Will a TSP 420 do it - or do I need a TSP 450?

[mikegray]

Hi Folks!

I wrote a while back asking for help with a system that kept crashing a nd then staying frozen for several hours. After trying out a different PSU - unfortunately, also only 350 watts - and getting similar instability but no more lengthy freezes, I've pretty much concluded that I need a better PSU. (But just to make sure, I've also RMA'd the mobo.)

Anyway ... I need to choose between two PSUs: the TSP 420 and the TSP 450. What's your call: Do you guys think the TSP 420 will give me enough juice to run my rig or do I need to take the more powerful unit?

Demands: See my sig. Note, this is a Northwood CPU, not a Prescott. But I have a softmodded 9500@9700 running. And I'd like to be able to do a *modest* bit of overclocking on this system - say, maybe from 2.8 to the 3.4 - to keep video filters purring. Otherwise, my sig tells the story.

I've dredged up the specs on both PSUs:

1) TSP 420 (roughly translated):

ATX Netzteil AMD/ Intel P4
420 Watt Total
220 Watt combined (+3,3 and +5 Volt)
180 Watt kombinierte (+12,0 Volt)
aktive Leistungsfaktorkorrektur (PFC)
maximale Belastbarkeit der einzelnen Schienen:
+3,3 Volt: 26 A
+5,0 Volt: 42 A
+12 Volt: 18 A
+5 Volt Standby: 2,5 A

This model has great reviews and can be had at very good prices. There is a newer model out, the TSP 450, with the following specs:

2) TSP 450

Gesamtleistung 450 Watt
+3.3V&+5V: 220W
+3.3V&+5V&+12V: 430W

+ 3,3 Volt 28 A
+ 5 Volt 45 A
+ 12 Volt 22 A
- 5 Volt 0,8 A
- 12 Volt 1,0 A
+ 5 Volt Vsb 2,5 A

This piece is newer and a lot more expensive. Not much info out there yet, no reviews - but it seems to pack a pretty big punch.

If I can count on the 420 model, I'd like to go with it. But after my expereinces with the 350 Zalman, I really, *really* don't want to put myself through any more grief ...

Thanks for any advice!

Mike

[saphalline]

Go for the TSP 450. It has 4 extra amps on the +12V rail, which could be very important! Modern power-guzzling systems stress the +12V power especially, and since your LCDs also seem to need the +12V, I'm thinking that's your problem. The TSP 420 is attractive only for the active PFC, but any decent battery back-up will give you that and more, so...

By the way, going from 2.8GHz to 3.4GHz is a 21.43% clock speed increase. I don't call this "modest" overclocking!! Modest overclocking is usually anything under 10%. While this isn't a rule or anything, most hardcore OC'ers would agree with me on that one. 10% is nothing, but 21%?? You're gonna have to work for that one! :p

[mikegray]

Go for the TSP 450. It has 4 extra amps on the +12V rail, which could be very important! Modern power-guzzling systems stress the +12V power especially, and since your LCDs also seem to need the +12V, I'm thinking that's your problem. The TSP 420 is attractive only for the active PFC, but any decent battery back-up will give you that and more, so...

Hmm - I made a mistake on the LCD. It does have a molex connector, but come to think of it, it uses the 5v line, not the 12v.

By the way, going from 2.8GHz to 3.4GHz is a 21.43% clock speed increase. I don't call this "modest" overclocking!! Modest overclocking is usually anything under 10%. While this isn't a rule or anything, most hardcore OC'ers would agree with me on that one. 10% is nothing, but 21%?? You're gonna have to work for that one! :p

Err .. um <blush>. OK! Well, perhaps I'll just be happy with about 10% ... I'm OK with computers, but I've obviously never overclocked before ... But I would like to have enough power to get the job done. (I'll also have to read up on overclocking, since I'd like to have a simple way of switching between OC mode - for video filtering - and silent mode - for normal use. But that'll be a question for some other time, after I've read up properly ... )

Thanks for the input!

Mike