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#1
08-12-2004, 12:05 PM
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The PSU Thread
Hello everyone. This thread is meant to be an informative guideline about the purchase of your power supply, more specifically, what are some good companies to give your business to, and perhaps more importantly, which ones to avoid. It will be updated regularly. This is still under construction, and I will be remodeling it in the coming days, so if there is a broken link, or a psu that is now off the market, or something of the like, PLEASE bring it to my attention via a pm.
Now so you understand what exactly this list is, from Ice Czar: Quote:
Now, for the companies that it would be wise to avoid, I want to make it clear that not every single one of their supplies will fail. It's more like every 8 out of 10. There are two types of company on this list. The first one is the type of company that for the most part are known to manufacture very low quality psu's that often have not met basic UL spec or compliances (or perhaps the bare minimum to allow them for sale). Some of the psu's manufactured by the following companies have even been outlawed in various countries for their tendency to cause fires. The other type is the company that buys those psu's and rebadges them as their own. Often these psu's are offered along with computer cases, or sold for amazingly low prices. If there is a company on there that you do not think should be, don't skin me alive, just pm me with your evidence and I will take a look at it. You may see a power supply that has great specs on paper, for a good price. I am sorry, but that just doesn't happen. While there are some very good values in the industry, such as those manufactured by the FSP group, you are not going to get a 600w psu with 35 amps on the 12v line, chrome case, windowed, with modular cables for $75. It's just not happening. I am hard pressed to think of another industry where the axiom "you get what you pay for" rings more true. The bottom line, is that it can be tricky to tell a good psu from a bad one by looking at the specs sometimes, as the VAST majority of psu manufacturers (there are only 2 or 3 exceptions that I can think of off the top of my head) flat out lie, or practice some other form of disinformation. For example, there is no industry standard for psu rating temperature; so the vast majority of manufacturers take the liberty of assuming 20C internal operating temperature under full load. How many of you out there even have room temperature as cool as 20C? The real internal operating temperature of the psu is close to 40C or 50C during peak load. And since the output of the psu goes down the hotter it gets, these "600w" psu's can only really put out around 200w if it's generic, and around 300w if it's a better brand like an antec or Enermax. So when looking at the specs of a psu, apply a "de-rating" curve to it, and deduct about 30% off of amps and wattage. In most cases it will be more, but you won't be running at peak load 24/7, so 30% is a good compromise. The only manufacturers at present that you don't need to do this to is Zippy/Emacs, Pc Power and Cooling, and Fortron (in Fortron's case, add 30% because they underrate themselves). So I am NOT joking around when I ask you to stay away from the psu's listed on the Do Not Buy list below, as the best case scenario will be you having an underpowered rig with instability problems, while the worst case scenario is it blowing up, and burning down computer as well as your house. I can not stress this enough: your computer is an investment, protect it. You spent thousands on your computers, some of you, and you want to put a $60 power supply in it. Don't let a $60 supply kill your $3000 computer. You wouldn't want your investment to go by something you were warned about and could have prevented by shelling out another $60. So without Further ado, I present to you the list of Un-reccomended and Unscrupulous Power Supply Companies Achieve Aerocool Allied Aspire Codegen Coolmax Demon Deer Devanni. Dynapower Eagle InWin JustPC Kingwin L&C Linkworld MGE, Power-Man Powmax Power-Up Raidmax Thermaltakes (I’m gonna quote Johnny guru here, but personally I would NEVER put another one in my machine) Quote:
Ultra (yes, the pretty looking ones, they are made by a low-quality Chinese company that starts with "Young". Can't get much more generic than that!!!) X-superalien X-treme While you REALLY should think twice before buying from those companies, the list below are some alternatives that have been proven time and time again to be solid, reliable alternatives, at all price ranges, performance levels, and noise levels. Also please check out the Ultra-Quiet and Fanless section at the end for some more GREAT supplies in all price ranges. Please note that by adding that section, I am not saying that the other psu's are not quiet, just that the particular ones I have listed are particularly endeared to silent computer enthusiats (who demand levels of quiet that are total overkill for the lot of us). Super-Budget Range = Under $30 While I wouldn't put one of these psu's in a high end rig, those of you looking in this category won't have one . These are solid, reliable, mostly quiet psu's that will run most machines very stably. No, they're not flashy no they don't light up UV colors, but at least they won't catch on fire. Fortron 300w PSU w/120mm fan = $26 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc... /> 79&depa=0 Sparkle 300w PSU (18amps on 12v line, not bad at all for this price point) = $28 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc... /> 85&depa=0 Budget = Under $65 Now we are beginning to get into the range where the real psu's start. If you are looking at the super-budget range, I would advise you to skip lunch or something for a couple of days and get something from this category. *** Quote:
