IS this PSU ok

[3erious]

Hi,
I am in the process of building my new pc, amd x2 3800,1 gb ddr2-800, 3 hdd,1 dvd drive and x1950xt. i currently have a q-tec 500w from my old pc and want to know if it is powerfull enough.
Here are the rail ratings: +5v 35A,+12V 18a,-5v 1.0a,-12v a,+3.3v 28a.
if it is not powerfull enough can you recommend one for £20-£40.

Thanks

3erious

 

[unhappy_mage]

I would recommend a new one, yes. Where are you located (in a general sense) so I can find out what's in stock at e-tailers around there? UK?

 

[3erious]

Yes Glasgow,UK

 

[unhappy_mage]

The X-Clio 500 should be okay. The Seasonic S12-430 would be another good choice.

 

[3erious]

Are any of this ok :

Thermaltake TR2 470w/500w or

Coolermaster igreen 430w

 

[unhappy_mage]

Not really. Thermaltake made the avoid list, and Cooler Master didn't make the recommend list. Notice that Seasonic heads up the recommend list, and Xclio is in category two by that list.

 

[kush]

Far too little 12v amperage for modern systems - and you're asking too much of that PSU with your stated parts. Also, I have no idea of the OEM on that - bottom line, if it's not on the avoid list, it probably should be. On a similar line - alot of Thermaltake's PSUs have underpowered 12v rails (ok I suppose for much older systems, ie: AXP based), with the exception of thier newer CWT sourced models. And they've been known to use multiple spotty sources for OEMs, again with their newest models (Toughpower 600w+ units) being an exception.

I'd suggest going w/ a Seasonic as well, or one of the many brands that use them for OEM (ie: Corsair). XClio would be a good (read decent but not in same league as Seasonic though) cheap alternative - my 480BL (no longer sold or even listed @ XClio site) has been rock solid for a little over a year now (24/7).
[edit] I don't know what their most recent models are sourced from, but the BL series (definitely) and Goodpower (not sure) lines are CWT based, like older Antec, some Thermaltake, and so on.

 

[3erious]

ok. one more question

i am try to choose between the seasonic s12 or the enermax noisetaker 420

should i go with the seasonic. I ask because looking at the dual 12+ rails
the enermax has 18a on both rails but the seasonic has 14a and 15a.

thanks

 

[3erious]

Thanks for the help went with the seasonic.

 

[unhappy_mage]

Good deal. Let us know how it works out

 

[HardwareGuru]

Hi,
I am in the process of building my new pc, amd x2 3800,1 gb ddr2-800, 3 hdd,1 dvd drive and x1950xt. i currently have a q-tec 500w from my old pc and want to know if it is powerfull enough.
Here are the rail ratings: +5v 35A,+12V 18a,-5v 1.0a,-12v a,+3.3v 28a.
if it is not powerfull enough can you recommend one for £20-£40.

Thanks

3erious

The +12v rail looks pretty weak at only 18a. My 350 watt Enermax puts out 26a. Look for a power supply that has dual 12v rails or a single rail putting out 30a or more. Most power supplies now offer dual +12v rails. Although some power supplies maybe lower in wattage, they can output more than some higher wattage power supplies. Try follow this as a reference when your looking out for a power supply

+5v - 30a or more
+12v - 30a or more on single rail or dual rails with 15a or more per rail
+3.3v - 28a or more

 

[unhappy_mage]

The +12v rail looks pretty weak at only 18a. My 350 watt Enermax puts out 26a. Look for a power supply that has dual 12v rails or a single rail putting out 30a or more. Most power supplies now offer dual +12v rails. Although some power supplies maybe lower in wattage, they can output more than some higher wattage power supplies. Try follow this as a reference when your looking out for a power supply

... except that he already bought a new power supply, and your suggestions are strange. Why would he need 28A on the 3.3V or 5V rail?

 

[HardwareGuru]

... except that he already bought a new power supply, and your suggestions are strange. Why would he need 28A on the 3.3V or 5V rail?

It's not strange. You notice the Seasonic S12 430 watt he bought it has 30a on the +5 v rail and 30a on the 3.3v rail. The 28a for the 3.3v and 30a for the +5v and 30a for the +12v rails I just mentioned are just typical numbers to look for on a power supply. In some cases it does not have to be 28a on the 3.3v or 30a on the 5v. But, most good power supplies meet or exceed these amperage numbers such as that Seasonic S12 430 watt. In general, amperages of that rating are normally good. However, 2 different power supplies may have the same amperages on the 3.3v, 5v and 12v rails but, it's the max combined wattage will detrmine the actual amperage rating on the voltage rail. However, not all power supplies will specifiy how much power is on the combined 3.3v and 5v rail as well as the +12v rails. In most cases, yet not always, the higher the amperage ratings on each rail the better.

 

[unhappy_mage]

It's not strange. You notice the Seasonic S12 430 watt he bought it has 30a on the +5 v rail and 30a on the 3.3v rail. The 28a for the 3.3v and 30a for the +5v and 30a for the +12v rails I just mentioned are just typical numbers to look for on a power supply.

Okay, yes, those are common specs to see. But why do you specifically recommend an amperage for the 3.3V rail? What machine do you know of that would draw 28A from that rail? I'd be more inclined to mention that 5Vsb may need a few amps than recommend a heavy 3.3V rail.

 

[3erious]

Hi i have got my power supply and just waiting on the ram and graphics card, but i have one question ati website recommends the x1950xt to have aleast 450w but the seasonic has 430w. Will the PSU be up to the job or will it cut the psu life down.

3erious

 

[unhappy_mage]

That should be fine; the ATI/nV specs are generally written for people who buy cheap junk for PSU duty, which the Seasonic isn't. It should handle the load fine.