Best Case and CPU cooler for £85?

[rej156]

Antec Solo
Antec 300 (pre order only)

Thanks so much!
Antec Solo it is then
Can't wait to order eveything on Friday haha.
Correct size, 3 possible fans and sound deadening case built of steel.
I really won't bother to change my mind now, I've bothered you guys enough

[aidanjt]

Well... Let's see...
700W for £30 while a 450W for £45.

Which means you got a bargain for powering all the road lights on your street.

Which one's future proof?

If you look at the current mode of thought in the semi-conductor business these days, their customers are wanting products that use much less power and performs as well as, or better than their current infrastructure or device deisgn, and if that trend continues, and there's no reason to believe it wont, with the continuously rising prices of energy, that means, in the future your 700W PSU which is already far left of the power efficency bell curve, will literally be wasting over half of the energy it's pulling from the mains just in DC and voltage conversions. Also, chances are, extreme low power computing will mandate a new form factor standard that's a lot stricter in terms of voltage sag/spikes, if that happens then both PSUs would be useless and as usual in computing, the old components wont be up to scratch anymore.

Wouldn't the 700W naturally be more effecient?

No, for the above reasons.

Meh I bought it anyway >_<

Fair enough.

I'm sorry, I don't mean to derail your thread, I just thought it should be known, PSUs in that region will just empty your pocket in (usually) the short term, and definitely in the long run.

[aidanjt]

it's a better method of mounting than the stock Intel pushpin system.

Yeah, the Intel pushpin HSF mounting mechanism wasn't designed to hold anything over 450g, much less the 1kg beasts that get tossed around these days. My P5B litterly bends with the infinity attached to it.

[rej156]

Which means you got a bargain for powering all the road lights on your street.


If you look at the current mode of thought in the semi-conductor business these days, their customers are wanting products that use much less power and performs as well as, or better than their current infrastructure or device deisgn, and if that trend continues, and there's no reason to believe it wont, with the continuously rising prices of energy, that means, in the future your 700W PSU which is already far left of the power efficency bell curve, will literally be wasting over half of the energy it's pulling from the mains just in DC and voltage conversions. Also, chances are, extreme low power computing will mandate a new form factor standard that's a lot stricter in terms of voltage sag/spikes, if that happens then both PSUs would be useless and as usual in computing, the old components wont be up to scratch anymore.


No, for the above reasons.


Fair enough.

I'm sorry, I don't mean to derail your thread, I just thought it should be known, PSUs in that region will just empty your pocket in (usually) the short term, and definitely in the long run.

I know I've bought it anyway, I agree on your second statement...
Considering I'll be pulling about 400watts out of the mains through the max 700w of the powersupply,
it's not like i'll be getting 400w for the price of 700w.
I'm not knowledgable on powersupplies and their watt limits but being me...

I'm happy to know I won't have to buy another powersupply that's lower wattage than my current one in the future and then switch back again if I gain enough money for a rich gaming rig.
If it costs more in the long run, that's my problem I suppose for thinking it's a bargain xD
Plus, most of the time anyway, using less than the max wattage should be safe for the computer's components otherwise we'd be getting exact watt limits that are dynamic

Offtopic- Heh I'll save up for the FPS Gun mouse another day rofl.
It's only 34 quid anyway.

[Eddd]

Doesn't the 700W represent the maximum wattage that the PSU can draw from the wall. And it only draws the amount needed by the system from the wall so really it doesn't make a difference? correct me if I'm wrong...

[shadowmaster]

I have one these, its good quality and keeps my system reasonably cool

Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK

[shadowmaster]

Doesn't the 700W represent the maximum wattage that the PSU can draw from the wall. And it only draws the amount needed by the system from the wall so really it doesn't make a difference? correct me if I'm wrong...

I would say you are correct, (I think),

[rej156]

That's what I was saying 0_o
shadowmaster, I really can't be bothered to change the case again xD
Plus I think the Antec solo seems dead silent

[staffsMike]

It is a very well respected case for silence. Has nice HDD mounts to afaik

[Thorsson]

I would say you are correct, (I think),

You're missing the point. A 700W PSU is most efficient (say) in the region of 350-500W. A 400W PSU (say) in the region of 150-300W. In a typical system you will be drawing 150-250W. The 700W PSU will draw more power to give you that 150-250W because it is less efficient in that region.

[rej156]

You're missing the point. A 700W PSU is most efficient (say) in the region of 350-500W. A 400W PSU (say) in the region of 150-300W. In a typical system you will be drawing 150-250W. The 700W PSU will draw more power to give you that 150-250W because it is less efficient in that region.

That kinda backs up my point of getting the 700W powersupply anyway 0_o
W00T for me only drawing 450W max peak with my new supposed system

[aidanjt]

If you're going by the PSU calculator on the intardwebs, then that estimate is to be taken with a mountain of salt.

[Thorsson]

Absolutely. That setup won't take 250W, let alone 450W!!!

[shadowmaster]

You're missing the point. A 700W PSU is most efficient (say) in the region of 350-500W. A 400W PSU (say) in the region of 150-300W. In a typical system you will be drawing 150-250W. The 700W PSU will draw more power to give you that 150-250W because it is less efficient in that region.

Here is a graph of the efficiency of this particular FSP 700watt psu. As you can see the efficiency remains the same (85%) after 200watts, and at 150watts its only slightly less.



And here is the efficiency for the same psu but the 400watt version. You are correct in saying that the efficiency is better at lower watts, but after 150watt it becomes practically the same.



I am assuming that 'rej156' system would be consuming about 150watts idle and about 250watt at load, so on that basis I would say you might as well go for the 700watt as its no worse then the equivalent 400 watt.

Plus I think the Antec solo seems dead silent

Didn't read that you had already chosen . The antec solo is a good choice, its quiet and cool.

[aidanjt]

Tis odd that those graphs don't drop off at the end there, at all. And how they rise and fall then rise again in the middle. Aghm, I know FSP PSUs are good, but they can't defy the laws of physics. Looks like a dodgy software attempt of calculating load figures.

[shadowmaster]

Tis odd that those graphs don't drop off at the end there, at all. And how they rise and fall then rise again in the middle. Aghm, I know FSP PSUs are good, but they can't defy the laws of physics. Looks like a dodgy software attempt of calculating load figures.

The graphs are from-

X-bit labs - ATX Power Supply Units Roundup: 9 Powerful Models Tested (page 5)