Coolermaster Real Power 450w (this does not have APFC, it won't blow up your rig but I would spring for the one that does have it) = $59.99 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc... /> 05&depa=0 Fortron 350w PSU w/ 120mm fan = $39 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc... /> 66&depa=0 Sparkle 350w ATXv2.0 psu = $51 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc... /> 99&depa=0 Fortron 400w PSU w/120mm fan = $65 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc... /> 62&depa=0 Antec Tru380 single fan version (hard pressed on 12v line) = $45 shipped http://www.endpcnoise.com/cgi-bin/e/... /> <br /> m Antec Tru380 (hard pressed on 12v line NOT ANYMORE: they updated it to 24amps. Great deal now.) = $59 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc... /> 07&depa=0 Antec Tru430 = $65 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc... /> 08&depa=0 Enermax 350w PSU (26amps 12line  ) = $53http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc... /> 39&depa=0 Enermax Noistaker 320w PSU = $65 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc... /> 50&depa=0 Enermax Noisetaker 370w psu = $61 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc... /> 44&depa=0 Zalman 3002 Noise Free psu = $62 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc... /> 12&depa=0 Tagan 380w = $45 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc... /> 08&depa=0 Mid-High End = Under$100 These are generally the minumum PSU's that I reccomend to people. You are very unlikely to need more than this to power your rig. Antec Trupower II 430w = $75 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817103928 Antec Trupower II "Trublue 2" 480w = $90 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817103930 Antec Trupower II 480w = $85 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817103929 Seasonic s12 380w psu = $77 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817151022 Zippy/Emacs 300w psu = $76 (22@ on 12v line for 300w psu is astounding, performance is comparable if not better than pcp&c. Prohibitivley xpensive however) http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc... /> 04&depa=0 Enermax Noisetaker 420w ATX12v 2.1 = $75 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...103-4 9&depa=1 Coolermaster Real Power 450w with APFC = $79.99 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc... /> 01&depa=0 Fortron 350w ATX12v2.0 psu = $62 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc... /> 36&depa=0 Zippy/Emacs 350w psu = $83 (26@ on 12v line is better than antec 550, performance is comparable if not better than pcp&c. Prohibitivley expensive however) http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc... /> 05&depa=0 Zippy/Emacs 400w psu = $95 (30amps 12v line ) http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc... /> 06&depa=0 Sparkle 530w PSU = $74 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc... /> 89&depa=0 Fortron 530w PSU = $75 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc... /> 68&depa=0 Enermax Noisetaker 420w PSU = $78 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc... /> 45&depa=0 Vantec 420w psu = $81 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc... /> 71&depa=0 Fortron Blue Storm ATX12v2.0 500w psu = $92 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc... /> 34&depa=0 Zalman Noise Free 400w psu APFC = $95 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc... /> 13&depa=0 Tagan 480w PSU = $79 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc... /> 09&depa=0 Vantec 520w psu = $99 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc... /> 73&depa=0 Enermax 460w PSU (33amps on 12v line )= $85http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc... /> 43&depa=0 Pc Power and Cooling 410 Silencer = $85 http://pcpowerandcooling.com/product...cers/index.htm OCZ Powerstream 420w PSU = $85 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc... /> 50&depa=0 Seasonic 400w PSU = $86 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc... /> 18&depa=0 Antec Tru480 = $87 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc... /> 09&depa=0 Vantec 520W PSU = $96 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc... /> 73&depa=0 High End = $100-$199 I do feel obligated to say that although I listed the Zippy series, Fortron 530 and Sparkle 530w PSU's (same ones) in the last category, I did that soley because of price. They will outperform almost every psu in this category despite their price tags. UPDATE: With the addition of the Zippy/Emacs psu's, they don't outperform almost every single psu in this category, but they are still excellent, excellent psu's. Antec Trupower 2.0 Trucontrol II-550 550w = $119 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817103933 Coolermaster Real Power RS-550 550w = $129 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817171006 Seasonic s12 600w PSU = $161 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817151025 Seasonic s12 500w psu = $129 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817151024 Seasonic s12 430w psu = $100 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817151023 Antec EPS12v 550w PSU = $130 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc... /> 18&depa=0 Enermax Noisetaker 485w = $115 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc... /> 57&depa=0 Enermax Noisetaker 470w = $115 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc... /> 51&depa=0 