• 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.

Need help picking a PSU for file server

M

maxse

Gawd
Joined
Apr 21, 2004
Messages
516
HI guys. I have been having problems with my server rebooting for a while now. I basically changed everything except the PSU on it. It was running a Thermaltake 420W that I was sure is a quality unit. What do you guys think about it?

Anyway I think I might need to change the PSU. But to which one. I would prefer Antec because they are susually good but what is the difference between the true power smart power etc... Do I need something with dual railes? This willl also never be an SLI system. But I need some good stable power.

HEre is what I am running: Some GeForce card (although a monitor is not connected) Sempron 2400XP, 4 Hard rives planning to expand later on to 8 or even 10, DVD-ROM.

The motherboard is an EPoX EP-8RDA3+ PRO Socket A (Socket 462) NVIDIA nForce2 Ultra 400 ATX AMD Motherboard. Thanks guys in advance. Oh and I def. dont want to spend more then $100 preferably less, but I need something with good quality that will provide steady amps.
 
How about the AMS Mercury series? According to jonnyguru, it's awesome and pretty cheap ;) (I believe him). The OCZ Powerstream 420w will be sufficient for your needs, as will a FSP 400w.
 
can someone post links please. I had trouble finding the PSU on newegg. Also I just installed a weaker 350Watt PSU and now the server reboots a lot more often after one day whereas before it would be several days. So it seems klike 420W is not enough power? or was it just not a quaolity power supply? Can any1 think of a reason why it would reboot faster with a 350W and laswt longer with a 420W but still end up rebooting with the 420W.

Also do I need the dual rail for this mobo? It has another 4-pin power connector in addition to the regular one. ALso is it better to get one with PFC?
 
You went to Newegg and used the search term "AMS Mercury" and didn't come up with anything?

Is this Newegg.com.tw??
 
I got the mercury but they are out of stock on the 460W that I would want. So any way to hep me answer my questions in the previous post? I dont even know what I should be looking for in terms of dual rails or not? PVC or not? And any idea if what I am experiencing is a PSU problem? Thanks

*EDIT* By the way this is a socket A mobo. If that helps you guys help me.

Currently looking at these two what do you think? And what is the difference between the two except for price? Again will these be enough power to run 10 drives eventually on a server or shoul dI look at 500W models? And also if any1 canc omment on the issue I am having with my server, if that could be a PSU issue? Thanks again.

1)http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103488

2)http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103464
 
Yes. An 8RDA3+ is a Socket A board.

The board has a 2x2 connector which provides voltage to the regulators for the CPU via the 12V rail.

So you can use a dual rail PSU. You likely won't crossload. Pretty much, carte blanche as long as you get a decent brand (read stickies.) I wouldn't sweat it so much.
 
Thanks so the single rail is no good? Should I go for the SLI PSU? Also, what is happening with my computer, does it apear as the PSU is the culprit? In addition, any specific recommends? Thanks man.

*EDIT* Also there will be abunc of case fans running as well and eventually 10 drives, so what wattage would you recommend, and what should I lookf for the amps on the rails to have ncie stable power. I want this thing to run 24/7 without problems. Also PFC?

These are the ones I am looking at. What do you think?

1) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103930
2) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103937
3) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104954
4) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103931
5) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103457
6) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103459

Choice number 2 is cheaper the choice 1. I dont know hy? It has more power, and also the amps on the 12V are about the same. Am I missing something?

Choice 3 which is the AX450 Fortran seems to have similar amps as the top two and is significantly cheaper but is 450Watts. Do you guys think this should be good? Also if I plan to use 10 drives eventually will I be able to just use a molex splitter adapter to turn one into two connectors? Will this cause a voltage drop in this PSU? Should I look at another PSU then?

Choice 5 is the Enermax and again has similar amps but is higher in watta and price than the Fortran. It is 485Watts.

Choice 6 is also an Enermax but is only 420Watts but still provides 18A at each 12V rail like the above.

So... What do you guys think I should go with. Remember I am planning to eventually have 10 hard drives in this thing so I need enough power connectors for them. Most of these PSU dont so I will have to get an adapter that splits them into two so I cant afford to have a drop when I do that. So what do you guys think? Am I missing any PSU?
And finally do you think my server issues could be the result of the thermaltake 420W PSU since when I put a generic 350W it rebooted after one day whereas on the thermaltake it would still reboot but last longer (4 days). Thanks.
 
oops I made the mistake of thinking that the rails are addititve. Now I am totoally confused lol. So wich one would have the most stable power and amps?
And also what exactly is crossfire, and should I be worried about it? Can/should I go with a single rail? Thanks everyone. I just want to make srue if this is a PSU problem that I dont have to worry about one again for a while. I have some data on here that I dont want lost, and the rebooting has been happening for 2 months and now and I need to get it fixed ASAP.

Also, what is the big difference between the Antec TruePower and Smartpower PSU?

For example what do you gys think of this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103937

Reviews say it is a modular design. What's a modular design and is it good or bad for my needs?
And how does this one compare?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103931

Considering my needs above for a server with possibly 10 hard drives and 2 120mm case fans, and front usb ports etc... (CM Stacker Case) which would you guys get. None of my hard drives are sata drives but I will probably get SATA in the future, although my mobo only supports 2 Sata drives I believe. So I need the regular power connectors. Anyway with all of these choices what do you guys think . I need stable 24/7 power. Server will be downloading uploading, and serving movies/files on the local intranet.
 
I didn't say single rail is no good. I said you could use dual 12V rails.

