PSU for old but powerful PC

[DEEJAY]

Hi all, I've recently bought a GeCube ATi Radeon X1950XT"X" AGP 8x Card and after starting any games or with the PC on for some time, the PSU always gets tired of powering it and shuts it off.

I should have done what everywhere else says: Don't plug an x1950 if you don't have at least 25+A +12v PSU!

But Anyways, I tried and my poor Thermaltake 480W PSU (3 years old) can't do it, it has 18A +12v and I think it wants to retire, I've checked the power consumption and the protection circuit stops it when it is using about 400W


So now, I need your help to choose a replacement PSU, I've looked at the reference lists and the 101, also I've used the eXtreme Calculator and after telling it that I would use the PC extremely (100% power output) and for some time (50% capacitor aging) It has answered me those depressing news:

[code:1:25aef2ec05]System Type: Single Processor
Motherboard: High End - Desktop
CPU: Intel Pentium 4 E 3400 MHz Prescott
Overclocked: 4000 MHz, 1.5 V
CPU Utilization (TDP): 100% TDP

RAM: 6 Sticks DDR SDRAM
Video Card: ATI Radeon X1950 XTX
Video Type: Single Card

IDE HDD 5400 rpm: 1 HDD
IDE HDD 7200 rpm: 3 HDDs
SCSI HDD 10,000 rpm: 1 HDD

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

56K PCI Modem: Yes
Additional PCI Card (avg): 1 Card

Fans
High Performance: 5 Fans 80mm;

Keyboard and mouse: Yes

System Load: 100 %

Capacitor Aging (+ W %): 50 %



Recommended Wattage: 931 Watts
[/code:1:25aef2ec05]

My specs are as follows:
Case: Thermaltake Xaser III (wich means 7x80mm fans)
1 DVD-RW, 1 DVD-ROM, 1 CD-ROM, 1 CD-RW & 1 floppie!
Dual TV tuner card (DVB-T)
6 DDR-400 sticks of RAM (2GB ECC) 3-3-3
Presscott 478 3.4E Ghz CPU OCed (not much but gets hot )
1 GeCube Radeon X1950XT"X" AGP 8x
1 Raptor 36GB, 2 Seagate 7200rmp HDDs, 1 Maxtor at 5400rpm and 1 samsung 2,5 inch (5400rpm) HDD
Thermaltake 480W 18A +12V Not modular, not even ATX2.0


I was looking at something about 600W but I shouldn't according to the calculator...
Also, I would like the new PSU to be Modular, with only one PCI-E power connector if possible(I don't need 2)
I don't want a PSU that is too powerful as this AGP system won't get any big upgrade from now on. But I need one that with capacitor aging won't become really a problem.
I've looked at some manufacturers and I like Enermax and Seasonic as they produce their own PSUs, so, after all this brick, my two questions are:

How many Amperes should I ask for the combined +12V rail?
Witch PSU would you recommend?

 

[doolittle]

Well here is what I calc'd for the +12v only using the mpilchology budget method :

eXtreme PSU calc[/url]"]System Type: Single Processor
Motherboard: Regular - Desktop
CPU: Intel Pentium 4 E 3400 MHz Prescott
Overclocked: 4000 MHz, 1.5 V
CPU Utilization (TDP): 100% TDP

Video Card: ATI Radeon X1950 XTX
Video Type: Single Card

IDE HDD 5400 rpm: 1 HDD
IDE HDD 7200 rpm: 3 HDDs
SCSI HDD 10,000 rpm: 1 HDD

CD-ROM Drive: 2 Drives
DVD-ROM Drive: 2 Drives

Fans
Regular: 5 Fans 80mm;

Keyboard and mouse: Yes

System Load: 100 %


Recommended Wattage: 489 Watts

So less the 38w default no-load system board you have 489-38=451w/37.6A as a maximum theoretical wattage. So I would look for a unit that can handle a 40A continuous +12v power for worry-free operation at a price that won't kill your wallet - the Antec TP3-650 ($108@nextwarehouse) should be able to handle that w/o any issue since it is rated for +12v@52a max (label pic) so 40A should not be an issue.

My next choice would be the corsair 620w, better quality but at a premium couldn't find any discounts on it at the moment

 

[avarice]

I assume you have read the PSU 101 sticky which has a solid amount of information on this subject.

My suggestion (based on the guide) for your use is the Fortron AX500
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104037
which runs about $58 - and has 36Amps on the 12 volt dual rail.

If you want more - get the PSU I have
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104014
with 60amps on the 12 Volt Rail (more damned amps that most folks will ever need)

Ok - neither are modular - but they are both very good quality.


Good luck.

 

[senor_bob]

If you want more - get the PSU I have
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104014
with 60amps on the 12 Volt Rail (more damned amps that most folks will ever need).

How exactly does one get 60 Amps at 12 V (720W) from a 600W power supply? Yeah I know the specs say 12V: 15Ax4 but clearly something doesn't add up there.

 

[doolittle]

well it is 580w for the +12/+5/+3.3 combined so under "typical loading" you are left w/ +12v@480w/40A - which would work but doesn't leave a whole lot of room left over.

The AX500 I don't think is a good fit here since of the load placed on the +5/+3.3, the 5 hdd's will steal a bit of juice that is needed for the +12v. A closer look at the label, it says "450w / 500w peak" and "12v1+12v2=360w max" so 30A is decent for a basic system not sure it is a good fit here.

 

[DEEJAY]

Thank you, doolittle, I'm happy I don't need a Galaxy for this old PC and with about 600W it will be OK. Also, I'll look for those 40A

Oops , forgot to say I'm in spain so I don't have many choices, Here is where I usually buy computer parts, any recommendation over those offers?

Translation of Alternate.es

 

[doolittle]

My first choice would be the Seasonic S12-650 for € 149 since both the antec and the corsair mentioned is based on this design.

If that is too much, the OCZ GameXStream 700W or iether of the Thermaltake Toughpower 750w or 700w should work well. The best bang-per-buck seems to be the Toughpower 750w it is not that much more expensive than the 700w.