Pls spec me a PSU

xirokx

xirokx

xirokx

Soldato
Joined
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Hi peeps,

I am a total n00b when it comes to PC's so I would really appreciate some help and advise.

My system specs are as follows:

AMD Athlon 64+ 3500 Newcastle s939
Asus A8V Delux mobo
Artic Cooling Freezer 64 Pro CPU Cooler
Nvidia Geforce 4 Ti4600 (128mb)
1gig Ram 4x 256 DDR
1 x 200gig maxtor hd
1x 160gig samsung hd
1x NEC 3500 DVD RW

I use my comp to play games, download stuff and to surf.

My pc is really noisey, at first I thought it was the CPU fan so I changed it but the noise remains.

Therefore I would like to change the PSU as I am 75% sure thats the culprit....

I know PSU are vital and if your PC doesnt have enough juice it could die and take several components with it.

So please can you spec me a PSU??? When suggesting if you could specifiy the name and model that would be great......

By the way I am open book so budget is open at the moment however we are all after a deal :-) There's no point in purchasing something I will not uliltise to its potential.....

Thanks in advance

Cheers!
 
I think a good quality 430W PSU from the likes of Enermax, Seasonic, Antec and Akasa will do nicely, I've not had experience with the other PSUs but all I can say is avoid the cheap Q-Tec models.

I have used an Antec 430W before and it was pretty stable and quiet. Either that or go for a 500W which will ensure stability for future upgrades.
 
If you want pay more for a silent psu get the

Antec Phantom 500W Hybrid Fan Silent ATX2.0 PSU (CA-036-AN)

This psu fan only runs went needed..But you will need good case cooling.

Building upon the technology that made our revolutionary Phantom 350 power supply totally silent, the Phantom 500 with Antec's new Hybrid Fan technology, provides awesome power while continuing to offer the user an extremely quiet computing environment. Phantom 500 operates completely silently until its internal temperature reaches a user selected temperature, whereupon the fan turns on to balance high power performance with quiet computing.

- ATX12V version 2.01 compliant
- Dual +12V outputs
- Hybrid fan design
- Exceptional power efficiency up to 86% at full load
- 4 Serial ATA power connectors
- PCI-E graphic card power connector
- Fanless operation for absolutely silent computing. Three user selectable fan kick-in points for quiet computing under higher loads
- Specially designed internal heatsinks and chassis heatsink for maximum heat dissipation


But silent comes at a high price....Price: £94.95 (£111.57 Including VAT at 17.5%)
 
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Thanks Guys

Will the Tagan TG430-U15 430W ATX2.01 Easycon SLi Compliant Modular Silent PSU (CA-007-TG) fit into my case?

Will it last for future upgrades i.e. 4400 with xt1900 n 2g ram with 400 gig hdd?
 
Tagan are very good psu's but i personally would go for something a bit beefier than 430watt if you are planning on going for dual core and some seriously beefy gfx.
 
xirokx said:
Thanks Guys

Will the Tagan TG430-U15 430W ATX2.01 Easycon SLi Compliant Modular Silent PSU (CA-007-TG) fit into my case?

Will it last for future upgrades i.e. 4400 with xt1900 n 2g ram with 400 gig hdd?
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430watt is already below spec for a single xt1900xt card.

I would not buy a psu under at lest 500watts min for single gfx card.If your builting a gaming system and want future upgrades.
Min spec psu for daul gfx cards is already 550watt.
 
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rxmac said:
Tagan are very good psu's but i personally would go for something a bit beefier than 430watt if you are planning on going for dual core and some seriously beefy gfx.
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He should be fine... at least I hope so... running on one PC a X2 3800+ with (as of tomorrow when it should arrive) a X1900XT and the other will be a overclocked 3500+ Venice and SLI 6600's.
 
Damnit guys, where are the Hiper and FSP recommendations?!

