Upgrade my PSU before my OCZ VX arrives?...

cinders · 12-03-2004, 01:53 AM

Just wondering if I should upgrade my current PSU with this new memory coming?... and if so, what should I use?...

I'm currently running

1 x 6800 Ultra
1 x DangerDen Waterpump
1 x WD Raptor
1 x DVD-Rom
4 x 120mm Fans
1 x 80mm Fan

through a Akasa 460W PSU -

It seems quite study but I'm sure I see my CPU voltage fluctuate slightly....

Should I upgrade now, or see what O/C I can get, then maybe upgrade?..

Any advice appreciated!
Cinders.

cinders · 12-03-2004, 03:14 AM

Ah well, I've decided to replace it as a matter of course...

Now I'm trying to decide between an Enermax 660W or OCZ Powersteam 600W...

cinders · 12-03-2004, 07:26 AM

Well after all the useful replies I've ordered myself a 660W Enermax...

Should do for a while!...

Soulburner · 12-03-2004, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cinders

Well after all the useful replies I've ordered myself a 660W Enermax...

Should do for a while!...

Can't go wrong with that one.

andyOCZ · 12-03-2004, 11:20 PM

If you plan ti use the OCZ DDR Booster the readout won't work with the Enermax. Most of the new models lack a -5v line. The booster should work otherwise.

The Enermax is good, but I'll bet our specs are better on the Powerstream 600w.

cinders · 12-04-2004, 02:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andyOCZ

If you plan ti use the OCZ DDR Booster the readout won't work with the Enermax. Most of the new models lack a -5v line. The booster should work otherwise.

The Enermax is good, but I'll bet our specs are better on the Powerstream 600w.

I was going to go for the Powerstream 600W, but heard that the Neo2's can have problems with the Powestream PSU's...

andyOCZ · 12-04-2004, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cinders

I was going to go for the Powerstream 600W, but heard that the Neo2's can have problems with the Powestream PSU's...

Hi, the "myth" of Neo2's not working with the Powerstream is just that. We have sold many, many Powestreams of all sizes to Neo2 users that are running great.

bito · 12-04-2004, 12:22 PM

I agree with Andy...my PowerStream 520w workrd fine with my MSI Neo2.

situman · 12-04-2004, 12:45 PM

Don't worry the Enermax will serve you well. Powerstreams are still relatively new. I wouldn't go head in until it develops a track record. People comparing it to the likes of PCP&C 510 turbo dlx is just absurd. Only time will prove its worth and Enermax has proven to be an excellent powersupply.

hollywood · 12-04-2004, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cinders

I was going to go for the Powerstream 600W, but heard that the Neo2's can have problems with the Powestream PSU's...

and again...Baseless rumors prevent ANOTHER good hardware purchase.

I've got 2 Neo2 Plat-based systems and 2 OCZ Powerstream 520s...ZERO PROBLEMS...EVER.

cinders · 12-04-2004, 01:15 PM

I haven't actually ordered anything yet, I'm still deciding.

I'm tempted by both, however this has put me off the powersteam 600w a bit:

http://xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=45535

I'm still doing some searching about before I make my mind up on Monday.

cinders · 12-04-2004, 01:29 PM

After a lot more searching there seems to be a high number (too high for me!) of people having problems with the OCZ Powerstream 600W, I think I'm going to skip it.

However... The OCZ 520W seems like a good buy, it's either that or the 660W Enermax.

Would the OCZ be enough to run my setup:

1 x 6800 Ultra
1 x DangerDen Waterpump
1 x WD Raptor
1 x DVD-Rom
4 x 120mm Fans
1 x 80mm Fan
1 x OCZ Voltage Booster with the new OCZ VX Memory

Thanks,
Cinders.

jinu117 · 12-04-2004, 01:54 PM

Spec is one thing... user experience here proves enermax 660W to be much better in my case. Of course, wouldn't call it fair comparison as the one I had chance to play with was 520W version of OCZ. I am still under belief that something is not in harmoy with MSI K8N Neo2 with OCZ powerstream 520W as I was able to do better even with cheapo Ultra X-connect psu with much lower spec than power stream. Maybe I had not so great unit of powerstream but considering it is from RMA unit, I would have epxected you OCZ to throughly retest it before sending me one to insure that there are no potential issues (to reduce potential re-RMA situation).
I bet support from OCZ typically is better though..

