View Full Version : Need PSU Ideas for TTArmor Rig
Hey. Sorry if this counts as a copycat from my other thread in General Hardware, but I'm really conflicted on what PSU to get. I've been reading up on JohnnyGuru to try and educate myself, but I'm still indecisive. What kind of wattage do I need for my rig, with ample room to spare? What can I get for a $100-200 budget? Modular or not?
Here's my tentative specs (not all bought yet):
Thermaltake Armor Series VA8003BWS
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz
OR I may wait for the 2.66 GHz Penyrn.
Crucial Ballistix DDR2-800 2GB (2 x 1GB) [Eventually 4Gb, or possibly max the board to 8?]
If the board allows it, I'll go with the DDR2-1066 if i's a significant boost
Still up in the air about Mobo, but this is what's been suggested, so work with this:
Gigabyte DS3R
Abit IP35 PRO
ASUS P5K-E/WIFI-AP LGA 775
Super-high-end GPU, like the 8800 768Mb Ultra.
Likely x2 7200.10 SATA drives in a RAID array (or not~), and of course the typical optical drive.
So, what PSU (or at least what capacity) would you suggest for slight overkill on this system? I'd like to be able to recycle it if I make any major improvements to the rig (like a new Mobo for SLI or something). Sexiness is a plus! I'm looking for ideal options here. Expandability is never bad.
On a final note, I plan on overclocking (albeit slowly, since this is my first custom system), potentially to the point of requiring water cooling. I'd love to be able to max out this case eventually.
Thanks!
--Lolek
thideras
11-29-07, 02:12 PM
Corsair HX620W ;)
Corsair HX620W ;)
Why am I not surprised? :P
The only reason I'm going back on that idea is because of some of the downsides from the Johnny Guru article on it... Unless I've misunderstood, at 1 12V rail is better than 3?
Btw, hadn't had the chance to thank you for the TT Armor case ideas. <3!
jonnyGURU
11-29-07, 03:52 PM
DO NOT GET THE ARMOR CASE!!!!!
The PSU mounts on it's side with the cable outlet of the PSU ending up on top. The Armor has a "plate" that the PSU mounts to, but this plate can not be flipped. Even PSU's with REALLY LONG cables have trouble reaching components in the Armor. For example: Second slot graphics card in SLI/Crossfire, a hard drive mounted in the three drive bay/120MM intake cage, 24-pin connector located in the center of the board (as opposed to the upper left corner or between the CPU and RAM.)
The Armor ranks up there as one of the worst cases I've ever had to work with and, unfortunately, I've had to work with them several times.
No removable motherboard tray.
Have to remove top USB/Audio to install PSU.
50% of the time, top USB/Audio "door" latch comes broken from the vendor.
"Quick Release" drive bays don't hold drives securely. I always end up screwing everything down.
Heavy.
Stupid "maxi pad" wings serve absolutely no purpose but to get in my way.
GOD PLEASE tell me you have not already bought this case.
what about the ?'s asked I just purchased a corsair 620 from clubit it?
DO NOT GET THE ARMOR CASE!!!!!
The PSU mounts on it's side with the cable outlet of the PSU ending up on top. The Armor has a "plate" that the PSU mounts to, but this plate can not be flipped. Even PSU's with REALLY LONG cables have trouble reaching components in the Armor. For example: Second slot graphics card in SLI/Crossfire, a hard drive mounted in the three drive bay/120MM intake cage, 24-pin connector located in the center of the board (as opposed to the upper left corner or between the CPU and RAM.)
The Armor ranks up there as one of the worst cases I've ever had to work with and, unfortunately, I've had to work with them several times.
No removable motherboard tray.
Have to remove top USB/Audio to install PSU.
50% of the time, top USB/Audio "door" latch comes broken from the vendor.
"Quick Release" drive bays don't hold drives securely. I always end up screwing everything down.
Heavy.
Stupid "maxi pad" wings serve absolutely no purpose but to get in my way.
GOD PLEASE tell me you have not already bought this case.
