» Psu

KRN-Drak · Dec 2, 2003, 01:07 AM

I've been worryign about my power supply lately. I've been upgrading my computer regularly and haven't upgraded the PSU for 3+ years now.

Its a Chieftec 340 W 12V ATX PSU.

My system currently is:

Athlon 64 3200+
Zalman Copper Heatsink/Fan
1 GB DDR PC-3200 RAM (2 sticks)
Samsung DVD Player
Plextor CD-R/RW
Seagate Barracuda 80 GB
WD 200 GB SE 8 MB cache
ATI 9700 Pro
SB Audigy Gamer
6 Case Fans
Case LED readout of Time/Temp

Is my PSU still good for this setup or should I look to upgrade soon?

Any suggestions for a solid PSU?

scobywhru · Dec 2, 2003, 01:47 AM

I think you are probably pushing that power supply, I would upgrade and get atleast something a little bigger then that, 400 watt or so, http://www.pcpowerandcooling.com/maxpc/cases.htm gives you a rough estimate of what each device uses and PC power and cooling are some of the best power supplies ou there

KRN-Drak · Dec 2, 2003, 01:49 AM

Any suggestions for new one?

Warpy · Dec 2, 2003, 02:07 AM

Ahhhahaha!!! I just had this problem..... had to upgrade to the ANTEC Trueblue 480w. And this runds like vomit down the shirrt of your best friends jacket.

So I would recommend to you this sir:

KRN-Drak · Dec 2, 2003, 11:12 PM

Can't find that on the Antec site

toddsmack2k · Dec 3, 2003, 02:33 AM

At least 400W and one from Sparkle, Enermax or Antec. Make sure whatever you get has a strong 12V rail. A Enermax 550 seems to be a popular choice for those systems. I have the Antec 430 PSu on a 64 system and I am still kinda skeptical about it.

**MIG-31** · Dec 3, 2003, 02:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by KRN-Drak
Can't find that on the Antec site

here you go this is the one you can't find.

KRN-Drak · Dec 3, 2003, 02:55 AM

Very nice, thank you! Next month prolly I will get

BWX · Dec 3, 2003, 03:23 AM

I saw some very good reviews on this PSU- look at the specs- it's a nice psu.

http://www.gpb-jge.com/file/p4atx48mc.htm http://www.gpb-jge.com/

http://www.bestbyte.net/Product.cfm?...yID=3&Keyword= 76 dollars

http://www.datadrive4all.com/prod.cf...AGPB-P4ATX48MS a little cheaper (never heard of site though)

I think I'm gonna try one out.

review
http://www.atruereview.com/magiccolor/index.php
another review
another

they got me sold-

KRN-Drak · Dec 3, 2003, 03:40 AM

Only problem I have with that one is the reviews I find are from quite ghetto site with only 4-6 other PSU's reviewed total.

toddsmack2k · Dec 3, 2003, 03:49 AM

Overkill maybe but it will rest your PSU worries HERE . Wild is using it and has no complaints.

BWX · Dec 3, 2003, 03:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by KRN-Drak
Only problem I have with that one is the reviews I find are from quite ghetto site with only 4-6 other PSU's reviewed total.

Yeah, I noticed that, but look at the components inside the thing, look at the rail ratings and the PRICE- then look at the Antec. I think you see my point. I think I saw a review on a more known site, I just don't have time to hunt it down. I just listed the first few I saw. I think you will be hearing more about this PSU- and that company, they look serious about building a quality PSU.

KRN-Drak · Dec 3, 2003, 03:52 AM

Yea. Those raindbow colors bother me though

Wish I could just pick Blue. Wish they had some color choices too, as I like that Antec b/c my case is burshed aluminum w/ blue lights.

BWX · Dec 3, 2003, 04:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by toddsmack2k
Overkill maybe but it will rest your PSU worries HERE . Wild is using it and has no complaints.

I don't think it's overkill- infact I think it's just about right- but it's price is probably pretty overkill.

