Power Supply choice

[sruon]

Hate to create a thread for this (Need a Random Question Thread )

I'm building a new rig tomorrow

Planned setup is
-i7
-3xDDR3
-1x Nvidia card (I'll see what I have available)
-1x SATA

Expected TDP using PSUengine is 253W.

Now I'm thinking of picking either Antec or OCZ 500W (that one is 80+ certified), issue is that I'm planning on using SLI or Xfire (MB allows both) in a few months and I'd like to know if these PSU will hold by then.

I know Antec does good stuff, not so sure about OCZ.

Input?

[Cephius]

People will have varying opinions on PS brands, but Antec is generally regarded as one of the better manufacturers. As long as you don't cheap out on it you should be fine - it's worth spending a bit of extra cash to get a decent power supply. If it fails, it can damage everything else.

500W should be fine, but with SLI you might be pushing it especially if you go for the newer tech. 600 or 750 would be a safe bet.

[Chicomagiko]

If you can afford a Corsair hx series psu i'd go with it otherwise Antec makes decent PSUs as well.

[Delenn]

If you haven't bought your case yet, you might want to check out Antec's CP-850 power supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...antec%20cp-850

It currently only works with Antec's 1200/P183/P193 cases since this PSU uses a new form-factor Antec is trying to push. However, the power supply rocks, especially for low noise fans like myself:
http://www.silentpcreview.com/Antec_CP-850

If I had to buy a new power supply and case, I'd get the Antec CP-850 and an Antec 1200 case in a heartbeat (note: not the cheapest of options, but not the most expensive either!)

More Notes:

• Meets/exceeds 80 plus requirements with excellent tests across the board ( test results on pg5 )
  "The 80% efficiency point was reached before 90W" <-- win
• It's uber quiet ( comparisons on pg7 )
• The CP-850 PSU by itself is currently ~$110.

[Agito]

Nvidia - http://www.slizone.com/object/slizone_build_psu.html

ATI - http://game.amd.com/us-en/crossfire_...ied.aspx?cat=3

Don't trust just one power supply calculator, look at a few of them just to be sure. Corsair and Antec has one on their websites. A 500w seems to be cutting it really close for dual video cards, i'd suggest something that's like 650w or greater.

[Don Katsu]

Antec, Corsair, PCPower and Cooling or Seasonic


Here is a decent power supply

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-015-_-Product

I'm currently running one of these.

[Kerberoz]

Similar question, instead of making a new thread I'll ask here.

I'm looking to rebuild my desktop soon, currently using an Antec Truepower Trio 650W. Looking at upgrading to:
-Phenom 125W cpu
-Radeon 4890 (uses 2x 6pin)
-8gb RAM
-2 SATA drives, PCI sound card, DVDRW, internal card reader, PCIEx1 TV tuner

1. Will that PSU be enough for the processor? I'd imagine it should, might as well ask.
2. Any mobo recommendations? Preferably <$150
3. Do AM3 sockets use the same heatsink mounts as AM2 or am I gonna need to buy a new HSF?

Thanks

[Don Katsu]

Friend has the same setup but uses a Phenom 9950 which I believe is 140w. You should be fine with that power supply. AM2 and AM3 use the same heatsink mounts

[Balthasar]

I just got done replacing a failed 700W PSU made by OCZ after about a year of good use. I usually leave my PC on all the time b/c a PSU failing is better than a HDD failing

[sruon]

Thanks for the input, I'll most likely go with Antec, I'll see what they have at the shop tomorrow.

[Olo401]

Similar question, instead of making a new thread I'll ask here.

I'm looking to rebuild my desktop soon, currently using an Antex Truepower Trio 650W. Looking at upgrading to:
-Phenom 125W cpu
-Radeon 4890 (uses 2x 6pin)
-8gb RAM
-2 SATA drives, PCI sound card, DVDRW, internal card reader, PCIEx1 TV tuner

1. Will that PSU be enough for the processor? I'd imagine it should, might as well ask.
2. Any mobo recommendations? Preferably <$150
3. Do AM3 sockets use the same heatsink mounts as AM2 or am I gonna need to buy a new HSF?

Thanks

Since you've got a 4890 I'm gonna say go with a 600-650W unit, mainly because it's an older card design with a higher power draw. If you want to be safe though (and if you plan to use the tv tuner a lot) look for a 700W.

AM3 and AM2/AM2+ are exactly the same size (only difference is AM3 has one less pin than AM2+), so any previous heatsink you have will fit just fine. As for a board recommendation, I've narrowed it down to a pair of boards - this one from ASUS and this one from Gigabyte. The main difference between the two is the Gigabyte board has USB 3.0 capability (some of the reviews mention the ASUS board has it as well but I usually don't trust the reviews for anything lol). Both boards are SATA 3.0 ready.

[Don Katsu]

Read this:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/2624

[fishstix]

The first few from the ATI 5000 series actually uses less power than the 4000, although I havent kept up with any of the latest things out, idk about the new nvidia though. and yes, please read up on debunking PSU myths. There's more things to consider than just the pure wattage.

[sav]

Corsair makes some decent psu also!

[Celeras]

Antec is a good company, Rosewill/Corsair also trustworthy. Two things, though:

-Do not buy anything lower than 750W, imo. You may not need it right this second, but you will(especially for SLI) and they're not really anymore expensive. My 850W is compatible with everything, and under $90.

-Buy modular. Basically, this just means that the cords for the PSU are removable attachments. Helps keep your case neat by only having the wires you need, instead of a bundle of crap tucked in a corner.

[SaviorSelf]

So is this one good?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817341018

[levish]

Just get this one instead. Corsair HX 650w for 10$ more with a single beefy 12v rail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-005-_-Product

[jinkazama]

Antec or Corsair imo

[Celeras]

Just get this one instead. Corsair HX 650w for 10$ more with a single beefy 12v rail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-005-_-Product

Not Modularrrrrrrrrr, dont do it! It is really worth it imo.

If you put a gun to my head and made me chose for you for under $150:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371009

[edit]@Savior, the PSU you linked has limited 12V rails(with no output under specs, which concerns me), and only has a single 6pin and a second 6+2pin. This may not be enough to do SLI, I know it says SLI ready... but there are many modern cards would take both of those themselves, or need a 6 and an 8. Not an issue if you can confirm your card only needs a single 6pin... but this is something that could bite you down the road. My PSU by comparison has 4x 6 pin, and the above I linked has two 6pin and two 8pin.

[levish]

^ I'm biased against Antec, had 3x of their PSU's call it quits just outside warranty. Admittedly the TrueControll is still running happily.

The Corsair HX 750 is Modular if thats a important point for you (lord would only know why people care). I don't stare at my computers innards so i couldn't care less if my PCP&C psu is modular or not.