New PSU needed - your opinions and suggestions wanted

[malfunction]

My 450W CWT / Meridian PSU has bitten the dust - just outside of it's warranty too. Presume it's just a freak thing rather than general quality issues... I hope so anyway - cuz I've got 8 of 'em in PCs at work

Anyway as such looking for a replacement and Scan (the only UK retailer AFAIK) are out of stock for both the 450W and 550W CWT / Meridian PSUs and have been out of stock for ages.

So thinking of one of these:

Fortron (FSP) 400W:

http://www.komplett.co.uk/k/ki.asp?sku=301416&cks=PRL

Thermaltake 480W:

http://www.dabs.com/uk/channels/comp...quicklinx=2N1L

Tagan 480W:

http://www.tekheads.co.uk/s/product?product=602960

Vantec 470W:

http://www.tekheads.co.uk/s/product?product=603372

Enermax 475W:

http://www.tekheads.co.uk/s/product?product=603617


Any comments on the above / other suggestions greatly appreciated - running on an old 250W PSU at the mo (with everything underclocked and as little plugged in as possible).

I normally run:

9800Pro @ XT speed
XP-M 2500+ @ '3400+' speed (2.4GHz - 1.9V)
1GB PC3200
80GB WD JB (7200 RPM)
1 x CDRW and 1 x DVD (both of which may be replaced with a DVDRW soon)

And would like a PSU that can cope with going to A64 and a better GFX card next year.

(Thanks folks)

[Defiant]

Tagan are the dogz dangles, great PSUs when you get a working one

[malfunction]

So that's a vote against the Tagan as far as I'm concerned... Are Tagan the ones that have 'buzzing' problems or is that Vantec?

[BUFF]

I like Tagans too (or should that be two? )
Tagans can have a slight ticking sound.

[malfunction]

Any ideas what the 'ticking' sound is?

Is it a sign of death approaching?

[daniel_owen_uk]

You know you want one of those xconnect bad boys, but aside from that tagan.

[malfunction]

You know you want one of those xconnect bad boys, but aside from that tagan.

I'd love an xconnect or neo power or similar. Can't afford one though...

[skattrd]

I'd go for the Fortron out of that lot mate, heard very good things about them.
Quiet, solid rails, excellent value and they work

[BUFF]

Any ideas what the 'ticking' sound is?

Is it a sign of death approaching?

Not afaik - but they have a 3 year warranty anyway.

[malfunction]

3 year warranty is good (especially as my CWT died just outside of it's 1 year warranty)... Anyone had any luck returning a 'ticking tagan' under the warranty to get a non ticking one?

[Alex]

Is there any poit getting a Tagan over the TT one? I've got the thermaltake and can't fault it, whats the point in going "better"?

[BUFF]

I should mention that I only notice the ticking when
a) the system is off but the PSU is still switched on (standby power to mobo etc.)
b) my head is right beside the PSU with the case sidepanel off

As you can imagine that's a pretty rare combination of circumstances.

[malfunction]

Is there any poit getting a Tagan over the TT one? I've got the thermaltake and can't fault it, whats the point in going "better"?

Well ideally I'd get a sample (or two) of each and see which one I liked best...

I want solid rails, bearable noise, etc...

For me personally TT still have an image of naff products (orbs and all that) and I know it's a bit daft - lots of people say their PSUs are great) ... But I still see lots of questionable products from them so I don't really trust them 100%.

[muddyfox470]

if youve got the money > tagan
otherwise i have a great thermaltake butterfly, great deal price etc, all cables were pre-braided and got fan, and fan controller (provided by thermaltake) for under £60!¬!!

and i have had absolutely no probs! stable as a rock

[Mblaster]

I should mention that I only notice the ticking when
a) the system is off but the PSU is still switched on (standby power to mobo etc.)
b) my head is right beside the PSU with the case sidepanel off

As you can imagine that's a pretty rare combination of circumstances.

Yeah, I got the Tagan and I rarly hear the ticking noise, only when the PC is switched off. I would recommend it.

[speedy_s]

Get Encer 500WATT from ebuyer @13.99,i got mine today it is very silent and good quality. OC won't be a problem, as 12V line runs spot on above 12V and so does the other volatges, i have got

amd xp 2100 (palmino)
512 133sdram
9200se
2 HDD, 2 CDROMS +DVD writer
3 PCI cads
Coolermaster CPU cooler
2 Additional fans.