Adequate PSU for my rig?

Tuxi · 11-23-2008, 01:07 PM

I've got a pretty old rig. Specs are: Amd Athlon X2 3800+, 4sticks 512mb 400mhz DDR, Gigabyte 8800GT OC, Asus A8N-Sli Deluxe and Antec EarthWats 500W (came with my antec sonata III). I have ran my cpu with 2,45ghz for a month without problems, but when I do that I have to drop my DDR to 200mhz. I've been thinking if my PSU isnt good enough to keep my comp up. I tried one test which shows how good PSU I should have for my rig and it said 520W and 680W when OC. So I thought that Xmas is coming and I've got nothing to ask for.

To simplify, do I need better PSU and what kind of PSU I should buy IF my current one isnt adequate.

Thank you.

Tumbleweed36 · 11-23-2008, 05:49 PM

The minimum power supply for an 8800gt is a good brand name 650 watt supply. If you are in to overclocking, then you need at least a 750 watt supply. Here is a list of great power supplies that you should consider:

Seasonic – Any Model
Corsair – Any Model
PC Power & Cooling – Any Model
Thermaltake – “Toughpower” Series Only
Coolermaster – “Real Power Pro” Series Only
OCZ – “800” Watt model Only

Conclusion: There is no way a 500 watt power supply provides enough power to this rig. If you run it with a 500 watt, you risk damaging other components of your computer.

Tuxi · 11-23-2008, 11:43 PM

Dualpost

Tuxi · 11-23-2008, 11:46 PM

Hm, I've ran my rig with 500W for six months. We have even ran 3DMark with 500mhz OC processor and dual 8800GTs with my friend. Thermaltake's PSUs seemed to be best value. At least here in Europe. 119euros for 750W toughpower. Is Cooler Master Real power equal to Real power pro? Because there was this Real power 700W for 119euros.. I myself like toughpower better.

Tumbleweed36 · 11-24-2008, 05:03 AM

If I am not mistaken, the Real Power and Real Power Pro are the same model. You might look up NewEgg.com and compare the specs of the Real Power Pro to the Real Power you have there just to be sure.

Either one, the Real Power Pro and/or the Toughpower are both great quality supplies. HOwever, if the Real Power Pro 700 and the Toughpower 750 were the same price, go for the 750 Toughpower.

Tuxi · 11-24-2008, 07:43 AM

How about Corsair 750TX. Found it for 103 euros, which sounds VERY good to me. Can Corsair beat Thermaltake?

Tumbleweed36 · 11-24-2008, 08:36 AM

Corsair is IMHO better than Thermaltake. It is right up there with Seasonic and PC Power & Cooling as the premier in power supplies.

Tuxi · 11-24-2008, 01:17 PM

Yep, corsair it is then. Thank you for your help and guidance :)

Tumbleweed36 · 11-24-2008, 06:22 PM

I wanted to clear up and issue, I have found out that the Thermaltake "Real Power" sold in Europe and the "Real Power Pro" sold most other places are not one and the same power supply. The "Real Power" supply is much lower quality than the "Real Power Pro." Anyway, the Corsair you selected is better than either IMHO.

11-23-2008, 01:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
Tuxi Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Finland Posts: 21 OS: Windows XP 32bit SP3 My System	Adequate PSU for my rig? I've got a pretty old rig. Specs are: Amd Athlon X2 3800+, 4sticks 512mb 400mhz DDR, Gigabyte 8800GT OC, Asus A8N-Sli Deluxe and Antec EarthWats 500W (came with my antec sonata III). I have ran my cpu with 2,45ghz for a month without problems, but when I do that I have to drop my DDR to 200mhz. I've been thinking if my PSU isnt good enough to keep my comp up. I tried one test which shows how good PSU I should have for my rig and it said 520W and 680W when OC. So I thought that Xmas is coming and I've got nothing to ask for. To simplify, do I need better PSU and what kind of PSU I should buy IF my current one isnt adequate. Thank you.

11-23-2008, 05:49 PM	#2 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,640 OS: XP Professional	Re: Adequate PSU for my rig? The minimum power supply for an 8800gt is a good brand name 650 watt supply. If you are in to overclocking, then you need at least a 750 watt supply. Here is a list of great power supplies that you should consider: Seasonic – Any Model Corsair – Any Model PC Power & Cooling – Any Model Thermaltake – “Toughpower” Series Only Coolermaster – “Real Power Pro” Series Only OCZ – “800” Watt model Only Conclusion: There is no way a 500 watt power supply provides enough power to this rig. If you run it with a 500 watt, you risk damaging other components of your computer. __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread.

11-23-2008, 11:43 PM	#3 (permalink)
Tuxi Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Finland Posts: 21 OS: Windows XP 32bit SP3 My System	Re: Adequate PSU for my rig? Dualpost Last edited by Tuxi; 11-23-2008 at 11:47 PM.

11-23-2008, 11:46 PM	#4 (permalink)
Tuxi Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Finland Posts: 21 OS: Windows XP 32bit SP3 My System	Re: Adequate PSU for my rig? Hm, I've ran my rig with 500W for six months. We have even ran 3DMark with 500mhz OC processor and dual 8800GTs with my friend. Thermaltake's PSUs seemed to be best value. At least here in Europe. 119euros for 750W toughpower. Is Cooler Master Real power equal to Real power pro? Because there was this Real power 700W for 119euros.. I myself like toughpower better. Last edited by Tuxi; 11-23-2008 at 11:48 PM.

11-24-2008, 05:03 AM	#5 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,640 OS: XP Professional	Re: Adequate PSU for my rig? If I am not mistaken, the Real Power and Real Power Pro are the same model. You might look up NewEgg.com and compare the specs of the Real Power Pro to the Real Power you have there just to be sure. Either one, the Real Power Pro and/or the Toughpower are both great quality supplies. HOwever, if the Real Power Pro 700 and the Toughpower 750 were the same price, go for the 750 Toughpower. __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread. Last edited by Tumbleweed36; 11-24-2008 at 05:04 AM.

11-24-2008, 07:43 AM	#6 (permalink)
Tuxi Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Finland Posts: 21 OS: Windows XP 32bit SP3 My System	Re: Adequate PSU for my rig? How about Corsair 750TX. Found it for 103 euros, which sounds VERY good to me. Can Corsair beat Thermaltake?

11-24-2008, 08:36 AM	#7 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,640 OS: XP Professional	Re: Adequate PSU for my rig? Corsair is IMHO better than Thermaltake. It is right up there with Seasonic and PC Power & Cooling as the premier in power supplies. __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread.

11-24-2008, 01:17 PM	#8 (permalink)
Tuxi Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Finland Posts: 21 OS: Windows XP 32bit SP3 My System	Re: Adequate PSU for my rig? Yep, corsair it is then. Thank you for your help and guidance :)

11-24-2008, 06:22 PM	#9 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,640 OS: XP Professional	Re: Adequate PSU for my rig? I wanted to clear up and issue, I have found out that the Thermaltake "Real Power" sold in Europe and the "Real Power Pro" sold most other places are not one and the same power supply. The "Real Power" supply is much lower quality than the "Real Power Pro." Anyway, the Corsair you selected is better than either IMHO. __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread.