PSU: Power Supply Guide for Today's & Tomorrow's Computers

[dr_sharp]

This is also a beautiful thread.
The ocz's have gone up in price alot... i got mine for 108 not long after it came out... now 129... ouch.

[executor252]

You guys are forgetting Aspire! At least it goes in the bang for the buck section... if not better.

http://images10.newegg.com/productim...148-005-07.JPG

500W PSU, Dual 80mm fans / RPM control
3.3v @ 25 or 26A
5.5v @ 30A
12v @ 34A

$55

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...148-005&depa=0

Nice thread. Just went to check at the egg to see if my PSU could run an OCed A64... guess im in luck

[trans am]

Originally Posted by AMD_LVR_N_AK!

I just ordered an OCZ Powerstream 420w last night, I will post with results once it's installed and running. Thanks for this Post Dave , it helped me decide to get the Powerstream(along with other threads of course).

Update: I just recieved it today and so far I am running 230x10@1.6v 4xHTT with timings at 10,3,3,2,1t and it hasnt failed prime yet...my rails in MBM5 still read high on the 5v and low on the 12v but the lights on the psu are all green and I think I will take the readings of a $100 psu over a $70 mobo.
So far I am impressed as now I am able to run both my optical drives and my case fans again. (was using a 350w power up psu since I sold my Enlight to a customer whose Antec I ordered for his rig I built was DOA)

don't worry about them being red. just turn the pots up so they all give your lines adequate volts. Look in your bios pc health status so you can monitor the volts while you do it. they are very sensitive so be gentle.

[PorkchopExpress]

BIOS voltage readings can be more than 5% off.

Do what others on the thread have told you and take a DMM (digital multimeter) to the lines.

[dr_sharp]

Yea... that's exactly what you shouldn't do... you should NEVER adjust pots without a DMM.

[trans am]

Originally Posted by dr_sharp

Yea... that's exactly what you shouldn't do... you should NEVER adjust pots without a DMM.

Who has one of those? JK ok, if you have one use it! but if you don't, just use mbm5 or speedfan, or use the utility that came with your mobo cd.

[davidhammock200]

New "Links" section added at the end.

Links:

Antec: http://www.antec.com/us/

Enermax: http://www.enermax.com.tw/main.php

Fortron Source: http://www.fortron-source.com/

I-Star: http://www.circotech.com/iraposu.html

OCZ: http://www.ocztechnology.com/

PC Power & Cooling: http://www.pcpowercooling.com/home.htm

Sparkle Power: http://www.sparklepower.com/

Tagan: http://www.tagan.com/main.htm

Ultra X-Connect 500W: http://www.ultraproducts.com/index....ce56bef28b4d67d

VANTEC: http://www.vantecusa.com/home.html

ZALMAN: http://www.zalmanusa.com/usa/usa_index.asp

ZIPPY/EMACS: http://www.zippy.com.tw/P_PRODUCT.asp?lv_rfnbr=2

I hope that this guide has been of assistance.
Thank you for visiting!

If you would for this to become a Sticky,
please add you choices, comments, experiences & recommendations.

[Computer101]

what do you think of the Antec tru 380 or tru 430? I'm not planning to put more than 2 harddrives and 1 cd/dvd rw drive in it, but I can get the 430 for 10 bucks more than the 380, i am really thinking about going with Antec's Performance Plus Case at newegg or securemart.com with a tru 430:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...129-115&depa=0
or
http://www.securemart.com/cgi-bin/fu...ls=&mv_stock=y

[Dil-tech]

I have an antec trupower 430, and it's never given me a problem yet. With as little as you're trying to push, it'll do you just fine.

[davidhammock200]

From Thread: Calculators VS Kill-A-Watt --REAL Power Consumption

From: Post #5

Originally Posted by Paul_Johnson

Yes and a quick search would turn up this topic a million times over. Here is the recap:

1) APFC can fool Kill-A-Watts into giving you abnormally low readings (some times giving better than 100% efficiency)

2) Power supplies derate with temperature anywhere from 2w/c above a nominal rated at value to 10w/c.

3) Kill-A-Watt's and most power meters sample to slowly to catch transient loads (the Transient load from our tests is 117w and is COMPLETELY missed by Kill-A-Watts).

4) Power supplies last longer if you stay in the 40% to 60% range of their output.

5) power supplies are quieter if you stay in the 40% to 60% range of their output.

