350 watt fortron/sparkle with 120mm fan in STOCK

[dustybyrd]

at www.coolcases.com

for $55

[Daemonfly]

I wonder why Newegg hasn't picked that one up yet. They still only have the 300W with the 120mm for $27.

[dustybyrd]

I wonder why Newegg hasn't picked that one up yet. They still only have the 300W with the 120mm for $27.


and the 300w puts out 390 watts...that would probably be sufficient for many rigs...

or you could always get two 300watt 120mm versions for less than one 350watt ps and run them both on the same machine!

dam*, that's not a bad idea ;)

[BradleyTCO]

I've been thinking about buying this PSU. Am I viewing the picture from Sparkle's website correctly? Is the 120mm fan on the "top" of the power supply. If that's the case, wouldn't one need a blowhole in that exact position on their case to be able to take advantage of this? Or, am I assuming incorrectly? Does the fan instead blow into the power supply? Thanks for any replies!

[Spacemonkey]

Originally posted by BradleyTCO
I've been thinking about buying this PSU. Am I viewing the picture from Sparkle's website correctly? Is the 120mm fan on the "top" of the power supply. If that's the case, wouldn't one need a blowhole in that exact position on their case to be able to take advantage of this? Or, am I assuming incorrectly? Does the fan instead blow into the power supply? Thanks for any replies!

I have one. The fan is on the bottom. :) BTW, the 350w is a great PSU. :)

[huneycutt]

http://www6.tomshardware.com/howto/20021021/index.html

First get educated and read this, especially the conclusion.

Newegg has the FSP350-60BN 350W rated one of the top three.
Tom's test revealed it easily produced 400W. For $37.00 including shipping it's a pretty good deal.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=manufactory&manufactory=1919&catalog=58&DEPA=1&sortby=14&order=1

[dustybyrd]

http://www6.tomshardware.com/howto/20021021/index.html

First get educated and read this, especially the conclusion.

Newegg has the FSP350-60BN 350W rated one of the top three.
Tom's test revealed it easily produced 400W. For $37.00 including shipping it's a pretty good deal.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=manufactory&manufactory=1919&catalog=58&DEPA=1&sortby=14&order=1


that is the power supply, but without the 120mm fan...that $37 shipped version has a 80mm fan....

[huneycutt]

According to Tom's hardware it does the job with the 80mm fan. My two Fortrons work fine. Not doing any heavy gaming or demanding applications. I will say they run on high fan speed most of the time. Thermal sensor in the Fortron adjusts fan speed according to temp. A bit noisy but rather tolerate the noise than have some cruddy PSU causing components to fail. Been there done that. Enermax, BLAH! GAP!

[dustybyrd]

According to Tom's hardware it does the job with the 80mm fan. My two Fortrons work fine. Not doing any heavy gaming or demanding applications. I will say they run on high fan speed most of the time. Thermal sensor in the Fortron adjusts fan speed according to temp. A bit noisy but rather tolerate the noise than have some cruddy PSU causing components to fail. Been there done that. Enermax, BLAH! GAP!


i agree with all of that too...you know you can swap out that fan(s) for a quieter Panaflo fan (see larva's posts on it)....

[huneycutt]

Considering I have one 30CFM 80mm intake fan at the front bottom of the case and one exaust on the back I imagine a quieter fan would work. My CPU runs 111F, Athalon XP 2100+ @ 2166MHz, Soltek SL-75MRN-L, no heat problems. I stocked up on fans from nexfan.com so have spares. I changed one out before, no sweat. Sure would be nice to quiten this puppy down. Except for when the Fortron fan goes turbo it's pretty quiet.

Where can I find larva's thread? Couldn't find it in this string. OldBird

[huneycutt]

http://www.coolcases.com/catalog/p19.html

FORTRON-SOURCE / SPARKLE POWER, INC. - 'SPI300, SPI350, SPI400': These companies may sell under different labels, and each company has independent marketing representatives, but they are owned by Fortron Source. Known as a higher-quality unit in the aftermarket, they are also heavily marketed as an OEM fan to computer manufacturers and are sometimes private labelled. For example The 300-w. model stocked is the SPI Model FSP300-60GT; this model has the "Noise Killer" Fan and appears to be the same unit as the PS PCP&Cooling 300w 'silencer.' Overall, the fans are a noticably noisier than the Addtronics / Antec PS and the Enermax models.

