Quality PSU Under $100

[jvmiller]

I haven't bought a power supply in about 5 years, and it seems a lot has changed since then. I have about $100, although I would like to get one for $70 or so if I could. My system will be:

Athlon 64 3500+
Geforce 7900 GT
7200 RPM 250GB HD
DVD and CD-RW

I have a couple questions on power supplies:

Do I need dual 12V rails?

Whats the amperage I need on the 12V rails?

I figured around 450-500W...that seem right?


Also, I want to make sure I get a quality PSU...I know Antec and Thermatake are good names, could anyone suggest others?

Thanks

jvmiller

 

[pengwin]

why do ppl say thermaltake is good...sigh thermaltake does not stand up to its price.

yes u need dual 12v rails.
atleaast 17 amp on each, atleast 32 all together

Antec NeoHE 430w. Triple 12v rails power all ur parts

Antec Truepower 550w. this is a good buy. not modular

Antec TruePower 480w or 480w BLUE. BLUE has a blue LED no big deal.

Antec NeoHE 500w. i have this amazing PSU.

Antec Smart Power 450w - 500w. cheap...not as good as the rest.

im an antec fan. there are good seasonic PSU's dont know them tho

 

[wun911]

general rule of thumb "you pay for what you get"

no such thing as cheap and good

 

[nukemaster]

Damn I love Antec stuff too....

I think a good 350 could run your system...
now to the PSU's

Antec - I have 2 and they are good
Fortron Source (FPS) - I have one and it has been thu hell and back and still works great. the added value is just how cheap u can get one for and they are quiet(ish) too.

Where are u getting the parts?

general rule of thumb "you pay for what you get"

sooooo true

Antec NeoHE 430w. Triple 12v rails power all ur parts

I want i want i want

Antec Smart Power 450w - 500w. cheap...not as good as the rest.

don't say that, I have one lol

 

[pengwin]

yah the NeoHE 500w is pwnage..

mmmmm 17 Amps on 3 12v rails. i luv my PSU

 

[koolaidkitten]

Save yourself a headache

OCZ Powerstream 520watt. You will be happy.

 

[weskurtz81]

well, either get a high amp psu with 1 12v rail. Like around 28Amps or so.... that would be fine. Otherwise get a dual with 17 or so a rail. You do not need more than 500W. You would be more than fine with a 400W. FSP Group makes great PSU's (fortron sparkle group). They make alot of PSU's for other companies with reputable names as well. I would go with Fortron.... I have read many bad reviews of the newer Antec PSU's, the Neo's and HE's. Not sure what has happened with Antec psu's but they seem to moving somewhat in the wrong direction. I have an older one, about a year or so old and it has been great.... but if I were to buy a PSU today, hands down it would be FSP.

 

[linux_0]

I agree with Pengwin :-D

I recommend Antec , PC Power & Cooling, Seasonic, Silverstone, OCZ are all great.

FSP Group / Fortron Source is usually good too.


Antec has great price/performance :-D

 

[JohnMD1022]

I've recently had 2 Antec TruePowers and a PC Power and Cooling die on me.

Go figger

Just bought an Enermax Liberty modular and an OCZ modular.

We've used loads of Antecs in custom PCs we've built, with no problems. I have a suspicion the customers may not work them as hard as I do.

It never hurts to go bigger and better. Quality pays off.

 

[linux_0]

I've recently had 2 Antec TruePowers and a PC Power and Cooling die on me.

Go figger

Just bought an Enermax Liberty modular and an OCZ modular.

We've used loads of Antecs in custom PCs we've built, with no problems. I have a suspicion the customers may not work them as hard as I do.

It never hurts to go bigger and better. Quality pays off.

Dang...

Are they still under warranty?

What were you using them for? What were the specs of the machines?

 

[wun911]

I agree with Pengwin :-D

I recommend Antec , PC Power & Cooling, Seasonic, Silverstone, OCZ are all great.

FSP Group / Fortron Source is usually good too.


