Recommended PSU for 9NPA+Ultra

[mrw]

Ok, I'm returning my SeaSonic 330 and buying a new PSU. My system consists of:

Epox 9NPA+Ultra
Athon 64 3200
1 DVD/CR-RW
1 80 gig SATA
1 ATI XE300 Saphire
1 gig memory
no overclocking

As many of you know from a previous post, I've had issues with powering down and restarting without disconnecting the PSU from the electrical outlet. Epox is recommending at least a 400 watt PSU.

[wild_andy_c]

EPoX would recommend a PSU of good 12v current with at least 25A of 12V - this is common on all good quality PSU's.

Just come up with a new forum rule - anyone using a QTech PSU is banned from the forum

[GrahamGarside]

I would recomend the 420W Enermax noisetaker though the 370W unit would suffice with that setup.

Thas actually quite a low power system, you could get by on about 12-15A on the 12V line/lines but the noisetaker will give you plenty of scope for a better vid card or additional hard drives

[wild_andy_c]

If you only have that amount of current in 12V you will have long term problems and certain STR / ACPI trouble.

[GrahamGarside]

Could you explain why?

[wild_andy_c]

Powering a system from standby takes both 5VSB (where current should be greater than 2.5A) and 12V - it is a very power intensive operation when it is done and needs a good "clout" from the PSU.

I was involved in a large OEM project for a company last year and the OEM in question through their sheer lack of attention to anything related to anything other than cost made systems with Athlon 64 3000+ that severely underpowered and would not consistently perform STR in order to pass the WHQL HCT.

As a result I was called in to assist along with a friend from AMD UK and we pointed instantly at the root cause of the issue. Moreover this lack of 12V power (16A) would have eventually taken its toll on the PCB and likely the caps of the mainboard through what I call "diminishing ripple" whereby the tired PSU looses its ability to power the board correctly and starts pumping and splurging power to the board. Can have very nasty effects.

[GrahamGarside]

Thats a good point. Thanks.

[wild_andy_c]

Originally Posted by GrahamGarside

Thats a good point. Thanks.

Once every so often I have enough time to explain things a bit better! When I'm here in Holland and not at home in the UK with the other half (I miss her like crazy - she's at Camp with the schoolkids this week in Staffordshire) I lead a bit of an odd life in terms of evenings - amounts to :-

1. Last night went to Casino and won (which was a good job as I'm skint)
2. Usually go around the corner to Spooky's bar for a few vaaschen
3. Sit here in my house in Cappelle and read a book or do this!!

I know I'm whinging but its a hard life living in two countries!! Friday night I fly back to go to a wedding Saturday in Kenilworth and then Sunday I'm off back to where we live in Milton Keynes to see Oasis at the Bowl.

I had to get up at 3:30 am Monday to be at Luton Airport for my 6AM flight to be able to get to work for just after 9AM after losing an hour in time difference and having to catch a train to Den Haag and then Gouda. Then I worked till 6pm and then drove to here in Capelle before going out, getting exceedingly merry and winning 200 euros in a casino. Got to bed at 2am. Woke at 7am, in the office for 8:30, back home at 7pm. Knackered!!!

Also had typical Andy_C accident today at work involving a bottle of fanta and split my lip open with my teeth!! Don't ask!!!

[jimbobaggies]

Originally Posted by wild_andy_c

Also had typical Andy_C accident today at work involving a bottle of fanta and split my lip open with my teeth!! Don't ask!!!

You seem opposite from me! atm I could do with working away from the wife and kids

[wild_andy_c]

You don't realise what you have until you miss it - it literally knocks me sick leaving her every other Monday morning.

[GrahamGarside]

A proper full blown split lip or just a bit of a cut? split lips give the coolest scars, really you all should have one

Oh and the pain of stitches in the lip without anesthetic is just divine

[wild_andy_c]

Just a thick lip and the cuts on the inside - so no drama scar for me!!

[danrok]

Originally Posted by wild_andy_c

Just come up with a new forum rule - anyone using a QTech PSU is banned from the forum

No need. They system is going to die anyhow before long...

[Oldjim]

Originally Posted by wild_andy_c

EPoX would recommend a PSU of good 12v current with at least 25A of 12V - this is common on all good quality PSU's.

I know you covered this before - a long time ago - but can you advise if there are still potential problems with a 12v dual rail psu. I was thinking of the Seasonic 430 watt for my new quiet PC (3000+ venice) as this has 14 amps on 12V1 and 15 amps on 12V2. The combined current would probably be OK but I am not sure about potential bootup problems.
Forgot motherboard - would be EP-9NDA3J NF3 Ultra as I want to use an existing graphics card

[GrahamGarside]

If you ca stretch the extra $30 for the 500W S12 it's a better psu not just because of it's higher rating, it also offers increased efficiency over the 380/430W models and a quieter fan

[Mike abcd]

Originally Posted by wild_andy_c

Powering a system from standby takes both 5VSB (where current should be greater than 2.5A) ...

Even many high end power supplies only spec the 5VSB at 2.0A. The most I can find is 2.5A on any supply. (5VSB@2.5A on my Ocz Modstream 450 although only 2.0A on the Powerstreams).

Is the "greater than 2.5A" requirement unique to Epox or are even high end vendors wrong? I've never even seen the issue addressed in a PSU review.

Another possibility...is the requirement a short enough transient that a well designed supply rated at 2.0A can handle it?

Thanks,
Mike

[Gizmo]

The TTGI/Superflower TT550T14 (550W, 14 CM Fan), the TT550T04 (550W, quad fan), and TT600T04(600W, quad fan) all provide 3A on the +5vsb.

[Oldjim]

Originally Posted by GrahamGarside

If you ca stretch the extra $30 for the 500W S12 it's a better psu not just because of it's higher rating, it also offers increased efficiency over the 380/430W models and a quieter fan

In the UK the relative prices are £57 and £88 which is a bit excessive. Perhaps the differential will drop when they become more available

[GrahamGarside]

Sorry I just presumed you were amercian because of how difficult to get hold of seasonics are in the uk

That is quite a large price differance, and the 430W unit is still a good device

[fatfreepork]

what is the budget?