[dustybyrd]

here are some threads on swapping the fan out of the PSU....


http://forum.oc-forums.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=141541&highlight=panaflo+fortron

http://forum.oc-forums.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=197370&highlight=panaflo+fortron

http://forum.oc-forums.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=195093&highlight=panaflo+fortron

[Hookem]

Man I sure wish these things would become easily obtainable...Was 45.00 at xpdirect...Now this outfit sells them for even more...64.00 delivered to Texas...Geezzzz...I thought the price was supposed to go down on stuff...Supply and demand is killing us guys...;)

[huneycutt]

I saw the links and read them, thanks.

Fortron FSP350-60BN 350W. If I swap out the fan for a quiet Panaflow 32CFM won't the automatic speed control turn it up anyway? Guess I could bypass the connection inside the PSU and go to a Molex outside the PSU so the auto speed control wouldn't be a factor. Need to get inside and poke around and see how many wires connect to the fan.

When I hold my hand in front of the PSU fan it doesn't feel all that warm. I'll get the mercury thermometer and rig it over the vent and see what readings I get. Just curious because with the intake case fan on front and one exaust on back it should be fairly cool.

[Hookem]

Nahhh...The Panflo is way quieter than the fan in your PSU...:D

[obliv]

i just spent the $60 to get that PSU and when i plugged it in.. i was in happy land..

[BradleyTCO]

On coolcases.com, it lists the number of leads for this power supply as "open." How many leads (4-pin, floppy, etc.) does this power supply come with?

[BradleyTCO]

Well, I answered my own question. I contacted Sparkle/Fortron/whomever and they told me that this power supply has 5 "hard drive" leads and 4 "floppy drive" leads. I hope this information helps.

[Daemonfly]

The 120mm version is running in a commisioned case mod I'm doing. It's air cooled, and that 120mm fan is sucking hot air right from the CPU area. So far it's worked a lot better than the regular 80mm layout.

[ShrimpyJ]

it seems like excaliberpc has this psu in stock for $52 shipped. model is SPI FSP350-60PNS
http://www.excaliberpc.com/product_info.php?products_id=2266

[owmyeyes]

As I posted on another thread, I emailed xpdirect and they say they have them in stock. Unfortunately, it's now US$48 unlike the US$45 Hookem said it used to be. $57 shipped to where I am, which is a couple bucks cheaper than coolcases.com. I just checked excaliberpc.com and it looks like it's $46+$6 fixed shipping (as ShrimpyJ posted), which looks even better.

But is there any difference between FSP350-60PNS and FSP350-60PN?

[ryuen]

i myself really want that 120mm 350 but its just too expensive compared to newegg's 120mm 300w for 27.

now, im not much of a psu modder and hvaent really played around one, but i was thinking if i bought the regular 350w or 400w power, and i use a hole saw (have one) and cut a 120mm out of the frame and drilled holes for screws, cant i just mount a 120mm on? what kind of power connectors do these PSU fans use? 3 pin? i know most 120mms are 4 pin, but i can get an adapter.

possible? easy?

[huneycutt]

Ryuen, you do not want the 300W. Here is the one you want
Fortron FSP350-60BN 350W P4/AMD Ready Power Supply for $32.00 plus $5.00 shipping. That's the one Tom rated one of the three best. I bought two from newegg.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=manufactory&manufactory=1919&catalog=58&DEPA=1&sortby=14&order=1

As for modding the fan; you don't need to mess with the fan because it has a thermal sensor and when the PSU temp goes up to a certain point the fan speed increases. I thought it totally unnecessary because the vent air wasn't all that warm. I swapped out the fan with am 80mm Panaflow 30 CFM that does not have the auto speed increase and it's been working just fine and much quieter.

