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Help selecting a power supply

B

BellaCroix

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Mar 25, 2004
Messages
1,054
Okay, I'm sure everyone is tired of posts like this but I'm so flooded with info after reading a couple dozen reviews and looking over Computerpro3's great sticky that I think I need some help.

I'm trying to select a new power supply for a case I'm building and can't decide. I'm not saying money is no object but I'm not completely adverse to spending $200 on a PCP&C power supply if that's really my best option. I just want to be sure that really is my best option and that I couldn't save a few bucks to spend elsewhere on the system.

I don't overclock and even if I decide to fiddle around with it, it'll be modest OCs.
The system will be an Athlon 64, 2 gig of RAM, single ATI GPU, 2 HDDs (possibly RAID 0), DVD, DVD-Rw, about 4 fans, watercooled... figure I need at least 500 watts.

And I do want it to look good too. I'm happy with my Ultra X-Connect but I realize it's just about at it's limit of being able to deliver clean power and want a PSU that I can keep around for a while and will be able to keep up with upgrades.

I've been looking at PCP&Cs, Antecs, and OCZs (not a fan of Enermax) and just wondered if anyone had any input or suggestions.

Criteria:
At least 500 watts of stable, clean power
SATA native support
PCI-Express native support
Would like it to be modular
Prefer 20-pin ATX
Quiet (as few fans as necessary)
Good looking (anodized, mirror finish, painted, whatever)
 
Not specific enough. We really need each component exactly to figure draws. Each GPU, watercooling draws, exact fans (types and speeds).

As for modular from the factory may not to happen....it may just depends on what the exact components are and how much want it. The best are the Modstreams, NeoPowers, and the SuperFlower Plug-N's.
 
Spectre said:
Not specific enough. We really need each component exactly to figure draws. Each GPU, watercooling draws, exact fans (types and speeds).

As for modular from the factory may not to happen....it may just depends on what the exact components are and how much want it. The best are the Modstreams, NeoPowers, and the SuperFlower Plug-N's.
Click to expand...

I could do without the modular (not that hard to take an iron and toss wires not needed).

The exact specs are not completely known yet. I'm still parting everything but figured I'd start with the power supply (always seemed like a good place to start to me, always thought PSUs were the most underappreciated and unreasearched part of a computer).

Only things I know (likely):

AMD Athlon 64 (somewhere around 3400+)
ATI Radeon 9800 (will upgrade almost immediately to PCI-Express, maybe x700 or x800)
4 sticks 500meg/ea Corsair XMS Pro RAM
Lite-On DVD
Lite-On DVD-Rw
4 fans, 120mm, under 5 watts peak/ea
2 SATA HDDs, unknown exact specs but not Raptors.
Creative Labs Soundblaster 5.1
Crystalfontz LCD display
Ehiem 1046 water pump
 
BellaCroix said:
I could do without the modular (not that hard to take an iron and toss wires not needed).

The exact specs are not completely known yet. I'm still parting everything but figured I'd start with the power supply (always seemed like a good place to start to me, always thought PSUs were the most underappreciated and unreasearched part of a computer).
Click to expand...

Well while it is good that you are looking at it a good ways out it really is important to know everything it will be running so the proper unit can be selected.

Only things I know (likely):

AMD Athlon 64 (somewhere around 3400+)
ATI Radeon 9800 (will upgrade almost immediately to PCI-Express, maybe x700 or x900)
4 sticks 500meg/ea Corsair XMS Pro RAM
Lite-On DVD
Lite-On DVD-Rw
4 fans, 120mm, under 5 watts peak/ea
2 SATA HDDs, unknown exact specs but not Raptors.
Creative Labs Soundblaster 5.1
Crystalfontz LCD display
Ehiem 1046 water pump
Click to expand...

I will go work something up for this setup that will leave you some upgrade room.

Be back.
 
Ok so with my fudge factor in there for the unknown's:

12v@20A
5v@20A

Right now. So look north of those figures for upgrading.

Take a look at to get you covered for know and a few upgrades:

Seasonic S12
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817151024

Antec Truepower II
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103931


Then for a step up over the top upgrades (SLI, etc):
PC Power and Coolin 510 SLI

Since you said no Enermax I guess those would be my base recommendations.
 
Spectre said:
Ok so with my fudge factor in there for the unknown's:

12v@20A
5v@20A

Right now. So look north of those figures for upgrading.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the math... was looking at Antec NeoPower 480 (yes, I know it's under my 500 watt requirement) but I don't fully understand what appears to be dual +12v rails (one at 18 amps, another at 15 amps (should that be considered 33 amps total)) but I'll take a look at your suggestions!

Really do appreaciate your help!
 
BellaCroix said:
Thanks for the math... was looking at Antec NeoPower 480 (yes, I know it's under my 500 watt requirement) but I don't fully understand what appears to be dual +12v rails (one at 18 amps, another at 15 amps (should that be considered 33 amps total)) but I'll take a look at your suggestions!

Really do appreaciate your help!
Click to expand...

Well they really aren't additive per se. JonnyGuru covered it here: http://www.slcentral.com/dual-12v-rail-psu-shootout/

What it does do is allow you to isolate heavy draw 12v items from one another in order ot maintain a more stable system.

At any rate I was close to recommending it also.......with no heavy duty OCing it should do as well.
 
I was debating the same thing the other day. I'm going with the Seasonic S12-500. Not only is it great and stable, but it can support SLI if you ever decide to uprage in the future.
 
Thanks for all the input guys... Think I've just about whittled it down to an Antec. Although I'd like to get a PCP&C I honestly don't think it's necessary for the next build unless someone comes up with a very good argument for them.

I figure this PSU (even if I keep using it for future upgrades and projects) will only last about 2 years until I'll need to upgrade it. Even if I drop the $400 for a top of the line PCP&C I can't imagine it lasting much longer than that.

Anyone disagree... have other suggestions to look at... whatever?
 
Okay, since everyone was such a help before, last question: I think I've lowered it down to one of three. Which do you think is best, have read the best reviews of, should be avoided, etc?

Antec NeoPower ATX 480 Watt PSU
Antec Phantom 500 watt ATX12 v2.0 Silent PSU
Antec TruePower II - 550 Watt ATX12V v2.0 PSU

I've also looked at the Antec TruePower 2.0 TRUECONTROL II-550 ATX12V 550W Power Supply but don't want to risk messing something up trying to adjust voltages.

The Phantom looks really good but I'm worried about how much it's just looks vs. performance. The voltage/wattage numbers look fairly decent but then again I really don't fully understand what I'm supposed to be looking for.

What do you guys think? Am I looking in the right direction, should I consider another manufacturer? Will I be let down by any of these choices? Better suggestions?

Thanks again!
 
The Phantom, while a good PSU, is designed primarily for low noise output. You'd probably want something more powerful. The TruePower II 550W seems like a good choice, lots of amperage on both +12V rails and the 3% load regulation is a good thing. It isn't loud either.
 
_Korruption_ said:
The Phantom, while a good PSU, is designed primarily for low noise output. You'd probably want something more powerful. The TruePower II 550W seems like a good choice, lots of amperage on both +12V rails and the 3% load regulation is a good thing. It isn't loud either.
Click to expand...

Don't that just figure? Why is the best performer always the ugliest? :D Look at Edward James Olmos in Miami Vice (can you tell what I'm watching?), the only one who could act was the one you wanted to see the least. :p

Definitely food for thought though. Wonder if I could cram that into an Ultra PSU or something.
 
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