Tom's Hardware > Forum > CPU & Components > Power Supplies, PC Cases & Case Mods > Advice on a new PSU please

Advice on a new PSU please

Forum CPU & Components : Power Supplies, PC Cases & Case Mods - Advice on a new PSU please

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hero9989   08-13-2009 at 06:39:07 PM

My old PSU went wrong a couple of months ago, and aria have FINALLY contacted me about it and I've managed to squeeze a refund out of them for about £65

I now need a new PSU, one that won't fall apart on me whilst I'm trying to play Crysis Warhead :(

Antec nine hundred Case (4x 120mm fans + 1x 200mm fan)
MSI K9A2 Motherboard
Phenom II X3 720 CPU (overclocked is good, it'll likely be clocked at around 3.2Ghz)
Radeon HD4870 GPU (would like the option of a second one of these in the future so... 4x PCI-e connectors?)
2x 3.5" HDDs ( they can use either SATA or molex power connector)
2x DVD+-RW Drives (SATA powered)


I actually want to listen to somebody that knows what they're talking about this time, last time I went off and did my own thing and bought what seemed to be a good offer, only for it to break on me.


So yeah, I want a PSU that will power the PC I described above and won't go wrong on me, and if it does go wrong on me, I don't want it to take 2 months to sort it out like this one did...
Also don't want to pay a huge amount for it (if that's even slightly possible?) I may be able to stretch to £80-£90 at the absolute top end.

(Just for the curious, the one that went wrong was an Xilence 750W Redwing Modular)

Thanks in advance!! :)

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jtt283   08-13-2009 at 06:50:58 PM
- 0 +

A quality 500W PSU is all that system needs. I prefer Antec, but Corsair, Seasonic, PC Power & Cooling, and Enermax also make quality PSUs. Look for one that is 80+ certified (I believe all PSUs sold in Europe must have Active PFC...true?). You should be able to find an Antec Earthwatts 500W well within your budget. If you want more headroom (e.g. if you plan to run two graphics cards some day), then get the Earthwatts 650W model. Antec's TruePower New line (550W, 650W, 750W) are a step up in quality, and may be within your budget. They are also semi-modular.

Reply to jtt283
jtt283   08-13-2009 at 06:52:35 PM
- 0 +

If you would like to learn more about what makes a good PSU, there are excellent articles on www.hardwaresecrets.com. They also explain how a PSU should be properly reviewed, and have quite a few you can read. Other sites with good competent technical reviews include www.jonnyguru.com and www.hardocp.com.

Reply to jtt283
obsidian86   08-13-2009 at 06:57:56 PM
- 0 +

if you can sqeeze another £5 get this http://www.ebuyer.com/product/152506 if not this would work great http://www.ebuyer.com/product/127861 sqeeze tht extra £5


Message edited by obsidian86 on 08-13-2009 at 07:12:26 PM
Reply to obsidian86
jtt283   08-13-2009 at 07:08:57 PM
- 0 +

After re-reading your original message, I see you DO want two graphics cards; in that case you will want a 650W or 750W PSU.

Reply to jtt283
megahunter   08-13-2009 at 07:34:19 PM
- 0 +

Corsair 750TX or Corsair 650TX (http://www.ebuyer.com/product/135514)


Message edited by megahunter on 08-13-2009 at 07:38:48 PM
Reply to megahunter
hero9989   08-13-2009 at 08:03:55 PM
- 0 +

Just a quick extra question, are both 6 pin PCI-E power connectors needed to power the 4870? Or is only one needed?
I seem to be seeing a lot of PSUs that say SLI/CrossfireX that only have 2 PCI-E power connectors.

Reply to hero9989
RedJason   08-14-2009 at 04:45:15 AM
- 1 +

"yes it is" didn't really answer that question :P Is my hair brown or blonde? Yes it is...

But hey, now I am curious as to the correct answer to his question, do you need two PCIe 6pin connectors for each card? Thus making it 4 connectors needed before you can go Duo card SLI?

