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Non SLI/Mild OC'ing PSU

T

Toilet Duck

Limp Gawd
Joined
May 22, 2005
Messages
190
Well, I'm still working on deciding what parts I want for a new comp, and this is one of the questionable grey areas.

I need something to run a A64 3700+ SD, 2GB RAM, x800xl, 2 HD, 1 CD/DVD, possibly a sound card and a couple of USB peripherals. I intend to give overclocking a whirl, so something stable with a little power to spare wouldn't hurt.

I was eyeing the Antec Neopower 480w.. since I'm not doing SLI, I'm thinking it will have enough powe, and it comes with PFC (albeit that feature's handiness I'm not certain of). However, there's also the Truepower II/Truecontrol 550w that are a little cheaper w/ no PFC..

Anywho, I'm looking for suggestions here. I'd like to set an upper bound of about $125 for the PSU I guess.. or more directly, it'd be easier to just ask if the either of the above suggestions would work. If there's something better in the same pricerange, though, please feel free to point me int hat direction.

Thanks in advance..
 
Toilet Duck said:
Well, I'm still working on deciding what parts I want for a new comp, and this is one of the questionable grey areas.

I need something to run a A64 3700+ SD, 2GB RAM, x800xl, 2 HD, 1 CD/DVD, possibly a sound card and a couple of USB peripherals. I intend to give overclocking a whirl, so something stable with a little power to spare wouldn't hurt.

I was eyeing the Antec Neopower 480w.. since I'm not doing SLI, I'm thinking it will have enough powe, and it comes with PFC (albeit that feature's handiness I'm not certain of). However, there's also the Truepower II/Truecontrol 550w that are a little cheaper w/ no PFC..

Anywho, I'm looking for suggestions here. I'd like to set an upper bound of about $125 for the PSU I guess.. or more directly, it'd be easier to just ask if the either of the above suggestions would work. If there's something better in the same pricerange, though, please feel free to point me int hat direction.

Thanks in advance..
Click to expand...
There are many good PSU's that can power your rig & are well within your budget.
Here are a few:

OCZ PowerStream 520W ($125) <<< adjustable rails, 1% load regulation & 5yr warranty!

Antec True Power II 550W ($89) <<< SLI Certified & a great bargain!

Enermax 535W ($80)

Fortron Blue Storm 500W ($73)

Antec SmartPower II 500W ($67 - $75)

XClio 450W ($52) <<< As low as I would go. Great little PSU, especially for the money!

Enjoy,
Dave ;)
 
Well, comparing the Neopower with the OCZ Powerstream / Truepower II you listed.. they're very, very similar. Maybe 1amp difference on different rails of each, but nothing huge...

Neopower has PFC. I'm still not 100% sure what it does, but I figure it's better to have than not. However, I also recall reading somewhere that the removable cords can cause minor problems with voltages... but I dunno. Being able to remove the cords I don't need would be nice.. and it is a tiny bit cheaper than the Powerstream.

Powerstream has the long warranty, no unneccesary 2nd 12v rail and this 1% load regulation you mentioned that I have no clue about. I guess you pay for that warranty, though..

The Truepower II has just a little more voltage than the other two, but no fancy features.

So, I guess it comes down to Powerstream vs. Neopower. PFC vs. Warranty/Load regulation... then again, where can I look up the Neo's load regulation. ... wait, what IS load regulation? Argh.

Can someone briefly describe load reg/pfc and tell me which would be better for my needs?
 
Toilet Duck said:
Well, comparing the Neopower with the OCZ Powerstream / Truepower II you listed.. they're very, very similar. Maybe 1amp difference on different rails of each, but nothing huge...

Neopower has PFC. I'm still not 100% sure what it does, but I figure it's better to have than not. However, I also recall reading somewhere that the removable cords can cause minor problems with voltages... but I dunno. Being able to remove the cords I don't need would be nice.. and it is a tiny bit cheaper than the Powerstream.

Powerstream has the long warranty, no unneccesary 2nd 12v rail and this 1% load regulation you mentioned that I have no clue about. I guess you pay for that warranty, though..

The Truepower II has just a little more voltage than the other two, but no fancy features.

So, I guess it comes down to Powerstream vs. Neopower. PFC vs. Warranty/Load regulation... then again, where can I look up the Neo's load regulation. ... wait, what IS load regulation? Argh.

Can someone briefly describe load reg/pfc and tell me which would be better for my needs?
Click to expand...

Active PFC: http://www.rojakpot.com/default.aspx?location=3&var1=81&var2=0

OCZ PowerStreams: http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/power_management/ocz_powerstream_power_supply

Antec NeoPower 480W: http://www.antec.com/us/productDetails.php?ProdID=24480

They are both very good PSU's, but the OCZ PowerStream is better.

Dave ;)
 
Ah, thanks for the links. Guess that clears that up. OCZ it is.. my only remaining annoyance is that the back of the PSU will be glowing green.. which itself isn't a problem, 'cept there's no Saitek Eclipse Neon Green keyboard.. heheh. They really should get on that. Green > Blue. Ack, rambling.. time to go.
 
Toilet Duck said:
Ah, thanks for the links. Guess that clears that up. OCZ it is.. my only remaining annoyance is that the back of the PSU will be glowing green.. which itself isn't a problem, 'cept there's no Saitek Eclipse Neon Green keyboard.. heheh. They really should get on that. Green > Blue. Ack, rambling.. time to go.
Click to expand...
It is not bright at all & it is quiet, too!

CONGRATSon an excellent decision! :D
 
Ah yea, I checked the stickie a few days ago.. but I still wasn't entirely sure what to do and wanted a personal opinion.

Bright or not, it's sorta inspired me.. why settle for blue KB when I can attempt to mod one green? Muha. But, this is off topic. Thanks for the help choosing a decent PSU.. I just hope i don't "need" that warranty anytime soon ;)
 
I don't recommend any of the newer Antec PSU's with 120mm fans because of the poor fan choice and mounting.
 
KoolDrew said:
I don't recommend any of the newer Antec PSU's with 120mm fans because of the poor fan choice and mounting.
Click to expand...
What are you talking about?

What is wrong with the fan or its mounting?
 
davidhammock200 said:
What are you talking about?

What is wrong with the fan or its mounting?
Click to expand...

Probably referring to the low pressure fan choice in the True 2's - they have trouble cooling the PSU with negative air pressure present in the case. The complaint is that they spin up fast yet do no or little cooling in that sort of situation. So far, that's been the only complaint against them I've heard of.
 
Oklahoma Wolf said:
Probably referring to the low pressure fan choice in the True 2's - they have trouble cooling the PSU with negative air pressure present in the case. The complaint is that they spin up fast yet do no or little cooling in that sort of situation. So far, that's been the only complaint against them I've heard of.
Click to expand...
Thanks, that is what I was thinking.

AMD did us all a dis-service when they included the PSU as a part of the case/CPU cooling solution, way back when!

Dave ;)
 
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