6) Power supplies are cooler if you stay in the 40% to 60% range of their output.

A Favorite Quote from Paul@[H]

And of course I agree 100% as everything he states is an absolute fact!
Dave

[AMD_LVR]

I will dig out the DMM tomorrow, still running at 2.3 thou.

[Shawnster]

I just wanted to say......
Im running an athlon 64 oc to 2.52 gig and.....
6800(LE)ultra at 435 core and.......
I would not trust the job to any other Power Supply but....

PC Power and Cooling 510turbocool deluxe!

Oh yea I have a few other things that draw power.

Athlon64 3200@2.52gig GigabyteHS K8x800proII@229fsb PCP&C 510Tdeluxe
KingstnHypX3200BH5 2-3-3-11-1T 2.9v
6800 Ultra@435 1.2 QuadWDSE 80gig Raid0+1 20 GIG 10kScsiFujitsuLVDUW2 SBaudigy2MAud.REV.Tvcard,Scsi2.uwLVD.NEC DLayDVD.Pioneer DVD.NEC21mon LogicordlessMX.RaidmaxBlueStorm.10Fans.4tornado.Au rogate2.Musketeer.Nexus 14 CCFL YES!

Take a look at this lighthouse.

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jonesi...bum?.dir=/7f86

[XT-ChAce]

Whoohooh, another "Sticky gonna be", this should eliminate some questions

One thing though, even though this is also about A64's, it stays a PSU FAQ, so it would be stickied in that section where no one buying an A64 is gonna look

Maybe this is nuts and maybe I don't know how to read a DMM right (tough game, what on earth can you read wrong about it?) but my Enermax 460W with 35A on the 3.3V and 33A on the 12V rails renames my 12V rail to 13V rail. That's right, it reads "12.97" and the thing is overvolting my entire system Seriously, I wouldn't have a clue how to fix it, perhaps just use some more harddrives or what? lol...

[Iboomalot]

I had one of these before getting my OCZ and it did fine for the price.

COOLMAX 550W Taurus CX Series Silent Power Supply $67.00 550W and dead quiet

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...159-026&depa=1

[davidhammock200]

Originally Posted by XT-ChAce

Whoohooh, another "Sticky gonna be", this should eliminate some questions

One thing though, even though this is also about A64's, it stays a PSU FAQ, so it would be stickied in that section where no one buying an A64 is gonna look

Maybe this is nuts and maybe I don't know how to read a DMM right (tough game, what on earth can you read wrong about it?) but my Enermax 460W with 35A on the 3.3V and 33A on the 12V rails renames my 12V rail to 13V rail. That's right, it reads "12.97" and the thing is overvolting my entire system Seriously, I wouldn't have a clue how to fix it, perhaps just use some more harddrives or what? lol...

Thank you for the compliments coming from you they are high praise indeed!

I'll see what I can find out about your high rail, have you checked it with another voltmeter?

[XT-ChAce]

I have two DMM's and a normal MultiMeter... they all say about 13V I don't get a **** thing about it lol Anything you can find is welcome

[downsideup16]

i was wondering if i could get some suggestions on what powerstream to get. i am a cheapo and am thinking about getting the 420w for $90. the 520w is $135 and i was curious if the extra 45 dollars was worth it. if you guys think that the 520w is that much better i'll get that one then. i just want to make sure my money is being well spent. thanks in advance for the help.

[davidhammock200]

Originally Posted by downsideup16

i was wondering if i could get some suggestions on what powerstream to get. i am a cheapo and am thinking about getting the 420w for $90. the 520w is $135 and i was curious if the extra 45 dollars was worth it. if you guys think that the 520w is that much better i'll get that one then. i just want to make sure my money is being well spent. thanks in advance for the help.

The OCZ's are GREAT, I like the 470W as it has the same 33A on the +12V rail as the 520W,

however the 420W should be more than enough for most systems.

[mnemonik23]

"(3) It must supply a minimum of 18A on the +12V rail(s), as this is critical for Over Clocking A64’s."

My current TTGI 520W has 18A on the +12V and I'm going to watercool 3500+

MCP650
2x36 Raptors
1 barracuda
6800GT
DVD burner
CDRW
4x120mm fans
fan controller...
some UV lights

So am I fine or not?

[downsideup16]

thanks david. you are like the uber 1337 n00b helper man. whenever there is question you are always right on top of it. thanks alot for the quick response.