Now, that the VX is becoming tempting target, I might have to look for some other PSU with -5v (I fully expected hi-pro to be able to ship his "booster" unit by now... guess it isn't happening too soon considering holiday season ahead)
Was wondering, is DDR booster tested with Zippy PSU?

As for baseless rumors, I don't believe in such thing. Rumors do have some foundation if you dig deep enough. It might be falsely founded but there is something that started it up.

PS) PM me if you need which lines are which 12v rail as there are 4

I've sent e-mail to enermax to obtain the information which is not in manual.

cinders · 12-04-2004, 02:02 PM

Well after some more searching, I think I'm going to get me one of these:

PC Power & Cooling 510 Deluxe

Seem like the best on the market at the moment...

perkam · 12-04-2004, 02:19 PM

Hmmm...Doesnt Antec also make 550 Watt+ PSUs ?

Perkam

jinu117 · 12-04-2004, 02:34 PM

Antec doesn't have too strong of 12v rail unfortunately, they were great PSUs. Now the need has changed.

situman · 12-04-2004, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cinders

I haven't actually ordered anything yet, I'm still deciding.

I'm tempted by both, however this has put me off the powersteam 600w a bit:

http://xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=45535

I'm still doing some searching about before I make my mind up on Monday.

http://www.bleedinedge.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=56

situman · 12-04-2004, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cinders

Well after some more searching, I think I'm going to get me one of these:

PC Power & Cooling 510 Deluxe

Seem like the best on the market at the moment...

Excellent and safe choice. Just be prepared to deal with the banshee wail at load.

cinders · 12-04-2004, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by situman

http://www.bleedinedge.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=56

So people haven't been reading the instructions!?!....

I guess it's not unusual in the IT Industry...

R.T.F.M. - as we say at work!

Still - I'm going for the PC Power & Cooling as it's the same price in the UK as the OCZ 600W. Final Decision (and a good one, I'm sure!)

MarilynMX · 12-04-2004, 03:09 PM

cinder my system consumption is about similar as yours
Presccot 3.0 OC 3.6
1G OCZ EL 3200 Plat
6800 Ultra
P4C800E
4x seagate HDDs(2x80, 2x120)
2x CDROMs
and I'm using a TT 480W PSU
I'll be using gold VX and booster so I'm not sure about my current PSU as well

craig588 · 12-04-2004, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cinders

Well after some more searching, I think I'm going to get me one of these:

PC Power & Cooling 510 Deluxe

Seem like the best on the market at the moment...

It is also one of the most controversial. Some (Most) of them have TERRIBLE rails, but the fluxuations are so fast only an Oscope can see them. People never notice them because most people either can't afford an Oscope, or don't know how to use one.

I used 2 different 510DLXs and the 12V rail moved up and down 1.25V every .9MS. None of the lower end PCPNP PSUs have that problem though, I tried 2 different 350s, and a 180, those all worked fine.

masterofpuppets · 12-04-2004, 03:18 PM

The PCP&C is a great choice. But wear some earplugs! ;D Although "certain" members seem to hate them (you know who you are), I have had no problem with them. They are great beasts.

dnavarro · 12-04-2004, 03:48 PM

I have emailed Larry from PCP&C and received the same info that BeenThere posted in response to craig588's accusations about PCP&C "dirty rails". Craig, why haven't you responded to that thread? And why do you insist that because you tested TWO 510DLX's that "most" of them have dirty rails? BTW did you test as specified below? Larry at PCP&C seems to think you didn't.

