PSU recommendations?

[Sleepyghost]

I would appriciate your opinions and recommendations on PSU for non-SLI and non-Crossfire +QUIET use. There'll be little gaming and more of Flash, Photoshopping, 3D work and movie watching done.

I'll be running Conroe 6600 (if I'm lucky), mild overclocking perhaps, two Seagate hard drives (not in Raid), ATI 1900XT, a DVD-burner and 4-6 quiet fans with the PSU. These parts will find home in Antec P180B. I need 1900XT level of power to run a big-a$$ LCD. The card will be more quiet-like with Acclero 2.

I was all set on getting a 500W Seasonic, but lately I've been reading great reviews for Antec's HE-series. Most common PSUs available where I live are from Antec, Enermax, Fortron, Nexus, Seasonic, Silverstone and Zalman. So, recommendations? Is 500W an overkill with my equipment and use? I know I'll never need SLI or Crossfire.

While you're at it could you point me towards a good and quiet DL DVD-burner with Lightscribe? Comparison tests anywhere of these? I currently have a speedy Nec but it is loud.

 

[akshayt]

In Antec, the phantom, psu ratings will be crap

Antec NeoHE

Antec has some bad stoires I guess.

So why not stick to Seasonic and all.

 

[Sleepyghost]

Originally posted by: akshaytSo why not stick to Seasonic and all.

Thanks Akshayt.
Yes, I might go for Seasonic. Would that 500W be overkill? I'm wondering if I would be safe with less.

Other recommendations, folks?

 

[Juno]

i believe 500w will handle it.

i have a 600w and i wished i had 500w instead.

 

[acegazda]

you could get by with a 430w seasonic s12. The x1900xt requires only 25amps on the 12v rails correct? Well, the s12 430w has 29 combined. Should be more than enough, even if you oc.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

Originally posted by: Juno
i believe 500w will handle it.

i have a 600w and i wished i had 500w instead.

why?

 

[Sleepyghost]

Thanks guys. I'm hesitating bit to jump for 430W PSU but then again usually tests show most monster PSU to be total overkill. Yet some recommed only very strong PSUs.. like the folks at http://www.dfi-street.com. I currently have the DFI Lanparty Ultra-D and am running it with Antec Neo 480W which isn't recommeded by DFI street. But it works great.

Anyways I haven't decided on the Conroe motherboard yet - I'll wait for more options.

Acegazda, thanks for the amps-info, I didn't know how much x1900xt likes to eat.

Anybody got word on a nice good & quiet DL DVD-burner?

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: Sleepyghost
Thanks guys. I'm hesitating bit to jump for 430W PSU but then again usually tests show most monster PSU to be total overkill. Yet some recommed only very strong PSUs.. like the folks at http://www.dfi-street.com. I currently have the DFI Lanparty Ultra-D and am running it with Antec Neo 480W which isn't recommeded by DFI street. But it works great.

Anyways I haven't decided on the Conroe motherboard yet - I'll wait for more options.

Acegazda, thanks for the amps-info, I didn't know how much x1900xt likes to eat.

Anybody got word on a nice good & quiet DL DVD-burner?

Your getting misinformed... read this to get a idea of what real systems use in terms of watts and amps.

The 1900XT doesn?t use anywhere near 25A's; that?s a relatively generic number thrown out for the entire system, not the sole GPU. If memory serves the 1900XT/XTX both peak just above 100 (no more then 120) watts, that?s less then 10As on the 12v rail.

With that out of the way the 430 watt S12 is a good choice but far more then you actually need. The 330 S12 would have adequate power to run that system, but the 380 would be my suggestion for the extra headroom. I also don't see why you can't keep you Neo, it's supposedly one of the quieter PSUs out there.

For optical drives I've had good luck with Samsung.

 

[Sleepyghost]

Originally posted by: Operandi
Your getting misinformed... read this to get a idea of what real systems use in terms of watts and amps.

The 1900XT doesn?t use anywhere near 25A's; that?s a relatively generic number thrown out for the entire system, not the sole GPU. If memory serves the 1900XT/XTX both peak just above 100 (no more then 120) watts, that?s less then 10As on the 12v rail.

With that out of the way the 430 watt S12 is a good choice but far more then you actually need. The 330 S12 would have adequate power to run that system, but the 380 would be my suggestion for the extra headroom. I also don't see why you can't keep you Neo, it's supposedly one of the quieter PSUs out there.

For optical drives I've had good luck with Samsung.

Ah, much appriciated Operandi Sir. I didn't much think when reading that 25 amps figure and indeed it can't be for 1900XT, even I should know that much. Ahem. Thanks for the heads up and for the linky. Yes, I could do with far less than 500W, good

Yes the Neo is very much okay but once my new rig is up and running in stable fashion, I intend to sell my current rig in local net auction with all included. Easier to sell that way as any non tech-oriented Jill or Jim can buy it and use it as is.

I'll look into those Samsung drives, thanks.

 

[Smilin]

Hiper type-R.

It eats Antec's lunch.