Which PSU

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brikis98

Diamond Member
Jul 5, 2005
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I'm collecting parts for the following system:

AMD s939 A64 x2 CPU - either 3800+, 4200+ or 4400+; i intend on overclocking, but not too much since i'm using cheaper air cooling and value RAM
2x1GB Kingston PC3200 RAM
ATI X1900XTX
1 SATA HD
1 DVD-RW

My current PSU is an antec true 430w with only ~20A on the +12V rail, so i think it's time to upgrade it.

i've found the following PSU's and wanted suggestions/recommendations:

* Sparkle ATX-400PN-B204 400W: i believe sparkle is a reputable PSU company, and while the PSU is only 400w, the dual 12V rails (each of which is rated at 18A, i believe) can go up to 348W. what's wierd is the price is only $30... is something seriously wrong with this PSU or is this just a good deal??

* FSP Group (Fortron Source) AX450-PN 450W: again, i believe fortron is a good PSU company, this has dual +12V rails (18A each) and costs $49, which is also not too bad.

any help is appreciated :)
 
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brikis98

Diamond Member
Jul 5, 2005
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Originally posted by: dBTelos
The AX Fortrons arn't so good. Plan on doing crossfire with the x1900xtx?
Click to expand...

no, no intention of doing crossfire. and what problems do the AX fortrons have?
 
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dBTelos

Golden Member
Apr 17, 2006
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The AX Fortrons arn't made by FSP, and have bad caps. I recommend the Enhance 460W ENP.
 
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brikis98

Diamond Member
Jul 5, 2005
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Originally posted by: dBTelos
The AX Fortrons arn't made by FSP, and have bad caps. I recommend the Enhance 460W ENP.
Click to expand...

thx for the info. i'll check out the enhance PSU. any opinions on that sparkle PSU?
 
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dBTelos

Golden Member
Apr 17, 2006
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I wouldn't power a 1900XTX with any 400W PSU. And it is worth an extra $20 for the Enhance, much better unit.
 
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dBTelos

Golden Member
Apr 17, 2006
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If I remember correctly it was you that posted that someone other then FSP makes the AX models. I just remembered from that and that I trust what you say.

And from many forum posts/threads (here and elsewhere), quality 400W supplies don't seem to cut it for a x1900xtx.
 
H

Howard

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
47,986
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I never said that the AX series weren't made by FSP. I won't ask you to find the thread since the search is totally borked.

A 400W can certainly power an X1900XTX. The ENP-5140GH does 28A, of which 18A is left over for everything else after you include the X1900XTX. Let's say mobo takes 3A so that's 15A left. We'll say the CPU takes 89W/12V ~= 7.5A so we have 7.5A left. ~0.5A per HD, ~1A per optical drive, and you have a couple of amps left over after you include sound card and whatnot.
 
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brikis98

Diamond Member
Jul 5, 2005
7,253
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0
Originally posted by: dBTelos
If I remember correctly it was you that posted that someone other then FSP makes the AX models. I just remembered from that and that I trust what you say.

And from many forum posts/threads (here and elsewhere), quality 400W supplies don't seem to cut it for a x1900xtx.
Click to expand...

links?
 
Baked

Baked

Lifer
Dec 28, 2004
36,052
17
81
Originally posted by: brikis98
Originally posted by: dBTelos
If I remember correctly it was you that posted that someone other then FSP makes the AX models. I just remembered from that and that I trust what you say.

And from many forum posts/threads (here and elsewhere), quality 400W supplies don't seem to cut it for a x1900xtx.
Click to expand...

links?
Click to expand...

He's just BSing. The Enhance ENP-5140GH is nothing like the "quality 400W PSU" in his mind.
 
B

brikis98

Diamond Member
Jul 5, 2005
7,253
8
0
Originally posted by: Baked
Originally posted by: brikis98
Originally posted by: dBTelos
If I remember correctly it was you that posted that someone other then FSP makes the AX models. I just remembered from that and that I trust what you say.

And from many forum posts/threads (here and elsewhere), quality 400W supplies don't seem to cut it for a x1900xtx.
Click to expand...

links?
Click to expand...

