Power supply???

[theriddler]

Hi,

I just bought a new PC, inlcuding a 3800+ and a leadtek 7600gt extreme. I since realised my power supply is a little small. What would be recommended?
I phoned a shop today and they quoted me R299 for a 400w one, but that sounds like an el cheapo one?

 

[zeb]

Hi,

I just bought a new PC, inlcuding a 3800+ and a leadtek 7600gt extreme. I since realised my power supply is a little small. What would be recommended?
I phoned a shop today and they quoted me R299 for a 400w one, but that sounds like an el cheapo one?

Probably AOpen.
Get yourself a Thermaltake like this from Sybaritic. Best online pc shop imho

 

[Carlhead]

400W R299 PSU should do more than fine, a 7600GT is a small card, the only time you'd need to upgrade is if you had to put in a 7800GT and maybe a couple of extra SATA drives.

 

[guang]

How small is your PS?If your PC is running Ok,why change?
I am still using 300W PS, Athlon 3200+,1G ram,2 HD,9600XT,1 DVD0writer.

 

[theriddler]

Burning

How small is your PS?If your PC is running Ok,why change?
I am still using 300W PS, Athlon 3200+,1G ram,2 HD,9600XT,1 DVD0writer.

I noticed on the connector where you plug it into the mobo, there are a few a brown patches which means a few pins are gettting really hot for some reason. Its a 350w psu

 

[telkomsuig]

I noticed on the connector where you plug it into the mobo, there are a few a brown patches which means a few pins are gettting really hot for some reason. Its a 350w psu

Get a decent one my computer runs much quiter with my Antec PSU....also it seems to withstand minor power spikes and dips better...

 

[Sapphiron]

I second the Antec. have been selling them to my clients for 3 years now. No returns

Look at a Antec SmartPower 2 400W for best value. Get a Antec NEO HE 380W if you want somthing quiet. With those specs you need about 250W if you have 2 hard drives.

Generally the Cheap Power supplies like Aopen never live up to their quoted wattage.

EDIT: Here are the links
http://www.sybaritic.co.za/store/product_info.php?cPath=73_269&products_id=6075
http://www.sybaritic.co.za/store/product_info.php?cPath=73_269&products_id=7232

 

[MrBean_pm]

Hello,
Get yourself the Aopen 400/450W units, typically sold by Rectron.

These are more often than not rebranded Fortron units - guys, using one of the Aopen 530W units, I have various times made it to the top10/top20 on the international Futuremark Worldrankings, using this 530W fortron (Aopen) unit.

Don't knock them, they are way better than thermaltake, even a lot of the lower end Antec units.

I use anything from antec/Aopen/Enermax etc, but value for money you cannot beat the Aopen.

Best regards,
MrBean.
ps:If you want the best, buy PC Power and Cooling, OCZ Powerstream or Enermax series, otherwise Aopen would be my 2nd pic.

 

[Jeeva]

Those 400/450W PSU's is passive. Rather save and buy a REAL power supply, will cost you a bit though, they normally go from R 700+ for a 380/400W+.

 

[MrBean_pm]

@ Jeeva: if you want to go buy a real PSU, go buy a PC Power and Cooling unit, cheapest is R3500+ in RSA. 1KW will set you back R5000.

What do you mean by passive anyway? Cooling - nope, they are actively ventilated.

They are as good as the R700-units, and in many cases better.

 

[Sapphiron]

Hello,
Get yourself the Aopen 400/450W units, typically sold by Rectron.

These are more often than not rebranded Fortron units - guys, using one of the Aopen 530W units, I have various times made it to the top10/top20 on the international Futuremark Worldrankings, using this 530W fortron (Aopen) unit.

Don't knock them, they are way better than thermaltake, even a lot of the lower end Antec units.

I use anything from antec/Aopen/Enermax etc, but value for money you cannot beat the Aopen.

Best regards,
MrBean.
ps:If you want the best, buy PC Power and Cooling, OCZ Powerstream or Enermax series, otherwise Aopen would be my 2nd pic.

If I look at the amount of Aopen Power supplies I replace on a weekly basis, I would contest the quality of the Aopen parts. Only the high end ones are made by Fortron (above 500W)

Go with Antec. You don't need an insane power supply. a 380 or 400 from Antec will do you just fine

 

[ShockG]

Well I think Aopen is what you're after.
I'm sorry but I 100% agree with MrBean.
Current Record holder for SA in 05/06/AM3 is using an Aopen PSU.
Other OC gurus like MrBean have been using them for a few years now, and I myself have found them to be the best bang\buck par non.

I can't say the same about the TT.
Had TT TWV 500 which failed to run 2x7600GT+ X2-4800 in 3DM06.
Stuck an Aopen 400watt in there and it ran smooth, even swopped it for a 500watt Generic and that also ran pefect.
In 2005 Team SA||3D||OC used Aopen PSU for 3DM05 world record in class (6600/6600GT) and that was a Clawhammer on the other side of 3.1GHZ (DICE)

I'd still say go Aopen, but if you can afford the brands MrBean mentioned go for it.

 

[MrBean_pm]

@ Sapphiron: I would investigate case ventilation, and input power quality if I were you. I have had the same powersupplies for quite a long time now, torturing them to bits, yet they last, outputs as stable and within ripple-spec as on day 1. Why?

