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Power Supply recomendation.

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ZeroTech   09-05-2008 at 05:42:02 PM

I am building a system (first time), but I am having trouble finding the required power supply.
Specs:
Motherboard: Asus Maximus Formula X38
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300
Video Card: PNY Nvidia 9600GT
RAM: 4GB (4x1GB) DDR2 1066MHz
HDD: 4x SATA 7200 - 2x 160GB (in Raid 0) and 2x 500GB
Drives: DVD/CD Combo Burner & Blu-Ray Drive
USB Devices: 4-5
TV-Tuner: Satellite
Fans: 3x 120mm

I have checked different Power Supply Calculators, but they seem to give me different results.
I've checked:
http://www.thermaltake.outervision.com/Power & http://extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp : 439W @ 100% System Load
Asus Calculator : ~620W
Newegg Calculator: ~650W

I don't plan on adding anything else to my PC, so these specs are final.
Which one should I trust? What are your recommendations/experience?

Thank You

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evongugg   09-05-2008 at 05:54:29 PM
- 0 +

Welcome to the forums!

None. Look at the specifications and add up the actual figures for each component.
You will see your figure will be a lot lower.
These engines approximate the power needs.


Message edited by evongugg on 09-05-2008 at 05:56:07 PM
------------------------------ Google is your friend and Bob's your uncle
 Reply to evongugg
IH8U   09-05-2008 at 06:00:18 PM
- 0 +

Any of these should work fine:

1. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817256009
$120 (Silverstone modular 750W)
2. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817379006
$140 (Zalman 750W, I have it and have only 1 complaint, the freakin LED's are blinding)(Modular)
3. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139006
$130 (Corsair 750W)(Not modular)
4. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817703009
$155 (PC P&C 750W)(not modular)
5. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817341013
$160 (OCZ 800W)(not modular)

Reply to IH8U
evongugg   09-05-2008 at 06:16:00 PM
- 0 +

The engine we use most here is Extreme Outervision.
It is the best in my opinion.

------------------------------ Google is your friend and Bob's your uncle
 Reply to evongugg
geofelt   09-05-2008 at 06:37:19 PM
- 0 +

Quick method to select a viable power supply.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The VGA card configuration is the most important factor in determining the power requirements
Look at the total number of pci-e power connectors that are required.
Some cards need none, some one, and some two.
If you will be using SLI/Crossfire, then the total number will double.
a QUALITY PSU will be able to deliver adequate power to all
the pci-e power connectors that it has, and then some.
Hard drives, CD burners,RAM, and the cpu do not need very much power compared to the vga cards.
Ignore them as an issue unless you have many, many such components that might fill a server case.

A quality PSU will deliver it's output at full load and at high temperatures.
A lower quality PSU will advertise high wattage,
but may deliver those watts at other than the 12v rails where it is needed.

Quality units are Corsair, Seasonic, and PC Power&Cooling. There are others.

Modular vs. non-modular is a minor consideration.
Cable management is a bit cleaner with modular,
but if you get a proper sized psu, you will be using many of the leads anyway.

A PSU is most efficient in the middle two thirds of it's range.
It will use only what it needs, regardless of it's wattage.
If the PSU is not being pushed to it's max, then it's fan will not spin up and it will be quieter.
This argues for getting a PSU that is a notch better than minimum.

Your 9600GT requires only one pci-e power connector.
The rest of your system is a bit more than typical, but not that much. Your needs would be satisfied by a PC-P&C silencer500.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817703016

The PC P&C silencer610 has a $20 rebate, and is a better deal, even if it is a bit of overkill.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817703005


Reply to geofelt
jtt283   09-05-2008 at 06:46:33 PM
- 0 +

+1 to Extreme Outervision. If it says 439W, then simply to allow for future upgrades and so your PSU will run in a more efficient part of its range, get one in the 500W to 550W range. Anything over 600W is unnecessary and probably a waste of money unless you get a really good deal on a top quality product like PC Power & Cooling or Corsair, or maybe Antec and OCZ.

Given that your specs are "final," I'll assume you've already purchased everything. If you haven't, I'd reconsider the RAM and get DDR2-800 that will run at its advertised timings on the JEDEC standard 1.8V. DDR2-1066 is just factory oc'ed 800 that requires a voltage increase (typically to 2.1 but sometimes higher) to reach its listed timings. At any BIOS reset, which puts the voltage back to 1.8v, the timings will probably revert to something like 6-6-6-18 or even 7-7-7-18. Mushkin has a 2x2GB pair of DDR2-800 that will run at 5-4-4-12 on 1.8v.

------------------------------ There is ALWAYS a drone. Exactly where, or how many drones you will encounter may vary, but that there will be at least one will not.
 Reply to jtt283
beru   09-05-2008 at 07:24:20 PM
- 0 +

If you want near perfect stable power and overall quality PSU to me the choice is quite clear : PC Power & Cooling S75CF 750W EPS12V SLI NVIDIA SLI Certified / CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply = 149.99 on Newegg at that price it's quite a deal!!! You'll be able to buil up you system and not have to worry about your PSU ..PC Cooling & Power are a cut above most PSU's out there...

I'm an independent system builder/tech and building PC's is what I do..! ;)

Reply to beru
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