updating PC a bit, PSU, CPU fan

paul_v_biker · 21 Jul 2006 at 23:46

I'm after a good quality low power PSU to reaplce my elecy draining "pretty" one!.

At the moment I'm running 550w and don't think i need that much for a purely surfing PC.

Was looking at the 360W Zalman model, any good?

Also looking at changing my bog stand cpu cooler for something a touch better, I'm running a Anthon AMD 2400 chip.

Budget is around 100 for both, preferable less.

Thanks Paul.

semi-pro waster · 22 Jul 2006 at 01:22

You don't specify your CPU fully but I'm assuming it is socket A? If so you don't have too much choice left in replacement options, the AkasaAK-827 Ultra Quiet Copper Base CPU Cooler seems pretty cheap and fairly quiet if the figures are correct.

For the PSU I might suggest an FSP 400w Blue Storm if you want to downgrade and between both components it only uses about half your budget

Corasik · 22 Jul 2006 at 09:30

Just because your PSU 'CAN' supply your PC with 550W, doesnt mean its pulling that from the mains all the time.

A PSU will always pull slightly more AC power, than your PC's requirements in DC power. The difference is the 'efficiency' of your PSU.

Seasonic make some of the most efficient PSU's with over 80% average efficiency over a very wide range of power levels.

That said, unless you have a Q-Tec, your current PSU probably isnt that bad. And it will probably cost you more money to change the PSU than you would save in electric/running costs.

realscot · 22 Jul 2006 at 10:31

Corasik said:
And it will probably cost you more money to change the PSU than you would save in electric/running costs.

I agree, stick with the PSU you have, and as for cpu cooler
Akasa AK-827BL Copper Based CPU Cooler Blue LED Fan (Socket A) (HS-016-AK)
I had one of those on my SKTA XP2500 and i could run it at 2.4GHz all day long at around 40c

Raikiri · 22 Jul 2006 at 10:50

Thermaltake Sonic Tower 4-in-1 Noiseless Heatpipe (Socket 939/754/775/478) CPU Cooler (CL-P0071) (HS-009-TT)
Price: £19.95 (£23.44 Including VAT at 17.5%)

As people have said unless it is a Q-Tec don't bother changing the PSU.

semi-pro waster · 22 Jul 2006 at 17:14

Raikiri said:
Thermaltake Sonic Tower 4-in-1 Noiseless Heatpipe (Socket 939/754/775/478) CPU Cooler (CL-P0071) (HS-009-TT)
Price: £19.95 (£23.44 Including VAT at 17.5%)

Does that fit Socket A? If not then I don't think it will fit without a bit of a bodge job

Raikiri · 22 Jul 2006 at 17:15

semi-pro waster said:
Does that fit Socket A? If not then I don't think it will fit without a bit of a bodge job

Website says K7 upto athlon xp 3400+ so it must do

Edit: I believe it needs mounting holes around the socket in order to fit

paul_v_biker · 22 Jul 2006 at 18:11

One of the main reasons for changing the PSU is because it's quite noisy, made by Colors, so down sizing is purely because I'm changing.

It is a Socket A, boards a Gigabyte K7 Triton GA-7N400 Pro2.

Thanks.

Corasik · 22 Jul 2006 at 18:26

If its noise is annoying, then thats a fair enough reason to change. I've got a Zalman 400, and its fairly quite, but its 12v rail is fairly low amps. I wouldnt recommend the even weaker 360.

I would suggest looking at the Seasonic 430w though. Its even quieter than the zalman ( a friend has one ), and its got a much better 12V supply.

paul_v_biker · 22 Jul 2006 at 19:33

Thanks for that, sounds good from the blurb and if it's silent, thats good enough for me!

Just bought another stick of RAM to go in , I think i'll leave the CPU cooler for now, as i remeber I paid 35 odd for it last time so must be a bit better than a bog standard one i thought it was.

Only other thing I might want to change iso the graphics card, it's just a cheap MX-440. PC isn't used for gaming but I'm editing pitures quite a lot so would changing the graphics card improve picture quality on monitor? Monitors a Samsung SyncMaster 710v 17" TFT.

Thanks again.

semi-pro waster · 22 Jul 2006 at 22:16

It wouldn't necessarily improve picture quality but some people(subjectively) think that ATI graphics cards offer a nicer picture or better picture quality. The main benefit to upgrading would be that it would probably be a bit faster for refreshing the screen etc, maybe look to a Radeon 9500 series card or higher, you should be able to pick them up in AGP form pretty cheaply now, maybe a Radeon 9500 128mb from here might be worth a look.

paul_v_biker · 22 Jul 2006 at 22:59

Perfect! Just what I was trying to find earlier.

I'ved been meaning to upgrade the card for couple years now, it's the only original component from the kit I bought.

paul_v_biker · 27 Jul 2006 at 09:36

Thought I would update..

I got al the bits through other day..was like x-mas had come early

But very impressed with all of it, the Seasonic PSU is very quiet, I like the extra bit it comes with for case fan control and the molex plugs are soooo easy to take off with the little clips.

the Graphics card I'm having troubles installing drivers at the moment, but need to wait until I format to do all of that which I'm also having troubles with (post in windows software...HELP!)

Stick of ram working nicely, easily noticing the increase in speed.

Thanks all for your help.