As for the connections; there are two wires, black one is ground, other hot, that go into a mess of wires and they do not plug in but solder in gosh knows where. I snipped the wires and connected the Panaflow and secured it in place just like a standard case fan. One big piece of cake. If you can put batteries in a flashlight you can swap out the fan. How's this for one measley buck: http://www.nexfan.com/evcafan80bl.html

May I suggest, the PSU fan is very important and the ball bearing fans are much more reliable than the sleeve bearing, so for a couple bucks more best to go with one of those.

http://www.nexfan.com/ga80x80x25ba.html

Soltek SL-75MRN-L, Athalon 2100 OC'd 2700, 1766MHz.
I absoultely love it.

"now, im not much of a psu modder and hvaent really played around one . . . " Well all that is obviously about to change and one day you will be here sharing your experiences and knowledge just like the rest of us geeks. Go for it Brother!
OldBird

[ryuen]

but my question is for the 120mm.

[owmyeyes]

ryuen, I've never modded a PS, so I don't know for sure, but the back side of the 80mm fan Fortron power supply looks like it doesn't have any space for a larger fan. The 120mm fan Fortron has the single 120mm fan on the bottom of the power supply. If you want to mod the 80mm one, I'd guess you'll probably need to also cut a hole in the bottom of the PS, and somehow attach the 120mm fan to that hole. I'm guessing that there's not enough room in the supply to put the 120mm fan on the inside, so in that case, you'd have to attach the fan on the outside of the PS. It'd probably look pretty interesting.... :) If it doesn't block anything.

[ryuen]

hmm i know what you mean. ill probably remove the 80mm anyways and leave a grill there. like you said, ill probably externally attach it, because it wasnt designed for such thing. how could i mount it still?

[huneycutt]

You are correct owmyeyes. The back side is not large enough for a 120mm fan.

I feel ryuen is concerned about something that does not warrant concern. Fortron puts in the fan it finds adequate to cool their PSU and Tom's tests found the cooling adequate.
If you're parinoid swap it out for one of these babies:
http://www.nexfan.com/sade80ulhifa.html

4600 RPM, 57 CFM at 45 Decibles will sound something like a small helo taking off and blow the hat off your head. HA!

Like I said, mine runs fine with the Panaflow fan mod, 30CFM at 22 Decibles. Nice and quiet and cool enough . . . .

That's about all I have to offer. Ya'll be cooool . . . . .

[ryuen]

well its not cooling really, more like "bragging righstr" to friends, adn plus all ill have in my system will be 120mms since itll be water cooled soon.

yes i understand that it has to be on the bottom, that was wat i was considering since the beginning, but as in space to fit the fan inside? still thinking. how could i mount this thing if it was outside/external? its gonna prob be a UV painted fan anyways so it wont look too stupid.

[Krowa 02]

Screw modding, just spend the extra cash to save time :) I just picked up one of these myself, should be here sooner or later :rolleyes:

[adelphia83]

I just picked up that 32$ 350W Fortron off Newegg, and to my suprise the 80mm fan noise is not all that obtrusive.

It runs at idle speeds 75% of the time, it's only when I'm doing gaming or benchmarking (or other power hungry tasks), that it cycles itself from low / high speed. It doesn't seem to make up it's mind at that point, and continues to cycle between the two speeds every couple minutes, until I quit out of the power hungry app.

The high speed noise is not high pitched, its more of a steady lower pitched sound, which is comparable to my TT SF2 being at 1/2 speed (except the PS fan is lower pitched).

The 120mm version at 20$+ is not worth it in my opinion. The 350W btw handles all the power requirements of the system in my sig.

