Do I need a new PSU?

[devla]

Hi

I've got a Vantec Stealth 520A that I've had for about 4 years or so. Seems to be running fine still.

Specs of the PSU can be found HERE (see the 520A section under the Specifications tab).

I know the PSU has no PCIe connectors. I plan on picking up a 9800GTX sometime very soon. Would it be viable to just get some molex to 6-pin or 8-pin adapters, or should I spring for a new PSU?

That being said, If I do get a new PSU, some people here recommend the Corsair 750TX. The PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad also has good reviews. Is this too much wattage for running my system (specs in sig). I may do SLI in the future, so I need to take that into consideration as well.

Thanks

 

[Dangman]

Yes you'll need a new PSU. The minimum required amperage on the +12V rail for the 9800GTX is 24A. That power supply only has 18A on the +12V rail. Considering it's been four years, that power supply may actually provide less than 18A. So I recommend getting a new PSU.

Right now, this is simply one of the best deals for a PSU:
Corsair 750TX 750W PSU - $99

It's a bit much for your system but it's an awesome deal for a quality 750W PSU.

 

[devla]

Thanks. The Corsair is $94.99 with free shipping at buy.com. The link is in my original post. I don't mind paying $20 more for the PC Power & Cooling one though, if it is overall a better PSU.

 

[matrix563]

Thanks. The Corsair is $94.99 with free shipping at buy.com. The link is in my original post. I don't mind paying $20 more for the PC Power & Cooling one though, if it is overall a better PSU.

i think the corsair is better

 

[NoxTek]

Thanks. The Corsair is $94.99 with free shipping at buy.com. The link is in my original post. I don't mind paying $20 more for the PC Power & Cooling one though, if it is overall a better PSU.

The problem is there are a LOT of Corsair fan boys on this forum (I'm one of them), so you'll get a lot of people saying that the Corsair is better and that may not actually be true.

I think the quality of both the Corsair 750TX (Channel Well design) and the PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 (Seasonic Design) is quite high, but the PC Power & Cooling may just barely edge forward in terms of how it provides really clean power.

Both units are built exceptionally well, however the Corsair units are special in that they are custom built by Corsair using a proven design (CWT in the case of the TX750) and populating it with ultra-high quality Japanese capacitors rated to tolerate very high temperatures. As a matter of fact the Corsair units are all rated to output their peak power at temps up to 50 degrees celsius when many other enthusiast level PSU manufacturers only rate to 40. That's kickass in my book. Corsair also does other nice things like wrapping the inductor coils to reduce vibration and whine under load. The Silencer is also somewhat noisy due to the 80mm exhaust fan that it uses to keep cool. Meanwhile the Corsair 750TX uses a massive 140mm cooling fan making it a MUCH quieter and cooler running unit.

Both Corsair and PC Power & Cooling provide awesome technical support and warranty services, but keep in mind that PC Power & Cooling will also do custom modifications to your unit for a small fee any time after you purchase it.

In the end it's really a personal decision... If I could buy both PSUs for the same price right now I'd choose the PC Power & Cooling after thinking long and hard. But with the Corsaire TX750 being sooooo much cheaper lately (under a hundred bucks) how can you possibly refuse it? Go buy one!

 

[AbJ32]

Both units have an output of 60 amps on the 12 volt rail, and both units have pretty good efficiency ratings, however the Corsair is rated for it's power output at 50C, while IIRC the Silencer 750 is rated for it at 40C.

The Corsair 750TX and the PC Power and Cooling Silencer 750 are of almost equal quality, so it really doesn't matter which one you purchase. The Corsair unit would save you a bit of $$$ with it's price tag.