Quiet Power Supply

[TruthIs1]

Hi, I'll be building a computer in the near future and I was thinking:
1. How do you determine how many watts you need?
2. What is a good, quiet power supply?

I plan on using parts such as an Althon 2400 cpu, maybe a All In Wonder 8500 for a video card, and some case lights.

[diurnal]

Go enermax or antec. 450 watts should be enough. There is really no determination of how many watts you need. Of course the more the better. I think enermax has a power supply named whisper. So this would dampen the sound.

[Whyzman]

Wow, here's an interesting read: http://members.shaw.ca/need4speed/Power%20Supply%20Choices.htm

This one appears well worth bookmarking...:)

[drdan]

I've been very pleased with the Antec Truepower 430 watt PS I put in my machine recently. It is much more solid and has a quality look and feel to it. My computer is running better and even slightly faster. It has two fans but is quieter than the 300 watt PS I replaced. I think there can also be problem with maintaining correct voltage on each rail and Antec True Power is supposed to be especially good at that. i got mine at www.newegg.com

[SuperDave]

Amazon.com has the Antec TruePower 430 for $76 with FREE shipping!!!

[TruthIs1]

Thanks for the replies, I'm going to buy an antec

[SuperDave]

I've really looked around & the 430 at Amazon is the best deal. I'm going to order one this week.

[jabarnutcase]

I like Antec as well....And WYZMN- That's a very good read indeed!
(Bookmarked) ;)

I've always been leary of manufacturers "claimed" power rating.
It's kind of like buying a stereo they call "Wow!-500W System!!!"
What's important, among other things, is how many watts RMS per channel it is.

You can have all the fanciest "latest and greatest" hardware available in your new build- But without a power supply it won't do zilch. And with an under-rated one, it will cause you endless headaches that often will be hard to pin down. ;)

[Fruss Tray Ted]

Thank you too much Whyzman!
Bookmarked and saved webpage! Finally a chart that lists the different rail needs!
:cool:

[jabarnutcase]

Jab, that's 'over' not 'under'rated...
HeHe-See what you mean FTT- Could look at that both ways. Oh well... Hopefully, my point was understood. (Or is that overstood?) :confused: :D

[Whyzman]

When I first started assembling parts for the kids' gaming computer back in June of last year, there were some threads regarding Power Supplies at the time.

Yawningdog made a comment about the POWMAX 500W (LP-6100E by Leadman Electronics) and its strong 12V rail. I thought to my self, "Self, strong 12V rail sounds good! Buy that one!"

I had no idea, other than it was Yawningdog (someone who's opinion I respected) pointing out that a strong 12V rail was a "good thing!"

I've recently come to realize just "How good a thing" that suggestion was. And, can you believe it, I picked it up back then from Computer Geeks (www.compgeeks.com) for $55.00 (49.00+6.00s/h)?...

They are at least $25.00 more right now...but of course you do get a tri-color LED fan on them now....:p

+3.3V = 30A
+5V = 50A
+12V = 25A :cool:

This makes for an interesting lead-in question when we get posts from gamers getting freeze-ups/reboots while playing the more CPU intensive games (e.g., Quake, etc.).

They know heat is an issue, so they've probably loaded up on fans (12V) and are probably walking a fine line based on their PSU's 12V rail!

Especially, if they've done the Case/generic PSU combos....