So I need a new PSU

[MarcVenice]

So I've bought this pretty much budget system a while back, with a case that came with a 350W PSU, I opened it up, and the PSU said it could do 16a on the 12v rail.

That's not gonna cut it with my x2 3800+ at 2.6ghz 1.35vcore, 1 7200rpm sata HD, 4x512mb ddr 400, 8800gts, 1 dvd-writer, 1 dvd-rom and err, a arctic freezer 64 pro, and 2 80/120mm case fans. The PSU hasn't given me trouble yet, and I haven't actually tried plugging in the 8800gts, coz I don't have it yet, but it's save to say I need a new PSU, right?

So, I'm a complete dud when it comes to PSU's. A calculator said I should go with 500W, and now I would like some suggestions. I don't wanna spend more then 60-65 euro's. For some reason I think it's ridiculous to pay the same amount of money for a PSU as I did for my cpu, so a Corsair 520W won't do, it costs 90 euro's here in Holland.

What I basicaly need is some suggestions of reliable brands, that can do 500W and will have the right connectors for my 8800gts and cpu and stuff.

Thanks in advance ...

 

[MarcVenice]

So im a little proactive, what about these.

http://www.thermaltake.com/pro...er/w009394/w009394.asp
http://www.coolermaster-europe...eXtreme%20Power%20650W
Fortron FSP Blue storm 500 Watt AX500
Chieftec GPS-550AB-A, 550W
Zalman ZM460-APS, 460W (ATX12V 2.01)
OCZ ModStream OCZ45012U, 450W (ATX)
Enermax Coolergiant 600 EG701AX-VH(W)SFMA, 600W (ATX12V 2.01, SLI)
Cooler Master RP-650-PCAP Extreme Power, 650W (ATX 12V 2.01)

 

[pcslookout]

What brand and model number is yout 350W PSU ? Do you know if it only has one 12V rail at 16A ? I am guessing it does sense its only 350W but wanted to see to make sure. Though sense it came with the case its almost given. Even if it was enough I wouldn't suggest it.

I would suggest you get a high quality 400 watt power supply at least with a minimum of 30 Amps on the combined 12V rails or as a single 12V rail. If you ever plan to go to SLI I would suggest getting at least a 500 watt power supply with a combined 12 V rail of 34 Amps or one single 12V rail.

 

[pcslookout]

Fortron and Enermax power supplies I know are really good power supplies. Depending on if your going SLI or not, how many hard drives and dvd drives you will have, case fans, and extra pci cards will determine how many amps on the 12V you will need and how much watts you need.

 

[pcslookout]

For example I am running a Intel Duo 6420, 4 gig of ddr 2 ram, Geforce 8800 GTS, 150 gig 10,000 rpm raptor hard drive , 500 gig 7200 rpm Hitachi hard drive, 200 gig 7200 rpm maxtor hard drive, four 80mm case fans, pci tv tuner card, and a dvd-rw drive all on a Enermax 400 watt power supply with a 12V combined rail of 30 A. 12V1 has 20A and 12V2 has 20A but the combined 12V is 30A.

 

[MarcVenice]

Only one 12v rail yeah, and the case being 30 euro's or so simply means the psu has to be crap. Not gonna sli, I can barely afford the 8800gts 320mb and a new psu, let alone 2 of those beasts But would 400W do the job on my rig ? The calculator said I should go with 530w, and I'm guessing its overestimating, so I figured 500w should do. I guess the fortron will do, has 2 12v rails at 15a each. What about the coolermaster, it has 2 12v rails at 18a each, and does come cheaper and I can order it from the same website as my 8800gts.

 

[pcslookout]

All of those PSU The calculators are stupid and overestimate a lot. I am not sure about the coolermaster. I don't think I would go with it.

Even a system with a Quad core, 4 gigs of ram, 3 hard drives, Geforce 8800 GTX only uses 250 to 320 watts at full load. Anandtech did a test and this is exactly what it showed.

 

[pcslookout]

I was wrong its not even 320 watts total at full load (load power)

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2873&p=7

Remember this is with the GTX though which is amazing!

 

[pcslookout]

Here is the power supply I got http://www.newegg.com/Product/...p?Item=N82E16817194002 which was pretty expensive but I wanted to make sure I got a high quality one. I recommend spending at least $80 on a power supply if possible. It even has more power than a 400 watt power supply, which I was really surprised about. I read about this surprising information in a review about it! I was shocked to say the least. Though high quality power supplies should do this and I think a lot do. It has the same 12V rail total as a good 500 watt to even 550 watt power supply.

