How much power do I need? Which one?

jhammer569

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Aug 21, 2008
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Here are the components for my new PC with wattage requirements:
MB: Asus P5Q-E
---WATTS: 500-600w recommended per documentation if using 2 pcie cards

CPU: Intel Q9550
---WATTS: 95w at max

GPU: 2 x Sapphire ATI 3650's (I use 3 monitors for trading)
---WATTS: 550w or higher recommended per ATI docs for 2 cards
---Separate power connector not required for these cards

Mem: 2x2gb Corsair XMS2 DHX DDR2 800 (the ones w/ the large heatsinks on them)
---WATTS: Unknown, i'm guessing 5-10w max each, but I have no clue really

Hd: 2 x WD640gb
---WATTS: 10w at peak each, total of 20w

Fans: Probably 1 120mm intake + 1 120mm exhaust + CPU fan (not counting psu fan + ati fans)
---WATTS: Probably around 3-5w each, so around 15w total

Case: TBD (after picking all components, will pick case to fit them all)

Usage:
-No overclocking
-No gaming
-Mostly trading (for a living) across 3 monitors + home video editing + basic web/email/etc.

Question:
-So should I go with a 650w supply? 750 to be safe? Any brand recommendations?

Tnx!
 
Corsair is an excellent choice and newegg frequently lists these psus with rebates and discounts making it too good to resist. I have no need to buy any other brand of psu unless its that good of a deal and the quality is there...
 

jhammer569

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cool.

One more question then:
-If I get a high quality 550w or even decide on the 620w corsair, my computer will only pull the wattage it truly needs from the outlet, it just means the PSU could support (close to) 550w (or 620) if absolutely needed, but more than likely, I'll be pulling maybe 400w from the wall outlet give or take on average?

I'll look into diff. memory as well, the corsair needs to be at 2.1v to get the 4-4-4 latency from what i've read, so if 1.8v is safer/more reliable, then i'll look into that instead, i don't need overkill
 

bdollar

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+1 to 1.8v memory.

having more power than you need will not hurt anything. so if you only need 400w and you get 500 or 600w then that just gives you more room for future upgrades. but like already said 2 or 3 times get a good PSU. Corsair is a great recommendation.
 

radium69

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the Corsair DHX 2 800 Sticks are fast enoug, they don't have to run at 2,1 it is recommend to use 2,1v for 4-4-4 timings...

Jedec standard is 1.8 v and 5-5-5-15 latency i think.

anyway corsair is more expensive then GEIL, and my GEIL memory serves me very well. You don't have to spend more then you want. the 620 Corsair's are very reliable. I have one in my HTPC.
 

jhammer569

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Last question in this thread:

Corsair 520HX vs. Corsair 550VX

Priced about the same, and it sounds like both will meet my needs as far as wattage goes.

So my question is if modular (520) is worth it, is it that much better to get the cables out of the way that I don't use, or is that just for hardcore folks who love their pc's to be neat & tidy and at frigid temp's (in which case I might as well go higher wattage w/ higher efficiency in the 550)?

Tnx. (btw, jt, tnx for recommendation, i looked & i decided that i'm going to get the mushkin 2x2gb instead at 1.8v w/o the super tall heatsinks to get in the way of everything)