Is 600W enough power or do I dual PSU?

[silkshadow]

I had a PSU die and bought a new one. For the full details check here: http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=559569. I am configuring the rigs now and realized there might be another way to go instead of dual PSUs.

I have a Enermax noisetaker 600W (first link on google to it is this review). Its more than 3 years old (might actually be approaching 4 years old now, I don't remember) but still going strong. It was (as of 30 minutes ago) being used in a dual PSU config with a Corsair 620W. Over the years, its been in a on 24/7 media server, in a SLI gaming rig and for about 3 months in a HTPC (lots of S3).

I just installed it in this rig:

Asus A8N-SLI
AMDX2 3800+ toledo
Nvidia 6600
4x1GB DDR PC3200 Corsair XMS
12xWD10EACS (1TB western digital sata drives)
EX12350 (Promise 12 port raid card PCIe 4x)
WD740 (74GB raptor) in a coolermaster drive cooler (small fan)
2xHappuage PVR-500 - rarely used (power draw) anymore but when guests stay with me they use these tuners to watch TV
1xDlink PCI 56k modem (for PSTN cross over, in use often)
1xSata dvdr
4x120mm fans
1x80mm fan
1xstacker crossflow fan
USB Keyboard and mouse
2xother USB

That should be every power draining component in the rig, let me know if I missed anything basic. This is one of 2 media servers, on 24/7.

The PSU powered this up and my voltages look fine. Ironically, this PSU was once in this rig before but it had less hard drives (8).

Considering the age of the PSU and the 24/7 nature of this rig and all the drives, will this 600W PSU be able to power this thing for the long haul?

Thanks!

 

[axis01]

If you don't plan on upgrading this setup that PSU should be fine, as long as it's in good working order. While it boasts a decent 600W, it's low (by todays standards) on the +12v rail. You can't add both 18A +12v rails to make 36A. It plainly states in the article that the +12v rail only puts out 28A MAX. That being said, a 6600 GPU isn't a power hog so you should be fine. If you were to step up to a series 8 or 9 card, you would want to look into a new PSU with more amps on the +12v rail.

edit: I just noticed your TWELVE SATA storage drives. IIRC, a typical HDD uses close to 1A/drive so you're probably be cutting it close. How do you attatch 12 SATA HDDs, unless they are in a HDD enclosure?

Axis

 

[jonnyGURU]

If that's all you have, the 600W is overkill.

 

[silkshadow]

Thanks guys!

I'm in a coolermaster stacker 810 which gives me 12 HD bays and then 2 5.25 bays. I actually have 13 hard drives and an optical (12xWC10EACS and a raptor) . The 1tbs are in raid 6 attached to the promise ex12350 and the raptor is attached to the mobo. This hardware will be unchanged for the forseeable future, so the 12v rail is not worrying me, its all the drives that have me concerned.

If that's all you have, the 600W is overkill.

JohnnyGURU, glad you replied (I always check your site for PSU advice)! Awesome, so I will not worry about load on the noisetaker.

Thanks again!