Yet another Power Supply Question

[MulLa]

Hi All,

My current 3 year old no name 400W power supply is about to die. The fan has been very noisy of late, so I thought it's time that I got a new one! Or is it just another excuse to purchase another piece of computer hardware?!

Here's my options:

1. Buy a good quality PSU and hope for future proof ie Antec True550W
2. Buy a average one (as Intel is pushing the 24pin ATX power standard?) ie Antec True380/430W?

What do you think? I don't want to buy the 550W and say in a year or 2's time find that I can't use the latest motherboard because I don't have the 24pin ATX connector?


Thanks in advance.

 

[Sonic587]

Don't worry about the 24-pin/6-pin connectors. AFAIK, there are already adaptors out.

What is your budget for a new PSU?

 

[MulLa]

I know there are adapters out but just thought I could get away for not using one

Budget? Well I'm in Australia but I think my upper limit would be something like the Antec True550, I know stuff are much cheaper in the US.

 

[Sonic587]

Can you give us US people an idea of the brand choices you have in AUS?

I think you should buy the best you can afford since there will be adaptors. Some PSUs even include those for you. You don't need to go overboard on a 550W, however. It will be a long time before PCs start drawing that much wattage. The Antec 430 is often suggested around here. That would be a good power supply to spring for out of the choices you listed.

EDIT: BTW, what are your specs?

 

[MulLa]

Hm...

We have over here:

Antec
Enermax
Thermaltake
Zalman

That's about all I know of the better ones off the top of my head.

Usually I don't set a budget for my purchases I go for whatever is good, within reason of course


Specs are (upgraded piece by piece through time)
P4 3.2 Northwood
Asus P4PE
512MB Corsair DDR (the 'ancient' BH5 stuff)
160GB Maxtor DM9+
16x DVD
44x24x44 CDRW
ATI 9800Pro 128MB
5x Case fans (used to be an OC'ed system)

That's about it. Not a demanding machine I think, but probably looking a upgrading the whole thing end of 2005. So it would be nice to have something that will at least last me 4 years+


Thanks

 

[VirtualLarry]

If you have a "good" PSU already, you can always just replace the fan - if you are comfortable around repairing electronics that is. I suggest routing the fan power leads out the PSU via the same cable-bundle hole as the rest of the internal leads, and then just connecting the fan to a spare molex. Don't forget and leave it unconnected though, the PSU will cook itself to death then!

 

[Longkid]

Im going to go with Larry on this one. Why spend extra money when 400W is obviously good enough for what your running. I've attached a few links I quickly found that might help. Its not really that difficult and you can save some money for other components.

http://www.bleedinedge.com/gui...fan_r2/psu_fan_r2.html

http://mikhailtech.com/articles/mods/psu/

http://www.kmcsonline.com/casemod/psu_fan/

Good luck!

 

[MulLa]

Thanks for the links Longkid. Will definately keep them in my bookmark

Since this is just a crappy no name 400W I might as well go and get myself a new one. I think I might go for the Antec True430 considering the future of ATX might not be so long lived anymore.

 

[DanRydell]

Seasonic is good if you can get it. Expensive but worth it....

 

[Longkid]

Originally posted by: MulLa
I think I might go for the Antec True430 ...

If your going to replace the PSU the True430 is an excellent choice. Ive got one in my other PC paired with a super lanboy and it provides clean power while remaining relativly quiet.

 

[MulLa]

Thanks to all who has provided some feedback. Antec 430W True Power is on order Hope this one will be able to last just 2 more days Can't imagine life without a computer!

 

[Googer]

If you want quality that wont quit like antec and enermax do. Go to http://pcpowerandcooling.com/home.htm and I promise you will not be disapointed.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA...=WDVW#ebayphotohosting

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: MulLa
Hi All,

My current 3 year old no name 400W power supply is about to die. The fan has been very noisy of late, so I thought it's time that I got a new one! Or is it just another excuse to purchase another piece of computer hardware?!

Here's my options:

1. Buy a good quality PSU and hope for future proof ie Antec True550W
2. Buy a average one (as Intel is pushing the 24pin ATX power standard?) ie Antec True380/430W?

What do you think? I don't want to buy the 550W and say in a year or 2's time find that I can't use the latest motherboard because I don't have the 24pin ATX connector?


Thanks in advance.

Antec Power Supplies have poor voltage regulaton.

[Click on these 3 links]

http://pcpowerandcooling.com/p...opups/index_24to20.htm">Get the 24pin Version now since it is compatable with 20pin Motherboards using a simple adapter. A 24pin to 20pin adapter is $8.00. You can use a 24pin PSU on a 20pin board with out an adapter but it may wiggle loose.</a>


Best power supply on the market. I have used all brands an this one beats ANTEC hands down. You can always tell the quality of a POWER SUPPLY by how much it weighs These bad boys weigh twice as much as antec550. I would love to be there to see the look on your face when you pick one up for the first time:Q. Even the 200watt model weighs more than antecs Best 550 or 600.

http://pcpowerandcooling.com/p...rbocools/510/index.htm

Compaire the Differance the smaller one on the RIGHT is ANTEC and does not measure up to the Performance, specs, and quality of TURBO COOL.
http://pcpowerandcooling.com/pdf/Turbo-Cool_510_vs.pdf