• Some users have recently had their accounts hijacked. It seems that the now defunct EVGA forums might have compromised your password there and seems many are using the same PW here. We would suggest you UPDATE YOUR PASSWORD and TURN ON 2FA for your account here to further secure it. None of the compromised accounts had 2FA turned on.
    Once you have enabled 2FA, your account will be updated soon to show a badge, letting other members know that you use 2FA to protect your account. This should be beneficial for everyone that uses FSFT.

Looking for suitable psu for my setup

no substitute for actually running the numbers and looking at the tradeoffs
http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=820637

the power supply is never an area where preconcieved budgets apply
you figure out the needs, make the tradeoffs you feel comfortable with
then pony up the money

nothing else in your system has the same potential to fry components
or simply create hard to ID instability issues as does the PSU

but in the ATX12V v1.3 category, Id sooner buy a Fortron 530 for $75
than an Ultra-X connect for $100
but you might want to consider an ATX12V v2.01 instead like the Enermax ATX12V 2.0 series or the Antec Neopower
 
well for starters many PSU manufacturers have started to add ATX12Vv2.01 attributes to older ATX12V v1.3 compliant PSU, namely pumping up the amps on the +12V rail and effciency increases

the main changes however are
no -5V rail
dual +12V rails
higher amps to the +12V rails
greater efficiency is dictated over v1.3
24 pin main power connector (adopted from the SSI EPS12V spec)

the reason there is such a mix of older monster watt ATX12V v1.3 PSU that are actually deficient to power many modern board, ATX12V v1.3 that can power modern boards and ATX12V v2.0 supplies, is because mobo manufactures continued to put 20 pin connectors on boards, even after the ATX12V v2.0 spec came out, since they didnt want to force consumers to upgrade their power supplies, even though they really needed to in quite a few configs
 
http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=11279
When I initially asked about this on a mailing list, Solaris x86 advocate Al Hopper told me I was drowning in my tea, and that it was "all very simple". I love the simplicity of Unix people.

He explained that the later P4 CPUs take their power from a 12 Volt feed and, using the onboard voltage regulators, generate the high current, low-voltages they need to operate (anywhere from ~ 1.6V to around 2.7V). So the first requirement is a PSU that has plenty of power available from the 12V supply. Since the older ATX compatible PSUs didn't supply much current from the 12V section you have to ensure that your new PS delivers enough current (or power in Watts) from the 12V section. That's why using your old P3 ATX PS is a big "no-no".

He then described the history of the post-P3 power supply mess:

The earlier Athlon motherboard manufacturers decided to solve the 12v problem by using an additional 4-pin square connector to get the extra 12V those CPUs required. However many older PSUs didn't provide the 12V 4-pin square connector.

The motherboard makers then wised up and decided that there was nothing magical about a square 4-pin connector, so they put a normal hard disk type socket on the motherboard and provided the 12v power via a standard hard disk (4-pin inline) connector. Problem solved - you may now use your older PSUs provided they supply sufficient 12V current (many did not).

Further confusion came from PSU manufacturers not specifying the capabilities of the PSU in a way that allowed the end user to verify it's 12V power output rating.

In the meantime the ATX spec was saying "use the new 6-pin" inline connector - and very few motherboard makers implemented it.

Just to be sure, some motherboard makers, implemented *both* the hard disk style 4-pin inline connector and the square 4-pin connector. They said "use either or both in any combination you like".

The spec then evolved to the 24-pin main connector. Again, most motherboard manufacturers did not wish to make their customers mad by mandating that they replace their power supplies. This might cause their customers to avoid motherboard upgrades. Some used a "special" 24-pin connector with the extra 4-pin connection blocked off, or colored so that the user could plugin a 20-pin plug into the correct end of the 24-pin socket on the motherboard. Many others simply ignored the 24-pin requirement in the specs. Again - problem solved - use your older PSU.
Click to expand...
 
