Antec Basiq Power vs OCZ Modstream

zigzag33 · 17 Mar 2009 at 13:22

First up, hello everybody. I've been lurking for a while, but this is my first post. From my lurking I think I've speced up the PC I'm after, but just got some questions on PSU's and cases.

I did my last build in a CM Elite, which was good value, with the PSU included, but not great for routing cables around. Thought this time round I'd splash out on a slightly nicer case and PSU. I've never used a modular PSU, but hear it makes cable management easier, so should bring down temps.

Anyway what I'm here to ask is what is the Antec 550W Basiq like compared to the OCZ 500W Modstream. The modstream seems to have a lot of good reviews, but I can't find much on the Basiq. It would be nice to save £17 on the bundle with the 300 & Basiq, but don't want to if its awful.

What are your thoughts?

zigzag33 · 17 Mar 2009 at 13:30

Just thought, the rest of the spec may be handy.

E8400
Gigabyte GA-EP43-S3L iP43
4GB 1066 Kingston Hyper X
4870 1GB
1TB Samsung Spinpoint
DVD Drive
Akasa AK965

I'll also be using an older 500gb SATA drive from my old machine.

zigzag33 · 17 Mar 2009 at 14:08

Sorry one more question. The Antec 300 comes with 2 case fans. Would it be better to use 3 or 4 pin fans for an additional two on the front.

I was thinking of using Akasa AK-183 for the extra two.

zigzag33 · 17 Mar 2009 at 21:36

Nobody?

Blackhawk47 · 17 Mar 2009 at 21:59

Personally i would go for this psu:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-016-CS&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=1084

Or for a little headroom, this psu:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-005-CS&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=1084

Both of those are modular PSUs, which should help a lot with cable management, because you only need to plug in the cables you need and you wont have loads of unused and unneccessary cables left over (which you would get from a non modular psu).

For the antec 300 fans, its really up to you, when i did a build in a 300, i added 3 120mm sharkoon silent eagles, 2 in the front for intake and replaced the antec rear tricool with the other sharkoon. I was also able to hook them up to a fan controller as well as having the cables look a lot neater.

But that is up to you, as for the akasa fan you linked to, i have used one and did not like them at all. Mine seemed to make ticking noises and didnt really push enough air and to top it off it wasnt even that quiet.

Then again from what ive heard those antec power supplies are pretty decent for the price so i suggest doing some research.

zigzag33 · 17 Mar 2009 at 22:05

Thanks for you suggestions.

I had done quite a lot of googling on the Antec, can't find any decent reviews like for the OCZ, which is why I thought I'd ask here.

Cheers for the info on the Akasa fans, that's exactly the kind of personnel experience I was after. I'll give them a miss.

Not considered a fan controller, although may consider one next month, especially if it help make things neater. Already gone way over budget though, so will have to wait for now sadly. Out of interest which one do you use?

Blackhawk47 · 18 Mar 2009 at 18:52

zigzag33 said:
Out of interest which one do you use?

Currently i am using this on my Antec mini p180 case:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BB-003-SY&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=189

Though i do have/used this on my antec 300:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=OA-002-AK&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=189

And to be completely honest, i much prefer the one that i am using now. It is much more sleek, and gives you more control as you can control the rpm all the way and even turn off the fan. With the akasa which i used on my 300, i found that i could only lower the fan to 50% and no more. And i am using 2000rpm sharkoons which on full speed are loud but they push loads of air, which i then lower to 1000rpm or lower so i have a quiet pc.