Power supply?

Tuffie

Tuffie

Active Member
I need to pick a power supply, I want it to be high-end, because that's what everything in the computer is.

I have no idea what to pick because I just don't know what a power supply does, all I really know is it converts AC power to DC for the computer to use, but other then that I am screwed.

Well here are the specs of the computer I am going to build.

Processor: Intel Core2 -Extreme X6800.
-or Quad core.

Video Card: -Nvidia GeForce 8800 GTX
-Or Dual Nvidia GeForce 8800 GTX

RAM: - 3 x 1Gb DDR2
-2x 1 Gb OCZ DDR2 PC2-9600 FlexXLC Edition


Hard drive: Seagate SATA NCQ 400GB ST3400633AS-RK

Operating System: Windows Vista- Ultimate (OEM?)
- Home Premium (OEM?)

Wireless networking: 108Mbps WiFi Wireless LAN PCI Network Card L54A

Keyboard and Mouse: - Logitech MX500 Keyboard and mouse.
-Logitech® G15 Gaming Keyboard + Logitech MX Revolution.

Motherboard: NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI

Optical Drive: Asus 18xDVD+-RW, 14xDVD-RAM, 32xCDRW, SATA, LightScribe, BLACK

Chassis: CoolerMaster - CM Stacker 830-NVIDIA Edition
-CM Stacker 832
-CM Stacker 831
 
The problem with the GameXStream at that wattage is the quad rails and only 2 PCI-E connectors.

Do you have a budget for the PSU? If you can afford it, this is truly superb: Ultra X3 1KW. The Silverstone OP750 is another good choice.
 
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I would take ETSA's unit as first choice


must be very careful with which Ultra rebadge you buy, the Seventeam units are very good

andyson & enhance (now in taiwan) not so hot
 
The silverstone OP750 is starting to show up with buzzing problems when undere heavy load, like 8800 sli's while gaming


it apprears silverstone has not been using their usual etasis and seventeam psu's supplier and have opted for the cheaper company of enhance now in taiwan, they may fix this problem, will have to wait for old stock to clear to see what develops
 
Can someone explain the specs that make a power supply good? like I would say that the size and RPM of a hardrive is what makes it good, what would be the measurement for a power supply?

Also I was looking at THIS ONE WHICH IS LOCATED HERE is that a good power supply?

Whats the best power supply on the market now? why don't I just get that?

Kent.
 
Those high-end CoolerMaster units are built by Enhance. Good quality overall, but not spectacular considering the sort of competition available at that pricepoint. I'm not a fan of the 6 +12V rails, though. I'd prefer a more versatile single rail design.

It's difficult to specify exactly what's important to each individual when looking at a power supply (even in the case of a hard drive, you've listed size and RPM, but there's also Cache, seek time, average latency, etc...), but some of the things I consider to be very important are:
  • Output Power (total wattage, and more importantly amperage on the +12V rail(s))
  • Efficiency
  • Ability to output stable power (e.g. good regulation, low ripple)
  • Build Quality (longevity)
  • Available connectors
  • Other features (e.g. Modular Interface, PFC, etc...)
  • Noise (may or may not concern you)

As for the best PSU available? It's difficult to go past the PC Power and Cooling 1KW-SR. The main downsides are that it's very loud and very expensive. Next to that, the Ultra X3 is probably a more well rounded package, and would be about my top choice.

must be very careful with which Ultra rebadge you buy, the Seventeam units are very good

andyson & enhance (now in taiwan) not so hot
Click to expand...
Ultra don't use Enhance. Regardless of the performance of the X-Pro 600W, the X3 is a true server grade platform, and performs extremely well: http://www.jonnyguru.com/review_details.php?id=103. Even though it's still a new unit, I've seen overwhelmingly positive reviews on it.

it apprears silverstone has not been using their usual etasis and seventeam psu's supplier and have opted for the cheaper company of enhance now in taiwan, they may fix this problem, will have to wait for old stock to clear to see what develops
Click to expand...
Traditionally, the Striders, Elements and older Zeus have been Enhance based and the newer Zeus' are server grade Etasis units. The OP1000 is a Seventeam unit, but the lower Olympia's are a little more of a mystery. They're engineered by Etasis, but I suspect you're right in saying that they're produced in Enhance's new Taiwan factory, despite the fact that Silverstone strongly denies it. Certainly many of the components are what you'd find in an Enhance.

The Seasonic M12 700W is definitely a superb quality unit, although pricey for a 700W.
 
XRT said:
I need to pick a power supply, I want it to be high-end, because that's what everything in the computer is.

I have no idea what to pick because I just don't know what a power supply does, all I really know is it converts AC power to DC for the computer to use, but other then that I am screwed.

Well here are the specs of the computer I am going to build.