Well, I'm in the same dilemma as you... kind of. I have an Ultra X-Connect but the thing sqeakes when I use my mouse scroller, so screw this PSU, it's going back. Besides, the placement of the ATX-Power socket on the mainboard (DFI NF3) and the stiffness of the ATX Power Cable are the worst combination ever. Ultra makes a great PSU I think, but there cables just plain suck IMO. Here are the PSUs I'm looking to replace the Ultra:

OCZ PowerStream 470W $109.00
PCP&C 425 ATX-Deluxe $150.00
Antec NeoPower 480W $109.99
Fortron 530W $82.49

Perhaps you might choose one of these too? If not, sorry for threadcrapping :p
 
pcp&c imho

however, the ocz would also be an excellent choice, as would the neopower. Between these psu's I would just go for personal brand preference and other things such as warranty (pcp&c 5, others 3), features (toss up here; neopower is modular, ocz has external pots, and pcp&c is pre-sleeved and can be done custom), quality (pcp&c hands down), and things like that. All will power your rig sufficiently.
 
with the exception of the Neopower which is v2.0
the rest are hopped up ATX12V v1.3 supplies
likely with plenty of +12V amps for most configs

Pixeleet
thanks for takin a stab at doin a review on the Ultra
I saw it but was kind of busy and forgot to look it back up for a critic of the methodology
you did a pretty good job considering the tools you had available
the main point I was going to suggest was a DMM that you could log and compare to what you where doing, not exactly a cheap item

that link above is Silent Mikes review of the Ultra, and while its an "acceptable" PSU
voltage regulation was a bit off
 
Would the lack of A-PFC lacking from the Fotron and OCZ (IIRC) be an issue with this upper-end PSUs? From what I read a while ago, having PFC was almost like having a ground in your electric plugs; these days, you just don't need it. I don't know, but personally, I'd rather not take the risk ;)
 
Power Factor Correction (PFC)

Power Factor Correction (PFC) allows power distribution to operate at its maximum efficiency. There are two types of PFC, Active PFC and Passive PFC. All of our power supplies are either Active PFC Power Supplies or Passive PFC Power Supplies.
Active PFC

The preferable type of PFC is Active Power Factor Correction (Active PFC) since it provides more efficient power frequency. Because Active PFC uses a circuit to correct power factor, Active PFC is able to generate a theoretical power factor of over 95%. Active Power Factor Correction also markedly diminishes total harmonics, automatically corrects for AC input voltage, and is capable of a full range of input voltage. Since Active PFC is the more complex method of Power Factor Correction, it is more expensive to produce an Active PFC power supply.
Passive PFC

The most common type of PFC is Passive Power Factor Correction (Passive PFC). Passive PFC uses a capacitive filter at the AC input to correct poor power factor. Passive PFC may be affected when environmental vibration occurs. Passive PFC requires that the AC input voltage be set manually. Passive PFC also does not use the full energy potential of the AC line.
Non-PFC

Non-PFC power supplies are no longer recommended. In fact, in Europe, power supplies are now required to have either active power factor correction or passive power factor correction.
Click to expand...

another reason to go with pcp&c
 
Pixeleet said:
Well, I'm in the same dilemma as you... kind of. I have an Ultra X-Connect but the thing sqeakes when I use my mouse scroller, so screw this PSU, it's going back. Besides, the placement of the ATX-Power socket on the mainboard (DFI NF3) and the stiffness of the ATX Power Cable are the worst combination ever. Ultra makes a great PSU I think, but there cables just plain suck IMO. Here are the PSUs I'm looking to replace the Ultra:

OCZ PowerStream 470W $109.00
PCP&C 425 ATX-Deluxe $150.00
Antec NeoPower 480W $109.99
Fortron 530W $82.49

Perhaps you might choose one of these too? If not, sorry for threadcrapping :p
Click to expand...