Too late on that one, man. But at 70% off I figured--what the hell.
It hasn't actually arrived yet, so NewEgg might let me send it back. What would you suggest?
I'd rather see for myself if it's not something I can work with or not.
RollingThunder
11-29-07, 05:39 PM
Why am I not surprised? :P
The only reason I'm going back on that idea is because of some of the downsides from the Johnny Guru article on it... Unless I've misunderstood, at 1 12V rail is better than 3?
Btw, hadn't had the chance to thank you for the TT Armor case ideas. <3!
Lolek, Jonspd,
The Corsairs are single rail if you check JG's reviews carefully. Corsair was questioned about this from tests and it was explained to us on OC Forums by Oklahoma Wolf that they would have to be re-certified by UL labs which takes more time and money, so they left the advertising like it is.
I think modular is a matter of personal preference. This Corsair was the first modular I have owned and I like it very much. I don't use all the cables with my rig so it is covenient for me. I won't go back in the future.
jonnyGURU
11-29-07, 06:10 PM
Too late on that one, man. But at 70% off I figured--what the hell.
That should've been a hint. ;) The last Armor I received was FREE as part of a bundle from Newegg. They can't give the cases away.
legionaire45
11-30-07, 01:57 AM
Well, since you might be stuck with the armor, I'll post some pics of my setup (main rig in my sig):
http://img2.putfile.com/thumb/9/25101331534.jpg (http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=6547187)
http://img2.putfile.com/thumb/9/25101331521.jpg (http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=6547186)
I have all the wires I'm not using on my GameXStream routed to the other side of the 5 1/2" bays. All my wires have ample length and the install on mine wasn't too bad, although I'm not using a giant PC P&C unit or something to that effect.
Bloody hell. Lot of armor hate around here, huh~?
Well, back to the old drawing board... Newegg shouldn't give me a huge hassle about returning the Armor, right?
I'll need to find an alternative, I suppose..
thideras
11-30-07, 06:57 AM
DO NOT GET THE ARMOR CASE!!!!!
The PSU mounts on it's side with the cable outlet of the PSU ending up on top. The Armor has a "plate" that the PSU mounts to, but this plate can not be flipped. Even PSU's with REALLY LONG cables have trouble reaching components in the Armor. For example: Second slot graphics card in SLI/Crossfire, a hard drive mounted in the three drive bay/120MM intake cage, 24-pin connector located in the center of the board (as opposed to the upper left corner or between the CPU and RAM.)
The Armor ranks up there as one of the worst cases I've ever had to work with and, unfortunately, I've had to work with them several times.
No removable motherboard tray.
Have to remove top USB/Audio to install PSU.
50% of the time, top USB/Audio "door" latch comes broken from the vendor.
"Quick Release" drive bays don't hold drives securely. I always end up screwing everything down.
Heavy.
Stupid "maxi pad" wings serve absolutely no purpose but to get in my way.
GOD PLEASE tell me you have not already bought this case.Actually, you can flip it upside down ;)
I've ran it that way for a long time. It isn't exactly supposed to do it, but it can.
You know? On second thought, with that 15% restocking fee, plus SECOND time shipping, it's going to end up -costing- me almost $60 (Restock + shipping here + assumed shipping back to Newegg) just to return the damn thing. After the $80 MIR, the case's price comes to $70.
Somehow, it doesn't seem worth it to even bother returning the Armor. : / Wow.
This is why I shouldn't be allowed to impulse shop, people!
I guess I'll just see what I can work with...
thideras
11-30-07, 08:26 AM
You know? On second thought, with that 15% restocking fee, plus SECOND time shipping, it's going to end up -costing- me almost $60 (Restock + shipping here + assumed shipping back to Newegg) just to return the damn thing. After the $80 MIR, the case's price comes to $70.
Somehow, it doesn't seem worth it to even bother returning the Armor. : / Wow.
This is why I shouldn't be allowed to impulse shop, people!
I guess I'll just see what I can work with...:confused:
Why would you return it?
