Author Topic: PSU/Reseller recommendations (Read 276 times)

Dead Man Flying · « **on:** October 28, 2003, 02:03:31 PM »

I'm looking at grabbing an Antec Sonata case to go with a processor upgrade. However, the 380W power supply bothers me a bit. Would you guys feel safe using a 380W PSU with the following setup:

Athlon XP 3000+ (400 FSB)
1GB Corsair (2x512MB) CL3200 DDR400 paired RAM
ATI Radeon 9700 Pro 128MB
40GB Maxtor ATA133 harddrive
Plextor CD-R/RW

I'm thinking of throwing a couple of 120mm fans into the Sonata case along with an 80mm or 92mm fan for the CPU. Already ordered the Thermalright SLK-900 heatsink for that puppy.

Clearly, I'd feel safer with a 430W or 480W Antec PSU. However, 380W is all I see coming with the Sonata, which leads to the second part of the subject heading... does anyone know of retailers who would swap out the 380W PSU for the 430W or 480W at some additional cost? I'd hate to dish out an extra $99 for a larger power supply when the 430 is just a bit more than the 380.

Thoughts? Thanks!

-- Todd/Leviathn

Wanker · « **Reply #1 on:** October 28, 2003, 02:16:44 PM »

I was concerned, too, when I went from an Enermax Whisper 430W PS in my old Antec case, to the new Sonata case with the 380 smart PS.

But I haven't had any problems with it, and it also comes with two "fan only" power plugs that you can use to plug in both 120mm case fans(one comes included, the other 120mm fan you have to add). Using those plugs for the fans keeps the noise level down.

You'll only need to add one 120mm fan, DMF, because the Sonata comes with one already installed. I recommend the Vantec "Stealth" case fan, as it's very quiet.

You're gonna love the Sonata. It's very, very quiet. Best case I've ever owned.

Skuzzy · « **Reply #2 on:** October 28, 2003, 02:28:17 PM »

That 380W in the Sonata case is a special version of the TruPower type. The rail current levels are similar to the 430W, with the 12V taking being knocked down a bit.
I wish they sold this version of the PS, but it can only be had with the Sonata case.
I think you are ok.

BB Gun · « **Reply #3 on:** October 28, 2003, 02:29:39 PM »

You gonna have 7 drives in there or something?

For MOST people who arent running dual raid arrays, dual CDRWS and DVDRWs and lots of lights, a QUALITY 350-400 W PSU is all you ever really need. No point in overkill.

BB <-- running a middling quality 350W PSU on his Epox8RDA3+/Barton2500/120GB SATA HD/512MB RAM/CDRW/DVD-ROM/quad fan/lighted rheobus system and an Enermax 365 (replacement for 2.5 yr old dead 300W PSU) on his Albatron PX845PEVPro/Pent1.8/80GBWD JB/15GB MAXTOR/CD-ROM/256MB/single fan system - with no issues on either one.

Dead Man Flying · « **Reply #4 on:** October 28, 2003, 02:32:30 PM »

Thanks, guys.

-- Todd/Leviathn

boxboy28 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 28, 2003, 03:35:51 PM »

YA like Skuzzy said as long as its a good qualitly PSU your safe~!

bloom25 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 28, 2003, 07:49:53 PM »

The Sonata is a truely excellent case. That case comes with a Truepower 380W SP powersupply, which only has one fan in it instead of the two in the standard 380W TruePower. Regardless, it is certainly sufficient for that system.

My only real complaint with the Sonata is that the interior is a bit tight because of the rotated drive mounting setup, but the noise reduction is well worth it. (The glossy black finish also shows fingerprints and dust, so you'll have to clean your computer case exterior regularly.)

I'd agree with the suggestion to add a Vantec Stealth 120mm. The Stealth casefans are all very quiet, and a system like that could benefit from the extra cooling.

bloom25 · « **Reply #7 on:** October 28, 2003, 08:01:01 PM »

The SP version of the 380W Truepower is also available in the new Overture case. This is a really unique desktop form factor case that can actually fit a full size ATX motherboard. I was looking at one the other day and was really impressed with it. The interior layout is really well thought out and not at all like a traditional case. I actually think it would be practical to build a high end gaming rig in this case if you simply added a slotfan near the video card.

Basically the case is setup with an intake 80mm fan in the back with the harddrive mounting cage right in front of it. The board also mounts where the CPU will be positioned right near this fan as well. The powersupply (380W Truepower SP) is actually placed on the left side of the case near the front, exhausting out of a dust filtered grill on the side of the case. The power supply is a standard ATX supply (unlike the Minuet), connected by an extension cord to the back of the case. The floppy drive and one other 3.5" external bay is located right on top of the PSU. The 5.25" bay has quick release clips that hold it in. The positioning of these two means that IDE and Floppy cables can be kept extremely short and do not block airflow through the case. The case is also tall and deep enough to take full size AGP and PCI cards. I'd say the only thing needed to help with cooling would be a slotfan in one of the lower PCI slots, as a full length AGP card would effectively block airflow to the lower part of the motherboard.