Here's Beenthere's post (in the computer's and cases forum "The Top PSU's" thread):

Beenthere
Xtreme Member

Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 175 I've actually NEVER seen any negative reports on PCPC PSU's other than a thread here I think it was on the 510W unit supposedly having a high frequency component on the DC output. But no where in that thread did I see where the person **claiming** that there was a problem with the PCPC 510W unit ever test the unit PROPERLY in accordance with the ATX12V industry specs which requires two capacitors on the DC output as specified in ATX12V section 3.2.6. As Larry from PCPC responded in that thread, improper testing of AC ripple can net a 600% increase in the amplitude of noise peak-to-peak. So until someone proves otherwise, I've yet to EVER see a negative report on PCPC power supplies that had ANY merit. In fact this one complaint of the 510W unit is the only negative report I've ever seen in all the hardware forums I've visited over the past 10 years yet I've seen countless independent reviews of the PCPC PSUs and witnessed the performance firsthand.

Below is the ATX test specs for those who want to properly test any PSU. Every INDEPENDENT test of PC Power and Cooling PSUs has proven they have better line voltage stability and lower ripple and noise than any other PSU on the market so I'll take that scientific information over someone's subjective opinion every time, because you simply can not tell what the power output quantity or quality is of a PSU by the color of the PSU case, how many fans it has or by how much it's hyped in the forums by PC enthusiasts. And PCPC has the best warranty in the PC industry and competitive if not lower prices than the low quality off-shore hardware touted by many PC enthusiasts so it isn't a difficult decision when you have the facts and chose to make an informed decision.

One accurate scientific test is worth a LOT more than 1,000 opinions, based on my 30 years of experience in engineering...

See section 3.2.6, Page 19, of the ATX specification link below for the proper industry specified testing method for noise measurement in ATX PSUs.

Here is what the section reads:

"3.2.6. Output Ripple/Noise

The output ripple/noise requirements listed in Table 10 should be met throughout the load ranges specified in Section 3.2.3 and under all input voltage conditions as specified in Section 3.1. Ripple and noise are defined as periodic or random signals over a frequency band of 10 Hz to 20 MHz. Measurements shall be made with an oscilloscope with 20 MHz bandwidth. Outputs should be bypassed at the connector with a 0.1 ÂµF ceramic disk capacitor and a10 ÂµF electrolytic capacitor to simulate system loading. See Figure 5."

Table 10. shows EXACTLY how to test ripple with the capacitors in place and the specified range for ripple in mVpp.

http://www.formfactors.org/develope...%20Ratified.pdf

http://www.pcper.com/article.php?aid=51&type=expert

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Last edited by Beenthere : 11-07-2004 at 07:34 AM.

hollywood · 12-04-2004, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cinders

Well after some more searching, I think I'm going to get me one of these:

PC Power & Cooling 510 Deluxe

Seem like the best on the market at the moment...

A good choice as well...

craig588 · 12-04-2004, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dnavarro

I have emailed Larry from PCP&C and received the same info that BeenThere posted in response to craig588's accusations about PCP&C "dirty rails". Craig, why haven't you responded to that thread? And why do you insist that because you tested TWO 510DLX's that "most" of them have dirty rails? BTW did you test as specified below? Larry at PCP&C seems to think you didn't.

Edited to prevent forum clutter
Last edited by Beenthere : 11-07-2004 at 07:34 AM.

I didn't test with caps, so I guess I didn't do perfect tests, but I didn't test any of the other PSUs with caps either, so the results should still be comperable. I just used my benching system as a load. I personally tested 2 510DLXs, but other people with Oscopes have tested other ones and also found fluxuations, there have also been people with Oscopes that tested them and didn't see any fluxuations, but the number of people that found fluxuations is higher than the people that didn't find them.

I had a few mobos and one VC mysteriously die with the PCPNP 510DLX PSU. They didn't have any mods on them and were cooled proporly.