Worried about case's PSU

[Akhen]

Okay heres the deal my bro got himself some parts so I can help him build a computer.
He's working with an althon 3200+ 1 gig of ram and a geforce GS on a CHAINTECH VNF4/Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard but its when he showed me the case that I started to worry.
Now its a nice case (Aspire X-Infinity) but he is planning on using the PSU thats included, and at first at seemed fine but I'm really starting to worry. I would not want his computer to kick the bucket a week after assembly now would I?
However, both of us being college students we only had a certain budjet to work with, which right about now is almost completely gone.
I went arround checking for reviews but they are all on the 350w version of the case in which this one is a 420w.
Here it is: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=11-144-076&DEPA=0
Newegg has some reviews over it but I would like some more input.

So my question is do you guys have any information concerning the the case and will it do the job? Am I worrying too much?

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

It is with just cause that you are concerned about the Expire POS PSU grasshopper

These PSUs are in the bottom 20% of power units. Notice there is no temp stated at the power rating, given. This PSU may work well at 25C but at 50C fall on it's face.

Just for fun, look at the rating of the 300watt Zippy at Newegg. It would crush the Aspire at it's 420watt.

If you have to use this PSU that came with the case, this is what i would suggest.

Used 4 dots of silicone adhesive to mount an 80mm fan to the intake of the PSU. The PSU's intake grill is inside the case, OK. Use at least a 30cfm fan as this will assist the PSU's fan a great deal in cooling this suspect unit.


...Galvanized

 

[Akhen]

thanks
I got arround 50 bucks extra
anything you recommend from newegg or somewhere else?

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Depending on what your needs are.

Are dual 12V lines in the plan or is one 12V line OK, for most one line is the way to go.
Is this going to be in a dorm room where quiet at night is a concern?

The PSU that you linked to shows 5V @ 40A and only servers need that rating on the 5V line.
This is one way that ratings are inflated.

I did a search of Newegg and any of the FSP Group are good units. I use two 400watt Fortrons, but Sparkle is pretty much the same but cheaper still. Go with one of these if noise is not a major factor. When warm the ones w/80mm fans can make a bit of noise. The FSP Group also offers units w/120mm fans and some are adjustable with an external knob.
They all have thermally controlled fans, named"Noise Killer"

If it meets your needs, Seasonic has the S-12-330(iirc). These are known for quiet and efficiant operation. I think it's $49.

Shop Newegg because it's easy, but Froogle for sure as Newegg will not be your best price. It's a pain but do check shipping cost as most good PSUs are not light weight.


...Galvanized

 

[Akhen]

im not sure exactly what you mean by dual 12V lines or single 12v
since english is not my first language.
But the computer will probably only be ON when in use however as
always a silent PSU is always nice.

heres what I think might work.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817153023
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104901
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104953
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817148027


PS and thanks a lot for your help

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

FSP Group..This is what you need.

If you were using an Intel board your third linked PSU would be a good one to use.

Look at a picture of the motherboard you will be installing at Newegg's site. It has a 24 pin main atx socket and no 4 pin socket.

The PSUs you linked are all 20+4 pin PSUs. These can be used but it would requior an addapter cable that would cost $3 to $4. plus it would add resistance to the main feed.

The one i linked will work well and has the proper 24 pin plug and AMD does not use the 4 pin plug. Plus it uses a 120mm fan that won't be too load.

Sparkle are the best inexpensive PSUs. Do not be put off by the name. Aspire PSUs are to be avoided. Save the Aspire to test run fans or in the event a PSU does go bad it can be hooked up outside the case for testing purposes.

...Galvanized

 

[Zap]

Sparkle = Fortron, just look at the part number "FSP350-60XX" and you'll see identical ones.

FSP350-60THN-R 350W

The PSU linked above would be a good choice. It has the correct plug for your motherboard, plus the correct plug for your video card (6 pin PCIe). Now, some people say that the Fortron units with part numbers starting with "FSP" are better than the one linked, which starts with "AX" but so far that's conjecture. Still, the Fortron name is attached to it. $40 isn't bad for a mid-high wattage PSU with 120mm fan and all the right plugs.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

I just sampled two out of the four links to PSU's you were considering. I like to make bets with myself. For instance, I've had a ThermalTake PurePower 480 before I got wise to the advantages of beefier PSUs. So I bet that the TT PSU in your first link had an 18A (maximum) 12V rail -- and it does.

The Fortron -- link #3 -- is better for the combined amperage of the two 12V rails.

There was a time when I would go to an independent computer store of the mom-and-pop variety, ask what they were using to build their machines, and weigh the advantages of PSUs in the $25 to $50 range.

No more. If I can find a $135 PSU for $80 or $90, I'd rather spend the money there than on the less expensive units. I can't pontificate about the Fortron -- it seems to provide the juice you would need. But frankly, if a PSU doesn't have a 3-year warranty, I won't buy it.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: Zap
Sparkle = Fortron, just look at the part number "FSP350-60XX" and you'll see identical ones.

FSP350-60THN-R 350W

The PSU linked above would be a good choice. It has the correct plug for your motherboard, plus the correct plug for your video card (6 pin PCIe). Now, some people say that the Fortron units with part numbers starting with "FSP" are better than the one linked, which starts with "AX" but so far that's conjecture. Still, the Fortron name is attached to it. $40 isn't bad for a mid-high wattage PSU with 120mm fan and all the right plugs.

Its also purely conjecture that they are not better........lolol

 

[Akhen]

I noticed the one you linked has a feature: Supports P4 Prescott (915/925 chipset)
what does that mean when im running on this motherboard which is a 939 pin
with a AMD processor.
http://www.chaintech.com.tw/tw/eng/product_spec.asp?MPSNo=13&PISNo=318

also zap i would have gone for that one you linked but its 20+4 pin so i would rather not

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Akhen, at the very top of the page over in the General Hardware forum there is a stickied thread. "Do I need a 24 pin PSU". Read it.

...Galvanized