The biggest mistake to do with the 12V rail though is to think if the power supply has two 12V rails and you add 12V1 and 12V2 you get the total 12V rail maximum amount is a no no. If I did that with mine people would think it had 40Amps on the 12V but it doesn't. Its 30Amps. Not all power supplies tell you the total amount.

 

[MarcVenice]

Hmz your PSU comes for roughly 70 euro's which is rly my limit for a PSU. I would like some more suggestions/feedback, perhaps a good, but still qaulity PSU that puts out 30a on 1 12v rail or 2 combined for less money, if there is any to be had that is.

 

[pcslookout]

Originally posted by: MarcVenice
Hmz your PSU comes for roughly 70 euro's which is rly my limit for a PSU. I would like some more suggestions/feedback, perhaps a good, but still qaulity PSU that puts out 30a on 1 12v rail or 2 combined for less money, if there is any to be had that is.

Well I was planning on spending more on a PSU but my budget didn't allow it so I settled for only spending $80 on a power supply which still was a lot to me as well.

I hate having to spend so much on a power supply as well but you just have to do it. Its a pain but at least look on the bright side. You don't have to upgrade your power supply every few months or years to stay in the game like with video cards.

 

[pcslookout]

Here is the full load power consumption figures for the GFX cards. The Geforce 8800 GTS only takes 103 to 117 watts at full load. The Geforce 8800 Ultra only takes 163W at full load. Amazing!

http://www.atomicmpc.com.au/forums.asp?s=2&c=7&t=9354

So the anandtech link of the full load of the complete system is very close to being as close as possible. http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2873&p=7

Remember the anandtech link is measuring the full load watts of not only the video card but the whole system as well when in full load. Tell me when you will be using your system during full load 24/7 or even half the time ? I bet never. I know I won't. I am not ever going to use 3dmark06 24/7 or even for 6 hours.

 

[MarcVenice]

Yeah you got me convinced on how many Watt or Amps I need. I just need to find a decent one for 60 euro or so, since the 8800gts comes at 270 euro's, which totals 330, + 60 euro for 1gb of ddr 400. Heh, with the new x2 3800+ I bought, I'm starting to think I might as well have sold my current right and went c2d for a little more money, after 22nd of july. * beats conscience to pulp *

 

[MarcVenice]

Seasonic S12-430HB, is what I'm looking at too ...

 

[pcslookout]

Here is a list of PSUs to avoid. Text

 

[pcslookout]

You could try this power supply but it does have dual 12v rails and not sure of the total 12v rail. http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817189005

 

[MarcVenice]

Question, since you own a 8800gts, what kind of connector does it need ? 1 6x pin pci-e connector ?

I'm thinking of getting this PSU:

http://www.coolermaster-europe...eXtreme%20Power%20430W

 

[pcslookout]

Originally posted by: MarcVenice
Question, since you own a 8800gts, what kind of connector does it need ? 1 6x pin pci-e connector ?

I'm thinking of getting this PSU:

http://www.coolermaster-europe...eXtreme%20Power%20430W

I am sorry to tell you this but I am not sure. I will look and see if I can find the answer. I just hooked it up basically to the way the connector look. I couldn't tell you without looking first.

 

[HeavyD]

pcslookout:
Thanks for the info! I need to upgrade 2 computers that won't be SLI and 500+ watts was overkill. They will get GeForce cards and with that power consumption link you posted I have a better idea of what to get and what NOT to get.

 

[Howard]

MarcVenice, HeavyD, you may receive better advice over at jonnyGURU.com.

 

[pcslookout]

Originally posted by: Howard
MarcVenice, HeavyD, you may receive better advice over at jonnyGURU.com.

Whats wrong with my advice?

 

[gregor7777]

Originally posted by: pcslookout
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: Howard
MarcVenice, HeavyD, you may receive better advice over at jonnyGURU.com.</end quote></div>

Whats wrong with my advice?

Nothing, but Johnny knows his stuff.

 

[drakore]

Kinda skimmed over this thread so unsure of budget constraints.

Take a look at the Corsair 520HX or 620HX. 620HX can do 2 x 8800GTX SLI w/ quad core oc'd.

Modular and rock solid rails.

Seasonic, enermax, ocz all make good psu's. Stay away from thermaltake.

 

[pcslookout]

Originally posted by: drakore
Kinda skimmed over this thread so unsure of budget constraints.

Take a look at the Corsair 520HX or 620HX. 620HX can do 2 x 8800GTX SLI w/ quad core oc'd.

Modular and rock solid rails.

Seasonic, enermax, ocz all make good psu's. Stay away from thermaltake.

He doesn't want to do SLI and he even said that.