New power supply

[Nextman916]

Antec SP500- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16817103937
FSP AX450-PN- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16817104954
COOLMAX CP-500T- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16817159040

If you havent already guessed my price range is around $50 no more than $60. Im leaning towards the antec for its reputation or the coolmax due to its actice PFC which is normally 95 holdup time, i just threw the fortron in there because it seems like a popular pick here, but really im getting less perf for the money if i go that route. They all have dual 12v's with the same amperage, so which to choose?

 

[EffeX]

Everyone here will recommend the fortron.

 

[ultflood]

EffeX is right, go with the Fortron...

=)

 

[Nextman916]

even over an antec? I thought they were one of the most reliable psu's on the market, not only is it sli certified but offers better performance than the fortron in about everyway. Can i get a few more opinions, i guess is everyone recommends fortron ill go for it?

 

[Howard]

The quality of Antec PSUs seems to have been dropping of late.

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=PS-EN5150G

That is what I would buy over any you linked. Full spec to be found at http://www.enhanceusa.com/


...Galvanized

 

[jonnyGURU]

I agree with GY. You're limiting your options by looking only at Newegg.

What are your "requirements" for a PSU? Just performance/price? Max performance? No regard for price?

And I actually think the FSP is the WORST of that bunch... The SAGA line is FSP's price leader line. But most of the boneheads in this forum only see a brand name and don't actually know anything about the product...

 

[jonnyGURU]

The Coolmax is probably your best bet between those three. 420W on the combined 12V's and active PFC. Neither the Antec nor FSP have nearly that much juice and neither have PFC.

If you're willing to up the budget, look at an Enermax, Enhance, Silverstone or an FSP with an FSP or FX part number (not AX.) Seventeam makes a few good units, but they're hard to find.

 

[Nextman916]

Sry guys i didnt list exactly what i want for a psu upgrade. My current rosewill psu is a real P.O.S I bought this for my first build because I thought it was good value then, it holds my current rig up but its very unstable and fluctuates alot on all levels, also the dual 80mm fans are very loud. My main reasons for buying a new psu is to replace everything i listed above, Once my 7800gs arrives im going to oc heavily so i just want a stable reliable psu for now, also sometime of Q4 this yr im going to see how AM2 and Conroe play out and upgrade to a full pci-e system and vc probably mid-range or lower high-end. I could upgrade my psu then as well, but i would like to just save what im going to buy now. I would like to spend >$60 but if thats not possible then maybe $70? You seem to know alot about psu's guru and i trust your recommendations, plz suggest me something you see fit for my needs, thx. Other opnions are also welcome of course.

Edit:Alsoi just realized i dont think i can use the coolmax because it only comes with a 24-pin connector and my mobo only offers 20-pin. So add that to the requirement as well.

 

[pkme2]

Fortron for sure.

 

[jonnyGURU]

Originally posted by: Nextman916
Edit:Alsoi just realized i dont think i can use the coolmax because it only comes with a 24-pin connector and my mobo only offers 20-pin. So add that to the requirement as well.

The last four pins "break off" to make a 20-pin connector.

And even if they didn't (because not all PSU's do) you can plug the 24-pin into the 20-pin and leave the last four contacts hanging off the edge of the receptacle.

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Originally posted by: jonnyGURU

Originally posted by: Nextman916
Edit:Alsoi just realized i dont think i can use the coolmax because it only comes with a 24-pin connector and my mobo only offers 20-pin. So add that to the requirement as well.

The last four pins "break off" to make a 20-pin connector.

And even if they didn't (because not all PSU's do) you can plug the 24-pin into the 20-pin and leave the last four contacts hanging off the edge of the receptacle.

This is true w/most boards, some boards do have a toroidal coil in the way. IIRC, MSI is one.
My Zippy with a 24 pin, plugs in OK to an ASUS P4P 800, 20 pin just fine TY.


...Galvanized

 

[Nextman916]

what about the Thermaltake TR2 500W? It seemed a pretty decent performer in your review but im worried about its combined rails of only 29a, is this a future proof psu for me? If not i might just go with the coolmax.

