Would this power supply be good enough for my new build?

ajsellaroli

Distinguished
Dec 14, 2007
297
0
18,780
Hello everyone

I'm building this system for video/image editing. I am looking at power supplies, and I found a great deal on this one called the Antec TruePower Trio 550 v2.2, for 60 bucks. I have the Antec 900 case, and thought this would work with it for sure). I was wondering if you all thought it would be enough to power the following system.. (I haven't bought all the parts yet):

Processor
E4500
$125
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115031&Tpk=e4500

Motherboard
GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard
$80 with rebate
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10006307&prodlist=cj

Case
Antec 900
$80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021&Tpk=Antec%2b900

Ram
OCZ ATI CrossFire 2GB
$50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227169

DVD Burner
LG Black 20X DVD+R
$25
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136117

Graphics Card
Radeon hd 3850
$180
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121100

PSU
Antec TruePower trio 550 watt v2.2
$60 (on sale)

Hard Drive
Western Digital Caviar 500gb 7200rpm SATA
$105
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073




TY. comments on the build are also appreciated
 

ajsellaroli

Distinguished
Dec 14, 2007
297
0
18,780
Thanks Chuck. That's interesting, somebody else suggested that power supply too. Any particular reason why you would choose the corsair over the antec?

Thank you for the advice on the ram, I didn't even know there was a possibility of compatibility issues, I'll check it out.
 

ajsellaroli

Distinguished
Dec 14, 2007
297
0
18,780
Basically, here's the main reason why I'm leaning more towards the Antec Truepower Trio: it normally costs $120. That makes me think I'd be getting a better value. is this true?
 

tlmck

Distinguished
The Antec will be fine. It is one of the models being cleared out to make room for the newer stuff. The trend is going back to a powerful single 12v rail. The Antec is the 80% efficiency category, and has a 5 year warranty which Antec stands behind very well.

Antec is all I have used in my last 5 builds. Never had an issue. Friends have had good luck with Corsair, and OCZ.
 

nvalhalla

Distinguished
Mar 14, 2006
1,076
0
19,360
ram will be fine. compatablitity issues are mostly a thing of the past. the antec is nice, used it in a build of mine. way more power than you'll need too. don't use that dvd drive! its pata, and that's bad. just remember P ata=P lague! there, now switch that out for a sata one. (pata is a dying connection, sata is easier.)
 

ajsellaroli

Distinguished
Dec 14, 2007
297
0
18,780


Oh, see that was my problem. This will be my first build, I've done alot of research, but don't understand everything perfectly yet. This is one of those times. First of all, what is a rail? and are multiple rails better than single rails?



Oh good, it will be more power than I need? I plan to upgrade in the future, probably to the 8800 GT and a quad processor, would it still be able to power that? and SHOOT, somebody already pointed out the sata/pata harddrive problem, I forgot to fix it, thanks so much, I would've bought the wrong thing!
 

bobbknight

Distinguished
Feb 7, 2006
1,542
0
19,780
PCPower&Cooling PSU's are, to me the best you can buy.
They have a power calculator on their web site also.
Newegg has some nice sales on PCPower&Cooling PSU's about once every two weeks.
 

tlmck

Distinguished
A "rail" is the term given to the various voltages put out by a power supply. A typical ATX power supply has 4 rails, +12VDC, +5VDC, +3.3VDC and -12VDC.

Basically a power supply converts the AC voltage coming from the wall socket to the DC voltage your computer uses. After that, various voltage regulators in the power supply convert the DC into the various rails above.

If you want a more detailed explanation, you can read these pages. Good stuff to know.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATX
http://www.formfactors.org/developer%5Cspecs%5CATX12V_PSDG_2_2_public_br2.pdf
 
Your config is fine. Yes PC P&C makes the best PSUs, but for your budget the PSU you found on sale is a better fit. It will do the job,
and any additional money would be better spent elsewhere.

If you can afford a Q6600 instead of the E4500 it will help a lot with the video processing.

Get a SATA burner, not IDE. Example Samsung SH-S203B or Assu DRW-1814BLT or LG GSA-H62N.