Tom's Hardware > Forum > Homebuilt Systems > General Homebuilt > PSU Advice for a AMD-based Home-built System...

PSU Advice for a AMD-based Home-built System...

Forum Homebuilt Systems : General Homebuilt - PSU Advice for a AMD-based Home-built System...

Tom's Hardware: Over 1.4 million members in 6 different countries available to answer all your high-tech questions. Sign up now! Its free!
Ask the community Add a reply
Word :    Username :           
 
mwiz79   10-18-2006 at 04:30:38 PM

Hi All,

I am assembling a AMD X2 S939 based machine. The location I am presently at doesn't have too many options for good power supplies. Cooler Master is the only known brand available.

My config is:

AMD X2 939 3800+
Asus A8N-E
2x 512MB Corsair DDR
Creative Audigy2 ZS Platinum (with IO drive)
PNY Nvidia 6600 PCIe Display card
2x SATA HDD 160GB
NEC 3550A DVDW/R
LG CDW

Is a 380W Cooler Master eXtreme Power (RS-380-PMAR/P) sufficient for running the above config?
this PSU supports 25Amps (15A+10A) on dual 12v rails.

Please advise. Actually I am getting a very good price on this (about $50)!

TIA,
M

Add a reply
Sponsored Links
Register or log in to remove.
UC7   10-18-2006 at 05:21:12 PM
- 0 +

I borrowed this from another site that had suggestions for 939 systems.
I was thinking that the 380W PSU wouldn't be enough, but I wanted some better specs for you.


"So for a system with 1 CPU, 1 video card (90 W), 4 HD, 2 optical drives, 5 fans, 2 dimms, ....
main_power = 130 + (90 + 4 * 20 + 2 * 20 + 8 + 4 * 2) = 130 + 226 = 356 W
current_12V(wc) = 10.8 + (5.25 + 4 * 1.67 + 2 * 1.67 + 0.67 + 4 * 0.17) = 10.8 + 16.62 = 27.42 A

Adding power for the rest, total power ~ 356 + 50 = 406 W"

The HD is gauged at about 15-20w, and you are only running 2, instead of 4, so you might just be able to eek by on using a 380W PSU - I have no idea what power the Audigy draws, but it has to be minimal.
You will be cutting it close with a 380W. I would recommend actually getting a more powerful PSU if you are going to be upping the video card any time soon.
Do you have access to buying things on the internet? That is the best way for those of us who live in smaller towns.

Reply to UC7
doolittle   10-18-2006 at 06:03:59 PM
- 0 +

Quote :

eXtreme PSU calc[/url]"]System Type: Single Processor
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ 2000 MHz 1.40v
CPU Utilization (TDP): 85% TDP

RAM: 2 Sticks DDR SDRAM
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 6600 GT
Video Type: Single Card

SATA HDD: 2 HDDs

CD-RW Drive: 1 Drive
DVD-RW/DVD+RW Drive: 1 Drive

Sound Blaster - All Models: Yes

Fans
Regular: 1 Fan 80mm; 1 Fan 120mm;

Motherboard, keyboard and mouse: Yes

PSU Utilization: 100 %

Total: 266 Watts

© 2004 - 2006 OuterVision.com and it's licensors. All rights reserved.



cpu: 65w or 5.42a
gpu:48w or 4a
hdd: ~1.5a each or 3a
DVDRW: 20w or 1.7a
CDRW: (same as DVDRW)
fans: ~1a (guessing since you didn't list any)
PCI cards: ~5w or .4a (since they use +5 and +3.3 for core logic too)

total +12 about 17A, if you run 3dmark, prime, full read / write on hdds, burn DVD and CD all at the same time.

I think that unit should be able to handle it no problem. Notice I used the 6600gt to get a higher power draw :wink:

Reply to doolittle
UC7   10-18-2006 at 06:18:53 PM
- 0 +

Doolittle, what do you think about his upgrade options?
His current system seems fine, but newer video cards will suck more energy - unless they draw external.
I just wonder if it isn't worth throwing in an extra 20 to 30 dollars just to improve future compatability. It seems like a small price to pay for a big difference in watts.
I always tend to overstep my needs when it doesn't cost much, but that's just me.

For example, I know that I currently have no need for a 680W PSU, but who knows what my next revisions will bring.

Reply to UC7
doolittle   10-18-2006 at 06:43:22 PM
- 0 +

For that PSU, according to Cooler Master's specs it shows 300W rating on both of the +12v so you have 25A at best, SLI / CrossFire is a bit out of the question...

There's a bit of room for some high current cards, let's try the X1900 XTX - clocks in at 121w or 10.1a, so ditch the 4a for the crappy card and add that one you have 23a which should work, but that's a bit close for comfort...

A 7900gtx upgrade is only 84w/7a that is more comfortable at only 20A draw total

Really if you had a unit like that and wanted to upgrade to a SLI/CF setup you can always get one of those GPU-PSU like the Thermaltake W0099RU 250 W that gives a dedicated 20A just to your GPU, and your current PSU is not overloaded anymore 8)

Reply to doolittle
Ask the community Add a reply
Tom's Hardware > Forum > Homebuilt Systems > General Homebuilt > PSU Advice for a AMD-based Home-built System...
Go to:

There are 1199 identified and unidentified users. To see the list of identified users, Click here.

Forum map
Bestofmedia Forum ©
2000-2009 Bestofmedia Group
Page generated in 0.533 seconds
Please mind

You are about to answer a thread that has been inactive for more than 6 months.
If you still wish to proceed, please ensure that your posting is original and does not duplicate or overlap any prior responses to this thread.

Add a reply Cancel
Sponsored links
  • Ask the community now
  • Publish
Ad
Related Topics
See all relatives topics
They won a badge
Join us in greeting them
How do I win badges?