Which PSU is quiet and is PFC worth the extra $$?

[Ross]

I am strongly considering an Antec TP480 or maybe even the TC550. Fortron seems be really highly rated and their specs look good (1-3% reg) too, but I have seen some complain about the fan noise on the Fortrons. I currently have an Enermax 465P-VE(FMA) 431W now and would like to know if anyone happens to know which (Antec or Fortron) would be as or more quiet than the Enermax?

Fortron has several 400/460/530/550W models and I swear they all look about the same to me at this point except for slightly different rail ratings! So which are the ones everyone is speaking so highly of and any idea which is the most quiet?

Lastly, neither the Antec nor Fortron have PFC AFAIK and I was wondering how many consider active/passive PFC as a "worth the $$" when purchasing a PSU?

In case you are wondering, a friend of mine (non-OCer) is taking my old setup and I either need to buy a new "good" PSU for my new case and give him the Enermax or keep my Enermax and buy a slightly more cost-effective PSU to give him in the case. I would prefer and newer, bigger, and better PSU for myself since I am starting from scratch and then we can both have decent PSUs ;)

Any input is appreciated...

[Hookem]

The TrueControl Antec is a killer power supply...Kinda pricey, not PC Power & Cooling pricey but a great power supply that allows you to "control" the fan speed's on the power supply...Want quiet no problem...Turn the fan speed down...Things start getting a little bit hot...Turn the fan speed up...Would be a big upgrade in my opinion from your Enermax...If you want a strong power supply that lets you adjust the voltages for all three lines and fan speed's for your power supply and has great "wow" factor...Look no further...:D

[Deathknight]

The 350W fortron with 120mm is nearly silent(and more than likely this is the fortron unit that you have been hearing about). Its the best bang for the buck PSU around in my opinion. I am using the 530W fortron in my dually and I don't think it is loud at all(although it doesn't approach the 350w with the 120mm fan). There are some models of fortron that do have active pfc (although the 2 models I just mentioned do not have it).

[Ross]

Hookem--
Yeah, it's at the top of my list. About the only thing I don't like about the Antec is that the wire bundle exits on the window panel side of the case, but that's so minor I guess it doesn't count, except for a dork like me who plans his wire routing :D

I had to add in my own pot to adjust the rails on the Enermax, but the 3.3 & 5V rails are tied together of course, so the Antec would be nice with independent rails/adjustments.

PC P&C = a car payment :eek: I haven't heard one bad thing about them, except price and the fact that they are loud.

Going to the Red River Shootout? :attn:

Deathknight--
That's what I figured on the Fortron. I know that 350W PSU can crank out some serious power, but it just sounds so "not P4" ;) IIRC, SandraMAX, or one of the benchie progs, showed my OC'd 2.6C at ~105W (estimated?) and I nearly fell out of my chair! Could that possibly be correct?

As for the PFC, do you think it would be worth the extra money on a PSU? I know it's a requirement for Europe and I saw somewhere that Antec does make PFC PSUs for their European market, so I was curious if they were available in the US. Enermax has them available, but it's damn near 50% more $$ for the same wattage PSU with PFC...ouch!

[sandman001]

For your rig I think you'd push the 350 fortron too far, I'd go with either one of the antecs you mentioned, or a fortron 530.

[Deathknight]

Yeah I agree a pentium at 3.5ghz is asking alot out of that 350 ;)

I agree with sandman001 on the options. Your best bet is probably to get a PSU that can handle your load and if its too loud swap out the fans.

I have a PC Power & Cooling PSU and its not super loud but I think the fan leaves something to be desired. Granted its not a quiet rig to begin with so I cannot hear it unless I put my head right next to the PSU.