 

[RallyMaster]

Thermaltake not good for overclocking. Personal experience with 470W (same chassis type, same +12 rails). Bought myself that Antec SP500 and it's quieter than the Thermaltake. It has better rails as well (17/19A compared to 14/15A).

 

[Lasthitlarry]

Fortron, definately, have that same PSU in my pc.

OMG you have a rosewill product? That sucks...

I agree with what others said, Antec used to be the top dog, but all companies have their cycles.

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Originally posted by: Lasthitlarry
Fortron, definately, have that same PSU in my pc.

OMG you have a rosewill product? That sucks...

I agree with what others said, Antec used to be the top dog, but all companies have their cycles.

For $65+shipping there is NO FSP Group PSU that can get close to the unit I linked above.
That is a fact.


...Galvanized

 

[engineereeyore]

CoolMax, that's my opinion.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

fortron

 

[acegazda]

hold on galvanized... whats so good about that psu?
its actually a gr8 deal for $68 but i've never heard of enhance, and the efficiancy isnt real high.
Where else is it available?

 

[ElvishFrost]

Nextman.. I thought the same as you did about the "antec" name. I picked up the smartpower 2.0 500W because I needed an upgrade and thought it was a decent choice and with instant savings and rebate it was $50. It wasn't even two weeks old when I added my new vid card, and I was getting capacitor squeal because it couldn't handle the load. (BFG 7800GS OC) SO in the advice these guys give, I'm now not as confident in Antec, at least for their power supplies. Hope this helps you make your decision.

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: acegazda
Where else is it available?

http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=enp-5150g&btnG=Search+Froogle

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Originally posted by: acegazda
hold on galvanized... whats so good about that psu?
its actually a gr8 deal for $68 but i've never heard of enhance, and the efficiancy isnt real high.
Where else is it available?

Enhance builds the Strider series for Silverstone. Enhance rates very high as a SMPS builder. http://www.80plus.org Enhance has more units listed than Seasonic Seasonic might be a bit better in appearance but internally, it's about a toss-up. The newer Seasonics use Nipponese capacitors but none have been seen with thier hoods up yet...So who's zooming who

Not very efficient... my arse!! You can cry all the way to the bank at >77%. http://www.enhanceusa.com/
PSUs are not to be judged on efficiency alone...OK=big mistake. I bet few on this forum, aside from ribbon13, know how SMPSs have achieved such high efficiency??=homework because I'm not sharing mine. Someone else can.


...Galvanized

 

[n7]

Originally posted by: GalvanizedYankee
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=PS-EN5150G

That is what I would buy over any you linked. Full spec to be found at http://www.enhanceusa.com/


...Galvanized

Holy crap what a deal!

Now that is indeed what'd i'd recommend too after seeing it.

Dual 12V rails @ 18A for
$65 = omgwtf great deal on excellent value PSU.

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Originally posted by: n7

Originally posted by: GalvanizedYankee
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=PS-EN5150G

That is what I would buy over any you linked. Full spec to be found at http://www.enhanceusa.com/


...Galvanized

Holy crap what a deal!

Now that is indeed what'd i'd recommend too after seeing it.

Dual 12V rails @ 18A for
$65 = omgwtf great deal on excellent value PSU.

Combined is just over 29A on the 12V side. The Enermax Liberty 500W is combined at 32A. That may not be an issue with 95% of users. The 5150GH will be 80plus certed, have the same 12V output but less 3.3 & 5V wattage but be >80% for 90+% of it's range,iirc. NOTE: the *H* in the part#. Yes it is a VG deal. I'm not a fanboy


...Galvanized

 

[taco1435]

The Enhance PSU does look good, but I don't know anything about that company. I have the 450w FSP as well, and it is very solid. Powers my 7900 gt/Opteron165/2 gigs of memory rig. So should be plenty of power for you. It's also very quiet. That Enhance psu looks like its worth looking into though. It is rated better than the FSP so... do whatever you want. Both are probably fine.