Because I have a 750A APC UPS, and another 1.5KW UPS - proper quality units.

@ ShockG: Thanx for your support, but, what you say is the truth, these are great units, and I would hate some other problems wrt case vent or input power quality knock them down.

But, as an alternative, Seasonic is also great for any budget rig, again, quality input mains power is a must.

If people stick to these simple rules of thumb, they will not need to replace any psu's for a long time.

Br,
MrBean.

 

[antowan]

Antec is the best in the PSU market IMO.

 

[bullfrog]

Go for Aopen, had mine for a while now and they alot better than people think. It's all you need, a great power supply at half the price. Much better than what I've heard from TT, that give bad power and sometimes die at random.

As for the more expensive one mentioned here, antec, OCZ, enermax etc, you could go for them but at that price, might as well get 2 Aopens

 

[BTTB]

True Control

Antec is the best in the PSU market IMO.

Good to note that many of the guys have had good experience with Aopen Power Supplies.
It gives me options if someone ever asks me to source a cheaper PSU for them.

In my own life I have 6 Antec Power Supplies in my office.
4 are the older 550W True Control Models
1 is a 550W True Power II
1 is a 380W Antec True Power

The 4 True Control 550W PSU are simply the best units that money could buy at the time I bought them and I am not sorry as they have not given one problem whatsoever.
Actually before I got a UPS they survived the constant power outages.
The voltages are rock solid. Best PSU I have ever owned.

I have lost every other PSU from the generics that come with cases I bought to a 431W Enermax I bought in Singapore in 2002. All dead after a year or two.
Only the Antec True Controls have lasted. I must add it up, but I think it is now 3 or 4 years since I bought my first 550W True Control. Still going strong.

However, I must admit that I set-up a machine for my wife last year with a 550W Antec True Power and the PSU died after a few Power Outages. It was replaced with the 550W Antec True Power II and so far so good.
Perhaps the first version of the True Power was not as good?

Since October last year, I have put UPS units on all our computers.
Do not want to lose my True Control PSU's as they do not make them any more.

 

[disabled]

I'd like to inquire about a UPS ...The one I purchased doesn't quete cut it...Good for just the PC but when you running ISDN and on infinite call this is too small...Because we have a lot of surges and everytime costs me more money...EXAMPLE: During the late night ,early morning I had 4 power surges and each time reconnected which meant about R35.00....So A warning to those who are on ISDN and running a ISDN router make sure you buy the right Power Supply to accomadate all electrical appliances regarding your PC...

QUESTION/ADVICE:...I would like to purchase another UPS...Can someone advise me on what to get that is powerful to run...PC 2 Monitors ISDN Router and ISDN box and maybe an external drive...Any suggestions are welcome...I need to get one now and also best prces...

 

[BTTB]

Hello Disabled.

ISDN?

When you say PS are you referring to a Power Supply or a UPS (Uninterrupteble Power Supply)?
The Power Supply(PS) fits inside your PC, whereas the UPS regulates the quality of the power to your PC from the mains, preventing spikes, dips and power failures from damaging your PC.

It looks like you are looking for a better UPS?
Here I am not sure as I only own 600Va Units, barely enough for a PC and a Monitor for a few minutes.
Looks like you may need a 2000Va or better UPS unit?
Perhaps the resellers that lurk around this forum may better advise you.
Just do not get a Cellguard unit. I had to return my one and the dealer who sold me the unit claims to have had many returns on these models.

Personally I do not think you should skimp on a cheapie. Rather buy a quality product as it will save your PC in the long run.

 

[disabled]

BTTB...Sorry UPS...Got confused there...I'm running a cheapie and don't like it...Thanks for the tip...

 

[Sapphiron]

Yes it's all very well having a UPS...BUT I have found the one I purchased doesn't quete cut it...Good for just the PC but when you running ISDN and on infinite call this is too small...Because we have a lot of surges and everytime costs me more money...EXAMPLE: During the late night ,early morning I had 4 power surges and each time reconnected which meant about R35.00....So A warning to those who are on ISDN and running a ISDN router make sure you buy the right Power Supply to accomadate all electrical appliances regarding your PC...

QUESTION/ADVICE:...I would like to purchase another UPS...Can someone advise me on what to get that is powerful to run...PC 2 Monitors ISDN Router and ISDN box and maybe an external drive...Any suggestions are welcome...I need to get one now and also best prces...

basiclly your cheap one's surge protection is useless. it's letting the power spikes through anyway. Think of it more as a battery pack for when there is no power.

I run all my equipment on 2 APC 1000VA UPS's.

APC is the best, look at this one:
http://www.apc.co.za/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=BR1500I

it has 2 surge ports that are not connected to the battery for you printers. Should give the average PC over an hour's battery life. it has a USB data connector and works with Windows Standard battery software. So automatic shutdowns are all done automatically. It also has ports for you to run your phone line through a surge protector before you run it into your PC.

They come with a small plug. You can rewire a power strip onto this plug and plug it into the UPS. Then anything you plug into the power strip, is powered by the UPS.

Expect to pay about R1500 for the 800VA, R2100 for the 1000Va and R2800 for the 1500VA. The only difference between them is the battery life.