Need PSU advice, Thermaltake or not?

[Lothar1974]

I have always used Thermaltake and and have not had any issues before. Here's what I am running:

P4 3.2 Norhtwood
ASUS P4C800-E Deluxe
BFG 6800GT
SB Audigy 2 ZS
ATI Elite Tuner card
4 Gigs of ram
2 sata drives
3 external drives

Was thinking about getting a Thermaltake W0106RU 700W Power Supply. Any thoughts or suggestions? Any help is appreciated!


Lothar

 

[John]

700W is extreme overkill for your rig unless you plan on going quad core + 2900XT Crossfire. A quality 300W psu will run your rig. If you want some additional headroom at a bargain basement price I'd recommend the Antec Earthwatts 430W psu for $45 AR. It has solid rails, quiet fan, 80%+ efficiency, and a 3 year warranty. Without a doubt it's one of the best deals on an 80%+ psu.

 

[Lothar1974]

John:

I have read alot and talked to a local shop guy who said that the P4's eat alot of energy as well as my 6800gt card (AGP), he suggested a 600w psu. Most I have read on specs and suggestions, like you say a 450w is sufficient. I am thinking the larger supply as I will be upgrading in about a year and figure to be able to use it then too? GOt some thinking to do!

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: Lothar1974
John:

I have read alot and talked to a local shop guy who said that the P4's eat alot of energy as well as my 6800gt card (AGP), he suggested a 600w psu. Most I have read on specs and suggestions, like you say a 450w is sufficient. I am thinking the larger supply as I will be upgrading in about a year and figure to be able to use it then too? GOt some thinking to do!

psh...he's completely overestimating. That rig could run, as john said on a 300W power supply.

Get a 520W and be happy for the future.

 

[John]

Originally posted by: Lothar1974
I have read alot and talked to a local shop guy who said that the P4's eat alot of energy as well as my 6800gt card (AGP), he suggested a 600w psu.

He was probably trying to push the 600W Powmax psu's on his sales floor. If he didn't take a minute or two to explain the difference between a quality and generic psu then I would seriously question his motives.

 

[Lothar1974]

Thanks for the input guys! I think the tech guy wasn't as knowledgable on psu's. He actually didn't try to sell me a thing! Even gave me a almost full tube of thermal paste for free as they were out. But any way, I think I am going to go with the one John suggested.
Thanks!!!

Lothar

 

[John]

The next step up from the Earthwatts 430 that I would recommend would be the Corsair HX520 for $69.99 AR & Google Checkout. If you can afford it, and don't mind dealing with rebates, then by all means jump on this hot deal. It's arguably one of the best psu's in its class and comes with a whopping 5 yr. warranty, modular cables, and much more. You'll have plenty of headroom for a current quad core + 8800GTS SLI. A year from now who knows what kind of power consumption cpu's and vc's will require.

Reviews:
http://www.jonnyguru.com/review_details.php?id=28
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article692-page1.html

 

[Lothar1974]

John:

Thanks for the product info! I got one this afternoon! Hard deal to pass up! Thanks for all the help! :beer: