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Is 380W Enough?

T

TicoMVP

n00b
Joined
Jan 13, 2008
Messages
17
I have an Antec Sonata case with their TruePower 380W power supply leftover from a dead rig. I am finally looking to use it again, but will the power supply be enough to run a Q6600 and an EVGA 8800 GT video card?

If not, any suggestions on power supplies and/or equipment? I don't mind trying to replace the power supply if it is not too difficult.

Thanks everyone, it's appreciated.
 
EarthWatts 380, yes. TruePower, no. TruePower's are known to have Fuhjyyu (and other ass't low quality) caps that emit magic fluid. Those cap failures could cause undesired ripple, out of spec voltages, and high pitch whines. Your psu is also going to have capacitor aging. Read more.....
 
Good to know, thank you. Is it a simple enough task to replace if I buy a newer power supply? I would imagine that I could get something other than an Antec that would fit the case, if Antec should be avoided?
 
No, it's not enough, yes it's easy to replace.

As mentioned above, the TP series are known for their failures. I've had several TP 430's fail on me due to blown caps.
 
Then I suppose my final question on this subject would be how much power would you recommend?

Thanks again for all guidance.
 
The Earthwatts could do it..really I imagine a nonoverclocked Q6600 and 8800GT wouldn't require more than 200 watts, but you'll want to hang closer to the high 300's or 400 so you don't have too much load on your unit.
 
Kil4Thril said:
Corsair VX450 would be real nice for that setup. I would actually recommend getting a modular supply for the Sonata, as there is little room to put extra wiring. So, maybe a HX520, or this Enermax, which is a great price after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817194003

The rebate appears to be manufacturer-direct, so it'll pay out.
Click to expand...

The very fact that the Sonata is very much a *looks good* sort of case has me glad I don't recommend it, actually. As opposed to the Sonata, I would prefer the Antec Three Hundred (http://www.antec.com/us/productDetails.php?ProdID=15300) and invest the savings in a quality non-modular PSU, such as the PCP&C Silencer 500 or even Silencer 610.

Silencer 500: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703015
Silencer 610: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703005

I actually have another datapoint that argues in favor of a quality single-rail PSU: the falling prices of high-quality graphics cards (the AMD Radeon HD4850 is a perfect example; another is the HD3850 in AGP trim). Despite their lower prices, they are no less hungry when it comes to their amperage needs; worse, they can overwhelm a single rail of a multi-rail power supply (and the PSU outflow design means that the graphics card connector correctly may have a whole rail devoted specifically to it; however, that is also the *only* rail devoted to the task, so what do you do when that one rail is lacking?).

Yes; the Sonata III 500 includes a PSU; however, for the same price you can get the Three Hundred and Silencer 610, or even put some green back in your jeans and get the Three Hundred and Silencer 500 (that is, before rebates) and the Silencer 500's single rail has a higher amperage rating than the PSU included with the Sonata, and is 80 Plus certified to boot.
 
PCP&P 500 is rather similar to a louder, more expensive version of the Antec EA500.. ;)
 
I was looking in the Antec Online Store and can't seem to find the Three Hundred.
 
gwai lo said:
PCP&P 500 is rather similar to a louder, more expensive version of the Antec EA500.. ;)
Click to expand...

Actually, there are two rather important differences between the Silencer 500 and the EarthWatts 500 you are comparing it to:

1. Unlike the EarthWatts, the Silencer is a single-rail power supply.
2. The Silencer also has a higher amperage on its single rail (49A) than the EA500 has across its two (40A).

As an aside, the EarthWatts is not less expensive than the Silencer (retail to retail); however, the EarthWatts is often discounted at retail (especially in big-box B&M, such as BestBuy), whereas the Silencer is usually only discounted direct.

I have nothing normally against Antec PSUs (I have a SmartPower 400 currently); however, in the interest of honesty, I bought the Antec because, at the time, PCP&C was not typically available locally (B&M). My stated preference is for single-rail and non-modular power supplies (which eliminates most midrange power supplies, and *every* Antec PSU 500W and above). Of those that remain, PCP&C are the most readily available at local retail, and, amazingly, are also the least expensive.
 
PGHammer said:
Actually, there are two rather important differences between the Silencer 500 and the EarthWatts 500 you are comparing it to:

1. Unlike the EarthWatts, the Silencer is a single-rail power supply.
2. The Silencer also has a higher amperage on its single rail (49A) than the EA500 has across its two (40A).

As an aside, the EarthWatts is not less expensive than the Silencer (retail to retail); however, the EarthWatts is often discounted at retail (especially in big-box B&M, such as BestBuy), whereas the Silencer is usually only discounted direct.

I have nothing normally against Antec PSUs (I have a SmartPower 400 currently); however, in the interest of honesty, I bought the Antec because, at the time, PCP&C was not typically available locally (B&M). My stated preference is for single-rail and non-modular power supplies (which eliminates most midrange power supplies, and *every* Antec PSU 500W and above). Of those that remain, PCP&C are the most readily available at local retail, and, amazingly, are also the least expensive.
Click to expand...


According to the newegg link you posted, the 500W Silencer has 35 amps on the 12v rail, not 49. According to jonnyguru.com , a very trusted PSU review site, the Antec EarthWatt 500 is a single 12v design, and has 34 amps on the 12v rail.

http://jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story2&reid=35

And I can't tell you how many times the argument that multi-rail PSU's "trap" power has been proven false, for the most part.
 
maddude0025 said:
According to the newegg link you posted, the 500W Silencer has 35 amps on the 12v rail, not 49. According to jonnyguru.com , a very trusted PSU review site, the Antec EarthWatt 500 is a single 12v design, and has 34 amps on the 12v rail.

http://jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story2&reid=35

And I can't tell you how many times the argument that multi-rail PSU's "trap" power has been proven false, for the most part.
Click to expand...

QFT

If the Silencer 500 had 49A on the +12V rail, it should have been rated as a 600W PSU since 49A = 588W of power on the +12V rail alone. PGHammer, you probably was thinking of the Silencer 610, not the Silencer 500, since the 610 does have 49A on the +12V rail.

@ TicoMVP
The Corsair 450VX is more than enough for a Q6600 and 8800GT video card.
 
PGHammer said:
Actually, there are two rather important differences between the Silencer 500 and the EarthWatts 500 you are comparing it to:

1. Unlike the EarthWatts, the Silencer is a single-rail power supply.
2. The Silencer also has a higher amperage on its single rail (49A) than the EA500 has across its two (40A).
Click to expand...

The EA500 is a single-rail design made by Seasonic. The EA500D is a different unit made by Delta (not sure if it's single or multi-rail). The EA500 may use a few slightly cheap components, but it's an excellent quality unit for a budget PSU.
 
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