Need Advice on PSU to Power my Homemade System

[Tudi]

Hey guys

I need some help with my soon-to-be homemade system. I've pretty much settled for all the components, but the PSU is giving me some second thoughts, because I'm not sure if it can safely power the rest of the components.

The PSU I had in mind is an 500W TUV Antec EarthWatts with two independent 12V rails, efficiency>80% (certified 80+), ventilator 80mm. I can't read through the specs, to be honest I don't really know if 80% efficiency is something good, if it's the standard etc. I also have no clue as to what two independent 12v rails means.

Anyway, the system it should hold up is:
Intel Q6600
MB Asus P5N-E SLI, nForce 650i, FSB 1333
Dual channel 2x 1GB Geil DDR2, 800 Mhz, CL4 (4-4-4-12), Aluminum Radiator
HDD Seagate Baracuda 7200.10, 250MB, 16Mb buffer
HDD Western Digital 300MB, 8MB buffer
DVD/RW LG
VC Asus 8800GTS, 320 MB,320 bit
LG 22" TFT 83KHz, 1680x1050/75Hz, c/s 3000/300cd, 2ms

This PSU comes at around 115$ at the store I'm planning on buying my system from. If there's anything in that price or below that's more powerful or better suited for this system, please let me know.

Thanks in advance for your help

 

[badge]

Hey guys

I need some help with my soon-to-be homemade system. I've pretty much settled for all the components, but the PSU is giving me some second thoughts, because I'm not sure if it can safely power the rest of the components.

The PSU I had in mind is an 500W TUV Antec EarthWatts with two independent 12V rails, efficiency>80% (certified 80+), ventilator 80mm. I can't read through the specs, to be honest I don't really know if 80% efficiency is something good, if it's the standard etc. I also have no clue as to what two independent 12v rails means.

Anyway, the system it should hold up is:
Intel Q6600
MB Asus P5N-E SLI, nForce 650i, FSB 1333
Dual channel 2x 1GB Geil DDR2, 800 Mhz, CL4 (4-4-4-12), Aluminum Radiator
HDD Seagate Baracuda 7200.10, 250MB, 16Mb buffer
HDD Western Digital 300MB, 8MB buffer
DVD/RW LG
VC Asus 8800GTS, 320 MB,320 bit
LG 22" TFT 83KHz, 1680x1050/75Hz, c/s 3000/300cd, 2ms

This PSU comes at around 115$ at the store I'm planning on buying my system from. If there's anything in that price or below that's more powerful or better suited for this system, please let me know.

Thanks in advance for your help

If there's anything in that price or below that's more powerful or better suited for this system, please let me know.

With your 8800GTS in mind, my recommendation would be 600 w with 4 x 18A 12v rails for less money.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341010

 

[zenmaster]

That PSU is plenty powerful enough, but you can get a number of PSUs on-line that are much less expensive are better.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153028
PromoCode - EMC925CASE01

Total Price - $74.99 ->$44.99 After MIR

 

[Gravemind123]

Antec NeoHE 550W or Corsair HX520 would be good considerations, and the Earthwatts is a great PSU too, only real drawback is the color of it.

 

[Tudi]

Thanks for the replies guys. The problem is that I live in Romania, so I can't get components from newegg, since it doesn't ship internationally. The local store I'm going to buy the PC from has the following PSU's up for sale:

