapest option. Hell, I imagine your system will run on a 250W PSU, as I had a similar one do just that.

/3 cents