Replacement for Antec Basiq 500

[araknis]

So I bought the Fry's BF Computer (w/ Q6600, Coolmaster Case, Basiq 500, etc.) a few weeks back. I'm coming from a Dell 400SC and this computer is very loud to me. It sounds like a lot of noise is coming from the PSU. Can anyone recommend a quieter one? I'm don't play games and just use my computer for office applications. I'm mainly looking for value.

Thanks.

 

[spittledip]

That earthwatts deal at Newegg is nice:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817371007

well, now it is just ok.. it used to be for 34.99 free shipping AR. Now it is 49.99 FS AR

 

[Lunyone]

How much do you want to spend? I'd go with this for $76 shipped - $10 MIR = $66.
CORSAIR CMPSU-450VX 450W Active Power Supply Retail ***Free Shipping***
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...p?ProductCode=10006428

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Earthwatts 500 is on top of my buy list for any single GPU rig. It should go for $30 AR or less. Look for those crazy sale with Antec rebate. I paid $30 for Earthwatts 500, $10 for TruePower Trio 430, and $20 for TruePower Trio 550. DO NOT use the extra molex fan connector if you have a TruePower Trio. The extra current can cause the main cooling fan to stop. There are reports about the PSU going up in smoke, probably due to the extra load on this circuit. Also make sure that you have version A2 (on the barcode affixed to the PSU).

All of the Antec units can easily keep up with their Seasonic and Corsair counteparts. Major difference is noise level at medium load. Antec uses a faster fan rpm load curve around 200 watts to keep the electronics inside the PSU cooler. If you're pulling this much juice from the PSU, then the CPU, GPU, and case fans will drown out any noise from the PSU fan.

 

[John]

Originally posted by: araknis
So I bought the Fry's BF Computer (w/ Q6600, Coolmaster Case, Basiq 500, etc.) a few weeks back. I'm coming from a Dell 400SC and this computer is very loud to me. It sounds like a lot of noise is coming from the PSU. Can anyone recommend a quieter one? I'm don't play games and just use my computer for office applications. I'm mainly looking for value.

Thanks.

Use something rigid to temporarily stop the fan in the psu to see if it's the culprit. Since you're not a gamer you probably have a low power video card, therefore an EarthWatts 380 for $30 AR will be more than adequate.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...16817371005&Tpk=ea-380

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: araknis
It sounds like a lot of noise is coming from the PSU. Can anyone recommend a quieter one?

Is it noisy when you first turn it on, or after a while?

You may want to verify that it is indeed the PSU by unplugging all the other fans in the unit and turning the system on for just a moment.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Put a small stick (wood or non-conductive material) between the fan blades to stop the CPU fan from spinning when you turn on the PC. If noise persists, then the PSU is not at fault.

 

[araknis]

my CPU fan might also be contributing to the "fan" noise problem, but the PSU is definitely one of the culprits (I'll tackle the stock HSF next). I just did the "chopstick" in the PSU fan trick and the overall fan noise probably dropped by 40% (I know it's not scientific, but it was definitely noticeable) . How would the noise of a 120mm fan PSU compare to having no PSU fan at all (what I just emulated by stopping the fan).

Also, this coolmaster case has 2 vents on the side of it. Any issue with me just covering them up to reduce some of the CPU fan noise?

I'm thinking a 380W PSU might be a little underpowered.. my rig is Q6600 G0 (I might try to step it up to 3.0GHz), ABIT IP35V, 2GB DDR2 800, Geforce 8400GS, and 1 320GB SATA HD. Any thoughts with these components?

 

[John]

Originally posted by: araknis
I'm thinking a 380W PSU might be a little underpowered.. my rig is Q6600 G0 (I might try to step it up to 3.0GHz), ABIT IP35V, 2GB DDR2 800, Geforce 8400GS, and 1 320GB SATA HD. Any thoughts with these components?

Your rig will pull less <200W under full torture load. Idle will be <100W.