Reply to RedJason
masterjaw   08-14-2009 at 05:10:05 AM
- 0 +

Each 4870 uses 2 6-pin PCI-e connectors, so you need 4 of them.

And btw, you can't do SLI™ with 4870. It's Crossfire™ dude.

Reply to masterjaw
jtt283   08-14-2009 at 11:41:08 AM
- 0 +

A 650W or 750W Antec TruePower New will have the four connectors you need.

Reply to jtt283
hefox   08-14-2009 at 04:53:22 PM
- 0 +

This will do.
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/show [...] ubcat=1084

------------------------------ Intel i7 920, Gigabyte X58-DS4, 3x1 Corsair DDR3 1333, XFX 260 GTX
Samsung 750Gb F1,Samsung DVD-rw, Hiper Type-M 880W, Coolermaster HAF 932, Logitech Z-5500
 Reply to hefox
hefox   08-14-2009 at 04:59:05 PM
- 0 +

obsidian86 wrote :

still think this is a great deal http://www.ebuyer.com/product/152506


Yes but not for 2 x 4870.

------------------------------ Intel i7 920, Gigabyte X58-DS4, 3x1 Corsair DDR3 1333, XFX 260 GTX
Samsung 750Gb F1,Samsung DVD-rw, Hiper Type-M 880W, Coolermaster HAF 932, Logitech Z-5500
 Reply to hefox
hefox   08-14-2009 at 05:40:39 PM
- 0 +

obsidian86 wrote :

didn see that but hows this http://www.ebuyer.com/product/161664


The price difference between Corsair and Antec is only £2 but Corsair has 2 x 8pin and can go up to 900W and 5 years warranty.


Message edited by hefox on 08-14-2009 at 05:42:51 PM
------------------------------ Intel i7 920, Gigabyte X58-DS4, 3x1 Corsair DDR3 1333, XFX 260 GTX
Samsung 750Gb F1,Samsung DVD-rw, Hiper Type-M 880W, Coolermaster HAF 932, Logitech Z-5500
 Reply to hefox
obsidian86   08-14-2009 at 05:44:17 PM
- 0 +

difference is £6

Reply to obsidian86
hefox   08-14-2009 at 05:46:33 PM
- 0 +

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/134677
Actually is less than £2.

------------------------------ Intel i7 920, Gigabyte X58-DS4, 3x1 Corsair DDR3 1333, XFX 260 GTX
Samsung 750Gb F1,Samsung DVD-rw, Hiper Type-M 880W, Coolermaster HAF 932, Logitech Z-5500
 Reply to hefox
obsidian86   08-14-2009 at 05:49:10 PM
- 0 +

where is that op ?

Reply to obsidian86
hero9989   08-14-2009 at 09:25:35 PM
- 0 +

Looks like it's gonna be between:
Antec Earthwatts 750w: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/161664
and
Corsair 750w TX: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/134677



The Corsair gives extra warranty for £2 more (seems worth it)

Anyone know about having multiple 12v rails? The corsair has a single rail, the Antec has 4 rails. Do the extra rails add that much stability?

Reply to hero9989
hefox   08-14-2009 at 09:47:52 PM
- 0 +

I don't think that matters too much. The important thing is to have a good psu. I prefer one powerful rail instead of multiple rails.

------------------------------ Intel i7 920, Gigabyte X58-DS4, 3x1 Corsair DDR3 1333, XFX 260 GTX
Samsung 750Gb F1,Samsung DVD-rw, Hiper Type-M 880W, Coolermaster HAF 932, Logitech Z-5500
 Reply to hefox
hefox   08-14-2009 at 10:44:37 PM
- 0 +

I still prefer Corsair. I think is better.

------------------------------ Intel i7 920, Gigabyte X58-DS4, 3x1 Corsair DDR3 1333, XFX 260 GTX
Samsung 750Gb F1,Samsung DVD-rw, Hiper Type-M 880W, Coolermaster HAF 932, Logitech Z-5500
 Reply to hefox
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