Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: Denholm on April 22, 2010, 09:10:55 AM
-
Hello everyone,
With the ugly demise to PC Power & Cooling, I basically have no idea who makes decent Power Supplies these days. Here's my situation, I understand a Power Supply running about 65 Amps on the +12V rail will supply my current needs. However, there's a chance those needs will expand due to increasing system requirements.
I'm currently planning to build the following:
Computer Case: NZXT Tempest
Cost: $109.99
Power Supply: PC Power and Cooling S75CF Silencer 750W Quad Power Supply Ati Crossfire and 80+ Certified (Red)
Cost: $135.95
Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-EP45T-USB3P
Cost: $139.99
Memory: G.SKILL, 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800), F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ
Cost: $109.99
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale
Cost: $189.99
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Black, 500GB 7,200RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0GB/s, WD5001AALS
Cost: $69.99
Video Card: RADEON HD 5870 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Eyefinity 6
Cost: $499.99
Yes, I know the E8500 is a strange choice for such a system and I'm also aware I did not pick a manufacturer for my video card. However, right now I'm still hanging loose about both of those options and will make a decision about them later. Right now my concern is with the power-supply. There's a chance I'll need to expand this system to include two HD 5870's. The power requirement to run one is already fairly high; much more so running two at the same time. So I want decent overhead to ensure everything gets adequate power. That's why I'm planning on dumping my PC Power & Cooling PSU choice (which is available at Amazon) for something a bit more powerful.
Currently I've been eying this power supply: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341028
I really dislike it being modular, seems I'll have to compromise. What do you guys suggest?
-
What is your budget? I'd personally suggest getting the EP45-UD3P mobo if you're going LGA775.
-
Currently not in stock. However, the one I chose seems to have a few advantages. For instance, USB 3.0 support and DDR3 being its memory standard.
-
Currently not in stock. However, the one I chose seems to have a few advantages. For instance, USB 3.0 support and DDR3 being its memory standard.
Oops :o
Forgot you were looking at DDR3. Well you should be good with a 750watt PSU I think. Also the case is the Tempest EVO right? Not the Tempest?
-
Yes, the case is a tempest EVO.
-
Not to put a bad spin on the OCZ power supplies, but on my last build it went poof upon hitting the switch. Threw sparks and let the smoke out, scared the bejesus out of me. Gave new meaning to "let's fire this thing up". Replacement showed up 2 days later and works great.
For close to the same price range, I'd look into the I series processors instead of the 8500.
my .02
Skuzzy has mentioned Seasonic. Might want to look in that direction as an option.
-
Seasonic doesn't make 1KW PSUs. I figured I had an iffy choice, just not much available in the 1KW range.
-
OCZ power supplies are made by the same Chinese company that also makes the supplies for Corsair, Thermaltake, Antec, and a plethora of others. Sometimes the only difference is the color of paint on the power supply cover.
Enermax and Seasonic make their own supplies. Seasonic makes supplies for a bunch of OEM's and other power supply resellers. PC Power & Cooling used to make their own supplies, but OCZ shut that down.
The problem with extremely high output power supplies is getting one that outputs really clean power. The higher the output the larger the components to generate and regulate that output which gets tight fitting it in the PC-ATX power supply case.
-
Oops :o
Forgot you were looking at DDR3. Well you should be good with a 750watt PSU I think.
Or, to be on the safe side, go 850.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151067 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151067)
-
OCZ power supplies are made by the same Chinese company that also makes the supplies for Corsair, Thermaltake, Antec, and a plethora of others. Sometimes the only difference is the color of paint on the power supply cover.
Enermax and Seasonic make their own supplies. Seasonic makes supplies for a bunch of OEM's and other power supply resellers. PC Power & Cooling used to make their own supplies, but OCZ shut that down.
The problem with extremely high output power supplies is getting one that outputs really clean power. The higher the output the larger the components to generate and regulate that output which gets tight fitting it in the PC-ATX power supply case.
Yeah, I figured that was the case, yet couldn't confirm it. I suppose I'll look for the highest-output Seasonic PSU.
EDIT: How does one get information on the amperage output of Seasonic PSUs? To be more precise, this Seasonic PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151083
EDIT 2: Never mind, found it on the SeaSonic website. 70A on the +12V rails (combined).
-
I don't know what a RADEON HD 5870's power consumption is but I had 2x 8800 GTS 512's in my machine along with 4xHD's, 2xOD's, 1xFD, 4xRAM, sound card, etc. all powered by my PCP&C 750W silencer without a hicup.
-
I don't know what a RADEON HD 5870's power consumption is but I had 2x 8800 GTS 512's in my machine along with 4xHD's, 2xOD's, 1xFD, 4xRAM, sound card, etc. all powered by my PCP&C 750W silencer without a hicup.
The newer cards are less power and less heat. I run two 5770s, quad core, two hdds, a few LEDs on an OCZ 600W, no problems.
-
I wish I had purchased a couple more of PC power & Cooling Power Supplies.
-
kinda curious is why go with a lg775 when theres no upgrade path. The newer Intel sockets should have a upgrade path for the future
-
This system is for testing purposes.