And I'm assuming that your problem is the PSU because you said you "tried everything else." Given your symptoms, I would suspect RAM first. But if you "tried everything else" first, then I would assume that included RAM.
 
jonnyGURU said:
I didn't say single rail is no good. I said you could use dual 12V rails.

Should I use dual rails though? I found some posts that said it wasnt as good as a single rail.

And I'm assuming that your problem is the PSU because you said you "tried everything else." Given your symptoms, I would suspect RAM first. But if you "tried everything else" first, then I would assume that included RAM.
Click to expand...

Yea but why would it crap out faster when I put a weaker PSU in?

Anyway what would you recommend from all the units above, and why. And if I missed something pelase let me know. I need something stable and will allow me to have 10 hard drive sin the future so I may be splitting the connectors and I stil need it to be stable. Also I made the mistake of thinking that the rails are addititve but they are not. So I am kinda confused so if anyone could help me out with picking one I would appreciate it. Thanks guys.
 
any1? I really need to purchase ASAP already and I need some advice on which will have more stable rails.

I'm thinking of just going with an Antec TRUEPOWERII TPII-550 550W Power Supply - Retail

But it says it does not have modular cabling support. What exactly is that, and is it something that I need? Common guys make the final rec so I can just buy a nice PSU and be done with it.
 
J32P2006 said:
get this psu
Click to expand...

Lurk more. Crap 300w supplies for 12-18 drives. Way to research :rolleyes:

I suggest a nice, single railed power supply. Something like a Powerstream.
 
unhappy_mage said:
No offense, are you on crack? A $15 featherweight for 8-10 drives?

OP, I'd go for a higher-end Enermax or Fortron supply.

Click to expand...


Sorry, it was a joke gone wrong.
I just found the cheapest psu on Newegg and linked it.

But seriously, it's kinda hard to pick a good psu these days that is cheap or has low watts.
It seems like you have to spend some money to get a decent psu.

Maybe This Antec will fit your needs.
 
Gotcha guys thanks. So the 550W Fortron is good? Or should I go single rail? Or the antec J32 suggested?

How would you say it compares to the Antec? My only concern with the Fortron is that people said it is really loud and in case I ever want to use this PSU in a desktop its going to be annoying.

The Antec though it says is not modular, or doesnt accept modular cables or something. What exactly is "modular"? Thanks.
 
Modular is when you can disconnect whatever cables you're not using from the box part of the PSU. I think the Fortron will be fine for this setup - you've got a board with the 2x2 connector for the CPU, so you're drawing off 12V for one of the largest loads in the system. That means you won't run the risk of loading one rail too heavily and not using the other, so you've pretty much got carte blanche as to what you use as long as it'll handle 10 drives on one rail. Drives take about 2A on spinup for a few seconds, so 18A should handle it just fine. The link I made above seems to be broken, so here it is. Unless someone comes up with a major objection, go for it.

J32P2006 said:
But seriously, it's kinda hard to pick a good psu these days that is cheap or has low watts.
It seems like you have to spend some money to get a decent psu.
Click to expand...
Are you still joking? :confused: When have you not had to spend money to get something good?

 
guyshelp! So I go tth Atenc 550 TPII. And the computer ran for a day and now is stuck at the verifying DMA pool data screen like before. Still rebooted after one day! Help! I really dont know what could be causeing it to reboot all the time. I changes the motherboard memory and PSU already!
 
"Name's Dmi" she said, her eyes flashing "and that's my pool, so GET OUT!" :p
(my first sig )

DMI Pool Data
Desktop Management Interface

as opposed to DMA - Direct Memory Access

verify your jumpers and physical config
swap out your cables and or run ATACT
check that your CMOS battery is properly seated and or swap it out for a known good one
test you memory
verify its not a supply side issue at the AC socket (surge \ brownouts)

that supply "should" do the trick so this is indicative that its something else

to get past a DMI hang, generally all that is required is to force the ESCD (Extended System Configuration Data) in the BIOS (an option that is sometimes automatic and thus not always listed, when it is listed in generally under the PCI\PNP submenu)

alternately disconnect drives and reboot which will zero the BIOS ESCD
you could also have a drive going south and gumming up the works,
generally a DMI hang is a drive that is detected poorly or incorrectly

make sure you dont have a mix of Master\slave w\ Cable Select, that Masters are at the end of the cables, that your not jumpered to a single when a slave is present ect. use "legal" 18" IDE cables, dont employ "junk" round cables

make sure of the power connectors and or wye extentions, limit the number of drives on a given lead to 2
 
Vantec ION 460W. Good, cheap, single-rail.
Got mine for ~$50 shipped from SVC last Nov, powering 10 7200rpm HDDs although only backed up with an old P3-650 and Voodoo3 2000.
 
thanks guys. How can I verify it is not an outlet problem?

Also I just reset the cmos to get past the hang problem but this problem only occurs when I find out the server has stopped respodning and go downstairs only to find that its rebooted again. Thats when it hangs.

Now about the jumpers. If the jumpers where incorrectly set then wouldnt it not detect them in the first place? They get perfectly detected once I actually reset the cmos or if I reboot the ocputer before it "reboots itself" This is a bug problem for me right now because the problem has gotten worse and I have done nothing but dump money into this only to find out that nothing changed. I am compeltely clueless.
 
What else does your system consist of (PCI cards)? Have you just tried using your system drive and keeping the other drives disconnected to see if your system still reboots(then plugin another drive and see if it reboots, etc.)? Have you done all the software/BIOS updates?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top