"AMD Ready." What???

[stars1234]

Basic question: what's the diff. between an AMD ready PSU and one that does not say "AMD ready?"

I'm building two systems, an AMD and a P4.

Obviously, I have to get a PSU that will handle the P4.

Many of the PSUs I see are ATX, P4 ready. Some say "P4 and AMD ready."

Why do some add the "and AMD?" Is there a diff?

I thought if it's a good P4 PSU, it'd be good for the AMD too. Am I wrong?

--Two PSUs burned out on my AMD system--one was ATX P4 ready, the other, ATX12V P4 ready (no "AMD ready" on either). poof-- up in smoke.

I am planning on running the AMD system with an ANTEC 350 wt PSU. I thought it'd work, since it's a quality PSU.

It says P4 ready, but not AMD. I just noticed too, that it is not a PFC unit, but there's nothing I can do about that. I'm not planning on OC ing that sys very much, so non-PFC, no mention of AMD should work?

OR, Do I have to have an "AMD ready" unit for my AMD system?
_____

The heavy OC system will be the P4--should I make certain to get a PFC PSU or does it "really" matter, given that I get a quality, ATX PSU?

Then, back to the 1st question. Does it have to be "AMD ready" to work with AMD CPU? --I burned out two PSUs, an ATX and an ATX12V that said only, P4 ready (and not AMD). When the ATX went, I moved up to the ATX12V but it went poof too --just bad luck or do I need to watch the label more closely?

Bob

[Quazi]

Do yourself a favor and get a higher wattage PSU for both builds I have read and have been told AMD systems requires more umph to run than Intel. I know Antec, Enermax, Thermaltake and the like are considered "quality" PSU's. But I have heard horror stories on all three going out and taking the rigs with them. Consider what is considered the best PSU available for todays power hungry rigs, the OCZ line of PSU's. The cost a little more, but imho, it is worth the extra expense. Good luck.

[stang8118]

First of all i would only recommend Antec, Enermax (some of there PSU's not all), and fortron if your looking to spend < $100.

P4 and AMD ready basically mean it comes with the extra 4 pin molex connector that plugs into your mobo for i believe an extra 12v (or 5v i forget). It's a square plug that is right next to the HSF usually.

This is a PSU i highly recommend...

Fortron 530w (http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=17-104-968&depa=0)

[Oklahoma Wolf]

Welcome to the forums x2 :)

A good quality PSU will be compatible with both AMD and Intel, regardless of what's printed on the label.

PFC (power factor correction) is nice to have, but unnecessary in North America - it basically cleans up the power grid for the utility company. Has little to do with the output of a PSU.

I don't consider the OCZ units to be the best by any means, but they're in my top 5 (and only the Powerstreams). The others I tend to recommend a lot are Fortron (aka Sparkle and Powertech), Zippy/Emacs (server units), and Seasonic. Usually over 400w with good sized 12v ratings, due to most systems these days needing 12v more than anything else, but I have been known to recommend as low as 300w for those on a budget or not interested in overclocking.

The Antec 350 will possibly run the AMD system depending what components are being used. Overclocking will probably be limited with it. Although I own a Fortron 530w and am pleased as punch with it, I am no longer recommending it to people needing a solid 12v based PSU - the Fortron AX500-A is a little better choice in that case.

[diehrd]

The Forton 530 is one killer PSU..I run Dual Xeon in sig off one lol and it rules.

[stang8118]

OW, only reason i recommend the Fortron 530w is because i personally have used it (like yourself), and it's got plently of years ahead of it for powering future systems. Plus if you ever wanted to get into modding your system you can easily adjust the rails to get a little more juice out of it :p

[Oklahoma Wolf]

Hehe - it's definitely a good PSU, just a little long in the tooth design wise. And you can tweak the pots in the AX500-A too :p

[stang8118]

ah didn't know that :p

[stars1234]

Thanks everyone.
More comments, the better--my learning curve is going up fast. You guys are great.

Looks like everyone is voting for Fortron--but they are a bit $$$ for me.
Did I understand that Sparkle and Powertech are really, rebranded Fortrons?

Since I have to get a case too (recommendations to handle the heat of the Prescott?), the PSU + Case, I figure will cost between $150-$200. Or if you know of a high power combo (like my low power ANTEC SLK3700), I'd take a look at that too.

I don't understand how, HP, Gateway, Dell, etc. can week after week come out with their specials for $400-500 that include a monitor, keyboard, OS as well as system. One I saw this week had an 80gig HD, 512 megs RAM, DVD-RW with an AMD XP3000 for $500. How can they do that?

I almost feel like scraping everything and just buying a pre-built system. If I'm spending $200 for just the case & PSU, the cost of my system is going to be approaching $800+. Seems like either I (we) are getting ripped off by buying parts or there is something I don't know about the ready made units. --Dell is having some very tempting offers right now.

I know I need quality PSU, Case, Mobo, but how can the ready builts sell so many and still have happy customers?

I guess we have to pay more for the hobby and challenge of pushing things to the limit?

It was surprising to see this Thermaltake 480 @ NewEgg being in the top of number of "votes," well over 100 and have a five star rating. You see lots of five stars, but not on high-vote, items. That must say something for it? It was $60. What do you think of it.

I read that Sirtec is the maker of AOpen & Thermaltake. I've never heard of Sirtec, but maybe that the way to go or get a Sparkle if it's a Fortron?

Anyway, what do you think about the Thermaltake--with all those people buying it and recommending it for OC?

--a few weeks ago, CompUSA had a MadDog 480 PSU for $35, after rebate. I almost bit on that. Maybe I should have? I lifted it and it was heavy.

--and do I need to worry about ATX, ATX12V, ATX12V-1.2, etc? Or will just a plain, but good ATX do?

With your help this is going to get done. --I just have to find the case, PSU, mobo for the P4. And see if I can hold it together.

Thank for the answers. Please keep putting more info in this thread. I still wonder why though, some PSUs say "P4 and AMD Ready," while others say only "P4."
It's just advertising?

I'm looking forward to more comments. YOu really help.

[douglasb]

All Sparkles to my knowledge are Fortron's. They typically cost a few dollars more than the Fortron-Source model with the same model # ("FSP-whatever" ). They are by far the best "bang for the buck" in power supplies. OCZ is good, but if you are spending that much, you might as well go all out and get one from PCP&C (PC Power & Cooling).

[Oklahoma Wolf]

Sparkle and Powertech are subsidiaries of Fortron-Source. Aopen is also using Fortron for their units. IIRC those Mad Dog units are Topower made - decent.