Are any of these decent PSUs for OC'd CPU & Geforce 6800 GT OC??

[Stealth3si]

I've posted once here before about getting advise for a good vid card cooler and got productive feedback. Thanks OC Forums!


First...

Here are my current specs for reference:
--------------------------------------------------------
COOLMAX CX-400B ATX v2.01 400W (installed since August 2005 and still going strong)
= 370.5 Watts Maximum Output

MSI-6728 865PE NEO2-S
= ??W Max Power consumption

P4 2.60c Ghz OC'd @ 3.25 Ghz
= 83W Max Power consumption

4x256 MB Kingston K PC3200 DDR400
= ??W Max Power consumption

BFG Nvidia Geforce 6800 GT OC AGP @ 1.3v
= 35W - 65W Max Power consumption (I traded my Leadtek for the BFG. It is at stock speed right now but Possibly considering voltmodding to 1.4v via Nihibitor)

Sound Blaster Audigy 2
= ??W Max Power consumption

1 Sata, 1 ATA-100, 1 ATA-133
= 20W Max Power consumption

1 Pioneer DVR-108
= 1.7W? Max Power consumption
--------------------------------------------------------


Now...

I'm low on budget and wonder if any of these PSU's I've wishlisted are 'good' enough for my current system.

DYNAPOWER USA EP-50X.C563-BX ATX12V 500W
COOLMAX CA-450 ATX v2.01 450W
Powertek powertek500 ATX12V 500W


Any advice appreciated!

 

[billb]

...wonder if any of these PSU's I've wishlisted are 'good' enough for my current system.

Define "good enough".

The problem with low end PSUs is that they will only put out their rated output just before they burst into flames. They lack many of the protection circuts that are included on better PSUs.

As to whether they will boot your system, yes, any of those probably will. Will they run hot...yes. will they take out your MOBO, video, memory and HDD when they fail...probably yes.

Here is some info:
http://www.jonnyguru.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1036
http://www.extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp

 

[RollingThunder]

Stealth,

You don't need much but you don't need any of them either. Do you know what a "kamikaze" is? That's what you'll get with them.

Take a look here down the page a little:

http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=458204

Then check out those 350w Fortrons NewEgg has, they may be a better choice.

 

[[Spectre]]

I've posted once here before about getting advise for a good vid card cooler and got productive feedback. Thanks OC Forums!


First...

Here are my current specs for reference:
--------------------------------------------------------
COOLMAX CX-400B ATX v2.01 400W (installed since August 2005 and still going strong)
= 370.5 Watts Maximum Output

MSI-6728 865PE NEO2-S
= ??W Max Power consumption

P4 2.60c Ghz OC'd @ 3.25 Ghz
= 83W Max Power consumption

4x256 MB Kingston K PC3200 DDR400
= ??W Max Power consumption

BFG Nvidia Geforce 6800 GT OC AGP @ 1.3v
= 35W - 65W Max Power consumption (I traded my Leadtek for the BFG. It is at stock speed right now but Possibly considering voltmodding to 1.4v via Nihibitor)

Sound Blaster Audigy 2
= ??W Max Power consumption

1 Sata, 1 ATA-100, 1 ATA-133
= 20W Max Power consumption

1 Pioneer DVR-108
= 1.7W? Max Power consumption
--------------------------------------------------------


Now...

I'm low on budget and wonder if any of these PSU's I've wishlisted are 'good' enough for my current system.

DYNAPOWER USA EP-50X.C563-BX ATX12V 500W
COOLMAX CA-450 ATX v2.01 450W
Powertek powertek500 ATX12V 500W


Any advice appreciated!

Not to pimp my own work...but here is that Powertek http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTMzOSwsLGhlbnRodXNpYXN0

 

[Stealth3si]

Define "good enough".

The problem with low end PSUs is that they will only put out their rated output just before they burst into flames. They lack many of the protection circuts that are included on better PSUs.

As to whether they will boot your system, yes, any of those probably will. Will they run hot...yes. will they take out your MOBO, video, memory and HDD when they fail...probably yes.

Here is some info:
http://www.jonnyguru.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1036
http://www.extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp

Thanks for the useful links.

But I wonder if the following fans are regular or high performance fans:

COOLER MASTER SAF-S12-E1 120mm Case Fan
Zalman CNPS7700 CPU cooler with 120mm
Zalman VF900-Cu VGA Cooler with 80mm
VANTEC SF9225L 92mm Case Fan

I don't know if should tick "Fan Controller" considering that both Zalman coolers have Fanmate2 Controllers.

FYI, I picked 100% system load and 20% aging (I've had this PSU on relatively 24/7 for almost two years, but not absolutely 24/7).

My current setup is 315 watts according to PSU calculator (100% system load, 20% aging), without considering the video card upgrade and vga cooler (including 80mm fan and fanmate2 cooler).

The estimated total wattage w/ video card upgrade and vga cooler = 397 watts, with high performance fans and fan controller ticked. Wow.

However, with the above fans marked as regular fans, and fan controller ticked along = 352 watts



EDITED NOTE The calculator rated the 1 sata and both IDEs as 82 watts total but I looked up the max power consumption of each hard drive's manufacturer's link and all three came out to be 20 watts when added up together. So those changes are already reflected.

 

[Stealth3si]

Stealth,

You don't need much but you don't need any of them either. Do you know what a "kamikaze" is? That's what you'll get with them.

Take a look here down the page a little:

http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=458204

Then check out those 350w Fortrons NewEgg has, they may be a better choice.

What about this? I clicked on Steven Walton's Article, "How Much Power Is Enough?", dated 04/16/2007 @ Legion Hardware. It was helpful. Below that article is an advertisement for Ultra / V-Series ULT31841 K/ 500-Watt / ATX / 120mm Fan / 20/24-Pin / SATA Ready / Power Supply. Here is the manufacturer's link. Not sure if it supports PFC. But according to Johnny Guru's List, Ultra PSU's should be avoided for high performance and OC'd systems. Wha'd 'ya fellas think?

 

[RollingThunder]

What about this? I clicked on Steven Walton's Article, "How Much Power Is Enough?", dated 04/16/2007 @ Legion Hardware. It was helpful. Below that article is an advertisement for Ultra / V-Series ULT31841 K/ 500-Watt / ATX / 120mm Fan / 20/24-Pin / SATA Ready / Power Supply. Here is the manufacturer's link. Not sure if it supports PFC. But according to Johnny Guru's List, Ultra PSU's should be avoided for high performance and OC'd systems. Wha'd 'ya fellas think?

I think the key words are "high performance and OC'd systems." You don't have that so the Ultras are a better choice. Check that OC Forums list of power supplies to avoid, it's a little dated but still valid.

Here's a better choice for the same money:

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=PS-E5140GH

 

[billb]

But I wonder if the following fans are regular or high performance fans:

Well, as I see it, there is no such thing as regular or high performance fans. There is just a wide variety of different fan sizes that supply various amounts of air at differing pressures.

Yes, volume and pressure are important factors in choosing a fan. Any fan will move less air when working against a pressure. Not so important with case fans, as there are intake and exhaust fans that work in conjunction to maintain low pressures (or at least they should!). But with a Rad it takes significant pressure to push (or pull) the air through the fins.

You may find this to be interesting reading:
How to choose the optimal 120mm fan
http://forums.procooling.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=12581&highlight=how+to+choose+the+optimal+120
26 120mm Fans Tested and Compared
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=137832&highlight=fan+testing

You can have a look here for the specs on a large variety of fans. They also have an online "listening room" where you can compare the sound of various fans.
Sidewinder Computer
http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/
Delta High Performance (for example):
http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/delhigper.html

EBM/Papst:
http://www.ebmpapst.us/

Panaflow (Note the pressure/volume curves):
http://www.panasonic.com/industrial/appliance/appliance_fans_panaflo_axial.htm

 

[Stealth3si]

Well, as I see it, there is no such thing as regular or high performance fans. There is just a wide variety of different fan sizes that supply various amounts of air at differing pressures.

Yes, volume and pressure are important factors in choosing a fan. Any fan will move less air when working against a pressure. Not so important with case fans, as there are intake and exhaust fans that work in conjunction to maintain low pressures (or at least they should!). But with a Rad it takes significant pressure to push (or pull) the air through the fins.

You may find this to be interesting reading:
How to choose the optimal 120mm fan
http://forums.procooling.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=12581&highlight=how+to+choose+the+optimal+120
26 120mm Fans Tested and Compared
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=137832&highlight=fan+testing

You can have a look here for the specs on a large variety of fans. They also have an online "listening room" where you can compare the sound of various fans.
Sidewinder Computer
http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/
Delta High Performance (for example):
http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/delhigper.html

EBM/Papst:
http://www.ebmpapst.us/

Panaflow (Note the pressure/volume curves):
http://www.panasonic.com/industrial/appliance/appliance_fans_panaflo_axial.htm

LOL. Bookmarked!

 

[Thund3rball]

Rolling Thunder's got a good choice. If you want to go a little cheaper this Sparkle 400W ($45) is a great low-cost PSU I've used in a budget gaming rig.

Good review and compare of it here.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817103013

 

[Stealth3si]

Rolling Thunder's got a good choice. If you want to go a little cheaper this Sparkle 400W ($45) is a great low-cost PSU I've used in a budget gaming rig.

Good review and compare of it here.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817103013

That's a very good choice. I like the PCI-Express (not that I need it but maybe one day), the UL/approval numbers, MTBF, 70% efficiency.


I found this one:

COOLMAX CP-500T EPS12V 500W
Couldn't find any external reviews except for a forum link. I like the active PFC.

 

[Oklahoma Wolf]

DYNAPOWER USA EP-50X.C563-BX ATX12V 500W
COOLMAX CA-450 ATX v2.01 450W
Powertek powertek500 ATX12V 500W

Junk, below average, and gives junk a bad name. The Powertek is especially bad - it's OEM Deer. It's been tested over at Hard as part of a roundup, where it contributed to the deaths of two kill-a-watts.

On such a restricted budget, FSP and Sparkle are about the only thing you'll be able to find. The Ultra V series is also head and shoulders above all three of the quoted units.

 

[Thund3rball]

That's a very good choice. I like the PCI-Express (not that I need it but maybe one day), the UL/approval numbers, MTBF, 70% efficiency.


I found this one:

COOLMAX CP-500T EPS12V 500W
Couldn't find any external reviews except for a forum link. I like the active PFC.

Stealth, that PSU is not getting good reviews even on NewEgg, why would you want it? Judging by all the knowledgeable feedback I would give up on the Coolmax etc... and listen to the OCFers. I trust computer buying advice on this board more than anywhere else.

Have you read the PSU Stickies?

 

[Oklahoma Wolf]

Stealth, that PSU is not getting good reviews even on NewEgg, why would you want it?

They're not all that bad... ATNG makes them - I'd call them average build quality. One can easily do better though.

The thing about Newegg reviews is you can't really trust them

 

[JamesXP]

Antec Earthwatts are pretty good too, I don't know about the basiqs, i think there pretty cheap too.

 

[Stealth3si]

So here's my final considerable list:

1: FSP 350W - $37 (the 350w better be enough headroom for my system)
2: Sparkle 400W - $45
3: Ultra V Series 500W - $60

 

[Stealth3si]

Antec Earthwatts are pretty good too, I don't know about the basiqs, i think there pretty cheap too.

I might get that one too but I'm confused about the specs:

1. Antec's Website
2. Newegg's site