[WMCoolmon]

As some of you may know, I've been having problems with getting enough juice to my system to play games at full capacity. I suspect it's because my PSU doesn't support my system configuration (AMD64 with a GF4 MX440 on a 200w PSU)

So, I've been looking at power supplies and  I've narrowed it down to a few, but I'm having trouble deciding between them, especially teh Enermax and A+GPB.

To determine how much power I need, I've been using this power supply calculator.
What I'd like to support is:
Athlon 64 3000
1 hard drive.
1 stick DDR
DVD-RW/CD-RW drive
2x80mm system fans.
GeForce FX 6800 Ultra - in reality, this will probably be an ATI card (9800+), but I'd like to be able to run it to give myself some legroom, so to speak.

Enermax (270w)
Almost certainly the highest quality PSU of the three, probably has the best cooling too. It also provides 20A on the 12v line, more than either of the other two. However, it provides only 270w, which according to the calculator is only enough for a 9800XT.

A+GBP (450w)
Provides the most power by far and should be sufficient for supplying power. However, its cooling looks bad, and it doesn't look like all that quality a power supply.

Ahanix (300w)
Looks to be in between the Enermax and the A+GPB in terms of quality. It has the smallest 12v line (Sufficient if both the proc and the vid card use it exclusively, which they don't), but is only 4 watts under my goal. Its cooling looks no better than the A+GPB, however.

One other thing I realized - I'm not sure if they'll provide enough power connectors. Only the hard drive and CD-Rom use the typical large connectors, although the HD could be switched to a SATA one, I suppose, or the CD drive switched with an external one.

My case:
http://www.cluboverclocker.com/reviews/cases/SimpleMAXX101/
http://www.bigbruin.com/html/simplemax.htm
http://reviews.pimprig.com/cases/pctoys_simplemax_101.php

[Taristin]

I have this one.

[Grey Wolf]

Too weak, with only one good name brand out of the three.
Take your pick of the Antec True330, True380,  or this Enermax.

[Taristin]

That's what I posted. Wee!

[Grey Wolf]

I'm using an odd True380 at the moment that was pulled out of an Antec Sonata. It only features one fan so it'd be quieter.....

[IceFire]

With a AMD64...NOTHING under 350W should even be considered in the slightest possible condition.

I'm shocked, amazed, and concerned that your chip is even stable under a 200W power supply.  You are reducing the life span of the PSU, the chip, or both.

I've got an Antec 330W PSU in my AMD 2700+/Radeon 9700Pro system.  Its enough.  It came with the Antec case that I bought so it was worth it.  If I were to get a AMD64 with say an X800 or a GeForce 6800GT.  My feeling would be for a 400W or 450W PSU.

[Grey Wolf]

I was working off the 9800 assumption. True380 and up are safe bets with anything short of a 6800U or X850XT.

[vyper]

400W here boys.

[Geezer]

Check out PC Power & Cooling .  It's the brand Maximum PC magazine uses in their "Dream Machine" every year.  I've been using the 410W for the last 6 months.

[WMCoolmon]

It's gotta be MicroATX, otherwise I'd have bought a phat Enermax PSU already.

Edit: Geezer, the only PSU that seems to be listed on that site that's mATX is 180w, unfortunately (the Turbo-Cool 180)

Edit 2: Should probably respond to IceFire's post...

With a AMD64...NOTHING under 350W should even be considered in the slightest possible condition.

I'm shocked, amazed, and concerned that your chip is even stable under a 200W power supply. You are reducing the life span of the PSU, the chip, or both.

I've got an Antec 330W PSU in my AMD 2700+/Radeon 9700Pro system. Its enough. It came with the Antec case that I bought so it was worth it. If I were to get a AMD64 with say an X800 or a GeForce 6800GT. My feeling would be for a 400W or 450W PSU.

What I've heard is that he single most important thing about a PSU when talking about supporting AMD64 is the watts that can be supplied on the 12v line. What I've heard MSI recommends is 22A on the 12v line (So it'd come out to be an extremely high quality 270-300 watt power supply for minimum wattage to meet the recommendation)

[Kosh]

My desktop only uses 204 watts?!!! I knew it was pretty low end, but I didn't know it was that low.....

[Turnsky]

antec Truepower 480w here.. don't forget, you don't only have to run what's on your mobo, but case fans, HD's, and other devices...
so, 480+ is a reccommended spec for most modern computers.

[WMCoolmon]

Well, according to the above site, such things take up 10 watts, 2 watts, etc. And they do sell PSUs themselves, so it's probable the prices listed are towards the excessive end of being right.

I did look up your PSU, Turnsky, but it's an ATX supply...not a MicroATX...too bad since it looks pretty good.

[Clave]

650W in mine I think *shrug* It's all stupid anyway.  

Why can't they make stuff that consumes less power?

[aldo_14]

Because then they'd sell less PSUs, silly.

[Clave]

True enough, but I think they should try some different ideas now.  

Processors generally run too hot and too fast.  Maybe it's time to try some sort of multichannel slower processor?  I don't know much about hardware, so it's just kinda random thinking here, but if the bus was, say 10x wider with 10 processors controlling 1/10 each? maybe...?

[Stealth]

didn't read the thread, but thought i'd just throw in that i'd go for at least 350W, leaves room for expansion.  rather have something that's more powerful than you currently need

[Thorn]

200W?!?!?!
How the **** have you been keeping that thing going?
I have a 400W in mine. I have to figure out the wattage for all of my devices, because it gets a bit flaky when it runs at full capacity.

[IceFire]

MicroATX is a nightmare in my opinion

Yes, its true, having a the 12V lines supplied properly is very important.  The Antec PSU's that I've seen reviewed (including my own) indicate that this is one of Antec's strong selling points.  The lines are all separate and thus the supply of power is very steady.  I haven't looked up the specs but have a good solid look at Antec PSU's...

[Clave]

You could make your own...