Oem POWER SUPPLY ATX 400W PIV 11.03 USD
Oem POWER SUPPLY ATX 450W PIV 11.45 USD
Premier POWER SUPPLY ATX 400W PIV Premier LC-B400-ATX 11.45 USD
Premier POWER SUPPLY ATX 450W PIV Premier LC-8460-BTX 20/24 pin 14.18 USD
Premier POWER SUPPLY ATX 500W PIV Premier LC-8500-BTX 20/24 pin 16.70 USD
Delux POWER SUPPLY ATX 500W P IV Delux 20pin Dual-Fan S-ATA Retail 18.38 USD
Delux POWER SUPPLY ATX 600W P IV Delux 20/24pin S-ATA Retail 30.98 USD
Asus POWER SUPPLY ATX 450W P IV TUV ASUS A-45GA PFC Pasiv 120mm Fan Temp. Auto Control, SATA connectors Blue Led 56.70 USD
Asus POWER SUPPLY ATX 550W P IV TUV ASUS A-55GA PFC Pasiv 120mm Fan Temp. Auto Control, SATA connectors Blue Led 94.50 USD
Fortron POWER SUPPLY ATX 400W P IV TUV Fortron Blue Storm II 400 PFC Activ 120mm Fan Temp. Auto Control, SATA connectors 44.63 EUR
Fortron POWER SUPPLY ATX 500W P IV TUV Fortron Blue Storm II 500 PFC Activ 120mm Fan Temp. Auto Control, SATA - PCIe connectors 57.23 EUR
Fortron POWER SUPPLY ATX 300W P IV TUV Fortron Zen 300 PFC Activ Fanless, eficienta ~ 89%, blue-mesh sleeving, SATA connectors 75.60 EUR
Fortron POWER SUPPLY ATX 400W P IV TUV Fortron Zen 400 PFC Activ Fanless, eficienta ~ 89%, blue-mesh sleeving, SATA connectors 129.15 EUR
Fortron POWER SUPPLY ATX 600W P IV TUV Fortron Epsilon 600 PFC Activ 120mm Fan Temp. Auto Control, SATA - 2 xPCIe connectors SLI Ready 93.45 EUR
Fortron POWER SUPPLY ATX 1010W P IV TUV Fortron Epsilon 1010 PFC Activ 120mm Fan Temp. Auto Control, SATA - 2 xPCIe connectors SLI Ready, NVIDIA SLI cerified, eficienta ~85% 227.85 EUR
Fortron POWER SUPPLY ATX 700W P IV TUV Fortron Epsilon 700 PFC Activ 120mm Fan Temp. Auto Control, SATA - 2 xPCIe connectors SLI Ready 109.20 EUR
Fortron POWER SUPPLY ATX 800W P IV TUV Fortron Epsilon 800 PFC Activ 120mm Fan Temp. Auto Control, SATA - 2 xPCIe connectors SLI Ready, NVIDIA SLI cerified, eficienta ~85% 143.85 EUR
Fortron POWER SUPPLY ATX 400W P IV TUV Fortron ATX-400PNF PFC Pasiv 120mm Fan Temp. Auto Control, SATA connectors 31.50 EUR
Recom POWER SUPPLY ATX 450W P IV TUV Recom Power Engine 450 PFC Pasiv 120mm Fan Temp. Auto Control, SATA - PCIe connectors SLI Ready 32.13 EUR
Yesico POWER SUPPLY ATX 430W P IV TUV Yesico SC430-PS12 PFC Pasiv 120mm Fan Temp. Auto Control, SATA - PCIe connectors SLI Ready 44.42 EUR
Zalman POWER SUPPLY ATX 460W P IV TUV Zalman ZM-460B-APS PFC Activ 120mm Fan Temp. Auto Control, SATA - PCIe connectors SLI Ready 70.14 EUR
Sirtec POWER SUPPLY VGA 400W SIRTEC HPC-400-A44C, numai pentru placi video, 2x 6-pin PCIe + 2x 8-pin PCIe connectors, 2x 40mm quiet fans 57.75 EUR
Sirtec POWER SUPPLY ATX 370W P IV TUV Sirtec HPC-370-P12S PFC Pasiv 120mm Fan Temp. Auto Control, SATA connectors 30.45 EUR
Sirtec POWER SUPPLY ATX 430W P IV TUV Sirtec HPC-430-P12S PFC Pasiv 120mm Fan Temp. Auto Control, SATA - PCIe connectors 33.08 EUR
Sirtec POWER SUPPLY ATX 460W P IV TUV Sirtec HPC-460-P12S PFC Pasiv 120mm Fan Temp. Auto Control, SATA - PCIe connectors 36.75 EUR
Sirtec POWER SUPPLY ATX 500W P IV TUV SIRTEC HP-500-A12S modelul HPC-500-A12S fara watt-metru 49.35 EUR
Sirtec POWER SUPPLY ATX 500W P IV TUV Sirtec HPC-500-A12S PFC Activ 120mm Fan - Temp. Auto Control, SATA, SLI Ready, WATT-meter, 3x 12V independent rails. 59.85 EUR