It is an awesome case and as I stated earlier, you can flip the power supply upside-down, check out some of the pictures I posted ;)
:confused:
Why would you return it?
It is an awesome case and as I stated earlier, you can flip the power supply upside-down, check out some of the pictures I posted ;)
I guess I'm just having a hard time piecing everything together in my head, and between worries about cable lengths (a common complaint with this case), and the nervousness with this being my first build... Well. There you go. :P
I suppose I was just talking myself into keeping it, regardless of what naysayers say. After all, no sense in returning something when it's still going to cost you as much as you paid for it, right? I'm sure I'll be all excited against once I have the physical thing to take a look at myself. :)
At any rate, for the Corsair 620HX, is $150-20MIR a deal? I've been trying to shop, but my time is sadly limited today. I'm going to be updating my primary thread with the new list of parts and prices (http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=536975)
RollingThunder
11-30-07, 09:35 AM
I guess I'm just having a hard time piecing everything together in my head, and between worries about cable lengths (a common complaint with this case), and the nervousness with this being my first build... Well. There you go. :P
I suppose I was just talking myself into keeping it, regardless of what naysayers say. After all, no sense in returning something when it's still going to cost you as much as you paid for it, right? I'm sure I'll be all excited against once I have the physical thing to take a look at myself. :)
At any rate, for the Corsair 620HX, is $150-20MIR a deal? I've been trying to shop, but my time is sadly limited today. I'm going to be updating my primary thread with the new list of parts and prices (http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=536975)
Corsair 620HX:
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=373110
I've bought from them twice without a problem. No tax if not from California, shipping used to be free but I don't see that offered anymore.
thideras
11-30-07, 09:39 AM
I guess I'm just having a hard time piecing everything together in my head, and between worries about cable lengths (a common complaint with this case), and the nervousness with this being my first build... Well. There you go. :P
I suppose I was just talking myself into keeping it, regardless of what naysayers say. After all, no sense in returning something when it's still going to cost you as much as you paid for it, right? I'm sure I'll be all excited against once I have the physical thing to take a look at myself. :)
At any rate, for the Corsair 620HX, is $150-20MIR a deal? I've been trying to shop, but my time is sadly limited today. I'm going to be updating my primary thread with the new list of parts and prices (http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=536975)I had the armor combined with the Corsair HX620 and OCZ PowerStream and they both had no issues with cable length.
Corsair 620HX:
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=373110
I've bought from them twice without a problem. No tax if not from California, shipping used to be free but I don't see that offered anymore.
cheaper here http://clubit.com/product_detail.cfm?itemno=CA6200027
didn't know it was single rail o well atleast it's modular and 20 more watts then I have :D
RollingThunder
11-30-07, 09:50 AM
I had the armor combined with the Corsair HX620 and OCZ PowerStream and they both had no issues with cable length.
Lolek,
Looks like it's more of a hassle and expense to send it back. While it may not be the ideal case, it looks like all cables will fit and that's your only concern. I think at this point you have nothing to lose but to make the best of it. You may be pleased when it's done.
Lolek,
Looks like it's more of a hassle and expense to send it back. While it may not be the ideal case, it looks like all cables will fit and that's your only concern. I think at this point you have nothing to lose but to make the best of it. You may be pleased when it's done.
Yeah, seems that way... :)
One thing, as RollingThunder has already mentioned and another poster in this thread.
The 620HX is Single Rail, even though it's advertised as triple (I believe).
Okay, I get that. But what does that mean in practical terms? Should I be concerned?
Also! Thanks for the links, guys. <3
--Lolek
jonnyGURU
11-30-07, 10:38 AM
Actually, you can flip it upside down ;)
I've ran it that way for a long time. It isn't exactly supposed to do it, but it can.
What did you do? Drill new mounting holes for the PSU or did you just flip the bracket and screw it down crooked?
Cable management still sucks because you still can't get cables to reach around through the back and through the little holes next to the drive bays.
It's good you're happy with your Armor. I'm not one to diss someone's personal prides and achivements, but in my opinion the Armor is an epic failure.