Antec has great price/performance :-D

l

I doubt you can get a silverstone or seasonic for under a hundred bucks at least not in australia

 

[linux_0]

I agree with Pengwin :-D

I recommend Antec , PC Power & Cooling, Seasonic, Silverstone, OCZ are all great.

FSP Group / Fortron Source is usually good too.


Antec has great price/performance :-D

l

I doubt you can get a silverstone or seasonic for under a hundred bucks at least not in australia


:-D

You should be able to find an Antec however.

 

[weskurtz81]

Isn't PC Power and Cooling made by FSP? Even remember reading something about some seasonic psu's being made by FSP.

 

[linux_0]

Isn't PC Power and Cooling made by FSP? Even remember reading something about some seasonic psu's being made by FSP.

I am not 100% sure, however if they are I believe they are cream of the crop FSPs.

 

[ussra2]

I would highly suggest the Antec TruePower II, its 83.00 on Newegg with Free 3 Day shipping. That is of course if you live in the US.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103931

 

[weskurtz81]

I have to throw my two cents in again, FSP.... way to go..... good solid psu's.

 

[pengwin]

I agree with Pengwin :-D

I recommend Antec , PC Power & Cooling, Seasonic, Silverstone, OCZ are all great.

FSP Group / Fortron Source is usually good too.


Antec has great price/performance :-D

lol i agree with me too

and the NeoHE 500w delivers a massive 51 amps on its 12v.

NeoHE 430w = 48 amps
NeoHE380w!!! = 45 amps!!!!!!

 

[cusis]

ive always bough cheap psu, and never had a problem, the one im using now i bought a year ago for about £12 (550 watt) cheapest i could find, and mypc is been on 24 hours a day 7 days a week since.

But what are the benefits of expensive psu's?

 

[jvmiller]

I know its cheap, but it seems to fit the specs...what about this one?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104954

 

[linux_0]

I agree with Pengwin :-D

I recommend Antec , PC Power & Cooling, Seasonic, Silverstone, OCZ are all great.

FSP Group / Fortron Source is usually good too.


Antec has great price/performance :-D

lol i agree with me too

and the NeoHE 500w delivers a massive 51 amps on its 12v.

NeoHE 430w = 48 amps
NeoHE380w!!! = 45 amps!!!!!!


I absolutely agree with me that I should agree with you agreeing with yourself :-D

:trophy: :trophy: :trophy: :trophy: :trophy:

 

[BGP_Spook]

If you don't want SLI or to do any heavy-overclocking you could try an OCZ ModeStream 450.

It is modular, has a good reputation, 3 year replacment warranty(just pay shipping). 26 amps on the 12v line which is enough if you don't get SLI or do heavy-overclocking.


$80.00 at newegg. $60.00 with a mail in rebate good till 6-4-06.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104154


Tech page.
http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/power_management/ocz_modstream_power_supply

 

[linux_0]

ive always bough cheap psu, and never had a problem, the one im using now i bought a year ago for about £12 (550 watt) cheapest i could find, and mypc is been on 24 hours a day 7 days a week since.

But what are the benefits of expensive psu's?

Cheap PSUs are typically overrated by 100-200W, usually die after 6-12 months have short warranties and normally lack over voltage and other protective circuitry which protects your computer when the PSU explodes. They can also cause stability problems.

Many cheap PSUs fry the motherboard and several other components when they die.

Quality PSUs almost never do that, deliver good clean power and are usually cooler and run quieter

 

[pengwin]

I know its cheap, but it seems to fit the specs...what about this one?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104954

thats a good PSU.

 

[linux_0]

I know its cheap, but it seems to fit the specs...what about this one?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104954

thats a good PSU.


I agree :-D

It's not an Antec but it should be a good unit :-D

 

[pengwin]

I know its cheap, but it seems to fit the specs...what about this one?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104954

thats a good PSU.


I agree :-D

It's not an Antec but it should be a good unit :-D


lol

yah go with the FSP group (forton)

they make good PSU's but not like Antec. But for that price thats a great deal.