Sirtec POWER SUPPLY ATX 560W P IV TUV Sirtec HPC-560-A12S PFC Activ 120mm Fan - Temp. Auto Control, SATA, SLI Ready, WATT-meter, 3x 12V independent rails. 74.55 EUR
Sirtec POWER SUPPLY ATX 1000W P IV TUV Sirtec HPC-1000-G14C 4x 12V independent rails, push-pull quiet dual-fan (1x 135mm + 1x 80mm), modular cables, 8-pin PCIe connectors, 80+ certified (>80% efficency) 148.05 EUR
Sirtec POWER SUPPLY ATX 1200W P IV TUV Sirtec HPC-1200-G14C 4x 12V independent rails, push-pull quiet dual-fan (1x 135mm + 1x 80mm), modular cables, 8-pin PCIe connectors, 80+ certified (>80% efficency) 173.25 EUR
Sirtec POWER SUPPLY ATX 620W P IV TUV Sirtec HPC-620-A88S PFC Activ 2x80mm Fan - Temp. Auto Control, SATA, SLI ready, WATT-meter, 3x 12V independent rails, mesh sleeving. 72.45 EUR
Sirtec POWER SUPPLY ATX 850W P IV TUV Sirtec HPC-850-G14C 4x 12V independent rails, push-pull quiet dual-fan (1x 135mm + 1x 80mm), modular cables, 8-pin PCIe connectors, 80+ certified (>80% efficency) 131.25 EUR
Antec POWER SUPPLY ATX 500W P IV TUV Antec BasiqPower BP500U PFC Activ 80mm Fan - Temp. Auto Control conectori SATA conectori PCIe 49.35 EUR
Antec POWER SUPPLY ATX 380W P IV TUV Antec EarthWatts EA-380 EC PFC Activ doua rail-uri independente 12V, eficienta >80% (certificata 80+), ventilator 80mm, ATX v2.2, conectori SATA, PCIe 39.90 EUR
Antec POWER SUPPLY ATX 430W P IV TUV Antec EarthWatts EA-430 EC PFC Activ doua rail-uri independente 12V, eficienta >80% (certificata 80+), ventilator 80mm, ATX v2.2, conectori SATA, PCIe 55.65 EUR
Antec POWER SUPPLY ATX 500W P IV TUV Antec EarthWatts EA-500 EC PFC Activ doua rail-uri independente 12V, eficienta >80% (certificata 80+), ventilator 80mm, ATX v2.2, conectori SATA, PCIe 68.25 EUR
Antec POWER SUPPLY ATX 430W P IV TUV Antec NEOPowerHE NeoHE430 PFC Activ 80mm Fan - Temp. Auto Control Silent SATA Connectors, Conectori PCIe, Advanced Cable Management 69.30 EUR
Antec POWER SUPPLY ATX 500W P IV TUV Antec NEOPowerHE NeoHE500 PFC Activ 80mm Fan - Temp. Auto Control Silent SATA Connectors, Conectori PCIe, Advanced Cable Management 81.90 EUR
Antec POWER SUPPLY ATX 550W P IV TUV Antec NEOPowerHE NeoHE550 PFC Activ 80mm Fan - Temp. Auto Control Silent SATA Connectors, Conectori PCIe, Advanced Cable Management 94.50 EUR
Antec POWER SUPPLY ATX 650W P IV TUV Antec NeoPower 650W trei rail-uri independente 12V, eficienta >85% , ventilaroar 120mm silentios, Advanced Cable Management, ATX 2.2, compatibila SLI/Crossfire 103.95 EUR
Antec POWER SUPPLY ATX 650W P IV TUV Antec NeoPower 650W trei rail-uri independente 12V, eficienta >85%, ventilaroar albastru 120mm silentios, Advanced Cable Management, ATX 2.2, compatibila SLI/Crossfire 110.78 EUR
Antec POWER SUPPLY ATX 430W P IV TUV Antec TriPower TP3-430 PFC Activ 3 rail-uri independente 120mm Fan - Temp. Auto Control 4 SATA connectors conector PCIe 61.95 EUR
Antec POWER SUPPLY ATX 550W P IV TUV Antec TriPower TP3-550 PFC Activ 3 rail-uri independente 120mm Fan - Temp. Auto Control 4 SATA connectors 2 conector PCIe SLI/Crossfire Ready 81.90 EUR
Antec POWER SUPPLY ATX 650W P IV TUV Antec TriPower TP3-650 PFC Activ 3 rail-uri independente 120mm Fan - Temp. Auto Control 4 SATA connectors 2 conector PCIe SLI/Crossfire Ready 100.80 EUR
Antec POWER SUPPLY ATX 500W P IV TUV Antec Phantom 500PEC PFC Activ Fanless - Temp. Auto Control conectori PCIe 4 Serial ATA connectors 98.70 EUR