[Hookem]

It has been said before in this forum, That the only thing that keeps the 350watt Fortron/Sparkle from being perfect is the hyper-active fan that is somewhat noisey...That is why so many people do the fan mod with the 350's...:D

[huneycutt]

Adelphia83 wrote, "It runs at idle speeds 75% of the time, it's only when I'm doing gaming or benchmarking (or other power hungry tasks)"

There you go, and you are also correct, it isn't THAT noisy when it is on high speed. I don't heavy game or benchmark so decided to change the fan out. Evidently my thermal contrl is more sensitive than yours because mine kicked in after fifteen or twenty minutes just surfing or typing a letter.
Fortunately I have the knowledge to change out a fan because I had one in a 500W PSU a while back that was quite noisy and conceived the change out idea in my own head. I figured what the heck, let's open that sucker up and take a look see. Piece of cake to change out the fan and the 500W was cool & happy. What is noise? Call it Decibles or whatever, but like a lot of other human traits noise is what we as individuals percieve it to be. What's offensive and aggrivating to one doesn't bother another.

Here's a simple, inexpensive test:
Go to the drug store and buy a mercury mouth thermomter like the Dr sticks in your mouth. (The "other end" behind kind will work to.) Take a piece of tape and tape it on the PSU fan exaust grille so the tape isn't blocking it but the thermoter is in the air flow. Leave it there half an hour and take a reading. Change out the fan and repeat the thermometer test. That removes conjecture and you now have hard cold facts to make a prudent decision; leave the mod fan in or put the original one back in.

I think the PSU mfgrs install a fan geared to the worst case senario where their PSU is pushed to the utmost limits and would get the hottest. When they ship a PSU they have no idea where it will end up or under what conditions it will be used. Therefore they assume the worst and hope for the best. Fortunately we have tech sites like Tom's to help us make a decision what's hot - what's not.

Wonderful thing about computers and components is that we can custom build or mod them to our own 'druthers. Ryuen is obviously an budding inventor and my hat is off to anyone who wants to make it work better.

Good thread and I think we all learned a lot and shared some good ideas.

[owmyeyes]

ryuen, removing the 80mm rear fan and putting a grill there would be good, but if you can somehow remove the entire back and put a big grill there (maybe use "modder's mesh"), you'd probably get better airflow. The 120mm fan Fortron has the holes all over the back.

I'm not really familiar with this, but I'd guess attaching the 120mm fan might be tricky (if there's no room inside the PS). I think most cases have a support under the PS that would block you from simply drilling holes into the PS bottom and screwing it in. You might have to drill holes into the support (and maybe into the PS at the same time) and attach the fan to the support with screws. Then you might want to put some silicone the fill in any gaps. You might have to watch for the fan blocking the CPU heatsink/fan, though. And it probably depends on the design of the case's PS support if you can even attach it there.

Of course drilling all these holes into the PS is going to have metal shards come out, so a good vacuuming and compressed air blasting will be needed at least. If you can remove the bottom plate of the PS from the PS before drilling, that would be good (if possible).

I'm wondering if this really would be any quieter than just replacing the 80mm fan, though. The internals of the 80mm fan Fortron might not be as suited for air blowing from the bottom as respect to noise (just a possibility). But it might be interesting if you still want to try. :)

[ryuen]

my case will probably have clearance. and the shell of the fortron i BELIEVE it can come off. ill just have to see when i buy one. and plan from there

[huneycutt]

Ryuen, I'll help and way I can.
Looky here please:
http://www.nexfan.com/fanadapters.html

Check out the 120mm to 80mm adapter. You could put the adapter on the back covering the PSU fan 80MM hole then mount the 120mm fan on the adapter. and it would suck the air through the PSU rather than blow into it. I have an 60mm to 80mm and it's about three - four inches fan to fan.

True, you'd have it sticking out the back of your computer and it would be sort of like a sore thumb, so you'd have to be extra careful not to break it off. Just some food for thought. . . . .

[ryuen]

ahh cool idea. thanks

[LostInTennessee]

Just order the 350W unit - FSP350-PN from newegg - there service is so good the extra $3.00 is worth it. (Free Shipping)

$55.00 includes shipping............

