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| Thread ID: 73807 | 2006-11-01 20:54:00 | Help with understanding PSU's | Tukapa (62) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 495902 | 2006-11-01 23:47:00 | ....If in doubt buy an Enermex or Silverstone PSU, theyre the best money can buy.I would second the Enermax (as that is what I have installed); and I know pctek will third it :D | Myth (110) | ||
| 495903 | 2006-11-01 23:58:00 | Check this (forums.overclockers.co.nz). Similar to what Terry posted, but done locally. The low end thermaltakes, in particular the 430w's are very good value at around $60-$70, but I wouldnt use it in anything other than your average SOHO machine. Dont touch the highend Thermaltake PSU's they ant worth the price. If in doubt buy an Enermex or Silverstone PSU, theyre the best money can buy. Doh, I brought the 460w 2 months ago!, Are you says they arent good value, or arent good quality? |
SolMiester (139) | ||
| 495904 | 2006-11-02 00:13:00 | Not good value SolMiester, quality seems fine, and in some cases they get very good reviews. But for the price you pay for a thermaltake PSU there are other brands id buy. Ive been running a 420w Purepower for over 2yrs now without any problems, I had one prior but it died. Build quality is fine and I assume i was mearly unlucky with my first unit. A friend also brought one at the same time and its still going strong, the same friend recently brought a 700w Thermaltake unit and its useless, it makes constant clicking noises. He's been through multiple units and they all have the same problem. If i was building a PC for my mum id buy a 430w Thermaltake, good quality, good price and sufficent power for her needs. But shes doesnt need much, Microsoft Word doenst exactly tax the PSU. If i was building a PC for me (Dual Core + Single Video card) i'd probably buy a Enermex Liberty 500w, although the 400w unit would probably be suficent. You can find similarly specs PSU's for slightly lower price but the Liberty is modular which id be willing to pay the extra money for. Ive heard mumurings that some of the Silverstone units aren't particularly quiet and arent modular. Other than that theyre fine, and seem to be particuarly popular with overclockers. |
Pete O'Neil (6584) | ||
| 495905 | 2006-11-02 03:16:00 | Man. Who would have thought this was going to be so damn confusing!! SO the PSU in the case I linked to would be no good then. I have read that while Raidmax PSU's are not the best out there they seem to be reasonable compared to some other brands. I'm thinking about giving that combo a whirl and seeing how it goes. I can always replace it if need be. Cheers for all the links - I had read some previous to posting but my eyes sort of glazed over part way through all the technical mumbo-jumbo!!! :waughh: |
Tukapa (62) | ||
| 495906 | 2006-11-02 03:20:00 | Tukapa is it safe to assume your buying that case because you think it looks "blinging"? If your not phazed about looks or about a lil bit of DIY case modding then my advice would be to buy a case off TradeMe. I brought a case a month ago that doesnt look too bad(pretty plain and boring) for $25. Once youve got the case then team it up with something like this (www.ascent.co.nz). | Pete O'Neil (6584) | ||
| 495907 | 2006-11-02 04:13:00 | I have read that while Raidmax PSU's are not the best out there they seem to be reasonable compared to some other brands. I have an Enermax in mine. However have used a number of Raidmaxs. They have decent 12v amps. So far, so good..... |
pctek (84) | ||
| 495908 | 2006-11-02 05:03:00 | . . . From what I have read one of the most important things to consider is the amps on the 12v rail (or something like that) . I thought I had my head around this with a 28A on the 12V being a good thing but then there are the PSU's which have dual 12v rails which have me a little confused . . . . They have decent 12v amps . So far, so good . . . . . What? Just what are "decent 12V amps? Do they wear modest clothes? "More" is not always "better" . You need a power supply rated to provide "enough" current at each of the voltages to supply the computer . If you have a few disk drives which each take less than 1 amp at 12V, you won't need 28 amps at 12 V . Add up the current used by the disks and the fans . Add a bit to alllow for startup . Any more is good for the manufacturer: he'll sell you a more expensive supply than you need . It won't work any better than a supply selected on the basis of what you need It will certainly be less efficient . The regulation might be not as good, for the same reasoin: it is not designed to run far under its rating . And it will cost more . Choose a supply on the basis of the current draw of the computer motherboard . 5V and 3 . 3V supplies are the only regulated supplies . The 12V and any others just follow . Check the current available at 12V, buit it will certainly be high enough . The PSU manufacturers know what's needed . (A supply for a server with a large number of disks will need more current at 12 volts . If you're building a huge server, you'll know what you're doing, and will buy appropriate supplies . :D) |
Graham L (2) | ||
| 495909 | 2006-11-02 05:45:00 | I would second the Enermax (as that is what I have installed); and I know pctek will third it :D And I will fourth it. I had no problems with my previous Thermaltake 430 W but I gave it to someone else. Now running an Enermax 550W. |
Sweep (90) | ||
| 495910 | 2006-11-02 06:25:00 | What? Just what are "decent 12V amps? Do they wear modest clothes? "More" is not always "better" . You need a power supply rated to provide "enough" current at each of the voltages to supply the computer . In the case of the 12v rail more current is better . Modern CPU's and video cards both use the 12v rail along with any drive you add to your system . If comparing PSU's current on the rails is one of the best ways to compare units . If you choose to purchase a PSU thats more powerful than you need then thats your problem . |
Pete O'Neil (6584) | ||
| 495911 | 2006-11-02 08:07:00 | What? Just what are "decent 12V amps? Do they wear modest clothes? "More" is not always "better" . A reasonable amount, along the lines of what the Enermaxs give you, rather than hardley any . More than you need is good because if you get just what the current components draw, what happens if you add another HDD or something later? |
pctek (84) | ||
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