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

[Susquehannock]

Oh yeah ... I am all for making your own custom wiring harness. Adapted an 8pin
connector to make removing my Mobo tray easier. No more straining to see which
front panel wires go to which pin anymore.
The stock wiring usually has so many unused lengths to tuck away too. Either that or you
have to use an adapter which means more to deal with. And the bulky connectors will
inevitably end up in the open where you don't want them too.

Was thinking of using those "zero loss" connectors for my HDD RAID rack
instead of the molex. My preference has been to use bullet connectors on side panel
fans and such to make them easy to disconnect. They have a higher resistance than
the molex so I wouldn't use them on things like drives etc.

[TheGreenMachine]

This is my first time building a system in a long time and this is my first time overclocking. Since im not that serious about PC's anymore I decided to go with the "Sparkle 350W ATX12V 2.0 Switching Power Supply" listed in this thread. I got all my components today and when it came time to plug the power into the motherboard I was in for a suprise the Sparkel had a 24pin connector and did not come with a adaptor to 20pin. I went to Best Buy and two local computer stores and no one knew anything about 24pin connectors and the did not have adaptors. Insead od paying $7 + shipping for a adaptor I decided to return this PSU and I will go with the "COOLMAX 500W Taurus CX Series Silent Power Supply"

[davidhammock200]

Originally Posted by TheGreenMachine

This is my first time building a system in a long time and this is my first time overclocking. Since im not that serious about PC's anymore I decided to go with the "Sparkle 350W ATX12V 2.0 Switching Power Supply" listed in this thread. I got all my components today and when it came time to plug the power into the motherboard I was in for a suprise the Sparkel had a 24pin connector and did not come with a adaptor to 20pin. I went to Best Buy and two local computer stores and no one knew anything about 24pin connectors and the did not have adaptors. Insead od paying $7 + shipping for a adaptor I decided to return this PSU and I will go with the "COOLMAX 500W Taurus CX Series Silent Power Supply"

Welcome to the club!

Did you call the people who sold you the Sparkle? They should get you one either free or real cheap.

You could call Sparkle Power, they might give you one. There is a link to their website at the end of the guide, send them an email. What have you got to lose?

Good Luck & please keep us posted!

[Susquehannock]

"COOLMAX 500W Taurus CX Series Silent Power Supply"

Are those Coolmax any good? Could be the 350w Fortron would hold up
better than the 500w model.

[TheGreenMachine]

No I didnt call Sparkle, they didnt have a manual, phone number, or any contact information with the PSU. Instead of tracking them down and/or tracking down a adaptor and paying for it I decided to spend my money on another brand that comes with the adaptor. I ended up getting the coolmax, it looks decent and its a reasonable price. I am not worried about a PSU dieing on me, in my 15 years using computers I think I have had only one powersupply every die and they have all been the cheap PSU's that come with a $20-$30 case. I guess I will find out how good the CoolMax actually is.

[davidhammock200]

Originally Posted by TheGreenMachine

No I didnt call Sparkle, they didnt have a manual, phone number, or any contact information with the PSU. Instead of tracking them down and/or tracking down a adaptor and paying for it I decided to spend my money on another brand that comes with the adaptor. I ended up getting the coolmax, it looks decent and its a reasonable price. I am not worried about a PSU dieing on me, in my 15 years using computers I think I have had only one powersupply every die and they have all been the cheap PSU's that come with a $20-$30 case. I guess I will find out how good the CoolMax actually is.

"COOLMAX 500W Taurus CX Series Silent Power Supply"

Are those Coolmax any good? Could be the 350w Fortron would hold up
better than the 500w model.

I have never owned one, if you read further back in this Sticky, you will see that they were recommended by several knowledgeable EOFC members, so I researched them, found good reviews & consistant information, so I added them to the recommended list & given their price vs their +12V rail amperages, they also made the "BEST BANG for the BUCK" list. Several people have bought them since they were added to the recommended list & they report good service.

Good Luck & please keep us posted,
Dave

[edfx21]

"

COOLMAX 500W Taurus CX Series Silent Power Supply"

Are those Coolmax any good? Could be the 350w Fortron would hold up
better than the 500w model.

Well i had bad experince with them. Dont know mayby they just put a 550 label and 35amp labes but this PSU that i got is crap
http://forums.extremeoverclocking.co...43#post1422143

[davidhammock200]

Sorry to here it!

Almost every PS maker still sells some of the older designs & that 400W'er was one. In ALL cases it is not only the brand, but also the specs on each PS, that determine weather or not it is recommended.

At the end of the guide there is a link to reviews, you might find it intersting.

[afrakes]

David, have you heard anything about AMS power supplies?

I just bought an AMS Mercury 460w EPS12v. I'll let you guys know how it performs. +3.3v and +5v seem a little weak, but it has dual +12v rails rated at 18A and 15A.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...tby=14&order=1

Bought one from Directon for ~$57 shipped.

http://www.directron.com/pp4306.html

[davidhammock200]

Originally Posted by afrakes

David, have you heard anything about AMS power supplies?

I just bought an AMS Mercury 460w EPS12v. I'll let you guys know how it performs. +3.3v and +5v seem a little weak, but it has dual +12v rails rated at 18A and 15A.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...tby=14&order=1

Bought one from Directon for ~$57 shipped.

http://www.directron.com/pp4306.html

I can't find test data, their website doesn't give you a whole lot, but they do serve the server market.

Why don't you write us a review?