[huneycutt]

This is the one Tom said was one of the three best:

Fortron FSP350-60BN 350W P4/AMD Ready Power Supply - Retail
$32.00 Specifications: Feature: Noise Killer Fan, Ultra Quiet.
Power Supply Type: ATX
Max Power: 350W @ 70% output, Peak at 440W
Dimensions: 5 7/8" x 5 1/2" x 3 3/8"
Fan(s): 1-80mm Ball Bearing Fan
P4 Ready: Yes. Special FedEx Saver Shipping $5.00
(Total would be $37.00 from newegg.)

Note that puppy peaks at 440W and 350W should handle most anything you have. I have two maxed out, loaded-up'puters and ordered two of the above and am very well pleased. I concur, newegg is numero uno and is da' on line computer store big dawg.

Ya'll have a superb week end and please don't drive if you drink.
It just ain't worth it, call a friend or a cab . . . .
OldBird

[cmonkey]

I was looking around on Newegg, and I noticed that they now have the 350W Fortron (http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?DEPA=&submit=Go&description=FSP350%2D60PN&searchdepa=0&page=1) with a 120mm fan for $55 with Free Shipping. The 120mm fan has blue LEDs on it too! I'm thinking about buying one, but I may just get the 80mm version and save $20.

[dustybyrd]

I was looking around on Newegg, and I noticed that they now have the 350W Fortron (http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?DEPA=&submit=Go&description=FSP350%2D60PN&searchdepa=0&page=1) with a 120mm fan for $55 with Free Shipping. The 120mm fan has blue LEDs on it too! I'm thinking about buying one, but I may just get the 80mm version and save $20.


that's pretty cool...it also has an external 3 stage fan speed control....

mine doesn't have that :(


not that i need it...since it never ever speeds up on that wimpy. power conserving, tualatin (actually pretty fast machine however)

[huneycutt]

The Fortron FSP350-60BN 350W DOES have the auto internal fan speed controlled by the PSU temps and I know it works because I have two.

All things considered, for $32.00 bucks it's a very nice unit plus it has been put to the test, wrung out and then blessed by Tomshardware and that's good enough for me.

[Cypress]

I have a question: Since the 350W is so good does that mean this one's pretty badas$?


High-End Fortron 400W-Full Range Power Supply


Features
Microprocessor: Ready for All Intel (Including Pentium 4) & All AMD
High-End Fortron 400W for High Performance Computer
Enhanced +12V Microprocessor: Ready for All Intel (Including Pentium 4) & All AMD
Sufficient Power: This power supply is not a regular power. A True 400W Continuous Output: Suitable for Full Tower, Workstation or Server Requiring Large Power
Higher RPM Fan: For Efficient Cooling
1 Year Limited Warranty


http://www.dumpcomputers.com/powspar40.html

[huneycutt]

I'm not saying it is bad.
What I have said is Tom rated the one I suggested as one of the top best three. Did you read Toms test results? Unless you have a realy jacked up system the 350W wil do fine and it is capable of producing 440W's. 350 Watts is one heck of a lot of juice.

Soccer Mom's running errands around town in a station wagon don't usually have the need to run Pirelli XYZ Grand Am touring tires capable of sustained speeds of 150 MPH. However, if you got one of them hopped up Testa Rosa Ferraris then you need the 150 MPH tires. Catch my drift . . . ??

[Cypress]

oh i know, i think 300W and 350W are quite nice. I'm gonna go with 550W just because i'm greedy. Nice analogy though.

[dustybyrd]

oh i know, i think 300W and 350W are quite nice. I'm gonna go with 550W just because i'm greedy. Nice analogy though.


if you want to be greedy get the 530 watt fortron for $70

[huneycutt]

I was merely giving you good, factual advice to try to save you some money. If you want to blow your money for something you don't need, be my guest. The old adage applies; "You can lead a thirsty mule to water but you can't make him drink." JEEEESH!

