Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: Skuzzy on August 06, 2008, 07:01:51 AM

Title: Power Supplies Tested
Post by: Skuzzy on August 06, 2008, 07:01:51 AM: One of the areas many people who build their own system fail at is choosing a good quality power supply. For the new high end systems, it is imperative a good quality power supply be used unless you like dealing with random problems all the time.

It is rarely done, but here (http://techreport.com/articles.x/15208) is a test of a group of power supplies. Lots of good stuff there. Long read, but a pretty decent one.
Title: Re: Power Supplies Tested
Post by: humble on August 06, 2008, 07:41:12 AM: very good read :aok
Title: Re: Power Supplies Tested
Post by: Fulmar on August 06, 2008, 08:55:17 AM: Nice article/website. Except they get a C- in graphs. When the data you collected on a graph varies 1-5% and your scale is set from 0-100%, why not just crop and zoom in on that section? Otherwise you have overlaying charted lines that are impossible to read.
Title: Re: Power Supplies Tested
Post by: Getback on August 06, 2008, 07:02:22 PM: Thanks Skuzzy!

Power Supplies are something I just don't have a good grip on....yet.
Title: Re: Power Supplies Tested
Post by: alskahawk on August 06, 2008, 09:29:59 PM: Just think, 10 years ago; 230 watts. Today; 500+watts Next year; 1000 watts? :rock
Title: Re: Power Supplies Tested
Post by: OOZ662 on August 07, 2008, 03:04:36 AM: Quote from: alskahawk on August 06, 2008, 09:29:59 PM
Just think, 10 years ago; 230 watts. Today; 500+watts Next year; 1000 watts? :rock

Just saw a guy on here not to long ago speak of using a 900W power supply. It isn't far off.
Title: Re: Power Supplies Tested
Post by: BoilerDown on August 07, 2008, 08:03:06 AM: I like the Power Supply testing methodology at www.hardocp.com. They have something close to 50 power supply reviews since they started reviewing them in early 2007. Getting a "Pass" grade from them is not easy. Read this for more info: http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTI4OSwsLGhlbnRodXNpYXN0 .

I also check Anandtech, they do a good job reviewing just about everything, so I trust their power supply reviews as well: http://www.anandtech.com/casecoolingpsus .

Overall I'd start and finish at HardOCP though. Any power supply that finishes their torture test is going to be a good one.
Title: Re: Power Supplies Tested
Post by: Fulmar on August 07, 2008, 11:08:19 AM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703012
PC Power & Cooling T12W 1200W
1.2KW Continuous (1.3KW peak) @ 50°C
Fits Std. ATX Cases (20" min. depth)
+12VDC @ 90A (100A pk)
On sale for $550
Title: Re: Power Supplies Tested
Post by: Denholm on August 07, 2008, 04:01:04 PM: Thank you for the post Skuzzy. I'll probably drop by later on in life when I get around to building the entire system myself. :aok
Title: Re: Power Supplies Tested
Post by: BaldEagl on August 07, 2008, 04:08:14 PM: Quote from: alskahawk on August 06, 2008, 09:29:59 PM
Just think, 10 years ago; 230 watts. Today; 500+watts Next year; 1000 watts? :rock

You can already buy 1200 watt PSU's.
Title: Re: Power Supplies Tested
Post by: Skuzzy on August 07, 2008, 04:09:17 PM: I am not crazy about HardOCP.
Title: Re: Power Supplies Tested
Post by: Getback on August 07, 2008, 05:32:07 PM: I see PC Power and Cooling won again and it's only about $110 after rebate at Newegg.com.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341011
Title: Re: Power Supplies Tested
Post by: Skuzzy on August 08, 2008, 09:46:42 AM: It was strange they picked the PC Power & Cooling supply again. Maybe they went by the weight of the supplies? Their supplies have always been pretty hefty due to the massive heat sinks they use.
Title: Re: Power Supplies Tested
Post by: BoilerDown on August 08, 2008, 07:49:59 PM: Quote from: Skuzzy on August 07, 2008, 04:09:17 PM
I am not crazy about HardOCP.

Well either way The Tech Report winner was also given HardOCP's highest award for power supplies :D
Title: Re: Power Supplies Tested
Post by: Chalenge on August 09, 2008, 12:39:14 AM: I have been using a Kingwin 900W unit for just a few months but with the change to more power in the video slots I upgraded:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817121040

Its not supposed to drop below 80% efficiency but more importantly since I am not using quite the full rated potential nor dropping below a certain level the efficiency should remain right around its best capabilities or 85%.