16 replies to this topic

[Sniprwulf]

So after being excited for finishing hooking up my new pc, it was running for less than a day when my powersupply decided to crap out on me. It was a brand new 500watter logisys that only cost me 37 bucks. i guess you get what you pay for. owell, sux that i wont be playin cs for prolly until monday b/c im going to notre dame over the weekend and won't get me new power supply before then.. Damn i was really lovin my new 7800gt... any suggestions what brands ppl have had success with?

[Smalls]

I dunno brands, but you might want to get a 550 for the system you have, seems like you'd have very little left over power for that 4000+ and the 7800 with a 500 watt.

[Sniprwulf]

thanks, ill look into it.

[S.W.A.T. 2.0]

Nononono! Thermaltake = Crap.

500w should be plenty of power, the 7800 GTX actually uses less power than the 6800 Ultra thanks to newer architecture. A few more watts can't kill ya, but it shouldn't be necessary. What you need to worry about the most is the power on the 12v Rail. The 12v rail is what supplies power to both your CPU and your Video Card a weak 12v rail won't be able to service both...I'd get a PSU with AT LEAST 26 Amps on the 12v Rail.

You should see something like:
Output: +3.3V@28A, +5V@40A, +12V@33A

That last one is what you're concerned with. This one has 33 amps on the 12v rail...which is very good. Some newer PSU's have 2 12v rails, in which case you'll se +12V1@*, +12V2@*. If the total of those two is more than 24A's, then you're good (usually a dual 12v rail supply's amps on the 12v rail will be closer to 30 though).

As for good brands, the best are:

OCZ (if you can afford it, get this), Enermax (another good choice), Antec, and PC Power & Cooling (overpriced but veeeeery nice). I'd steer clear of most other brands...I made the mistake of buying a Brand X PSU as well...it's in a trash can somewhere right now. Honestly, in my humble opinion, I'd go with OCZ or Enermax, as many of Antec's PSU's tend to have pretty weak 12v rails.

As a general rule you can tell how sturdy a power supply is by the weight. This isn't a foolproof plan, but generally higher quality supplies are going to weigh a quite a bit more. My old 400w PSU weighs roughly 1/3 what my new Enermax 465w PSU weighs.

If you need any more info feel free to ask.

[ShLoNkY]

Back in the day I read about power supplies quite extensively. Either anandtech, or Toms hardware or some other reliable source did an extensive test of dozens of powersupplies and tested all sorts of factors. I don't remember everything they said but I remember that the Antec ones did pretty crappy as a whole. (they tested a bunch of models) Antec ones are also pretty expensive. I have Antec and Thermaltake PSUS and have never had a problem. My 2 Thermaltake PSUs were pretty cheap and seem to be made pretty well. Whatever you end up getting don't get generic crap or you'll be sorry.

[vet.mad hatter]

I have a enermax 420 and its runs 24/7 basicly for a year now!!and i still have a 4year warranity left!!!!

[Sniprwulf]

Thanks yeah, enermax is mad expensive and I dunno what I'm gunna choose yet but I gotta make a decision soon n letchu know. I made the mistake of getting a cheap ass one and got what was coming. Thanks for all the help, cept mad hatter, haha just kiddin man . but swat was really informative.

[S.W.A.T. 2.0]

Enermax really isn't too bad price-wise, you've just got to shop around. Newegg always has pretty good prices, and ZZF probably isn't too shabby.

This isn't too bad, it's got dual 12v rails both with 18 amps (36 total, pretty nice) for $88

Enermax

And a slightly cheaper Antec solution:

Antec

The OCZ and PC Power & Cooling area going to be really nice and put out lots of power...but I doubt you need it with your system. And honestly, who needs an 850w PSU anyways (thank you PC P&C). I've seen higher but none of them would be that kind of quality...

Edited by S.W.A.T. 2.0, 18 January 2006 - 11:27 PM.

[Sniprwulf]

yeah i was lookin to get that same one before you posted but zipzoom has it out of stock. hmm... maybe i'll bight the bullet and pay the seven bucks shippin that newegg charges for 3day shipping instead of free 2day w/zzf..

ps. swat, you have the same link for the two psu's.

Edited by Sniprwulf, 18 January 2006 - 11:31 PM.

[IWantWhiteCastle]

Here's my suggestion:

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817103478

[S.W.A.T. 2.0]

Not too bad, but a bit pricy. Plenty of power though. Sparkle is pretty good, I have no experience with them though.

[RogueAlly]

Dont get a Xion Power Supply, mine blew again today. The first one I had was doa and the second only worked from dec 23 to today. I'll see you all when my next power supply arrives...

[Inertia]

Ive had pretty good luck with thermotake. Tom's Hardware does a good job of reviewing products if you want to go that route. Not sure if I trust Newegg's reviews, they seem kinda slanted, but their sevice is great.

[IWantWhiteCastle]

http://www.hardforum...ad.php?t=792566


good buy/dont buy list on power supplies

[Inertia]

http://www.hardforum...ad.php?t=792566
good buy/dont buy list on power supplies

nice link

[Sniprwulf]

To end the story, my computer's back to running. I got the antec psu from newegg that swat recommended it and its one sweet little piece. It's perfect for my setup. I like the advantage of the detatchable wires kind of like ultra's x-connect. Anyway, for the price I had to go for it. Hopin' this will be the last one I buy for a pretty long time.

[Sniprwulf]

yeah we got same case, same memory, same psu.. crazy huh?

anyways, its done.

closed.