[Cypress]

i'm getting a 550W fortron for $79 http://www.directron.com/fsp55060pln.html

[dustybyrd]

i'm getting a 550W fortron for $79 http://www.directron.com/fsp55060pln.html


i think that supply has a 24 pin connector and is designed for dual Xeon boards...

you can get a 24-20 pin adaptor for it...

or you can get the 530 watt fortron from newegg for $70

[Cypress]

Originally posted by huneycutt
I was merely giving you good, factual advice to try to save you some money. If you want to blow your money for something you don't need, be my guest. The old adage applies; "You can lead a thirsty mule to water but you can't make him drink." JEEEESH!

i understand that, and i want to say thanks for the advice. I do think the 300 is enough, but i got nothing else to spend my money on. no bills or anything. Don't take it the wrong way(i showed my friend the 300 and 350W, he's picking one of those because he's more realistic than me), i really do like all the useful information everyone gives. At least i'm not going for the cheap brands...or that $289 PSU that's just eye candy(that won't be seen in most cases)

[Cypress]

Originally posted by dustybyrd



i think that supply has a 24 pin connector and is designed for dual Xeon boards...

you can get a 24-20 pin adaptor for it...

or you can get the 530 watt fortron from newegg for $70

so that 530 is made for the p4 systems and 550 for xeon? I don't know much in the way of processor except xeon's expensive.

[huneycutt]

Originally posted by Cypress
i'm getting a 550W fortron for $79 http://www.directron.com/fsp55060pln.html

I really think that is serious overkill because the $55.00 Aurora from newegg looks much better and will undoubtedly do the job.

[dustybyrd]

so that 530 is made for the p4 systems and 550 for xeon? I don't know much in the way of processor except xeon's expensive.


the 530 can be used on AMD's as well (i am using one for a dual AMD system now...see sig)....

i believe the 550 was designed for dual processor motherboards that have special 24 pin connectors...

[Susquehannock]

Originally posted by Cypress
I have a question: Since the 350W is so good does that mean this one's pretty badas$?


High-End Fortron 400W-Full Range Power Supply


> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >


You are right.
My 400w Fortron kicks as$!

... $72 shipped (http://www.newegg.com/app/Viewproduct.asp?DEPA=1&submit=manufactory&catalog=58&manufactory=1919&description=&srchFor=400)

At twice the price of the 300/350w units I am not sure it's twice as good, but the 400w PSU is an awsome performer. :attn:

[squads]

$42 shipped 350W fortron w/120mm fan (http://www.newegg.com/app/Viewproduct.asp?DEPA=1&submit=Go&description=fortron&searchdepa=1&srchFor=Fortron%20FSP350-60PN)

i dont know if anyone posted this...but the non LED fan one is 13 bucks less when shipping is included. $36 on newegg + $6 shipping.

[Susquehannock]

Originally posted by Susquehannock


You are right.
My 400w Fortron kicks as$!

... $72 shipped (http://www.newegg.com/app/Viewproduct.asp?DEPA=1&submit=manufactory&catalog=58&manufactory=1919&description=&srchFor=400)

At twice the price of the 300/350w units I am not sure it's twice as good, but the 400w PSU is an awsome performer. :attn:


BTW ..........
....... NewEgg has the 400w AOpen PSU for $65.
This is the same as the 400w Fortron unit for $72.

400w AOpen: * here * (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?description=17-164-004)

Good luck! ......... 'nnock :D

[Susquehannock]

Originally posted by squads
$42 shipped 350W fortron w/120mm fan (http://www.newegg.com/app/Viewproduct.asp?DEPA=1&submit=Go&description=fortron&searchdepa=1&srchFor=Fortron%20FSP350-60PN)

i dont know if anyone posted this...but the non LED fan one is 13 bucks less when shipping is included. $36 on newegg + $6 shipping.


Question: .... why pay an extra 30% when the 300w PSU with the
120mm fan is only $32 shipped at NewEgg (here) (http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=17-104-979)
compared to $42 shipped for the 350w.

These units are conservatively rated at 390w constant.
And don't forget, this is the 300w model that outperformed the
Enermax 465 costing over 300% more. :thup:

Fortron FSP300-60PN vs. Enermax EG465AX-VE (http://www.systemcooling.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=574)