Modular PSU

Eye seven · 3 Mar 2009 at 13:13

Hi,

I am putting together a new build i7 PC but am having problems trying to find the correct PSU. I will probably go with the Antec 1200 case as I will need some storage and room, along with an OC i7, 6 gb RAM, 3 hard drives for starters, 2 dvd's and a single GPU but may well go for a second at some point. So knowing that I have 2 real questions.

1) I want to go modular to keep cables to a minimum. But what power rating would be good enough to run the above specification with a bit of redundancy built in? Quiet would also be good.

2) The Antec 1200 is quite a big case - and I want to keep my cabling as out of the way as possible. Will the standard cable lengths ln the PSU allow me to route the cables as I would wish on such a large case without having to use extension cables? Are there PSU's out there with a longer cable run than others that also fit the first criteria?

Many thanks for your responses.

Eye seven · 3 Mar 2009 at 21:21

That 1000w looks like a monster and the price I hope indicates the quality. Over time is hardware becoming more power hungry or are we turning the corner and have peaked with power usage. Seems like CPUs are getting better but GPUs are getting hungrier. Was just thinking about the future and the power needs of a PC in say 3 years time. What do you guys reckon - more speed less power or more speed with an increase in power requirements?

Eye seven · 3 Mar 2009 at 21:44

500w would be sufficient even with 2 graphics cards? That would be good news if that were possible.

Eye seven · 3 Mar 2009 at 23:30

GPU wise is a very good question. I think I will be making the purchase in the summer so I am hoping the next generation of cards are out by then. A 5870 (if there is to be such a named card) I guess is where I would be heading initially - or whatever the evolution of the 4870 would be. That is assuming it will be out by the summer.

Eye seven · 3 Mar 2009 at 23:54

Nobodys-Inn said:
Just a further update on what I said previously, just installed my fourth PSU this time a Tagan BZ 900, so far seems the quietest psu ive had in ages, and at last I was able to get rid of my psu extension leads, as the tagan ones reach the sockets no problem, even routing behind motherboard.

Now all I need to do is sort out my sata cabling, thats the price you pay for having 8 hard drives installed tho I guess

Hadn't even looked at the Tagan but the user feedback looks great. I like the fact the modular cables are screw in - looks like a very safe idea. Thanks very much for the info.