[afrakes]

UPS man dropped it off today. It's for my Xeon rig, but I'm still waiting for a part or two. I may throw it in my A64 computer, though (it came with an EPS12v -> ATX12v adapter) just to see how it does. I'll be sure to let you guys know the results.

[edfx21]

Dave check this one out $92. It has 12V1@9A, +12V2@9A, +12V3@15A, +12V4@8A thats 41 amp total on 12v line
Now what would that mean for OC user and is having the 12v line separated offers beter or same performance?

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...101-108&depa=0

[davidhammock200]

Originally Posted by edfx21

Dave check this one out $92. It has 12V1@9A, +12V2@9A, +12V3@15A, +12V4@8A thats 41 amp total on 12v line
Now what would that mean for OC user and is having the 12v line separated offers beter or same performance?

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...101-108&depa=0

I don't know about the brand as I have not found any reviews & their website really doesn't tell you very much. One our EOFC members just got one of this brand & I hope that he post once it is set up.

These are intended for multiprocesser systems. Having four +12V rails will be intersting.

[Monty]

David, this is just an excellent guide, and I can see that so much time has been put into it. It is really helpful!

I will be returning my current psu because it has been doing some strange things, and I will buy a X-Connect 500W. I chose my current PSU because it was sexy (in a non sexual sort of way), but it wasn't good. I think the X-Connect 500W is sexy and good!
I will let you know how it goes.

The Antec Neo Power won't work for me because my Tt tower cooler (see pic) would be in the way of the 120mm fan.

[davidhammock200]

Total Watts Do Not Matter, It Is Where You Put Your Watts That Matters!

The Total Amperage Available on the +12V Rail(s) is the most important,

followed by the +5V amperage & then the +3.3V amperage.

These are close to perfect:

$300: Output: +3.3V@30A, +5V@35A, +12V@45A, -5V@0.8A, -12V@1A, +5VSB@2A

$190: Output: +3.3V@28A, +5V@46A, +12V1@20A, +12V2@18A, -5V@0.5A, -12V@0.5A, +5VSB@2.0A

$180: Output: +3.3V@30A, +5V@30A, +12V1@26A, +12V2@20A, -5V@0.8A, -12V@0.8A, +5VSB@2A

$120: Output: +3.3V@30A, +5V@38A, +12V1@18A, +12V2@15A, -12V@1A, +5VSB@2A

$110: Output: +3.3V@28A, +5V@34A, +12V@33A, -5V@0.5A, -12V@0.5A, +5VSB@2.0A

$100: Output: +3.3V@27A,+5V@29A, ,+12V@36A, -5V@0.3A -12V@0.8A,+5VSB@2A

$90: Output: +3.3V@28A, +5V@30A, +12V@30A, -5V@0.5A, -12V@0.5A, +5VSB@2.0A

$75: Output: +3.3V@35A, +5V@35A, +12V@33A, -5V@1A, -12V@1A, +5VSB@2.2A

$60: Output: +3.3V@32A, +5V@32A, +12V@26A, -5V@1A, -12V@1A, +5VSB@2.2A

So, the almost perfect PS will have about: +3.3V@30A, +5V@35A & +12V@33A or more.

To have faith that the published numbers are realistic and that the output is clean, steady and stable.

Try to stay with one of these "Known Good" name brands.

Antec, Coolmax, Enermax, I-Star, Fortron Source, PC Power & Cooling,
OCZ, Sparkle Power, Tagan, TTGI (Super-Flower), VANTEC,
Ultra X-Connect 500W only, ZALMAN and ZIPPY/EMACS.

Dave

EDIT:

Example of what can be done for under $26:

$26: Output: +3.3V@28A, +5V@33A, +12V@22A, -5V@0.5A, -12V@0.8A, +5VSB@2.3A

Not Perfect, however for less than $26, it's **** close!

Dave

[Sawyer]

Im wondering which PSU to get, the Antec Neopower 480W or OCZ PowerStream 520W.

I really want a modular PSU, but if the Powerstream is that much better...
Which one do you guys recomend?

[davidhammock200]

Originally Posted by ChroniX

Im wondering which PSU to get, the Antec Neopower 480W or OCZ PowerStream 520W.

I really want a modular PSU, but if the Powerstream is that much better...
Which one do you guys recomend?

Antec NewPower 480W, fully ATX12 V2.0, +12V1@18A &+12V2@15A (total +12V@33A), 3% regulation & 3yr warranty!

You will love it!

[will_raymo2000]

What about the Enermax EG851AX-VH(W)FM It has 4 12V rails with 14A, 18A, 16A and 14A on them. Although designed for a MP machine it could be used on a desktop. Sorry if this has been mentioned before. link: http://www.enermax.com.tw/products_p...Gid=26&Gid2=35

[davidhammock200]

Originally Posted by will_raymo2000

What about the Enermax EG851AX-VH(W)FM It has 4 12V rails with 14A, 18A, 16A and 14A on them. Although designed for a MP machine it could be used on a desktop. Sorry if this has been mentioned before. link: http://www.enermax.com.tw/products_p...Gid=26&Gid2=35

A very nice EPS PS, what is the question ,

all Enermax's with a total of +12V24A or more are probably going to be recommended.

Why do you want an EPS with 4 rails & will it fit in your case?

[Sawyer]

Originally Posted by davidhammock200

Antec NewPower 480W, fully ATX12 V2.0, +12V1@18A &+12V2@15A (total +12V@33A), 3% regulation & 3yr warranty!

You will love it!

Excellent. I was looking at this site saying the combined total was 24Amps...

Googled it again, your correct, 33Amps. Thats my new PSU still!