Hard Light Productions Forums
Off-Topic Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: BloodEagle on December 05, 2008, 02:04:25 pm
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My power supply was a no-name brand (don't scold me, I didn't have $70.00 lying around for something good), and it failed earlier this year. Fortunately, it was still under warranty at the time, and I had it replaced. Well, the new one is starting to act like the first one did about a month before it failed, so I've decided to get a new one.
First question: Is Ultra a good brand for PSUs? (Please only answer if you've experience with them)
Second question: Is this (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=3228139&sku=C13-6082) a reliable PSU?
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By the way, you can get 4GB of 800mHz DDR-2 RAM cheap at the moment (with the rebate, of course).
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=3228139&sku=C13-6082
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What is your budget? And put a full list of everything in your chassis and what you plan to run off of it.
Other than that, typically Ultra is not very good. And Once You Know, You Newegg (http://www.newegg.com/). I'd say look at Corsair, Seasonic, and FSP Source.
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No, the corsair memory is not a good PSU because it isn't a PSU. :P
Anyway, Thermaltake has served me well over the years. You should consider them.
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No, the corsair memory is not a good PSU because it isn't a PSU. :P
Anyway, Thermaltake has served me well over the years. You should consider them.
Bleh--Thermaltake is alright, but unless you're going for the Toughpower line, don't bother. I have a Purepower 500W that's decently reliable, though I should have got much better. Oh well--live and learn.
Other than that--we need a budget so we can figure out what's worthwhile. 90% of listed PSUs are no-name junk.
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I've had several Antec PSU's and have only had one die on its own...and to be honest it was probably being overworked. The other that blew up was hit by a power surge that wasn't really its fault...
But aside from that I've had a long line of computers with Antec PSU's in them and they seem to be very good. A good reputation for sure.
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Same here all I use is Antec. Had 2 that have gotten "weak" from being near capacity all the time (didn't know my 9800 pro took so much power when I built that system). Still work just not enough to power the video card when heavy graphics are involved. Had 3 others hit by lightning and they were all covered under warranty.
Oh and you can usually find a good deal and/or rebates on them if you look.
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I'm looking for something around (+/- $15) $50.00 running at or around 650 watts (my current).
--------[ EVEREST Home Edition (c) 2003-2005 Lavalys, Inc. ]------------------------------
Version EVEREST v2.20.405
Homepage http://www.lavalys.com/
Date 2008-12-06
Time 17:35
--------[ Summary ]-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Computer:
Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Professional
OS Service Pack Service Pack 2
Motherboard:
CPU Type AMD Athlon 64, 2400 MHz (12 x 200)
Motherboard Name MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum (MS-7125)
Motherboard Chipset nVIDIA nForce4 Ultra, AMD Hammer
System Memory 2048 MB (PC3200 DDR SDRAM)
Display:
Video Adapter NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GS (256 MB)
Monitor Compaq V710 [17" CRT] (052CG23SB789)
Storage:
Disk Drive ST3250824A (232 GB, IDE)
Optical Drive ATAPI-CD ROM-DRIVE-56MAX (56x CD-ROM)
Optical Drive LITE-ON DVDRW SHW-160P6S
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Your system draws about 370W max--you don't need a 650. I'd say something like this (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104052) unit, from FSP.
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Your link is messed up, but I'm guessing you meant this (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104954) or this (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104037). The value at those prices is probably the best out there and they will easily run a typical system.
Antec Earthwatts (not their other lines) and Enhance ENP also have some good low priced units, but I think they're just over your budget.
Your system draws about 370W max--you don't need a 650.
It's probably a lot less than that, more like 200W. Even my machine never uses over 300W from the components themselves, although most of that is concentrated on 12V.
