The eternal Antec 380 EarthWatts question

[GalaxyWide]

Hi all, I am in the process of changing my rig over to ITX from ATX (HAF 932 -> Bitfenix Prodigy)

My question is thus: since my old PSU (Antec 750w Gamer) is far too long for the new case, I have an Antec 380 in the mail. I've done a bit of research, but I am getting mixed signals on how powerful this thing really is.

Will it work fine and be long lasting? Or am I setting myself up with a soon-to-be dead PSU and possible motherboard damage?

Specs:

ASUS P8Z77-I ITX MB
i5-2500k @ 4.5GHz/1.34 volts
HD 6850 @ 925/1100 MHz, stock volts
8GB DDR3 1600
1 x WD green 1.5TB
2 x Intel 320 series 80GB SSD, RAID 0
DVD drive
Possible custom fan controller (currently 4 x 120 fans, dual variable regulators for speed variance)

Thanks!

PS: I would be willing to downclock a bit if that's what it takes to live with this PSU

 

[AkumaX]

i'd try going for 4.2GHz, stock volts. i've got something similar above (HD 4870), on my EA380

 

[lehtv]

The Earthwatts Green series is capable of full rated wattage for long periods of time, but as with any PSU that's not recommended in the long term.

2500K @ 4.5 = 150W at full load
6850 @ 925 = 140W at full load
the rest = 50W
= 340W at simultaneous full CPU and GPU load or 90% load

Although most of the time you'll be well under 300W, it's still cutting it too close, I'd want to be under 80% in the worst case scenario. I'd limit CPU OC to stock volts and back down on the GPU OC or upgrade to a 7850.

 

[GalaxyWide]

Thanks for the input lehtv, I think I'll see what I can get on stock volts (better for the chip anyways), not much that I do is even close to CPU bound. I can always crank it up a little for the infrequent bout of video transcoding anyhow. The GPU is most likely gonna stay the way it is though, it really does help a borderline card run Crysis @ 1920 x 1200/highest settings/25-30 FPS (personal goal of mine).

Does a 7850 draw a significantly smaller amount of power? I believe it is a smaller process node, so that helps, but I don't think it's much of a upgrade performance-wise.

At any rate, it looks like this will get me by till I can tackle my dreams of full-on water cooling

 

[lehtv]

25-30 fps is so unplayable. I could bet that you would enjoy the game more at medium settings or whatever it takes to get 45+ fps. Playability over eye candy

Does a 7850 draw a significantly smaller amount of power?

No but it's significantly faster in the same power envelope. It's also more overclokcable at stock volts.

 

[Gigantopithecus]

According to Bench the 7850 system draws slightly less power under idle and slightly more power under load than the 6850 system.

Bench puts the gaming load for the 7850 at 289W and the 6850 at 275W, measured from the wall, for the entire system.

IIRC the Bench system is an i7-920 OCd to 3.3GHz with 3 sticks of DDR3-1333, a high-end Asus board, some case fans and an SSD...?

You're gonna be pushing it with your OCs. I'd be careful. Actually, I'd get a beefier PSU. The 430W Earthwatts will give you the necessary breathing room, the 500W Earthwatts will give you a lot of headroom. They're all the same size IIRC. I know the 430W is the exact same size as the 380W, it's been a while since I've used a 500W.

 

[Andle Riddum]

Earthwatts series is not as it's used to be. ODM is not Seasonic anymore, so keep that in mind

 

[pauldun170]

As an owner of EA-380, I can say its been an excellent little PSU.
Having said that, you might be better served by a PSU with more oomph.
Neo ECO 520C has been showing up a lot in the same price range as the 380 after sales\rebates\free shipping. 80+ and based on a Seasonic unit.

 

[GalaxyWide]

Hmm....now I'm beginning to have second thoughts. I did take a look at the NEO ECO 520, but its 10mm longer then I want. The EarthWatts 430 appears to be now defunct (as far as newegg is concerned at any rate), but the 500 doesn't look too bad (and it's the same size as well).

I also saw the Bench results when looking at GPU power numbers, that's partially why I felt this PSU was enough. If the entire system only draws 275W (albeit with a older CPU, I believe Sandy Bridge is significantly more efficient, no?), wouldn't a 380W be enough, even with the OC I'm running on the GPU? (as I mentioned before, I will be downclocking the CPU to whatever I can get stable with stock volts). I'm not doubting the validity of y'alls opinions, just thinking out loud here.