Antec POWER SUPPLY ATX 1000W P IV TUV Antec TruePower Quattro 1000W, ATX v2.2, patru rail-uri independente 12V, eficienta >85% (certificata 80+), ventilator 80mm silentios, Advanced Cable Management 187.43 EUR
Antec POWER SUPPLY ATX 850W P IV TUV Antec TruePower Quattro 850W, ATX v2.2, patru rail-uri independente 12V, eficienta >85% (certificata 80+), ventilator 80mm silentios, Advanced Cable Management 156.45 EUR
Akasa POWER SUPPLY ATX 400W P IV TUV Akasa Pax Power400 PFC Pasiv 120mm Fan Temp. Auto Control, Silent, SATA - PCIe connectors, 80% efficiency 58.91 EUR
Akasa POWER SUPPLY ATX 400W P IV TUV Akasa Pax Power AKP040FG8 BKEUV PFC Activ 120mm Fan Silent, 80% efficiency 67.94 EUR
Akasa POWER SUPPLY ATX 500W P IV TUV Akasa Pax Power500 PFC Activ 120mm Fan - Temp. Auto Control, Silent, SLI Ready, SATA - PCIe connectors, 80% efficiency 75.08 EUR
Corsair POWER SUPPLY ATX 450W P IV TUV Corsair CMPSU-450VX PFC Activ 12V single rail, Quiet single-fan (1x 120mm), eficienta ~85%, OVP/OCP/SCP/UVP/OPP 60.38 EUR
Corsair POWER SUPPLY ATX 520W P IV TUV Corsair CMPSU-520HX PFC Activ 120mm Fan - Temp. Auto Control, SATA - PCIe connectors Silent 88.73 EUR
Corsair POWER SUPPLY ATX 620W P IV TUV Corsair CMPSU-620HX PFC Activ modulara, 3x 12V independent rails (power sharing), Quiet single-fan (1x 120mm), eficienta ~80% @ 50C, OVP/OCP/SCP/UVP/OPP 122.33 EUR
Seasonic POWER SUPPLY ATX 430W P IV TUV Seasonic S12-430 PFC Activ doua rail-uri independente 12V 120mm Fan - Temp. Auto Control 4 conectori SATA PCIe conector 66.26 EUR
Seasonic POWER SUPPLY ATX 500W P IV TUV Seasonic S12-500 PFC Activ doua rail-uri independente 12V 120mm Fan - Temp. Auto Control 6 conectori SATA 2 conectori PCIe conectori 96.08 EUR
Seasonic POWER SUPPLY ATX 600W P IV TUV Seasonic S12-600 PFC Activ doua rail-uri independente 12V 120mm Fan - Temp. Auto Control 6 conectori SATA 2 conectori PCIe conectori 132.51 EUR
Seasonic POWER SUPPLY ATX 700W P IV TUV Seasonic M12-700 PFC Activ rail-uri independente multiple 12V 120mm Fan - Temp. Auto Control 8 conectori SATA 4 conectori PCIe conectori 192.15 EUR
Enermax POWER SUPPLY ATX 850W P IV TUV Enermax Galaxy EGA850EWL PFC Activ 5 rail-uri independente 12V 135mm Fan - Temp. Auto Control 24 conectori IDE+SATA 4 conectori PCIe conectori modular cables 219.87 EUR

 

[Tudi]

Sorry if the long post bothers you. I just copy pastted it out of their offer, so some words are still in Romanian But it's not so hard to guess that "rail-uri independente" means independent rails

 

[croc]

Sorry if the long post bothers you. I just copy pastted it out of their offer, so some words are still in Romanian But it's not so hard to guess that "rail-uri independente" means independent rails

Fortron POWER SUPPLY ATX 600W P IV TUV Fortron Epsilon 600 PFC Activ 120mm Fan Temp. Auto Control, SATA - 2 xPCIe connectors SLI Ready 93.45 EUR
or the

Antec POWER SUPPLY ATX 550W P IV TUV Antec NEOPowerHE NeoHE550 PFC Activ 80mm Fan - Temp. Auto Control Silent SATA Connectors, Conectori PCIe, Advanced Cable Management 94.50 EUR.

If it were my choice, I'd get the first (Fortron) one. It should hold you for a while unless you decide to do serious upgrades

Interestingly, to me, it is also cheaper than the Antec....