Choosing a PSU

Trinity · Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2005 9:36 am Post subject: Choosing a PSU

Does anyone know how many watts a cold cathode draws?

I found this neat little website that tells you how big a PSU you will need for certain components, but it doesn't have information pertaining to common modding components. For others interested, here is the link: http://www.utcache.com/power.asp. I use Firefox, but I had to resort to IE to get it to work.

I'm also looking for brand recommendations. I know that enermax is reliable, but how about antec? How about aspire? I've heard pow max is bad, but I haven't really had a problem with them other than my power consumption is right at the brink of overloading the PSU. However, aren't ultras built by pow max?
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MaxPOwer · Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2005 10:53 am Post subject:

I have a 480 Thermaltake that I love. I picked it up for under 50 and it works great for me...

Hobo · Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2005 11:30 am Post subject:

I have a 4?? Vantec that has been great.
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TWljaGFlbA · BoxHeads Member Joined: Oct 23, 2004 Posts: 1376

CCFLs for computers normally consume between 2 and 6 watts, with most consuming about 2.4 watts or so I beleive. As for brand recommendations, I have the following kinds:

ThermalTake
Enermax
Ultra Products (Makes the X-Connect which is an amazing PSU)
Antec (I have had some problems with the TrueControl 550W right when it came out, havent got a new one since then)
ePowertec (Makes good PCI Express ones)
SeaSonic
CoolMax (meh they're decent)

Those are all the brands that come to mind right now the brands I listed are the ones im fond of. Raidmax, Generic POS ones, A+GPB, and some other ones are flaky with their rails.

snipr · Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2005 2:22 pm Post subject:

i have a Xpower 550watt psu that works fine for me... (yes i know, its basicly a no name psu but hey... it works fine and i got it for like 30 bucks... )
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Trinity · Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2005 2:44 pm Post subject:

I'm not going to take chances on a no name PSU this time, as I've had my fair share of crap caused by poorly designed ones. Price wise, I'm leaning towards a 480W ThermalTake. http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-153-008&depa=1. I'm still open to suggestions though, as I have to sell some stuff before I can buy a PSU.
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TWljaGFlbA · BoxHeads Member Joined: Oct 23, 2004 Posts: 1376

Logisys also makes some reliable PSUs if your looking at some that come with LED fans, clear windows, and other factory mods. I have 3 Logisys ones and are reliable.

MaxPOwer · Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2005 3:42 pm Post subject:

TWljaGFlbA · BoxHeads Member Joined: Oct 23, 2004 Posts: 1376

Trinity · Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 12:59 pm Post subject:

My 480W Thermaltake arrived today. I haven't opened up the casing on it yet, but from weight alone I would say it was a good buy. Anyone have some step by step instructions on how I should go about testing the rails before I start modding it?

1) It says in the little booklet to make sure there is a load on it before turning it on. I figure I will throw an old harddrive on it. Will one be enough, or should I connect several? I have 3 or so little ones laying around that would be up to the task.

2) I just paperclip one of the black wires to the green wire. Does it matter which black one is used?

3) I use a multimeter to test, but what on earth do I put the black and red multimeter probes to, what setting should the meter be on, and what should I expect to see on the readout?

I want to make sure the unit is 'good' before I start tearing it apart.
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MaxPOwer · Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 1:27 pm Post subject:

1. 1 Hard drive is fine

2. The green to ANY black will do

3. Black to black (Duh!) and red to any other leads. Put the miltimeter to 20 V DC. Im not sure what the range is for each rail, but someone else probably knows...

Trinity · Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 6:19 pm Post subject:

Thank you much. I plugged her in, did the testing, and the rails seem within normal ranges; 3.43, 5.15, 11.98. I kind of wonder about the 12V being below but since it was still in range I decided to open it up and have a look inside. Low and behold one of the corners of the board is completely broken off and various pieces off tie wraps also fell out. Guess I don't have to worry about that 12V rail because the damn thing is going back. Newegg is soon becoming the last place on my list to order from. Other things about this order bothered me as well. For instance: The PSU casing is bent on one side, one side of the 5.25 controller is bent farther than the intended 90 degree angle, and the unit didn't even come in it's original box (I ordered a W0014 and it came in a W0011 box). Grrr.

I'm now paying $7 more to order a PSU from Amazon. I'm still getting a Thermaltake, but now I'm getting the W0010 which is actually better than the W0014 anyway. Unfortunately I won't have it for a couple of weeks (used free shipping).
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MaxPOwer · Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 6:25 pm Post subject:

Because it is bad, newegg should reimburse you to ship it back to them. Sorry to hear that though. I have heard some horror stories about newegg lately though...

TWljaGFlbA · BoxHeads Member Joined: Oct 23, 2004 Posts: 1376

11.98 volts on your 12V rail isnt bad at all...... 0.02 off itsnt anythign to worry about at all... Hell that small difference could be introduced by the sensor alone. Lots of generic PSUs can easily fluctuate to like 11.5 which is bad. Usually its fine if the voltages are within 5% off their theoretical vopltage. BTW idk if you mentioned but were these voltages when your system was under idle or load?

Trinity · Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2005 7:25 pm Post subject:

I hooked up a 2GB harddrive and paperclipped the wires to power up the PSU.
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