PS: Did the USB/Audio door on your actually come un-broken? ;)
thideras
11-30-07, 10:39 AM
What did you do? Drill new mounting holes for the PSU or did you just flip the bracket and screw it down crooked?
Cable management still sucks because you still can't get cables to reach around through the back and through the little holes next to the drive bays.
It's good you're happy with your Armor. I'm not one to diss someone's personal prides and achivements, but in my opinion the Armor is an epic failure.
PS: Did the USB/Audio door on your actually come un-broken? ;)Actually, you remove it from the inside, flip it upside down and just screw it in on the outside of the case, let me see if I have a pic...
Found it:
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g121/thideras/Computer%20mods/IMG_0911.jpg?t=1196440839
You can see it on the outside, kind of hard to see with it painted black though.
What are these cables you speak of? ;)
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g121/thideras/Computer%20mods/IMG_0903.jpg
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g121/thideras/Computer%20mods/IMG_0906.jpg
grumperfish
12-01-07, 02:02 AM
DO NOT GET THE ARMOR CASE!!!!!
Even PSU's with REALLY LONG cables have trouble reaching components in the Armor.
Running a Silverstone Olympian 650 in mine and everything power-related reaches perfectly, down to the cathode hookups on the very bottom of the case. Not sure what you're getting at here.
No removable motherboard tray.
Truth, but there's a ton of space inside. Other than having a few small issues with bolting my big typhoon I've had zero issues with working on or around the mobo (then again I've always found removable mobo trays to be a bit overrated). The only issue I had was with the toolless clips in the PCI card area. I ended up taking them out as they just got in the way and screws work better anyways.
Have to remove top USB/Audio to install PSU.
Maybe with an incredibly-long PSU, but any normal-sized or slightly-larger ATX supply this shouldn't be an issue.
50% of the time, top USB/Audio "door" latch comes broken from the vendor.
I could actually see this happening. Mine got here from across the US via UPS with no issues and was packed really well, but it isn't the most secure clip.
"Quick Release" drive bays don't hold drives securely. I always end up screwing everything down.
You shouldn't trust a clip to hold a vibrating drive in place anyways. A screw or two on the open side help transfer vibrations to the case better than a bit of plastic.
Heavy.
The steel version is fairly heavy, but it does minimize case vibrations (plus I stole Thideras' ideas and put mine on wheels). The aluminum version's alot lighter.
Stupid "maxi pad" wings serve absolutely no purpose but to get in my way.
They block some of the light from the retarded blue leds on my fan controllers, so I can't say I mind them. Plus it beats a normal door. I think of this one more of an aesthetics choice. Some people like flat fronts like the Stacker, and some (like me) find that look boring. At least they're metal unlike the flimsy door of the P-180's.
hey good luck with your new rig! looks nice...now i got a question...
if lolek goes water cool and what ever else maybe added in the future...will the Corsair HX620W be enough? why not the Silencer 750 Quad the price is about the same...
im also asking this cause i have been planning on doing kinda the same build but due to time and $$$ i havent been able to...so anyways...
hey good luck with your new rig! looks nice...now i got a question...
if lolek goes water cool and what ever else maybe added in the future...will the Corsair HX620W be enough? why not the Silencer 750 Quad the price is about the same...
im also asking this cause i have been planning on doing kinda the same build but due to time and $$$ i havent been able to...so anyways...
Supposedly the water cooling wouldn't be an epic strain on the PSU, or so I'm told. :) Get a second opinon, of course.
And hey, don't feel bad. Time/Money's pretty tight here too, but it works out since I'm spanning this project over a few months. Just cannibalized a friend's Dell and put the parts into my stock eMachines S485 (Ancient~)
Took the whole thing apart and put it back together today. Never knew it had a pathetic 250W PSU... And a single 80mm CPU fan, WOO!
In eMachines defense, it's yet to have any hardware failures in the few years I've had it. ;)
It's a good thing you asked, though, since I DO plan on going water cooling someday. Maybe not with this exact setup, but with the Armor case.
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