need help on choosing psu

[mewisemagic2]

i'm looking at these psu's at newegg, which would you choose too power my pc in my sig http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-104-935&depa=0

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-153-009&depa=0

also what is the "pfc" in the specs of the tt psu mean

[Oklahoma Wolf]

For that system, I would suggest the Fortron Blue Storm 400w or AX500. The model you linked to is a bit outdated.

[galador]

Fortron is the way to go between those two.

[mewisemagic2]

i changed the links, look at them now

[Sucka]

The Fortron.

[mewisemagic2]

as anybody on this forum can tell, i'm a neewbie, LOL! but between these two psu's what is so important about the 2-12v rails in the fortron? and the pfc circiutry in the TT unit ?

[Oklahoma Wolf]

Your system has most of its power needs on the 12v line. The dual 12v rails will allow one (12v2) to power the CPU by itself while the other one (12v1) powers everything else that needs 12v. This can include a video card.

PFC is nice to have but not necessary in North America. Essentially it helps to clean up the power grid for the electric company - it does nothing for the output of a PSU in a computer. Basically it makes things more efficient for the power company while actually reducing AC to DC conversion efficiency of the PSU. There's a good writeup about it at www.dansdata.com.

[mewisemagic2]

ok, good , thats what i wanted to know, i'll go with the fortron, thanks

[mewisemagic2]

well , i ordered this one http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=17-153-007&DEPA=0
it might not be as good as the fortrons?, but it's way better than the raidmax that my case came with, wish me luck :p

[glock19owner]

PFC is nice to have but not necessary in North America. Essentially it helps to clean up the power grid for the electric company - it does nothing for the output of a PSU in a computer. Basically it makes things more efficient for the power company while actually reducing AC to DC conversion efficiency of the PSU. There's a good writeup about it at www.dansdata.com.

Not totally correct on PFC:


PFC = Power Factor Correction (PFC) allows power distribution to operate at its maximum efficiency. There are two types of PFC, Active PFC and Passive PFC. All of our power supplies are either Active PFC Power Supplies or Passive PFC Power Supplies.

Active PFC
The preferable type of PFC is Active Power Factor Correction (Active PFC) since it provides more efficient power frequency. Because Active PFC uses a circuit to correct power factor, Active PFC is able to generate a theoretical power factor of over 95%. Active Power Factor Correction also markedly diminishes total harmonics, automatically corrects for AC input voltage, and is capable of a full range of input voltage. Since Active PFC is the more complex method of Power Factor Correction, it is more expensive to produce an Active PFC power supply.

Passive PFC
The most common type of PFC is Passive Power Factor Correction (Passive PFC). Passive PFC uses a capacitive filter at the AC input to correct poor power factor. Passive PFC may be affected when environmental vibration occurs. Passive PFC requires that the AC input voltage be set manually. Passive PFC also does not use the full energy potential of the AC line.

Non-PFC
Non-PFC power supplies are no longer recommended. In fact, in Europe, power supplies are now required to have either active power factor correction or passive power factor correction.


Power Factor Correction (PFC) (http://www.endpcnoise.com/cgi-bin/e/pfc.html)

[Oklahoma Wolf]

PFC = Power Factor Correction (PFC) allows power distribution to operate at its maximum efficiency. There are two types of PFC, Active PFC and Passive PFC. All of our power supplies are either Active PFC Power Supplies or Passive PFC Power Supplies.

Active PFC
The preferable type of PFC is Active Power Factor Correction (Active PFC) since it provides more efficient power frequency. Because Active PFC uses a circuit to correct power factor, Active PFC is able to generate a theoretical power factor of over 95%. Active Power Factor Correction also markedly diminishes total harmonics, automatically corrects for AC input voltage, and is capable of a full range of input voltage. Since Active PFC is the more complex method of Power Factor Correction, it is more expensive to produce an Active PFC power supply.

Passive PFC
The most common type of PFC is Passive Power Factor Correction (Passive PFC). Passive PFC uses a capacitive filter at the AC input to correct poor power factor. Passive PFC may be affected when environmental vibration occurs. Passive PFC requires that the AC input voltage be set manually. Passive PFC also does not use the full energy potential of the AC line.

Non-PFC
Non-PFC power supplies are no longer recommended. In fact, in Europe, power supplies are now required to have either active power factor correction or passive power factor correction.


Power Factor Correction (PFC) (http://www.endpcnoise.com/cgi-bin/e/pfc.html)

Not totally correct either. I have no problem recommending or using non PFC units. There is an excellent writeup over at Dansdata about it, but the most accurate explanation so far that I have found is this article over at SPCR:

http://www.silentpcreview.com/article28-page3.html

I stand by my advice for now.