Looking for a new PSU

Post by **Captain** » Thu May 17, 2007 3:14 am

I'm looking at powerful gaming PSUs but for a good price, around $60-80. I'd like a minimum wattage of around 470-500W if possible. It needs to have plenty of peripheral connectors (8), at least one SATA-II plug, and maybe even a PCI-E plug for future considerations:

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/ ... CatId=1078

This ThermalTake looks very tempting. Also has a PCI-E plug for a future AGP-to-PCI-E upgrade.

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/ ... CatId=1079

Hmm, Apevia. Haven't heard about this brand but the reviews claim it's stable and reliable as well as powerful to support a heavy gaming rig for a long time. This doesn't have the PCI-E plug but it does have 3 80-mm LED fans along with a speed controller.

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/ ... CatId=1079

A CoolMax. One thing I am looking for is at least two fans to ensure my system stays cool but quiet at all times. Also, this has SLI support leaving room for an upgrade in the near future.

Those are all the ones that caught my interest. Anyone want to share their PSU experience?

PS. No Antec please - both fans stopped working all of a sudden and the fucker fried my old board last year leading to 3 months of head aches and a premature upgrade.

Post by **Grudge** » Thu May 17, 2007 9:23 am

Seasonic is great. Top notch quality, and quiet too.

Post by **obsidian** » Thu May 17, 2007 3:07 pm

I'm using an Antec 480W and it's doing it's job well for 2+ years. I've heard of good things about Seasonic.

Lesson of the day is, a good PSU is worth it's weight in gold.

Post by **Kills On Site** » Thu May 17, 2007 8:01 pm

I've used Antec and haven't had one die or not do the job. I also like Enermax and Thermaltake, haven't heard anything about Seasonic personally so I can't comment.

Post by **bitWISE** » Thu May 17, 2007 8:53 pm

http://www.pcpower.com/products/viewpro ... show=S75QB

Post by **Captain** » Thu May 17, 2007 9:03 pm

I've had bad experiences with Antec, as have some of my friends who are in the custom PC market.

I may go for that ThermalTake I posted earlier:

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/ ... CatId=1078

Post by **Grudge** » Thu May 17, 2007 9:12 pm

The one that died for me as I said in the other thread was a Antec 380W, we had two Antecs at work die on us too. I won't buy an Antec PSU again. They make great cases though.

Post by **Captain** » Thu May 17, 2007 10:22 pm

Ultra X-Finity 500W

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/ ... CatId=1079

Looks awesome :icon14:

Post by **bitWISE** » Fri May 18, 2007 1:12 pm

Captain Mazda wrote:Ultra X-Finity 500W

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/ ... CatId=1079

Looks awesome :icon14:

That PSU sucks man. You definitely want more than 16 or even 18 amperes on a 12v rail and technically speaking a single rail is the king of future proofing your system. Not to mention the Ultra is 10% less efficient which means higher energy bills. And look at how they rate the performance at 25c and never actually mention what the average and peak wattage is.

Follow my link, read the FAQ, check out some reviews. PC Power and Cooling make utterly amazing power supplies.

2. DON'T BE MISLED BY EXAGGERATED WATTAGE CLAIMS
To properly compare power supplies, wattage claims must state the maximum ambient temperature for continuous, full-load operation. Unfortunately for the consumer, this information is usually withheld, opening the door for manufacturers to exaggerate their wattage claims. They do so by assuming an unrealistic ambient temp of only 25°C (77°F), even though the actual internal power supply temp is at least 40°C (104°F). Since the proper full-load rating is 15°C higher for home use and 25°C higher for industrial use, these power supplies produce 33%-50% less power than their advertised ratings. See the derating chart on the right.

Post by **Captain** » Sat May 19, 2007 2:00 am

Well what do you suggest? I'm going down to Tigerdirect tomorrow and I need my PC back in working order :/

Post by **Captain** » Sat May 19, 2007 5:46 pm

So here's what I bought:

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/ ... CatId=1483

Ulta X-Finity 600W

But it doesn't fit my case, so I'll be going down later tonight to pick up this beautiful case:

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/ ... CatId=1509

Along with this for maximum air suction:

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/ ... 1&NoMapp=0

Post by **Grudge** » Sat May 19, 2007 7:55 pm

BitWise, PC Power and Cooling is overkill unless you're a super l33t overclocker running a quad core cpu and SLI:d 8800Ultras on tricked out settings.

Better to go for a less extravagantly expensive brand like Seasonic, CoolerMaster, Hiper or Enermax

Never heard of Ultra btw.

Post by **Captain** » Sat May 19, 2007 9:30 pm

"Can't go wrong with Ultra" is the general response I'm getting from a few buddies. The PSU is very nice, but currently it's hanging awkwardly in my case. That case and extra fan will help out a lot with ventilation and space, not to mention that the PSU form factor will actually be supported, lol.

I also found PC Power and Cooling to be unnecessary. $200 for a PSU? :/

Post by **Captain** » Sun May 20, 2007 1:29 am

The form factor was supported by my older case, but it was still too crowded, not to mention it would get as hot as hell once all those flex form wires clamped together.

I ended up buying the Coolmaster Centurion case. PC's sexy as heck and cool as ice now =)