PSU choice...

[retroborg]

Hello.
I want to buy a new PSU based on the characteristics of my PC:

Intel Northwood P4 2.4 GHZ FSB400MHZ
ASUS P4T-E M/B
768 RDRAM PC800
NVIDIA GeForce4 Ti 4200 128MB 8X AGP
Leadtek Winfast DV2000 Video Capture card
Sound Blaster Live 5.1 Series (WDM)
Sea Gate 120GB 7200RPM HD ATA
Sea Gate 200GB 7200RPM HD ATA
Pioneer DVD-ROM DVD-106 16X 40X
CD-R Plextor PlexWriter 16/10/40A
Creative Labs 52X CD-ROM
Realtek RTL8139 Family PCI Fast Ethernet 10/100MBPS
US Robotics 56K External FAXModem

I’m thinking about buying one of the following:

Chieftec 420W double fan, Active PFC: 75Euros ($92)
Zalman 400W double fan, with noise reduction, Active PFC: 107 ($131)
THERMALTAKE PurePower 480W Silent: 107Euros ($131)
ANTEC True Power 430W Low Noise: 112Euros ($137)
ANTEC True Power 480W Low Noise: 132Euros ($162)

Or any other suggested.

I think the Chieftec is the better choice, due to its price, but I don’t know how noisy it will be, as it has 2 fans & no noise reduction, unlike the others.
Should I buy a larger 450-500W PSU instead, or just go for the chieftec 420W?
Will a larger PSU, improve the performance of my PC in 3D games & real time video capturing, compared to what I have now.

You see…
My current PSU, is a simple no name, single fan PSU at 300W, but it’s not noisy at all.
Generally I use the PC a lot!
So I think this upgrade is more than necessary, don’t you agree?

Thanks in advance.

[TiG]

Well personally i'd rather spend slightly more on my PSU, i've got the Enermax 465W one, decent brand name, well respected. Out of the ones you've listed i'd take either of the Antec's over that simply because of brand reputation for producing top quality PSU's.

TiG

[BUFF]

Where are you?
If you are in the States then the Fortron 530W is highly rated (they aren't available here at sensible prices) for the money.
having said that the Antec True Power 480 is only $87 at Newegg so either you aren't in the States or you are being ripped off.

In Europe I rate the Tagan 480W very highly.

[retroborg]

No I'm in Europe.
And yes I am being ripped off!

[BenW]

I would go for the Thermaltake 480W Butterfly (Has shrink wrapped cables)

[skattrd]

Out of those I'd go for the Zalman - I've heard good things about them, v. quiet, qood rails etc.

[BenW]

The zalman isn't meant to be as quiet as lots of the oter 'silent' PSUs

Tagen would be quieter than that

[megah0]

Fortron are very good.

Take a look at german sites, often they ship to the uk and prices are much much better.

[Agent]

I like ThermalTakes

[Flash]

yes another vote for thermaltake here

[retroborg]

Will the Thermaltake PurePower 480W, handle a GeForceFX6800 if I added it to my current system?

Or would I need a larger 500-550W PSU for that?

Thanks.

[Willy]

No, I would expect the Thermaltake to handle a 6800 quite comfortably. Although i'm gonna stick another vote in for Antec, particularly the Truepower 480W

[joely]

i got me one of these and it seems most pleasant
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...roductID=59492