[jimmydean]

Is there such a thing as too much power?

My game box hasn't been updated in a few years, so I got an AMD 64 x2 5200+ board/proc combo, 4GB of RAM, and a 512M HD2600xt Pro video card.

After looking in my case, I noticed the power supply was only a 375W. Based on rough calculations, with all the new gear plus 2 SATA drives, I need at least 550W.

Fry's has a Raidmax Volcano 630 for $60 (after rebate). The cheap bastard in me rejoiced. Has some good reviews on NewEgg. Anything else I should look at for power?

 

[binary visions]

I have a 500w power supply for a Core2Duo 3.0ghz + 4gb memory + 2 SATA hard drives + DVD-RW + 8800GT. It's definitely nowhere near loaded, either. Most estimates for power requirements are far overblown - not to mention, how often do you think your PC is going to be accessing every single one of your drives and be pegged at max video/CPU consumption simultaneously? Do you often run file transfers from your CD drive to a mirrored RAID in the background while you game?

Couple problems with super high wattage power supplies. First of all, most of them are overrated. A 750W power supply sounds impressive, but if it's only supplying a fluctuating 10V on the 12V rail, then you've got a problem.

Also, most power supplies run most efficiently under high load. A 630W power supply that's only running at around 400W isn't as efficient as a 500W power supply running at 400W.

You should really only need a 600+ watt PSU if you're running SLI video cards or a whole bunch of drives or something.

I don't know anything about Raidmax, do a little Googling, though, and don't go with a cheap brand. The PSU is the only component in your system that can take out everything it's attached to if it dies. I'm currently running a modular Seagate 500W power supply that cost about $120.

You can pick up this 500W Seagate for $85 with no rebate hassles:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151034

 

[jimmydean]

Sweet! Thanks, BV.

I bought Assassin's Creed on Tuesday and about fell over when I read the requirements. I was going to stuff a new video card and RAM in the existing setup, but RAM was $80 for 2GB of PC3200 and a 512MB AGP video card was $120.

The MB/CPU was $100
The Video card was $60 after a $40 MIR
4GB of 800Mhz RAM was $60!

I will check out whats available. I will look at a 500W for now and hope for the best. I know Fry's had an Thermaltake 500W that got great reviews for $70.

 

[binary visions]

Thermaltake is okay. I've had great luck with their TR2 430W power supplies, but they are generally a tad over-spec'd and I just like them because they make good budget machines.

Corsair & OCZ make some good power supplies. One of the advantages to the Seasonic is it's got that huge, 120mm fan which is virtually inaudible - not everyone cares, but I've stopped building machines that sound like jet engines. I use nothing but 120mm, low-speed fans now, and I always pull the stock fans off of my video cards and rig up a larger, quieter fan.

 

[jimmydean]

Enu has the Seasonic S12 550W for $120. As much as it pains me to spend that much, I would rather spend it now and have the power than to lose everything I just bought because I skimped. The S12 has SLI support as well, if I ever decide to get all crazy and stuff.

 

[binary visions]

NewEgg has the same PSU for $110 w/ free 3-day shipping.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151027

 

[syadasti]

You can pick up this 500W Seagate for $85 with no rebate hassles:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151034

Yeah Seasonic is the best PSU OEM. I have a Corsair 520W made by Seasonic and its modular. I suppose Seagate might make good PSU if they tried

Mine is $90 after rebate with free shipping:

http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=203270716&SearchEngine=PriceGrabber&SearchTerm=203270716&Type=PE&Category=Comp&dcaid=15890

 

[blue]

I have a Seasonic in my box that BV recommended. Awesome quiet, doesn't lie about output. It was pretty spendy, but I'm happy.

 

[sperkins]

Yeah Seasonics are pretty expensive, but definitely worth it!

 

[jimmydean]

NewEgg has the same PSU for $110 w/ free 3-day shipping.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151027

I go right by Enu on my way home, so I will just pick one up and hope for the best.

Now I will just hope XP doesn't freak out too bad swapping the board/proc. Guess there is only one way to find out, right?

 

[binary visions]

Don't bother, IMO.

Reinstall XP. It's going to freak out (as it should), and even if it figures everything out and rights itself, my experience is that the systems are never as stable or fast as they could be.

 

[jimmydean]

You are talking about the "Repair Install" option from CD? If I have to reinstall from scratch, I'll be pissed.

Maybe I am that spoiled by Linux because I can use installed images on damn near any hardware config without more than a few tweaks and have a fully functional and stable system in minutes.

 

[jimmydean]

So Enu was sold out of the Seasonic (go figure), so I got the Antec TruePower Trio 550W for $80 (NewEgg wants $100). Seems like it has some solid reviews and is rumored to be a rebadged Seasonic, or at least uses the same uber quiet fan cooling.

I am installing it all in about an hour and if I post up results, it means it worked.

 

[bullcrew]

PC P&C!
Silencer 750 quad. go direct its cheaper. I know you just bought one, future reference then. Congrats

 

[jimmydean]

It still no workie and it sucks.

The repair blue screens with:
Stop: 0X0000007E (0XC000005, 0XB9B7A750, 0XF789E450, 0XF789E150)

I could boot into safe mode until I tried to repair. I reinstalled the old hardware and now it's painfully slow, but I'm working on at least getting it back to where it was on the old hardware before giving up just yet.

 

[binary visions]

Sorry, I know it's not funny, but this is the story of everyone who tries to do a motherboard/processor swap on the existing Windows install. It never works right. Ever.

Trust me on this. If it's functional in the slightest, just back your stuff up and reinstall.

 

[jimmydean]

Look at me and my butt nekkid XP clean install!

What a pain in my ass. At least now Windows can crash faster that ever with this new hardware!