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Thread: PSU choice...

  1. #1
    Senior Member retroborg's Avatar
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    PSU choice...

    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.
    Last edited by retroborg; 10-08-2004 at 08:18 PM.

  2. #2
    TiG
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    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
    -- Hexus Meets Rock! --

  3. #3
    Resident abit mourner BUFF's Avatar
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    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.

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  4. #4
    Senior Member retroborg's Avatar
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    No I'm in Europe.
    And yes I am being ripped off!

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    • BenW's system
      • Motherboard:
      • ASRock Dual SATA2
      • CPU:
      • AMD64 3500+
      • Memory:
      • 1GB Crucial DDR
      • Storage:
      • 160GB Samsung 8MB Cache
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Sapphire Radeon HD 3850
      • PSU:
      • Seasonic S12 600W
      • Case:
      • Silverstone TJ-04
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell 17" Ultrasharp
      • Internet:
      • Virgin 8Mb
    I would go for the Thermaltake 480W Butterfly (Has shrink wrapped cables)

  6. #6
    wibble
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    Out of those I'd go for the Zalman - I've heard good things about them, v. quiet, qood rails etc.
    Wibble

    Currently wanted:
    DVB- satellite pci card

  7. #7
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    • BenW's system
      • Motherboard:
      • ASRock Dual SATA2
      • CPU:
      • AMD64 3500+
      • Memory:
      • 1GB Crucial DDR
      • Storage:
      • 160GB Samsung 8MB Cache
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Sapphire Radeon HD 3850
      • PSU:
      • Seasonic S12 600W
      • Case:
      • Silverstone TJ-04
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell 17" Ultrasharp
      • Internet:
      • Virgin 8Mb
    The zalman isn't meant to be as quiet as lots of the oter 'silent' PSUs

    Tagen would be quieter than that

  8. #8
    Bonnet mounted gunsight megah0's Avatar
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    Fortron are very good.

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

  9. #9
    HEXUS.social member Agent's Avatar
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    I like ThermalTakes
    Quote Originally Posted by Saracen View Post
    And by trying to force me to like small pants, they've alienated me.

  10. #10
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    yes another vote for thermaltake here

  11. #11
    Senior Member retroborg's Avatar
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    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.

  12. #12
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    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

  13. #13
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    i got me one of these and it seems most pleasant
    http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...roductID=59492

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