PSU - Enermax or Antec

[Shears]

Hi guys,

I'm upgrading my computer to:
Asus K8V-Deluxe w/ Athlon64 3200+
1GB PC3500 Ram
Radeon 9800 Pro 128
Audigy 2 ZS w/ drive control panel
Plextor CDRW & Lite-on DVD Drive
2 Harddrives ATA-133
(But I will upgrade eventually to add a SATA HDD)

I currently have an enermax 400 watt PSU from a couple years ago, but being that my system is growing and the new parts are more power hungry, I'm thinking that I should be looking into getting a more solid power supply with new connectors.

From what I've read, I think I'm narrowing it down to an Antec True Power 480 or the Enermax EG475P-VE.

Can anyone offer some opinions or info to help me decide what's best?

Thank you.

 

[keebeen]

I've heard good things about the Antec Truepower 480. I have an Antec 380W p/s that came with my Sonata case. Can't remember if it's a Truepower or Smartpower, but either way i have no problems with it. I also have an Enermax 350W in my secondary system and no problems with it either... basically, i don't think you can go wrong with whatever choice you make here. Enermax and Antec both make good quality stuff.

 

[EeyoreX]

Personally, I think your current PSU will be just fine. If the only reason is to have the SATA power connectors, my opinion is that it's pretty pointless at ths point. When SATA II is implemented then the SATA power connectors will be needed to allow for hot-swapping. If you simply feel you must upgrade, either Antec or Enermax would be good. Both make solid reliable PSUs.

\Dan

 

[Mem]

From what I've read, I think I'm narrowing it down to an Antec True Power 480 or the Enermax EG475P-VE.

Can anyone offer some opinions or info to help me decide what's best?

Both are very good quality PSUs,I would go with the cheaper price of the two.

 

[Shears]

Originally posted by: EeyoreX
Personally, I think your current PSU will be just fine. If the only reason is to have the SATA power connectors, my opinion is that it's pretty pointless at ths point. When SATA II is implemented then the SATA power connectors will be needed to allow for hot-swapping. \Dan

Oh? So I don't need a SATA connector for a SATA drive afterall?

 

[Excelsior]

As long as your rails are solid, don't worry about it.

 

[WobbleWobble]

Some SATA drives have both the SATA power and regular molex power connector. If not, you can buy a cheap adapter. I agree with EeyoreX, your current PSU is fine.

 

[Shears]

One more note:
One thing I realized is that my enermax 400w PSU does not have the small 4-pin plug that the new motherboards use or require for the new processors these days. Won't that be an issue since I'll be running the Athlon 64 3200+"

 

[screw3d]

Originally posted by: Shears
One more note:
One thing I realized is that my enermax 400w PSU does not have the small 4-pin plug that the new motherboards use or require for the new processors these days. Won't that be an issue since I'll be running the Athlon 64 3200+"

Instead of buying an entire PSU, you can just buy an adapter for that. SVC still stocks them I think.

 

[Flipexedd]

you cannot go wrong with that antec trupower 480. i have my 2.6 oc'd to 3.4 24/7 for about a year, running 2 opticals, 2 hd, 6 fans, steady rails.

 

[EeyoreX]

Many SATA drives come with the adapters, if they need them. So long as you buy them retail. Of course, some may not come with the adapters too. You could also buy the adapter for the motherboard connector, but then that starts to push me into the other camp. Instead of buying 2 or 3 adapters, it may just make sense to buy the new PSU. You should just check the prices of the adapters vs that of whichever PSU you will choose. Also try to verify the SATA drive you are interested in comes with the adapter. It's hard for me to come up with a number, because obviously the PSU will be more expensive than the adapter(s), so maybe if the adapters approache 25% of the cost of the PSU it may make more sense to just get the newer one. Also you should look at the number of molex connectors on your PSU. I personally prefer not to use splitters too often. That is something else to consider, each adapter removes one molex connector.

\Dan

 

[Imdmn04]

Don't be paranoid, 400 watts from a name brand power supply is way more than enough to power what you have.
Save your cash and keep your current one.

 

[lenjack]

i've had the Enermax you referred to for about 3 weeks without any problems, but your 400 is probably fine.

 

[yhelothar]

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it"

which translates to, if you don't have any problems with your current PSU, don't replace it. It's not like you'd see a speed increase from upgrading your PSU, or you'd get higher reliability.
Maybe if you want to get the highest overclock out of your system, then upgrading PSU would help, but I don't think what you're upgrading to would make a difference anyways.

 

[Shears]

But wouldn't I need the 12v 4-pin connector for the new Athlon 64 motherboards?

 

[EeyoreX]

For many motherboards you don't need it, though stability may become an issue. As in a lack of. And I am uncertain if A64 boards need it. In any event, you can buy an adapter for this, check SVC, they have a good number of different adapters, they should have this one too. As I said before, I guess you need to look at the cost of the adapters vs the cost of the PSU.

\Dan

 

[AIWGuru]

I didn't like that enermax. I prefer Antec.

 

[Luthien]

My vote is for Enermax. I own two and have been running them near their max wattage for over 2 years. No problems ever.