Recommend Power Supply?

[magna]

I am putting together a new PC with possible 6 SATA 500GB HDD (4 for sure), AMD 64 Dual Core Processors, 2 Dual Layers DVD Bruners, Dual Graphic Card and a floppy drive. I have 4 120mm and 1 80mm Case Fans but not sure if I want to plug all of them in because of the system running Heat Pipes. I would need a silence (near) power supply. I am currently looking at Antec 500 Watt Phantom I know it has a fan but I hear (or dont hear) it is quiet and stable company. I am just wondering what your recommend in watts I should be looking at maybe 600 watts or highers?

I am also looking at the future that is why the fans are there at this time all suggestions are welcome.

[amd ati FO SHO]

what dual graphic cards you plan on using dual 6600 and dual 7900gtx will require different things :P

[Josie Wales]

True that. Exact specs are very important when selecting a power supply for SLI. Start by checking out the Extreme Outervision PSU Calculator to get a ballpark figure. Then look at the guide above for some solid recommendations. In any case, I would not recommend a passive or semi-passive PSU for a high performance system. There are better alternatives.

[Ishy]

i really don't like these "fanless" power supplies, if you really want a quiet psu then i'd look at the Seasonic S12 range, but as Josie said have a shizzle across to the wattage calc.

[Odanez]

the phantom 500 is not fanless, but it's fan is off when the system consumes low power, but when it starts to consume more the fan actually gets quite loud, apparently. and a rig like yours, magna, the phnatom will be considerably louder than a say 600W seasonic s12 at the same power consumption

[magna]

Well the exact graphic cards at this point are TBD but you can expect the top for a graphic card. I am looking for a safe wattage for future endavors and current and as far as the Seasonic S12 it looks like something I would consider at a 600 Watt if it is going to meet all of what I need. I just do not like putting high loads on things like to have room but not to much like the 1000 watt level. Is the Seasonic Quiet or low noise and does it have the 4 SATA Plugs?

[Odanez]

the seasonic s12's with 500W and 600W have all the connectors you'd need. besides that they're probably the most quiet non-passive psu out there. under ordinary operation it makes ~20dBA, and high load it hardly goes above 30... here's a link http://www.silentpcreview.com/article247-page1.html

[magna]

The Seasonic S12 looks good but only carries 2 SATA Plugs on either model in the specs sheets - I do not like adapaters to convert things but if you say this is good then I will get one along with adapators to make it work.

I am still new to building this PC so I may ask some questions that already have been asked but your kindly help is greatly welcome. It says Active PFC on the PSUs what does PFC Stand for?

The case I have to put this all in has arrived it is a P180 by Antec it seems pretty cool and I like the design of it - not sure if I will plug in the fans because I will be using heatpipes once I find a good one for the processor (any suggestions on that one or this is wrong thread). Before I leave this thread I would like two other options for Good PSU - that I am assuming 500-600 Watts will cover what I am looking for since no one said otherwise.

[Odanez]

PFC is Power Factor Correction. for more infor on PSUs visit our sticky-guide
http://forums.extremeoverclocking.co...d.php?t=136602
all credit goes to david hammock

[magna]

Thanks that helped out understanding - is there any other power supplies I should look into like other options or alternative.

Additional Comment:
Oh I forgot to mention that the system will be running 24/7 - 365 if that has any bearing on selections it would need to be able to do that. I would be putting the computer in to sleep mode when I am not there normally about 8 hours a day while I atten work otherwise it would be on.

[Odanez]

there are quite a few alternatives, depending on your needs. for silence go for the seasonics, they're really good psus, and as for a good all-rounder the ocz powerstream 520, and another good one is the hiper 580 type r or so it's called I think.
If you want really high end psu, get pc p&c, but they're not quiet, they're just mega-power

[supershanks]

FSP 600/700
120mm =queit fan , crossfire capable

[magna]

Thanks for all your opinions I have just ordered the Seasonic S12 600 Watt Power Supply today and it should be here this week sometime. I will let you know what I think of it but as far as the reviews goes so far it is good.

[DeepFriedCPU]

enermax liberty 500w and 620w is pretty nice too