Processor: Intel Core2 -Extreme X6800.
-or Quad core.

Video Card: -Nvidia GeForce 8800 GTX
-Or Dual Nvidia GeForce 8800 GTX

RAM: - 3 x 1Gb DDR2
-2x 1 Gb OCZ DDR2 PC2-9600 FlexXLC Edition


Hard drive: Seagate SATA NCQ 400GB ST3400633AS-RK

Operating System: Windows Vista- Ultimate (OEM?)
- Home Premium (OEM?)

Wireless networking: 108Mbps WiFi Wireless LAN PCI Network Card L54A

Keyboard and Mouse: - Logitech MX500 Keyboard and mouse.
-Logitech® G15 Gaming Keyboard + Logitech MX Revolution.

Motherboard: NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI

Optical Drive: Asus 18xDVD+-RW, 14xDVD-RAM, 32xCDRW, SATA, LightScribe, BLACK

Chassis: CoolerMaster - CM Stacker 830-NVIDIA Edition
-CM Stacker 832
-CM Stacker 831
Click to expand...

keep in mind that you will need Quad SLI because one 8800GTX needs a Dual SLI PSU to run.

i use the Thermaltake 750 toughpower SLI ready for my system, it has more than enough molex connectors to hold the 9 fans im going to use, for sli 8800gtx i would recommend something over a 1000w.

when i buy my second 8800gtx i will be buying a 1250w toughpower PSU to run both of them together....

Master Mind
 
CEE: I agree with his recommendations as far as what to look for in a PSU

a couple other very good points to look for : temperature rating


many PSU's test and rate their units ability at different temps some units are rated while in an environment of 25C, others state 40C, the good high quality units state 50C <<<< these are the best

another nasty little trick is efficiency rating, some will post their rating at light load while other label their efficiency rating at high load the higher the efficiency at the higher load is far better performer

a very solid choice is the Thermal Take Toguhpower units

The Silverstone Strider 850 is an awesome offering , pretty sure built by Etasis of China very good unit, especially when compared to the now floundering Enhance rebadges being made in Taiwan and their label shows it! thats no rumor. The Olympia and Decathlons both!
If you go Silverstone, stick with the Striders


As CEE stated, if you can handle the prive tag, the Seasonic M12-700 watt is pure Quality without rival. And I saw a JG review where this unit is really a single rail if memory serves me correctly, but with alittle trickery to make it act like a multi rail. The single 12Volt rail is better for high demand load systems, no rail balancing to fuss with!

enjoy you have been given some great choices,
 
The Striders are OEM Enhance: http://www.jonnyguru.com/review_details.php?id=101
jonnyguru said:
Today we have the SilverStone Strider ST85F. What may be the third installment in the Strider Trilogy (ST60F, ST75F and now the ST85F.) What makes the unit a "Strider" is that it's modular and is OEM Enhance.
Click to expand...
I know that the Olympias and Decathlons are built in Taiwan, but exactly who's building them is still speculation.

The Toughpowers are definitely solid, but be aware that the total +12V rating appears to be peak rather than continuous.

konstruct is correct about the Seasonic being essentially a single rail unit. This is the case with all of the Seasonic builds, including the Corsairs and Antecs, and is a definite advantage, IMO.
 
Cee:


something is up with the enhance OEM


I saw the a strider review with a blow up picture of the amp sticker, the 850 strider is built in china, which is were the know good performers of this line were known to come from. Yet the Silverstone Olympia and Dacathalon have a made in taiwan sticker, it has been rumored that enhance has either a spun off plant in taiwan or they have moved to taiwan, but regardless the quality is proving to be absent.

What is troubling to me; when two different owners called silverstone for RMA one sent the unit for RMA and was returned still annoying loud buzzing when under heavy load. The other user called for an RMA, they told him this is "normal" :eek:

We all know a loud buzzing is not a good thing in electrical devices. One user likened the noise to a pair of hair clippers :rolleyes:

The Zuess on the other hand is proven solid as are the Etasis OEM units.
 
Excellent point Cee

The Toughpowers are definitely solid, but be aware that the total +12V rating appears to be peak rather than continuous.

which translates to; over size your unit purchase.

I havent seen any of the overclockers complaining on any of these yet, if these can take sli 8800's overclocked, and cpu's overclocked
then they are ready for everday battle for sure.
 
if i may suggest another possibility, try "PC Power & Cooling"
their silencer 750 quad seen here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Description=silencer+quad

has a good rating. producing 750W continuous power at only 40C (825W peak). Also, they are tested to handle 8800GTX in SLI or so they claim in their website... :D:D

hopefully im not confusing XRT by adding more option.
just wanna contribute my 2 cents. :)

EDIT: im so sure about overclocking though... but they also have the 1KW PSU if you want
 
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