CobraX

Hi folks,

I'm gonna upgrade my current PC config this February. It's going to look like this (unless I change my mind on some parts):

- Athlon64 3000+ S939 Boxed
- Asus A8N-SLI Deluxe
- 2x 256 MB DDR SDRAM PC3200 (Corsair Value Select maybe?)
- Leadtek Geforce 6600GT 128 MB

The only part missing here is the power supply (I currently have an Antec 300W power supply). I searched the web but I can't make a decision on which power supply to choose. Here are my candidates:

- Antec NeoPower 480 (seems rather noisy at full load according to silentpcreview)
- Nexus NX4090 (400 Watt)
- Antec TruePower 430
- OCZ PowerStream 420
- OCZ ModStream 450

Now the things I'll keep from my current config are:

- 2x Seagate Barracuda IV 7200 RPM UDMA100
- SB Live! Player 1024
- Adaptec AHA-2930U SCSI
- Plextor PX504 (DVD writer)
- 2x 80mm antec case fans
- Quickcam Pro3000 (USB)
- Canon i560 (USB)
- M$ Intellimouse Explorer (USB)
- My keyboard (PS2)

Now looking ahead in the future tells me that those seagate drives will be replaced by 2 SATA drives, (noisy) antec casefans will be replaced by papst fans, 512 MB DDR SDRAM will be added later on + another 6600GT will join his "older brother". Initially I'm not really planning to overlock my system.

Now that you guys know my power needs, I'll tell you what features I like about power supplies:

- the absence of noise (or at least as less noise as possible)
- Modular PSU (I hate those cables that make it hard to mess around in my case)
- Stability

If you take this into account, the OCZ ModStream/Antec NeoPower 480 would be obvious choices, but still I'm not 100% sure of these 2 PSUs. The NeoPower 480 is noisy at full load according to silentpcreview. SilentPCReview also says the following about the ModStream 520:

Despite the modest start SPL of 26 dBA/1m, the fan in the OCZ-520 would not be considered really quiet by most silent computing enthusiasts. Even at 4.6 volts, this fan produces bearing noise in a distinct rhythmic chatter. The problem may be exacerbated by the brittle clear plastic frame. Motor noise is fairly good, representing a low hum that is noticeable mainly at lower speeds when it is not overpowered by air turbulence. At higher voltages, the rhythm of the bearing chatter increases in speed and volume, and air turbulence begins to overpower the hum of the motor noise.

And also, are the PowerStream series better than the ModStream series? I noticed that the PowerStream series get more attention (just because of the adjustable volt lines?).

I hope you guys can help me out .

Edit: Oh yeah did I already mention I like the blue light fan on the ModStream PSU?

jmke

According to SilentPCReview almost every single PC piece is noisy, except fanless things

the PowerStream series is OCZ's high end PSU line mainly due to the adjustable voltage rails; also check the specs for amount of A. for each rail.

If you can live with the extra cables, I could also suggest the Sharkoon 480W unit http://www.madshrimps.be/?action=get...&articID=2 65 which is only available in Europe afaik;

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easypanic

OCZ Powerstream is very good. It has good and stable voltlines.

But it's equipped with loads of cables....

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CobraX

So I kind of figured out which power supply to get. It will be an OCZ PowerStream but I don't know which one yet. The candidates are the 420, the 470 and the 520 watt version. I will now show you guys the most extreme setup that I'm going to use in combination with the powerstream and I'll hope you guys can help me out on which version to choose then.

- Athlon64 3000+/3200+ @ 2.6 Ghz (air cooled)
- 4x 512 MB DDR SDRAM PC3200 (dunno @ which speeds) -> all memory slots in use in other words
- 2x PCI cards in use
- 1x PCI-E card in use
- 2x Leadtek GF6600 GT PCI-E @ default speeds
- 2x 80mm papst (?) casefans
- 4 usb devices (mouse, keyboard [could also be ps2], printer, webcam)
- 2x SATA HD 7200 RPM
- 1x floppy drive
- 2x DVD Writer/Rom
- onboard things like soundcard, lan, firewire can also be used

Will the 420 watt version be strong enough for this config?

Sidney

Try getting a case with two 120mm case fans instead.

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lazyman

Opteron 165 (2) @2.85 1.42 vcore AMD Stock HSF + Chill Vent II

CobraX

Why choose 120mm fans instead of 80mm fans? Better cooling but also noisier? I currently have a Chieftec Dragon case. It's an old model (BD I believe) but you probably know it. It's a full tower (black) model and the fan holders inside the case are for 80mm fans only. If I would buy another case it would be this one. So still no 120mm fan holders.

Sidney

Less noise given the same CFM is the reason.
Do what want you want, only answer since you asked.

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lazyman

Opteron 165 (2) @2.85 1.42 vcore AMD Stock HSF + Chill Vent II

jmke

bwahaha

larger fan -> less noise for same CFM
thus 120mm is better for case cooling!

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187(V)URD@

Maybe some 30€ cheap PSU like I got , best 30€ i ever spend imo

Cheap / stable / no noise / chilly / excellent lines.

review 1
Review 2
Review 3
Review 4
Review 5

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CobraX

Well thx for the advice but I checked all 120mm papst fans and there's no fan with less than 20 dBA (or max 20 dBA) so I guess that's too noisy.