OCZ Powerstream 470w = $136 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc... /> 51&depa=0 Enermax Coolergiant 480w = $142 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc... /> 95&depa=0 Enermax Noisetaker 600w psu = $192 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc... /> 97&depa=0 Sparkle 550w = $106 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc... /> 78&depa=0 OCZ Powerstream 520w PSU = $125 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc... /> 52&depa=0 Pc Power and Cooling 425w Deluxe = $150 http://pcpowerandcooling.com/product.../425/index.htm Zippy/Emacs 460w Psu = $106 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc... /> 07&depa=0 Zippy/Emacs 500w psu = $122 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc... /> 08&depa=0 Zippy/Emacs 550w psu = $180 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc... /> 09&depa=0 Antec TruControl 550w PSU = $103 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc... /> 22&depa=0 Antec Tru550w PSU = $107 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc... /> 10&depa=0 Antec NeoPower 480w PSU with APFC = $126 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc... /> 24&depa=0 Enermax 550w PSU = $162 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc... /> 37&depa=0 Enermax 550w PSU with APFC = $192 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc... /> 47&depa=0 Enermax Noisetaker 600w = $161 'http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817194001 Silverstone Zeus 650w = $176 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817163108 Ultra Budget Be Damned Best PSU Out There Pc Power and Cooling 850w SSI = $469 (quite simply, the best consumer grade psu in the world.) http://www.pcpowercooling.com/produc...hp?show=T85SSI Pc Power and Cooling Turbocool 510 Deluxe (and SLI edition) = $219 Base Price, if you get any options you're probably looking @ $270-320ish http://pcpowerandcooling.com/product.../510/index.htm Zippy/Emacs 600w psu = $256 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc... /> 11&depa=0 Zippy/Emacs 650w psu = $271 (this one's comparable to the pcp&c 510 deluxe guys, its a serious psu) http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc... /> 12&depa=0 Zippy/Emacs 700w psu = $281 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc... /> 13&depa=0 Zippy/Emacs 700w psu (45 amps on 12v line, yes thats almost twice the antec 550!!!) = $306 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc... /> 14&depa=0 Enermax 660w psu = $257 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc... /> 38&depa=0 OCZ 600w Powerstream = $210 (IMHO, you're not thinking straight if you buy this over the pcp&c for the same price. If it was $150, it would be a killer deal. But not $210. I'll include it anyway though now that the recall issues seem to be fixed) http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduc... /> 53&depa=0 Ultra-Quiet and Fanless Supplies Antec 350w Phantom fanless psu (0db list)= $172 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc... /> 25&depa=0 Silenx Luxare 340w Fanless PSU (0db list) = $199 [url]http://www.silenx.com/productcart/pc/viewCat_Z.asp?idCategory=20[/ url] Silenx Luxare 400w Fanless PSU (0db list) = $239 [url]http://www.silenx.com/productcart/pc/viewCat_Z.asp?idCategory=20[/ url] Silenx Luxare 460w Fanless PSU (0db list) = $279 [url]http://www.silenx.com/productcart/pc/viewCat_Z.asp?idCategory=20[/ url] Seasonic Super Silencer 300w PSU (22db list) = $59 http://www.siliconacoustics.com/seas... s-300agx.html Seasonic Super Silencer 400w PSU (22db list) = $99 [url]http://www.siliconacoustics.com/seasonicsupersilencer400watt.html[ /url] Zalman ZM300B-APS 300w PSU with APFC (20-25db when under 55C) = $59 http://www.siliconacoustics.com/zalman-zm300b-aps.html Zalman ZM400B-APS 400w PSU with APFC (20-25db when under 55C) = $89 http://www.siliconacoustics.com/zalman-zm400b-aps.html Seasonic Super Silencer 460w PSU (22db list) = $119 http://www.siliconacoustics.com/seas... s-460agx.html Seasonic S12 Series ATX12V 2.0 430W (12b list) = $99 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc... /> 23&depa=0 Seasonic S12 Series ATX12V 2.0 500W Power Supply, PCI Express Ready (12db list) = $139 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc... /> 24&depa=0 For ALL the SilenX Iextrema's, which are all excellent, excellent psu's, [url]http://www.silenx.com/productcart/pc/viewCat_Z.asp?idCategory=18[/ url] Official Nvidia SLI Approved Power Supplies All these supplies are the ONLY ones currently officially certified by Nvidia for use in SLI 1. Pc Power and cooling 850 SSI 2. Pc Power and Cooling 510 Deluxe 3. Enermax Noisetaker 600w 4. Silverstone Zeus 650w Last edited by computerpro3; 06-04-2005 at 04:14 PM..
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#2
08-12-2004, 12:41 PM
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New "Pulls" Antec True 380S single fan for $45 shipped
Directron often has sales on brand name psu's so be sure to cross check prices with Newegg before purchasing. The TTGI units often go on sale for insanely low prices and they're a good middle-of-the-road psu imho.
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#3
08-12-2004, 01:29 PM
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From your sig: Kingwin
Did you have a bad experience with them? I was thinking about buying a watercooling solution from them. Should I reconsider?
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#4
08-12-2004, 01:34 PM
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Quote:
(how much are you paying for it and what size?) Edit: NM, i didn't notice you were talking about water cooling equipment.
