PSU's.....

[AbsoluteKevster]

Hello everybody,

I'd appreciate some comments on replacement PSU's..
But let me start from the beginning!

I recently replaced my mobo.. installing a nice core2 cpu.
Been fine for a few days, left crunching so no obvious power-related issues..

Tonight, I plugged in a microphone into the relevent socket, and the whole thing cut out! Odd! I thought...
Anyway - it powered back up and all was fine again... until I slid my chair under the desk and 'nudged' the PC case.
Off it went, and no sign of life since.

I ascertained the PSU is borked, enhanced by the slight burning smell.
I removed the PSU an opened it up... one of the components shows signs of melting, although the PSU onboard fuse 'appeared' to be intact!

So anyway - out to purchase a replacement and wondering how to guage the reqiuired Wattage?

I see some lovely models are available, but do I really need to go higher than the 14 month old 600W model I had? This one-http://www.hillierconsultants.com/store/v2/product.php?productid=196

Why are 350W models still available if an average system requires more?

I'm running..(As an in-between upgrading solution)
Core 2 e 6300 - Zalman 9500 Cooled.
Asrock Dual-VSTA
AGP GeForce 7800GS Overclocked
2x IDE HDD
1x SATA HDD
1x DVD Drive
2x 256MB PC3200 DDR - Soon to be replaced with 2x 1GB DDR2

Comments/advice on PSU's would be very much appreciated!

Thanks in advance fella's!
Kev

 

[AbsoluteKevster]

Got my eye on this..
http://www.jeantech.com/600.htm

But is it justified paying double-(or even triple)-dollar, when I can get a 600W PSU from Novatech etc for under £20!!

 

[Adywebb]

Kev, for a start those Win Power PSU's ain't very good from what I've just read, so I'm not surprised what has happened.

Secondly, don't get fixated by the wattage of PSU's - its not how many watts its got that is important, its how stably and consistantly it produces them - hence a good quality 350W PSU can be better than a cheap generic 600W PSU, which is why they are still available

Your system only needs a 400-500W maximum PSU if its a quality one - Jeantech are one of the better cheaper makes and that one you are looking at will probably be fine for your needs - personally I would look to get the Corsair HX520W

 

[floppybootstomp]

I just bought an Asrock 939 SATA II from Ady with a 3800 dual core CPU.

Rest of the system:

Two PATA Hard disks
Two optical drives
A floppy drive
1Gb PC3200 DDR Memory
6800 128Mb AGP Vid Card
4 x 80mm case fans
3 x 12" Neon tubes
Zalman CPU cooler


All of which is running happily on a Jeantech 350W PSU purchased from PC World.

Jeantech make good PSU's. Take a look at my sig

I'd always go for Tagan; Corsair; Enermax; Jeantech.

You need a quality PSU of around 400W or higher.

I'd second recommending the Corsair 520W, it's a good PSU.

 

[AbsoluteKevster]

Ta for the quick responses chaps
I'm currently weighing up costs for ram + the Corsair HX520W...
I'd just have to wait a few days.... and the PCWorld option is there tomorrow... :-/

 

[Adywebb]

If you want 2 x 1GB RAM - then you won't get any better than this at the price:

http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Comp...+Extreme+Performance+(2x1GB)+?productId=26801

 

[AbsoluteKevster]

Excuse my lack of knowledge - but can that be used in the Asrock DUAL-VSTA? Memory is rated at 667mhz PC 5300.. ?
Does Patriot rate up there with OCZ/Geil & Corsair?

 

[Adywebb]

Is this the correct mobo?: http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.asp?Model=775Dual-VSTA&s=775
If it is, then that PC5300 Patriot will be fine.

I use it in several of my quads, along with Geil, Corsair and OCZ too - and the Patriot is just as good

Edit: One thing you may have to do depending on the Bios version - is update the Bios for DDR2 667 RAM : http://www.asrock.com/mb/download.asp?Model=775Dual-VSTA&s=775

 

[AbsoluteKevster]

Yes, that's my board...
You wrote ' that PC5300 Patriot will be fine'
Do you mean the 6400...? Is it fully backward compatible?

My card is almost out of my wallet!

 

[Adywebb]

Sorry - I amended my link in my earlier post - it is now PC5300 memory and even cheaper

 

[AbsoluteKevster]

Not bad for a bit of midnight-shopping... hehehe

1 Patriot 2GB PC2-5300 Extreme Performance (2x1GB) - Part: PDC22G5300LLK, 667MHz, CL 4-4-4-12,
Lifetime Warranty £35.19

1 Corsair 520W HX V2 Series Modular PSU - Part: CMPSU-520HXUK,
5YR Warranty £63.27

Shipping & Handling (Standard Delivery) : £8.17

Total: £106.63
(Not sure I wanted to spend that much, but I know [Thanks to you guys] that I've ordered quality stuff!!)

 

[AbsoluteKevster]

...and I'll certainly be picking your brains when I've fitted them to ensure I get a nice o/c out of the 6300 and RAM.
I hear the 6300's do take a squeeze quite well!
Sorry if this thread is off topic (all over the place now)!

 

[Adywebb]

Well done Kev - you won't be disappointed

 

[AbsoluteKevster]

Thank you for your prompt responses..
And so nice to see you back!

50 million point - celebrations tomorrow!
I wish I could share a drink (or more) with everyone who crunches..

 

[AbsoluteKevster]

The PSU was a little fiddly to fit, but I like the modular power cabling..
Memory in and working fine too, although I need to seriously look at tweaking my system.. by default my memory only ran @ 533MHz!

Cheers for the tips!

(See my other ARIA related post though)
https://www.pcreview.co.uk/forums/thread-3334304.php