Since it seems I may now be in the market for a higher output unit, anyone have any particular recomendations? It needs to be 140mm long, and I'm only looking to spend as much as I have to in order to get good quality and 80+ cert. I gather that Seasonic is regarded as the Holy Grail of power supplies, but I feel it's a bit out of my price range.

25-30 fps is so unplayable. I could bet that you would enjoy the game more at medium settings or whatever it takes to get 45+ fps. Playability over eye candy

You'd be surprised...it's 25 min in the benchmark, usually 30-35. There are a few places I have to turn it down (in the ship, far,far too many particles lol) but on the whole it's satisfying enough. Still hates cranking Metro 2033 though

 

[TemjinGold]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139026

More than enough for your system.

 

[lehtv]

Earthwatts series is not as it's used to be. ODM is not Seasonic anymore, so keep that in mind

Instead, it is Delta which is really on par with Seasonic.

 

[GalaxyWide]

I checked out the Corsair, looks good....but I did a bit of snooping, and the ODM is CWT, who does not seem to be quite on par with Delta & Seasonic. I also have read in a few places that the Corsair is a bit overrated, and the Antec may be slightly underrated.

Since all my parts came today, I'm gonna put it all together and get windows on it, then put a clamp meter on the AC power cord and see what it draws both at idle and under load (compensating for PSU inefficiencies of course). Anything over 300w and I'll RMA it for either the Corsair or the 500 Antec.

One concern with all the Antec EarthWatts Green PSU's though....they have that tiny 80mm fan, and I'm a bit concerned over the noise level. While my setup won't be completely silent by any means (I like a little noise....lets me know everything is still functioning), the whine of a miniature jet turbine would be an unwelcome addition to say the least. The above linked Corsair (as well as what appears to be 90% of the PSU's out there) have a 120-140mm fan, which seems to me like it would cool a lot better whilst staying quieter. That said, I looked up the Anandtech review and it's no louder in terms of decibels, I'm just a bit curious about the pitch of said noise vs. the PSU's with larger fans. Guess we'll see later tonight!

Thanks for all your input and help everyone, it's nice to get a different opinion

Now, if only my case would get here....I'm crossing my fingers that Lockware Systems is the real deal.

 

[Meghan54]

Instead, it is Delta which is really on par with Seasonic.

Actually, Delta is considered above Seasonic, esp. in soldering. Delta's soldering makes Seasonic look like they used semi-trained monkeys to hand solder their power supplies.

 

[pauldun170]

I have a Earthwatts-650 and an Earthwatts 380.
Both are very quiet. Cant say I've ever noticed PSU noise.

 

[TemjinGold]

I checked out the Corsair, looks good....but I did a bit of snooping, and the ODM is CWT, who does not seem to be quite on par with Delta & Seasonic. I also have read in a few places that the Corsair is a bit overrated, and the Antec may be slightly underrated.

Since all my parts came today, I'm gonna put it all together and get windows on it, then put a clamp meter on the AC power cord and see what it draws both at idle and under load (compensating for PSU inefficiencies of course). Anything over 300w and I'll RMA it for either the Corsair or the 500 Antec.

One concern with all the Antec EarthWatts Green PSU's though....they have that tiny 80mm fan, and I'm a bit concerned over the noise level. While my setup won't be completely silent by any means (I like a little noise....lets me know everything is still functioning), the whine of a miniature jet turbine would be an unwelcome addition to say the least. The above linked Corsair (as well as what appears to be 90% of the PSU's out there) have a 120-140mm fan, which seems to me like it would cool a lot better whilst staying quieter. That said, I looked up the Anandtech review and it's no louder in terms of decibels, I'm just a bit curious about the pitch of said noise vs. the PSU's with larger fans. Guess we'll see later tonight!

Thanks for all your input and help everyone, it's nice to get a different opinion

Now, if only my case would get here....I'm crossing my fingers that Lockware Systems is the real deal.

FYI... I have a hard time pulling 300 on my rig. You aren't going to even come close.

 

[GalaxyWide]

I have a Earthwatts-650 and an Earthwatts 380.
Both are very quiet. Cant say I've ever noticed PSU noise.

Thanks for the hands on info, I look forward to trying it out!

FYI... I have a hard time pulling 300 on my rig. You aren't going to even come close.

Thanks, I haven't gotten a chance to test mine but I'm thinking it'll be fine.

Got all my parts together, only to find that my cooler (Zalman CNPS11X Extreme) will not fit my motherboard. Ordered a CM 212 EVO, but now I gotta wait for a power draw test.

The fun never ends