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That second one looks good, to me. :yes:
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Fixed. And I'd say 80 PLUS models are better. ;)
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Another vote for Antec. My current PSU is actually an EarthWatts that came with the case, but it does the job quite well. I had another Antec in my old PC that went for 7 years before it finally died. When I replaced it I had to go with a cheap no-name to get the right connector (yes, the computer was that old) and the difference was obvious.
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Corsair and Seasonic are probably the best heavy duty PSUs you can buy. They're built to withstand all kinds of abuse, but don't last as long as other PSUs. They have rails that put out more amperage, but not the most efficient PSUs available, though. Not cheap either.
Fortron Supply Group (FSP) and Antec are built for long-term reliability, though they're a bit delicate. They have very stable voltage output, but don't have much in the way of high amperage output. Very efficient and reliable, low chance of DOA. They aren't the cheapest.
Thermaltake and Enermax have decent balances between durability / reliability, and power / efficiency. They're not the best in any area, though they suit the mainstream very well. They are also quite decently priced, but most enthusiasts don't go for these if they have the choice.
With everything else, YMMV.
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Corsair and Seasonic are probably the best heavy duty PSUs you can buy. They're built to withstand all kinds of abuse, but don't last as long as other PSUs. They have rails that put out more amperage, but not the most efficient PSUs available, though. Not cheap either.
Fortron Supply Group (FSP) and Antec are built for long-term reliability, though they're a bit delicate. They have very stable voltage output, but don't have much in the way of high amperage output. Very efficient and reliable, low chance of DOA. They aren't the cheapest.
Thermaltake and Enermax have decent balances between durability / reliability, and power / efficiency. They're not the best in any area, though they suit the mainstream very well. They are also quite decently priced, but most enthusiasts don't go for these if they have the choice.
With everything else, YMMV.
You're missing most of the equation. It's more who built it than who branded it.
Channel Well Technology
Seasonic Electronics
FSP Group
Enermax
Topower
PC Power & Cooling
There's a few others, but those are the main companies. FSP Group is what I'd call the typical power supply--you get what you pay for in sub-450W units. They're good low-end and mid-range. Seasonic is a wide-range manufacturer. They produce basically the most efficient units, and are known for stability and their former OEM work. Channel Well Tech is basically Seasonic's primary rival in the mid-wattage industry, and they're pretty big doing OEM work for numerous manufacturers. Then there's Enermax and Topower. They typically come out, dominate for a while, but are forgotten. All high-end stuff. And PCP&C is pretty much the big name but usually overlooked, in favor of outside models that don't get stuck with an 80mm fan due to marketing.
There are a bunch of other manufacturers that are typically ignored; Micros Systems, Unitek, Hipro, Acbel, Atng, Power Tech, Compucase, MSI, Sun Pro, Solytech, Wintec, and some other really bad run-for-the-hills stuff.
ANyways--back to the point I'm making.
Seasonic OEMs a lot for Corsair (their HX520/HX620, VX450 and that new 400W model, TX650), Antec (NeoHE models among others), and some other major manufacturers. They make good units--all in the past few years have been 80 PLUS certified, so very efficient. Antec sources from Seasonic and Channel Well primarily. Enchance OEMs for Silverstone and some others, just as Topower does. Everything else non-major is hit or miss, and even the big names have bad runs. I remember about 2 years ago, having the Enermax Galaxy line turn to crude after a few bad lots.
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I'm thinking about grabbing this (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371002#spec). Any thoughts for or against it?
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I've actually got a 650W EZCool sitting in my room, thanks to the fact I replaced my power supply because I thought it had blown when in truth the fuse had blown on two Kettle-leads, which is far far more unlikely.
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I'm thinking about grabbing this (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371002#spec). Any thoughts for or against it?
For that price, a Corsair 650TX would be a better value.
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That model (650TX) doesn't seem to have a P4 connector.
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That model (650TX) doesn't seem to have a P4 connector.
It has a 4x2 connector that splits off into a 2x2+2x2. So yes it does, but the EPS plug is integrated with the P4 plug, as per standard.