Both are quality PSU's at good prices. OcUK don't stock the Hiper 425W model any more but they are great PSU's and are cheap.
 
xirokx said:
Will it last for future upgrades i.e. 4400 with xt1900 n 2g ram with 400 gig hdd?
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You see you didn't state that in your first post...

There's no point in purchasing something I will not uliltise to its potential.....
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...hence the suggestion of the 430W PSU, providing it's from a reliable source, a 430W will provide enough power for your current system. If you do intend on going SLi, then obviously something more powerful wouldn't go a miss - try the Seasonic 600W for that matter... I have one in my system and it works fine. :) I'm sure the FSPs are great PSUs as well, since they too have above average prices. :)
 
Hmmmmm

So the 430w Tagan will not be a good choice for the future?

But a 550w tagan will be?

That said I don't intend to upgrade for at least another 6 - 8 months so would you agree if I went with the 430w Tagan? By the time I upgrade who knows what other gfx cards and cpus will be released which will mean even the 550w will not suffice........What do you think? Forgive me if I am wrong I am a n00b :-)

Also please advise how I can ensure it is my psu which is making a lot of noise. A friend suggested opening up the PC and then putting a pen on the PSU fan for a few seconds so you can hear the other fans and to use that method on a trial and error basis........What do you think?

Please help.........

Thanks
 
DO NOT DO THAT! Can't stress that enough. I once turned on my computer (I have watercooling) and one of my fans had got tangled with a wire. It tried to start up and then I heard a huge BANG/POP. I quickly shut it off and realised what had happened. A second time a fan was grinding on something and all my lights were flickering when I turned on and the PC didn't post.

I can't imagine the damage of doing that to a PSU fan. It would most likely overload the fan and could blow the PSU - which might in turn take components with it. Resistance would increase significantly in the fan and the wires would heat up, which is what would cause the above.

If after a future proof excellent PSU, Hiper 580W modular. Excellent price and excellent PSU. Would hold upgrades too seeing as it is SLi certified.
 
Firstly, go for a ATX2.2 Sli Compliant PSU, which will cater for all todays needs and some of tomorrows.

Secondly, go for one that has proven stability and reliability.

Thirdly, go for something nice and quite!

May I recommend the Seasonic 600W. It's won best PSU in a massive review in Custom PC a few months back.

I have this in my system and you can't hear it all and it's solid as a rock.

The only down side is all the cables which are a bit of a nightmare.. Nothing like a modular system like the Hiper. The Hiper itself looks really cool. My bruv-in-law has one and his case looks really tidy but at a cost of the noise and possibly the satbility. Report suggest that it isn't stable near full load.

It's a shame that the seasonic isn't modular as it would be the most perfect PSU ever, but it isn't much short of it already.

:)
 
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The seasonic is very expensive and a OTT for my current requirements. Although I appreciate it can be used for the future also.

Its look like I will be going for the Tagan 430w its cost effective, will be quiet and will be more than capable of fulfilling my current requirements.

Thanks

Any further info would be appreciated
 
xirokx said:
The seasonic is very expensive and a OTT for my current requirements. Although I appreciate it can be used for the future also.

Its look like I will be going for the Tagan 430w its cost effective, will be quiet and will be more than capable of fulfilling my current requirements.

Thanks

Any further info would be appreciated
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Well there we are then, either you want it to be future proof or you don't. Get a Tagan for your current requirements, and then a Seasonic 600W if you decide to get a more power hungry system. :)
 
Hey Mr Huddy,

That website is a godsend for n00b's like me, very informative and detailed, will make good bed time reading.....

Do you know how long ago they tested each PSU on the main page where they have ranked each one? Of course this will help me determine if the new is old when making a decision which PSU to go for.

They suggest anything from a 350w to a 550w however once you begin meddling with SLI and dual core PSU then its a higher wattage is required.

I especially liked they way the explained the 4 ways in which electricity is measured for a desktop. I have seen the breakdown in "everest" but never understood quite what it meant until now

Thanks a lot mate really appreciate that.

Cheers!
 
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