Power supply query

[Destria]

Hi there

I've just upgraded my PC (well, rebuilt practically, keeping only the optical drives, graphics card and sound card) to a 3500+. Unfortunately, I made the mistake of buying a Q-Tec 400w PSU

I'm thinking of sticking a 6800 GT in there now, and I don't want to risk this dodgy PSU blasting that and any other bits into dust, so I'll be changing the PSU to something more respectable.

I'm currently running the aforementioned system with a 200gb Maxtor SATA drive, a 100 gb IDE drive, Radeon 9700 Pro, DVD-RW, CD-RW and... err... floppy drive.

The card I'm getting (the Galaxy 6800 GT 256 mb) will be bought from either MicroDirect or PlanetMicro, as they're pretty good value from what I can see. I'm considering the following PSUs with it:

Hiper 525w

Enermax 420w

I know Enermax is a good brand, but I've also heard that Hiper are also good (and perhaps better value). Coolermaster also seem to like them. The Hiper is also some 100w more powerful (allegedly).

There's no difference in price when bundled with the graphics card and delivery, so it's pretty much an either/or.

Any tips? Ta!

[skattrd]

Personally I'd go with the Enermax, as 420w is plenty power for what you need and it will probably last longer than any other.
The quality of Enermax psu's is generally superb, I've got a 550w and there isn't anything I'd change it for

[Steve]

I have Enermax, Antec and Ultra PSU's. All are good, Antec probably the best of the three.

[BAcon]

another here for antec, my 430 powers my rig great

A64 3700, dfi mobo, 1gb EB, 2 HDs (1 is a raptor), 2 opticals and a xfx GT clocked up also

[PMM]

there a bit power hungry those 6800 upto 125W draw fully loaded
they do like stong PSU's and if you intend clocking it artifacts are
know to creap in with lesser quality PSU's they have been know to draw
150-200W when clocked.

[BAcon]

yup, im at 425/1.15 so far, with room on teh core for sure (tho i doubt a huge amount)

i may water it and up the voltage on the core with the pencil mod (tho that may need the second molex present on the ultra's to keep it stable)

anyone thought of soldering a second molex connctor to the GT pcb?

[Destria]

Sounds like the Enermax is a sure bet (not that I expected anything else though!). Any thoughts on the Hiper? It's 100w more after all. I'm considering sticking another IDE drive in there, as I've got a spare one laying about. I'd also probably tinker with overclocking the GT, though nothing overly special (I won't change the cooler or such).

Perhaps spending £12 extra for the 470w Enermax...