What power supply on a budget?

Soulphire968 · 05-13-2007, 02:08 PM

Hello.
I am currently building a system for my son which he intends it to be used for a gaming machine. I am in need of a power supply, but do not want to spend over $70 from Newegg.
Please let me know which is the best and will have the required power needed. Also, he wants it to have LED's if possible.

I looked at a couple of Rosewill's 550watts, but would take your all's advice over the user ratings on Newegg.

Here are the current specs:

Intel P4 2.4 processor w/HT
MSI-7008 Mainboard
256mb GF4 6800gt videocard
(4) sticks of 512mb ram (Corsair value)
80g SATA HD
CD-DVD-DVR burner
Floppy Drive
Zip Drive
SB Audio Card

Also, would entertain any suggestions on making this system better, this is mainly to play World of Warcraft with.

Thanks in advance.

**linderman** · 05-13-2007, 02:29 PM

hello

I strongly advise you pass on the Rosewill PSU they are a very low quality unit

on the converse youy can buy the Antec Trio Power 550 watt PSU for $65.00
here
http://shop2.outpost.com/product/4991681

The antec trio is leaps and bounds above the rosewill and far more stable

as for upgrade suggestions; I would look to install a 3.2 P4 prescott onto your existing set-up

you can buy these used on ebay for about $60.00 to $80.00

you would notice a big diff in performance

as for the PSU / LEDS in your budget level there are no decent units that have LEDS, the only ones you will find with such bling bling for $70.00 are sacrificing quality for looks

if you want quality and pretty >>>>> OCZ gamerstream or Modstream has looks and quality power output

dont hesitate to ask more questions

**linderman** · 05-13-2007, 02:33 PM

http://cgi.ebay.com/1M-L2-Intel-Pent...QQcmdZViewItem

Soulphire968 · 05-13-2007, 07:52 PM

Thanks for the info and where to buy.
Just placed an order for the processor you suggested with the link you supplied above.

I will look into the processor change. Will a change from a 2.4 to a 3.2 make the biggest difference?

Again, thanks for the info!

**Kalim** · 05-13-2007, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soulphire968

I will look into the processor change. Will a change from a 2.4 to a 3.2 make the biggest difference?

Sure will make a big difference but so will a better GPU.

**TheMatt** · 05-16-2007, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kalim

Sure will make a big difference but so will a better GPU.

The 7600GT would be a good choice, or even better, the 7900GS. Both use less power than the 6800GT.

floydfan · 05-17-2007, 06:26 AM

is that mobo even compatible with a pressie though? many mobos made before the presscott came out are not compatible cause of the vrm requirements, so even a bios update doesn't help. i don't believe there is a 7900gs in agp form. best agp card would be a x1950pro.

**linderman** · 05-17-2007, 07:02 AM

I am reasonably sure the prescott is supported

http://global.msi.com.tw/index.php?f...&cat3_no=#menu

if the OP is not into gaming and budget is a restriction, then dont overlook the ATI X1650 Pro AGP with 256mb ???????????

**Kalim** · 05-17-2007, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by floydfan

i don't believe there is a 7900gs in agp form. best agp card would be a x1950pro.

Gainward 7600GT AGP: http://www.gainward.com/en/product/p...ail_v8231.html
XFX 7600GT AGP: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150210
XFX 7900GS AGP: http://www.xfxforce.com/web/product/...tionId=1006170

There is.

X1950Pro are good buys too.

**TheMatt** · 05-19-2007, 08:39 PM

If budget is an issue, I would stay away from ATI X1k because they use a lot more power than the GeForce 7 series.

05-13-2007, 02:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
Soulphire968 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 23 OS: XP	What power supply on a budget? Hello. I am currently building a system for my son which he intends it to be used for a gaming machine. I am in need of a power supply, but do not want to spend over $70 from Newegg. Please let me know which is the best and will have the required power needed. Also, he wants it to have LED's if possible. I looked at a couple of Rosewill's 550watts, but would take your all's advice over the user ratings on Newegg. Here are the current specs: Intel P4 2.4 processor w/HT MSI-7008 Mainboard 256mb GF4 6800gt videocard (4) sticks of 512mb ram (Corsair value) 80g SATA HD CD-DVD-DVR burner Floppy Drive Zip Drive SB Audio Card Also, would entertain any suggestions on making this system better, this is mainly to play World of Warcraft with. Thanks in advance.

05-13-2007, 02:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 14,030 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: What power supply on a budget? hello I strongly advise you pass on the Rosewill PSU they are a very low quality unit on the converse youy can buy the Antec Trio Power 550 watt PSU for $65.00 here http://shop2.outpost.com/product/4991681 The antec trio is leaps and bounds above the rosewill and far more stable as for upgrade suggestions; I would look to install a 3.2 P4 prescott onto your existing set-up you can buy these used on ebay for about $60.00 to $80.00 you would notice a big diff in performance as for the PSU / LEDS in your budget level there are no decent units that have LEDS, the only ones you will find with such bling bling for $70.00 are sacrificing quality for looks if you want quality and pretty >>>>> OCZ gamerstream or Modstream has looks and quality power output dont hesitate to ask more questions __________________ If you cant be polite and friendly; then please be silent.

05-13-2007, 02:33 PM	#3 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 14,030 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: What power supply on a budget? http://cgi.ebay.com/1M-L2-Intel-Pent...QQcmdZViewItem __________________ If you cant be polite and friendly; then please be silent.

05-13-2007, 07:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
Soulphire968 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 23 OS: XP	Re: What power supply on a budget? Thanks for the info and where to buy. Just placed an order for the processor you suggested with the link you supplied above. I will look into the processor change. Will a change from a 2.4 to a 3.2 make the biggest difference? Again, thanks for the info!

05-17-2007, 06:26 AM	#7 (permalink)
floydfan Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 367 OS: xp pro My System	Re: What power supply on a budget? is that mobo even compatible with a pressie though? many mobos made before the presscott came out are not compatible cause of the vrm requirements, so even a bios update doesn't help. i don't believe there is a 7900gs in agp form. best agp card would be a x1950pro.

05-17-2007, 07:02 AM	#8 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 14,030 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: What power supply on a budget? I am reasonably sure the prescott is supported http://global.msi.com.tw/index.php?f...&cat3_no=#menu if the OP is not into gaming and budget is a restriction, then dont overlook the ATI X1650 Pro AGP with 256mb ??????????? __________________ If you cant be polite and friendly; then please be silent.

05-19-2007, 08:39 PM	#10 (permalink)
TheMatt Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,695 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Re: What power supply on a budget? If budget is an issue, I would stay away from ATI X1k because they use a lot more power than the GeForce 7 series. __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides