Antec SmartPower2 450w vs X-Connect 500W

[dawei213]

Hey all, first time poster, been lurking this forum for the past few days catching up with technology (damn, things change quick within just ONE year!) via the FAQ's and stickies. Good info!!!

I do have a question which I can't seem to find (at least not right now). Some info first: I'm currently looking to build a new setup with an AMD Opteron 146 or 165 (with planning to OCing it but within limits to keep it stable). I am only going to run 1 vid card for now but possibly 2 in the future. My question for this thread pertains to the Power supply. I just picked up an Antec Sonata II as well as the Ultra X-Connect 500W for cheap at Microcenter.

Now I don't know which PSU I will be using, the X-Connect or the SmartPower2. Here is the spec for the SmartPower2:
+3.3V: 32A
+5V: 30A
+12V: 15A
-12V: 17A
-5V: 0.3A
+5VSB: 2A

Here is the spec for the X-Connect:
+3.3V: 28A
+5V: 30A
+12V: 34A
-12V: 0.8A
-5V: 0.3A
+5VSB: 2A

I would think the SmartPower2 might be powerful enough to drive the Opteron (even the 165) with SLI (a mid range 6600GT or equivalent). However one thing that stood out from the SmartPower2 specs is how the amperage is divided down the two 12v rails. How would that affect stability? Why would it be divided like that while most other manufacturers have almost all the amperage on the positive +12 rail? Thanks!

 

[Know Nuttin]

SmartPower 2.0

I don't advise using the SmartPower 2.0 for SLI though. You should just go with a single good video card vs SLI with a middle range card like a 6600GT.

 

[Oklahoma Wolf]

Welcome to the forums!

Neither of those will power SLI with high end cards like a 6800 or 7800 too well, especially if overclocking, however the Antec is by far the better of the two and will probably handle 6600's in SLI. On that one, 12v2 will power the CPU while 12v1 will handle everything else.

Anything more demanding than 6600's however, and you'll likely need to move to something like an OCZ Powerstream 520W, Sparkle FSP550PLG-SLI, Silverstone Zeus 560W, Zippy over 500W, or PC P&C 510W.

 

[dawei213]

Thanks for the quick replies guys. I was only looking for a vid card such as the 6600GT as I would like to play some of the current games with good frame rate but don't need all the details in the game to enjoy it.

So for the X-Connect PSU, the CPU and the video card would draw power from only the +12V and the -12V is not used? But for the SmartPower, it is like as Wolf has said, 12v2 for CPU and 12v1 for everything else.

 

[Know Nuttin]

Newer computers don't use the - voltages anymore really. Don't pay too much attention to them. The most significant number to pay attention to is the +12v line(s), unless you have an older type of board which is +5v based. You'd need to look at a 2002 or so PC to find one that is more +5v based.

The X-Connect has nice spec's but can't always live up to it. Consistency (lack thereof) in quality is an issue and that is where the problem lies in recommending this unit.

 

[dawei213]

Most of the website reviews I've read gave the X-Connect a pretty good review but only a short term testing time. Glad I ask here.

 

[Know Nuttin]

Most of the web reviews don't actually use the proper equipment to test the PSU to see if it can meet its rated specifications.

I tend to not recommend units where the chances of getting a less than stellar unit is high. Lemon's exist with every manufacturer/seller but with the Ultra's, it is more probable that you can get a less than stellar unit than with an Antec or other reputable seller.

 

[larva]

The "-12V" figure listed is actually the 12V2 figure, the SP2.0 450 is a dual-line unit, one line rated at 15A and one at 17A. From what I've seen Smartpower 2.0's make their rated power, so I don't know what the foundation would be for the assertion that it is not capable of driving the load imposed by an SLI. It's got a 15A rail to power the video cards and drives, and few ATX12V2.x supplies have any more.

Secondly, the Xconnect is just junk. Numbers don't matter when they are all lies.

Thirdly, at present Newegg has the SP2.0-500 on sale for $4 less than the 450. I'd go that way. It's rated for 17A and 19A of 12V output, and if you for some reason think the 450 wouldn't drive an SLI configuration you should like that.

 

[dawei213]

The "-12V" figure listed is actually the 12V2 figure, the SP2.0 450 is a dual-line unit, one line rated at 15A and one at 17A. From what I've seen Smartpower 2.0's make their rated power, so I don't know what the foundation would be for the assertion that it is not capable of driving the load imposed by an SLI. It's got a 15A rail to power the video cards and drives, and few ATX12V2.x supplies have any more.

Oh ok, that makes more sense. You're right. I did a bad copy and paste job and didn't change the label from -12V to 12V2.

Thirdly, at present Newegg has the SP2.0-500 on sale for $4 less than the 450. I'd go that way. It's rated for 17A and 19A of 12V output, and if you for some reason think the 450 wouldn't drive an SLI configuration you should like that.

Well, I bought an Antec Sonata II so the PSU came with the case (I got it at Microcenter for $103). Considering the quality of both case and PSU, that's a pretty good deal.

Time to return the X-Connect. Thanks for the information guys! You'll sure to see more of my questions on this board.

 

[larva]

Ahh, I C. I think the SP2-450 is easily twice the supply that the X-connect is, so I think you've already isolated your solution.