-
Hey Guest. Check out your NeoGAF Wrapped 2025 results here!
Upgrading PC Power Supply
- Thread starter way more
- Start date
its generally better to go with a better brand name than just wattage numbers with regards to powersupplies.. because even though they may be rated high, the power delivery might not be so good..
personally i use Antec power supplies... not sure which other brands are popular nowadays
personally i use Antec power supplies... not sure which other brands are popular nowadays
Biff Hardbody
Member
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=17-103-924&depa=0
I use this. Expensive, but nice.
I use this. Expensive, but nice.
ArcadeStickMonk
Member
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=17-153-007&DEPA=0
I use this with my 6800GT. I put the 5.25 bay fan controller in; at just under half it is silent, at full it seems to take some load of my CPU cooler.
I use this with my 6800GT. I put the 5.25 bay fan controller in; at just under half it is silent, at full it seems to take some load of my CPU cooler.
Error Macro
Member
You want the best? Get a PC Power & Cooling 510 watt, which is probably equivalent to everyone else's 600w+ However, at $240, it's a little pricey.
Otherwise, I'd go with an Enermax, Antec, or Fortron Blue Storm, which is currently probably the best deal to be had:http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-104-934&depa=0
Fortron supplies parts and even whole units to companies to rebrand as their own. PC Power & Cooling uses a lot of their parts, so you know their a good brand.
Otherwise, I'd go with an Enermax, Antec, or Fortron Blue Storm, which is currently probably the best deal to be had:http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-104-934&depa=0
Fortron supplies parts and even whole units to companies to rebrand as their own. PC Power & Cooling uses a lot of their parts, so you know their a good brand.
tahrikmili
Member
Get a BTX PSU with at least 25A on the 12V rail for max. future proofness.
I suggest buying the Tagan 420 or 480W if you can find them, or the Antec Truepower 420 or 480.
I suggest buying the Tagan 420 or 480W if you can find them, or the Antec Truepower 420 or 480.
I bought an Allied 400w for $30 a year ago. Works fine. Has serial ATA power plugs too. Whereas a $70 "good" ~400w Antec my brother bought from CompUSA didn't. It did have flashing blue lights though :lol.
You SHOULD worry about the quality of your PSU, but there are many good brands out there and you should be fine with any of them. Make sure it has serial ATA power though.
You SHOULD worry about the quality of your PSU, but there are many good brands out there and you should be fine with any of them. Make sure it has serial ATA power though.
The power rating isn't accurate for all brands.
Antec is a good, but expensive brand. I got an Antec 550 W Truepower last summer, but I didn't look into cheaper brands. It runs my system without any problems:
Abit IC7 MAX3
P4 3.0 C (currently at stock settings, I haven't tried OCing with my new RAM)
2048 MB of PC 3700 RAM (512 MB x 4)
BFG 6800 Ultra OC
3 disc drives
floppy
160 GB SATA HDD
6 80mm case fans
Antec is a good, but expensive brand. I got an Antec 550 W Truepower last summer, but I didn't look into cheaper brands. It runs my system without any problems:
Abit IC7 MAX3
P4 3.0 C (currently at stock settings, I haven't tried OCing with my new RAM)
2048 MB of PC 3700 RAM (512 MB x 4)
BFG 6800 Ultra OC
3 disc drives
floppy
160 GB SATA HDD
6 80mm case fans
BigGreenMat
Member
If you are using a 6800 Ultra you need a beefy supply with at LEAST 30A on the 12v rail, that thermaltake is crap. This one might get you by http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-101-509&depa=1
This one has a nice looking 12v http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-182-005&depa=1
This one has a nice looking 12v http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-182-005&depa=1
Antec is always a good recommendation. 
Here's one good source for a primer on power supplies in general, and recommendations:
Silent PC Review
Also, what kind of PC are you using? Is it DIY, Gateway, Dell, HP, etc? This can, in some instances, make a difference- irrespective of the form factor. Some older Dell's and Gateway's used proprietary pin-outs on their 20-pin connectors.
I ran into this problem recently when I upgraded a friend's Gateway with a new 6800 video card and some more dreadful RDRAM. His PS was only pushing 250 watts. While I'm sure it was probably conservatively rated, I still didn't feel safe pushing it so I recommended a PS upgrade.
He wanted to stick with Gateway for that part, so he ordered a 450 watt Startech. As it turns out, the Startech was a standard ATX PS. Only a minor amount of gerry-rigging was necessary to get it fit in the case.
Here's one good source for a primer on power supplies in general, and recommendations: Silent PC Review
Also, what kind of PC are you using? Is it DIY, Gateway, Dell, HP, etc? This can, in some instances, make a difference- irrespective of the form factor. Some older Dell's and Gateway's used proprietary pin-outs on their 20-pin connectors.
I ran into this problem recently when I upgraded a friend's Gateway with a new 6800 video card and some more dreadful RDRAM. His PS was only pushing 250 watts. While I'm sure it was probably conservatively rated, I still didn't feel safe pushing it so I recommended a PS upgrade.
He wanted to stick with Gateway for that part, so he ordered a 450 watt Startech. As it turns out, the Startech was a standard ATX PS. Only a minor amount of gerry-rigging was necessary to get it fit in the case.