He's just BSing. The Enhance ENP-5140GH is nothing like the "quality 400W PSU" in his mind.
Click to expand...

i hope so... the jonnyguru review also states the following:

Now for apples to apples comparison, you need to remember that this is "only" a 400W power supply. But if you had ANY machine that didn't need a pair of PCI-e connectors, I would feel very confident in saying this power supply is going to be more than adequate.
Click to expand...

given that i'm not using SLI or CF and that this dude seems reputable, i think i should be fine.
 
JEDIYoda

JEDIYoda

Lifer
Jul 13, 2005
33,986
3,321
126
Originally posted by: dBTelos
The AX Fortrons arn't made by FSP, and have bad caps. I recommend the Enhance 460W ENP.
Click to expand...

everyone is entitled to an opinion but links proof wouldf be nice......

people throw the words-- bad caps -- around as if it means something?

explain why you say it has bad caps?

Do you know what brand of caps it uses??

probably not......but thats ok!!

Everyone is entitled to there own guessing...oops opinion...sorry...lol
 
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dBTelos

Golden Member
Apr 17, 2006
1,858
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Originally posted by: Howard
I never said that the AX series weren't made by FSP. I won't ask you to find the thread since the search is totally borked.

A 400W can certainly power an X1900XTX. The ENP-5140GH does 28A, of which 18A is left over for everything else after you include the X1900XTX. Let's say mobo takes 3A so that's 15A left. We'll say the CPU takes 89W/12V ~= 7.5A so we have 7.5A left. ~0.5A per HD, ~1A per optical drive, and you have a couple of amps left over after you include sound card and whatnot.
Click to expand...

Alright then (it might of been over at Hard Forums tho). Well, I know that I wouldn't give my PSU about 1-1.5A of breathing room, even if it is as good as the Enhance. I guess we just value different things.
 
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dBTelos

Golden Member
Apr 17, 2006
1,858
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0
Originally posted by: Baked
Originally posted by: brikis98
Originally posted by: dBTelos
If I remember correctly it was you that posted that someone other then FSP makes the AX models. I just remembered from that and that I trust what you say.

And from many forum posts/threads (here and elsewhere), quality 400W supplies don't seem to cut it for a x1900xtx.
Click to expand...

links?
Click to expand...

He's just BSing. The Enhance ENP-5140GH is nothing like the "quality 400W PSU" in his mind.
Click to expand...

Enhance fanboy?
 
H

Howard

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
47,986
11
81
Originally posted by: dBTelos
Originally posted by: Howard
I never said that the AX series weren't made by FSP. I won't ask you to find the thread since the search is totally borked.

A 400W can certainly power an X1900XTX. The ENP-5140GH does 28A, of which 18A is left over for everything else after you include the X1900XTX. Let's say mobo takes 3A so that's 15A left. We'll say the CPU takes 89W/12V ~= 7.5A so we have 7.5A left. ~0.5A per HD, ~1A per optical drive, and you have a couple of amps left over after you include sound card and whatnot.
Click to expand...

Alright then (it might of been over at Hard Forums tho). Well, I know that I wouldn't give my PSU about 1-1.5A of breathing room, even if it is as good as the Enhance. I guess we just value different things.
Click to expand...
What would you have that left you with only 1-1.5A?
 
D

dBTelos

Golden Member
Apr 17, 2006
1,858
0
0
Originally posted by: JEDIYoda
Originally posted by: dBTelos
The AX Fortrons arn't made by FSP, and have bad caps. I recommend the Enhance 460W ENP.
Click to expand...

everyone is entitled to an opinion but links proof wouldf be nice......

people throw the words-- bad caps -- around as if it means something?

explain why you say it has bad caps?

Do you know what brand of caps it uses??

probably not......but thats ok!!

Everyone is entitled to there own guessing...oops opinion...sorry...lol
Click to expand...

LOL!... no.

http://www.badcaps.net/forum/printthread.php?t=1262&page=2&pp=15

There's a few things to remember about Fortron part numbers, but not really anything to tell how new they are from them. The part numbers starting with AX and ATX are usually lower quality units from them (more likely to contain Fuhjyyu anyway), while the FSP models are usually higher quality
Click to expand...

BTW, Howard. If you think I might be mistaken about something, just let me know, because if you think I'm wrong then I probably am.
 
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