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Mid-High Range System - Power Supply

A

airrob

n00b
Joined
Aug 9, 2004
Messages
30
Last September, I bought a new system. I bought an Antec 3700-BQE case, which came with a 350W power supply. In diagnosing some video card problems, I discovered that my 12V is only putting out 11.07V (read using Motherboard Monitor 5). The video card tech support guy suggested I get a new power supply, and that seems like a good idea. My specs are below:

AMD64 3000+
Epox nForce3 mobo w/ built-in sound and networking
2 512 sticks of PC3200 DRR memory
6800 OC (BFGTech's vanilla 6800 with some stock overclocking)
DVD-RW
2 HD's

It seems that I have a couple of options.

1. RMA the power supply. This option is bad for two reasons. First, I have to send back the power supply, and when they receive mine, they will send a new one, which could take a while, and I'd rather not be without a computer for that long. Second, if the power supply isn't powerful enough now, it seems to me that it would be insufficient even brand new.

2. Buy a new power supply. This seems to be better option. I have looked around, and it seems that SeaSonics are considered quiet and solid options. They have 380W and 430W options - do you guys think the 380 would be sufficient for my system?

Any help is appreciated.
 
First of all, getting voltages using software readings is never a good idea -- the motherboard sensors are almost always incorrect. Bust out a multimeter if you have one and measure directly from a molex. You can get the +12V and +5V quite easily.

Secondly, the SmartPower 350 (even the new revision with 21A on the +12V) won't be enough for everything you're running. Sure it'll work, but you've got almost no headroom (taking the temperature derating curve into effect) for anything else. The Seasonics are a little pricey, but you do pay for the very high efficiency and very low noise. It depends on what you're looking for in a power supply.

For about the same price, you can get another Antec, the TruePower II 480W Blue. Lots of amperage, low-noise output (though maybe not as good as the Seasonic), 3% load regulation, and the price is nice.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103930
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817151022
 
The Seasonic's are good choices, as is the Antec Truepower II's, also check the Enermax Noisetaker FMA2.0's.
 
To make my question more specific..

Which power supply should I get that would be good enough for my system? Looking for something that will provide enough power, be reasonably quiet, and cost not too much. (Less than 100 definitely, as cheap as possible without sacrificing good quality.)
 
If $100 dollars is your budget, then you'd be fine with any branded power supply aforementioned above that advertises "400 W" or above (of course, keeping the amps into check). If you want a great power supply that can last you for a while, especially with new computer builds-- consider the Enermax EG565P-VE FMA PSU. There are other good options as well as Korruption suggested.

-J.
 
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