BUT- if I were going to spend that kind of scratch, I would get a "real" PSU-

PC power and Cooling- interesting SMALL PDF FILE

Turbo cool 510 deluxe baby Main PSU page- a must see. I this is the best PSU there is.

toddsmack2k · Dec 3, 2003, 04:09 AM

I say that only because the 64 CPu's are very picky. They want the juice I and wild know that.

Nice PSU BWX!

KRN-Drak · Dec 3, 2003, 04:18 AM

http://www6.tomshardware.com/howto/20030609/index.html

KRN-Drak · Dec 3, 2003, 04:19 AM

interesting read, starting it now

BWX · Dec 3, 2003, 04:21 AM

I'm sure just about any PSU that costs over 80 dollars or so and up will be a very good PSU for any normal user. After all you get what you pay for- but yeah, isn't that an awesome PSU?!? I think it's around $250 USD though- but it would probably be the last one you would ever need (for at least 6 to 8 years)..

BWX · Dec 3, 2003, 04:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BWX232
I'm sure just about any PSU that costs over 80 dollars or so and up will be a very good PSU for any normal user. After all you get what you pay for- but yeah, isn't that an awesome PSU?!? I think it's around $250 USD though- but it would probably be the last one you would ever need (for at least 6 to 8 years)..

I remember reading that a while ago-

It's funny how they modded that one, I did that with one of mine, and hooked up a second PSU to run my fans and some drives. Dual PSU's makes sense to me, why run a bunch of fans and lights on the same PSU that's powering your Video and CPU if you dont' have too- It's easy to get the second PSU to remotely turn on. Right now I'm running a 350w and a 300w PSU- 650w? Not really, but with such low loads on both of them they run very nice. Almost all of my 13 fans are connected to the second PSU as well as a cold cathode and a few drives. It's the only way to fly.

KRN-Drak · Dec 3, 2003, 05:04 AM

Wouldn't fit in my mid tower :P

FluffyChicken · Dec 3, 2003, 09:31 AM

The AMD-64 cpu's shouldn't need the juice, they are low power and cool compared to the Athlons and P4's ?

350W should be fine for what you have.
Even a system with 8 drives can run of a low Watt rating BUT quality PSU. It's the Quality that counts not the Rating.
Zalman do a very good PSU
www.anandtech.com had a shootout a little while back
I would buy a 430W Antec or the 400W Zalman myself
as they are readily available and fairly cheap in comparison (in the UK

)

The only reason your PSU may not be good enough is if it deteriated due to age. Running a too large Wattage PSU on a system that doesn't use a lot is also inefficient (iirc you should load it at about 70 to 80% to make efficient usage)
also look for Passive and Active PFC (Active is better)

toddsmack2k · Dec 3, 2003, 04:58 PM

You in some respect are right Fluffy. However they 64 bit systems want a strong 12V rail. Without that they wont run at all. I found that out the hard way, hehe.

BWX · Dec 3, 2003, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by KRN-Drak
Wouldn't fit in my mid tower :P

It doesn't fit in mine either-

Judas · Dec 3, 2003, 07:33 PM

BWX.... i plan on getting a full tower case... and getting 2 500 watt PSUs.....right now... i'm thinking of putting one above the other.... except for one on top upsidedown...... (both dual fan)..... you think this would be the most effective?

~~craig588~~ · Dec 3, 2003, 07:37 PM

then you should reverse the polarity of one of the fans so they dont work agianst each other

BWX · Dec 3, 2003, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Judas
BWX.... i plan on getting a full tower case... and getting 2 500 watt PSUs.....right now... i'm thinking of putting one above the other.... except for one on top upsidedown...... (both dual fan)..... you think this would be the most effective?

I dunno, do full tower cases have a spot built in for 2 PSUs? Maybe get a PSU for the top that doesn't have a fan on the bottom of the PSU- and get a PSU for ther bottom that has a fan on the bottom and the back.

It would be nice to have 2 PSU's all inside the case. Mines a little messy cause the I got the wires going in from one of the open PCI slots- But I have cleaned them up since this pic- All you need is a wire loom.

My PSU on the inside only had one fan, so I put another on on the outside, and plugged up all the ventholes on the side of the psu so all the air goes right throufg one fan, then over the big heatsinks in the PSU, then right out the back.