-
kinda curious is why go with a lg775 when theres no upgrade path. The newer Intel sockets should have a upgrade path for the future
Uh, currently there is the LGA1156 and LGA1366. Next year there will be another one to replace these. Chances are, if you keep a computer longer than 2 years you have bought a dead end.
The LGA775 is still a perfectly viable solution and it costs much, much less than the 1156 or 1366 alternatives.
-
If you have two really good but smaller PSUs you can use two in the same case. To do that you need to be able to make up a patch wire between the primary PSU (from one of the 4-pin molex connectors) to the second PSU (ATX MB connector) and have a case that can hold two PSUs like the Coolermaster ATCS 840. I have a few systems hooked up like this and didnt have a problem with any of them but I also know how to do soldering.
-
I'm not comfortable with my soldering skills. If I were to use two PSUs, I'd use one to power the motherboard, processor, optical drives, hard drives, and case fans while the second powers both video cards.
-
I looked a few times for a patch cord to be made that would make it possible without soldering your own (so far without success).
If you do that I hope its fairly easy to reach the back of your system. The up side of the ATCS 840 is the removable MB tray massive cooling options and twin PSU mounting points (above and below).
-
Yeah, this will become a mess if power requirements approach that PSU's capacity.
-
Well I have a problem with that PSU (the one by OCZ) even though it is a 'Gold' unit. It puts off heat (lots) and at 110V it is not really a 'Gold' unit. I use the Seasonic X750 (two) with GTX 295s (also two) and they really are quiet and do not put off a lot of heat (not much at all actually).
(http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq197/Chalenge08/PSU.jpg)
-
Not sure if you read my later post. I switched from the OCZ 1KW to a Seasonic 850W.
-
Its a good PSU but its a twin rail system (40+40 Amps).
-
Do you know of any that are single? So far I've only found multiple-rail PSU's (other than the one from OCZ, which turns out to be poor quality).
-
Look really close at the image I posted. :D
-
I was looking at 850W PSUs, not 750W. I enjoy a lot of overhead.
-
Running a switching power supply under too light of a load is not a good idea. Switching power supplies are designed to put out their best/cleanest power when they are under about 75 to 80% load.
-
I enjoy a lot of overhead.
I was tempted to give this a "fixed". Not gonna though.
-
I dont think the 850 is a good idea because you will always be running it 'out of spec' if my power estimates are correct. However you can read up on PSUs and come to your own conclusion:
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/181
At the bottom is a link to more about switching power supplies.
-
The mobo I have the ud3p and I can't put a large cc like the 9800 gtx+ in the lower slot. It interferes with the power, reset and other connections.
Semp
-
Running a switching power supply under too light of a load is not a good idea. Switching power supplies are designed to put out their best/cleanest power when they are under about 75 to 80% load.
By switching power supplies you mean multi-rail? I do apologize for any confusion, I'm not very familiar with computer power supplies (thus the reason I came here for recommendations).
EDIT: Still reading that article, Chalenge. Thanks for linking it, very very useful.
-
No problem I would rather you do the work than one of us. :D
You can also check on your expected power requirements on this page (also linked to on page 8 of that article):
http://extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp
-
OCZ power supplies are made by the same Chinese company that also makes the supplies for Corsair, Thermaltake, Antec, and a plethora of others. Sometimes the only difference is the color of paint on the power supply cover.
Enermax and Seasonic make their own supplies. Seasonic makes supplies for a bunch of OEM's and other power supply resellers. PC Power & Cooling used to make their own supplies, but OCZ shut that down.
The problem with extremely high output power supplies is getting one that outputs really clean power. The higher the output the larger the components to generate and regulate that output which gets tight fitting it in the PC-ATX power supply case.
I could have sworn that Seasonic was making Corsair's PSUs.
-
Skuzzy I think we need a forehead slapping emoticon. :D
They do Fulmar... at least some of them.
-
No problem I would rather you do the work than one of us. :D
You can also check on your expected power requirements on this page (also linked to on page 8 of that article):
http://extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp
Already used it. Now I'm leaning toward buying a used PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750W. What do you all think about buying used PSUs?
-
Did you see the section about capacitor age?
Really the Seasonic is the best 750 made.
-
I would not touch a used power supply with a ten foot pole. All the analog components in the power supply age.
Denholm, switching power supplies are supplies that use electronics to shape the power output wave. As opposed to linear supplies which simply include a huge transformer and rectifier to shape the output wave. Switching supplies provide a more stable output that does not vary much. Linear supplies put out what they get in. If the input varies, the output will vary the same amount.
-
Alright, that makes sense. Chalenge, I haven't read the entire article yet. Got as far as page 8 before I took a break to work on other things.
EDIT: Just finished reading the article. Didn't find anything about capacitor age.
-
You can vary the capacitor age factor on the power estimation calculator page (lower right) and see how it affects power. Like Skuzzy said... buy new.
-
Makes sense... I suppose I'll revert my choice once more, to the Seasonic SS-750KM.
Thanks to everyone for your time and assistance.