Which power supply...?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ampersand
  • Start date Start date
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Ampersand

I'd like to know what anyone would recommend for a power supply besides
Antec. I've looked for an Antec but the only ones I could find that weren't
too expensive were 300W or under. As I'll probably get an Athlon 64 with
everything that goes along with it, this probably won't be enough. I could
also use the power supply that will come with my tower case (which is what
I've been doing for all 3 computers I've owned so far). Any suggestions?
Thanks!
 
Ampersand said:
I'd like to know what anyone would recommend for a power supply besides
Antec. I've looked for an Antec but the only ones I could find that
weren't
too expensive were 300W or under. As I'll probably get an Athlon 64 with
everything that goes along with it, this probably won't be enough. I
could
also use the power supply that will come with my tower case (which is what
I've been doing for all 3 computers I've owned so far). Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Click to expand...

Yes, don't be cheap with a PSU: it's not worth it.
 
Ampersand said:
I'd like to know what anyone would recommend for a power s
upply besides Antec. I've looked for an Antec but the
only ones I could find that weren't too expensive were 300W
or under.
Click to expand...

Fry's sometimes has rebate deals on 350W Antecs, and Antec pays rebates
pretty fast. The best one I've seen was a 350W w/ case for $15 AR.

Try www.directron.com or www.newegg.com for Fortron-Source, which makes
several brands, including Fortron, Sparkle, Hi-Q, PowerQ, Powerman
(some), Trend, and Powertech (careful -- could be Powertek instead).
If the model number starts with "FSP", then it's one of these, although
some of their PSU part numbers start with "ATX", as do those made by
many other companies as well. Fortron is cheap but very good, now just
$40-50 for 400-450W, and a 400W Fortron is built heavier than many PSUs
claimed to be 500W+.

Ignore junk reviews, i.e., 99% of the reviews for PSUs. Among the 1%
that can be trusted are at www.xbitlabs.com , www.slcentral.com ,
www.3dvelocity.com , www.tomshardware.com , and www.silentpcreview.com.


Power needs can be estimated with the worksheet at http://takaman.jp ,
and it gives not only the overall watts but also the amp for the
individual voltage rails. However, like all power estimators, it
overestimates, and in reality very, very few computers draw over 300W.
Unfortunately very few PSUs rated 300W can put out 300W constantly in
the long term.
 
I'd like to know what anyone would recommend for a power supply besides
Antec. I've looked for an Antec but the only ones I could find that weren't
too expensive were 300W or under.
Click to expand...

If you can afford the parts which require over 300W of
power, you can afford the power supply too. Your issue is
sort of like planning on buying a Ferrari then trying to
stuff a VW engine in it because it's cheaper.

As I'll probably get an Athlon 64 with
everything that goes along with it,
Click to expand...

Everything? Well of course there's no power supply that
could power EVERYTHING. Realize that what you don't
mention, matters more than what you do. A64 boxes are
running on 300W PSU right now, if not less, in many OEM mATX
systems. Things like multiple HDDs, gaming video cards,
etc, raise that minimum wattage needed.
this probably won't be enough. I could
also use the power supply that will come with my tower case (which is what
I've been doing for all 3 computers I've owned so far). Any suggestions?
Click to expand...


Free-with-case PSU are generally overrated junk, unless a
known model of name-brand. If you just want a good value
then get a 400W Sparkle.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104952
 
Derek Baker said:
Yes, don't be cheap with a PSU: it's not worth it.
Click to expand...

Yeah, OK...so would you have any good recommendations for a power supply
that would be at least 350W, and that would be a good one for under $65CDN
(a little over $50US)? Thanks!
 
I'd like to know what anyone would recommend for a power supply besides
Antec. I've looked for an Antec but the only ones I could find that
weren't
too expensive were 300W or under. As I'll probably get an Athlon 64 with
everything that goes along with it, this probably won't be enough. I
could
also use the power supply that will come with my tower case (which is what
I've been doing for all 3 computers I've owned so far). Any suggestions?
Click to expand...

I'd change your idea of what is "too expensive", then visit:

http://www.pcpowercooling.com/home/
 
Ampersand said:
Yeah, OK...so would you have any good recommendations for a power supply
that would be at least 350W, and that would be a good one for under $65CDN
(a little over $50US)? Thanks!
Click to expand...

Probably the cheapest decent supply would be a Sparkle/FSP.

I bought a new PSU earlier this year - Seasonic S12 430 - for £56.99, about
C$122!
 
I'd like to know what anyone would recommend for a power supply besides
Antec. I've looked for an Antec but the only ones I could find that weren't
too expensive were 300W or under. As I'll probably get an Athlon 64 with
everything that goes along with it, this probably won't be enough. I could
also use the power supply that will come with my tower case (which is what
I've been doing for all 3 computers I've owned so far). Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Click to expand...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817153007

regards

Dud
 
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