Yeah I'll probably go with the Fortron/OCZ/Antec since I am going to have a hard time trying to get a pcp&c b/c of the price.

After reading through the links u guys posted, I found out I don't know jack about psu..... :rolleyes:
 
Jack is a hard guy to get to know ;)
just when you think youve got him figured out they change everything :p

chowhongl said:
Fortron/OCZ/Antec
Click to expand...

for drill, source manufacturers
FSP Group / Topower / Channel Well Technology
 
Ice Czar said:
Jack is a hard guy to get to know ;)
just when you think youve got him figured out they change everything :p
Click to expand...

It took me a good 2 minutes to figure out what that meant :)

I can't find anywhere whether the OCZ has PFC (passive or active). :confused:
EDIT: Would I be cutting it too close with getting a 420W OCZ?
 
Pixeleet said:
It took me a good 2 minutes to figure out what that meant :)
Click to expand...

LOL

what are your numbers?

hmmm PFC well the basic models its based off of (Topower)
http://www.dansdata.com/top686p6.htm
http://www.dansdata.com/top420p4.htm
have ActivePFC

but according to Mike's Review of the 470 (which I guess they are no longer offering)
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article173-page4.html
4. POWER FACTOR was measured at about 0.63 at the minimum test power level to 0.71 at the highest. This is mediocre. It's likely that the OCZ-470ADJ has no PFC or passive PFC.
Click to expand...
but as you said its not documented
as a matter of fact very little is, mostly marketese hyperbullsh!t
something ive actuallt taken up with the odd rep that strayed in here
No details are given for efficiency, voltage regulation on the output lines, operating temperature, peak power, power factor correction, etc. The technical data provided is a bit thin.
Click to expand...
 
The new PSU I want will be powering the rig in my sig. The Ultra is fine for stability, but that squeaking and cable-stiffness are enough to make want a new PSU.
 
inside of pcp&c 425 deluxe

425DeluxInt.jpg


outside

425DeluxExt.jpg


The extra $25 is worth it over the other ones imho. This things insides are way more packed than most companies 550w.
 
whats that compared to your a64 3400 and 6800gt?

psu is the single most important componet of the system.

ice czar said:
there are no pre-concieved budgets with power supplies...
Click to expand...

it's too important for that
 
Hello to everyone first of all.It's my first post here so take it easy on me :)

I'm also interested at the Turbo Cool 425 ATX-Deluxe and the only thing thats holding me from ordering is it's +12V rail. Is 20A more than enough if its from PCPC?

BTW, It will be powering an A64 3000@ 2.6,a 6800 GT,1 200gb IDE hdd,2 optical drives,4 fans(1 86cfm 120mm on cpu and 3 80mm as case fans) and last,an Audigy 2 platinum drive.
 
easily power that. One is powering my friends rig in a case with 14 fans (hes retarded and modded tfor extras) . 3.0c @ 3.8ghz, 6800 ultra @ 460/1200, audigy, wireless internet card, 7200rpm hard drive, coolermaster aerogate II, 1GB mushkin black lvl2 pc3500, cd burner, etc, etc, etc
 
Will 20A be adequate ?the 470 Silencer sports 26A on its +12v and is $50 less.
 
the 425 Turbo Cool has a 1% load regulation, while the Silencer series has a spec standard 5% load regulation

both are actually rated at 40C so you can take the amp figures literally
but Id highly recommend you order either with a 24 pin main power connector
(and a 20 pin adapter if you need it) for future use
 
So i take it that it's not all about how big the amperage is on the +12v rail?
 
its a big component of the equation
(especially with the continued expansion of power specs, PCI-E Video cards just jumped the spec from 75 watts to 150 watts on the +12V rail, they arent out but its a consideration)

however the reason most people opt to pony up the $$$$ for a PCP&C
is the 1% load regulation and 10mV AC Ripple

Id look at other supplies in between the Turbo Cools @ 1% and the Silencers @ 5%
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top