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#5
08-12-2004, 03:37 PM
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i was comparing the sparkle 550 to my antec 430, what i find interesting, is my antec 430 puts out more power on the 3.3 and 5 volt lines than the sparkle 550 does. It only beats it at the 12V line. But i dont have 4 HDDs and 10 case fans, so this isnt a problem. My 12 volt line hovers around 12.06-12.1 volts. Well within spec. My 5 and 3.3 r right on the money as well, i think this system can handle an amd 64 with no trouble.
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#6
08-12-2004, 04:18 PM
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Quote:
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#7
08-12-2004, 04:31 PM
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Also, consider that your CPU and GPU both run off of +12v
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#8
08-12-2004, 04:38 PM
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like i said even with my 6800gt in there, my rails r still solid, sometimes it varies around 12.06-12.1 volts. Doesnt get much better than that. Actually the PCI slot, agp slot run off the 5 volt line and 3.3, not 12 volt. Hard drives, fans, cd-rom drives all run off the 12 volt lines. Check out this link, it shows the voltages used for devices in a system
http://www.extremeoverclocking.com/a...y_Guide_2.html Last edited by wilson502; 08-12-2004 at 04:59 PM..
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#9
08-12-2004, 05:42 PM
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 What do you think the extra power connectors on the 6800s are for?
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#10
08-12-2004, 06:01 PM
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in that case it runs on both 3.3 and 12 volt lines.
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#11
08-12-2004, 06:06 PM
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Quote:
but their cases are top-notch, I know that. Their psu's are manufactured by a variety of oem's, the TTGI ones aren't bad as said but I'm not sure which ones are and aren't TTGI so I figure its better just to get a real TTGI. You don't want to end up with some psu manufactured by 2 guys in a garage in Japan.
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#12
08-12-2004, 06:07 PM
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im also seeing discrepiences on sparkle's website, bout the 400W and 530W units. Like their 400W and 530W have the exact same ratings. And only pulls 18A on the 12 volt line. Their EPS series pulls more, but only 150W combined on 3.3 and 5V? But the 460W pulls more on the 3.3 and 5V? weird.
Last edited by wilson502; 08-12-2004 at 06:17 PM..
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#13
08-12-2004, 10:17 PM
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I'm confused by your naming Enlight and Thermaltake PSU's as a "don't buy". I've probably screwed together a hundred and fifty Enlight 7237 cases over the last three years, containing a mix of their (as I recall) 300, 350, and 360 watt supplies. These machines get used in our hardware lab at work. They get their ass kicked; Vcc's shorted together, shorted to ground, etc.
I think I've replaced one supply that I can remember. Also, Thermaltake (OEM'd by Enlight as I've been told) supplies, like the one in this system, looked decent and the dual thermo controlled fans are nice and quiet. I've installed a dozen or so, with no fires. Vcc's measure right on the money when tested with my trusty Fluke. ....just my experience, FWIW. Regards - B.B.S.
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#14
08-12-2004, 10:31 PM
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I ran my old Pally system:
A7V rev1.02 Palomino 1250 (12.5 x 100FSB) @ 1.75Vcore 8500 (was a G400 for 2.5 of those years). 4 Case fans + loud as hell Volcano 6cu 2 WD's + Liteon CDRW >> Enlight 250W PSU. That's ALL on a puny Enlight 250W. For 4 years to boot  Lotta people on nForcers (before my switch to my A7N8X) kept on tellingme how crazy I was. Though, i'm taking it safe from now on haha...Last edited by Mav451; 08-12-2004 at 11:06 PM..
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#15
08-13-2004, 07:50 AM
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Quote:
The Enlight 300w seemed solid, but blew out after being in use on a normal p2 600mhz system after around a year. If it can't power a 600mhz system it ain't going in my p4 system. However if a lot of people continue to complain about enlight on the list, I will remove it.
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#16
08-13-2004, 08:19 AM
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This should be stickied. I would love to refer that list to many of my future builds and I'm VERY sure others would appreciate that list. Perhaps you won't see as many repeated questions on this after it is stickied.
And I think a 'beware of the following PSU companies known to have issues" list should be added (much like computerpro3's signature-- but more revised and truthful [I'm not saying it is a lie -- just that some other people deem some of the companies in the list more acceptable than others]). A vote for sticky and people may voice out on new power supplies or whatnot to update the list and price as of date. Anyone for sticky? -J.
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#17
08-13-2004, 09:57 AM
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Quote:
 how quiet do they run?
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#18
08-13-2004, 10:21 AM
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Quote:
 What happened to our mod around here ?! 
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#19
08-13-2004, 11:12 AM
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Quote:
 ). If you'd like this thread stickied, you should PM the forum mod (listed at the bottom of the page) - looks like that would be the IceMan, IceCzar. Cheers - B.B.S.
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#20
08-13-2004, 11:23 AM
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Yeah that's what i'm saying! Until earlier today, he hadn't posted for quite a while
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