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need recommendation for PSU

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Bathroom Monkey

Member
Joined
Mar 19, 2005
Location
Boston, MA
Alright, after reading tons of posts in the AMD64 section, reading how a beefy +12v rail is needed to overclock these computers, I need some help picking a PSU.

I am upgrading to a 3200 venice core with a MSI neo2 mobo, 6800gt (oc'd of course), 7 80mm case fans, a 3 fin high speed delta fan, a fan controller, 2 hd's, 2 optical drives, and god knows how many pci cards I'll have.

I'm looking at a Fortron ax-500 blue storm. Will this be adequate for a good oc on the athlon64? Or should I spend more money??

I have an antec tp 430w, and I've decided that it would hardly power the system, reading other people's experiences.

I need some advice. I know that a OCZ powerstream 520w would work, but I only want to spend $100 or so bucks... not 150ish :beer:
 
Bathroom Monkey said:
I'm looking at a Fortron ax-500 blue storm. Will this be adequate for a good oc on the athlon64?

More than adequate. If you plan on running SLI though with a second 6800, I would suggest the Sparkle/Fortron FSP550-60PLG or FSP550-60PLN instead. Getting me to buy an OCZ would require them dropping the prices significantly.

Welcome to the forums :)
 
Oklahoma Wolf said:
More than adequate. If you plan on running SLI though with a second 6800, I would suggest the Sparkle/Fortron FSP550-60PLG or FSP550-60PLN instead. Getting me to buy an OCZ would require them dropping the prices significantly.

Welcome to the forums :)

I got to agree with both. A Sparkle/Fortron 550W will do the trick. If money isnt an object. A 510 SLI PCP&C will do it. But then again the new 550W Sparkle/Fortron is a very STRONG contender indeed........... :p
 
Thanks for the warm welcome :) This site rocks like that. :thup:

I'm not running SLI, so that fortron blue storm would probably be a good bet. Being that I JUST sleeved my 430 antec, I don't really feel like sleeving another psu again.

I just have to ask myself if I would be upgrading in the near future.. that sparkle/fsp 550w with the combined 12v rail looks pretty nice... I'd have to sleeve it but it'd definately last maybe another upgrade.... hmmm

Also, what does the split +12v rail effect? I know it's meant for a p4 system, but would this starve anything in an athlon64 system? especially if it's overclocked?

That's one of the things I"m still confused about... what does each rail supply? I know they don't 'switch' so they can't combine for the other one's defficiencies....
 
Bathroom Monkey said:
Also, what does the split +12v rail effect? I know it's meant for a p4 system, but would this starve anything in an athlon64 system? especially if it's overclocked?

On Fortron units, 12v2 powers the CPU/motherboard while 12v1 is for the drives and peripherals. The AX500-A has a 15A 12v2, which is more than enough for any current desktop CPU on the market. The 550W dual rail unit ups that to 18A. I don't see any A64 or Prescott getting starved by either, but if you're worried about it there's always the FSP550-60PLG and its single 36A 12v rail.
 
500W fortron bluestorm
i never knew how nice it was to have a sleeved PSU till i got one :D
 
You guys are all such good help on these forums. Thanks a ton!


I think I'm going to go with the fortron blue storm. Sleeving that antec took me something in excess of 5 hours, and the blue storm is sleeved... well. If I get a pining to sleeve another psu again, I'll grab that 550 fsp :)
 
You're welcome :)

Keep in mind the AX500-A is a 460w unit... irritates me to see Newegg claiming it's a 500w. Although I can see how they thought it was 500w from the model number.
 
Bathroom Monkey said:
You guys are all such good help on these forums. Thanks a ton!


I think I'm going to go with the fortron blue storm. Sleeving that antec took me something in excess of 5 hours, and the blue storm is sleeved... well. If I get a pining to sleeve another psu again, I'll grab that 550 fsp :)

Now that's what exactly what MrCooper would like to hear from his fortron users....Go for the 550W indeed and forget bout the aging 530W or the blue lagoon versions :eh?:
 
d94 said:
500W fortron bluestorm
i never knew how nice it was to have a sleeved PSU till i got one :D
By "sleeved", do you mean that the wires are wrapped together with cloth or something to keep things tidy and help airflow?

I also recommend the 500W Fotron Blue Storm. I installed mine last Friday and it has allowed me to increase my stable overclock! My old crappy 400W rated PSU (Allied) couldn't keep up when I attempted to raise Vcore.
 
for the future you might want to look at the neo power 480...has modulated connectors and native pci-e connectors and sata..it is sleeved too...very nice.
 
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