Future-Proof PSU (old system, x1950gpu -> new system, dx10 gpu)

A

anonuser

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Dec 28, 2006
Messages
1,084
OK, here's my story:

I have an old system (Athlon 2100+ OC'd to 2.1ghz, epox 8rda+, 1gb ram, 6600gt) and really want to upgrade. With all the upcoming changes (Vista, DX10, etc) I'd rather hold off 4 more months or so and see what pans out. Also I'll be out of the country for a month (work) so that's time I wouldn't even be using my new system.

I bought a Westinghouse 37" 1080p Monitor (will be here next week), and I'd like to be able to play some games before my upgrade. My friend recently bought a x1950pro 512mb AGP card but decided to build a new system instead. And about the CPU bottleneck, check out this article at Tomshardware. He's selling it to me for $225 but there's one problem...

My Sparkle Power FSP530-60GNA-B 530 Watts PSU only has 18a on the 12v... these cards need 38a.

I'd like to buy a "future proof" PSU that won't totally break the bank. I will eventually build a new system with a core 2 duo overclocked and a dx10 video card.

I've been reading threads all day and there are so many options.

Thanks.
 
No 4 pin P4 = single railed with plenty of juice on the +5 and +12 is what you need

Depending on how much you want to spend, a Corsair HX 620 (50a), silverstone ST56ZF (38a), one of the Zippy GSM's, or if you can swing that much more, a Silverstone Olympia 1kw (total excess, it will do 2 G80's without breaking a sweat)

I'd go with the HX 620. It will be perfect.
 
Bbq said:
No 4 pin P4 = single railed with plenty of juice on the +5 and +12 is what you need

Depending on how much you want to spend, a Corsair HX 620 (50a), silverstone ST56ZF (38a), one of the Zippy GSM's, or if you can swing that much more, a Silverstone Olympia 1kw (total excess, it will do 2 G80's without breaking a sweat)

I'd go with the HX 620. It will be perfect.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the info, I was previously unaware of the Corsair PSU. I've read that modular PSUs aren't as good, any truth in that? Also the whole multiple 12v rails vs 1 large one... really not sure where I stand on that.

I suppose the HX 620 can handle a 8800 GTX, but there isn't any chance of SLI right (not that I will ever be able to afford it... but one can hope).

One last thing, how loud is it? My next build probably won't be water cooled, but I'll use a tower cpu cooler (like Tuniq) with a big fan and will try to stay with all low db fans.

Looking for some reviews on the Corsair PSU now.
 
Modular vs non modular, the difference is so small, you can pretty much say it's 0. Marketing at it's best.

The 620 has been tested to do 2 8800GTX's, by Redbear (Corsair rep here)

Very quiet. Low RPM 120mm fan, high efficiency..

Best review of HX 620 is at www.jonnyguru.com. It's not the "I plug the system into the pc and it powered on so it gets a 10" type of review. It's done iwth a load tester, that will highlight all the good and bad points, and tendencies of the psu. all the issues commonly encountered.
 
Found the HX 620 for $129.99 after $15 mail-in-rebate at zipzoomfly.com

Really appreciate the help, that PSU looks like a winner and if it was run w/880gtx SLI then I know it's as future proof as I can get at this point. I really hope we never get to the point where PCs need 1k watt PSUs or I may not be able to afford my electricity bill anymore...

Last concern before I buy it, I shouldn't have any trouble with my epox 8rda+ and this PSU right? Obviously it's ATX but just making sure.
 
You want to REALLY future proof?
Go get the 1KW Silverstone Olympia :D
Will even support that not yet released ATi R600
in crossfire!
80A of powah in one 12V rail, gosh dangit! :D

Anyways, back to reality.

Answer for above question, yes.
The HX620 is a relatively new PSU, and will support
any motherboard that came before it :)

On the note of 8series in SLi, I've seen a 8800GTX in SLi
run by a 560W Zeus PSU. But the comp that ran it didn't
have much on it. Just Cpu, 2 gigs of ram, one ODD, one HDD,
and that was about it I think.

BTW, Cosair/Seasonic have and edge on efficiency and silence,
while Silverstone has an edge on performance (when comparing
similar attributed PSUs)
 
Heh, the 1kW PSUs are a "little" out of my price range :)

OK well I guess I'll go ahead and order it. If it can run 8800gtx SLI im sure it can handle the new ati cards in crossfire.... i hope? heh
 
Which one are you talking about?

The 1KW one will sure do.

And a 600W one will probably be able to do that
if it has sufficient 12V Amps, but I can't guarantee that. :rolleyes:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top