Power Supply Guide - Overclock.net

davidhammock200 · 03-13-07

ALL mobo manufacturers recommend 24-pin native ATX for their newer mobos, not adaptors!

Quote:

All PSU's recommended for highend systems need to be Single +12V Rail PSU's.

This has now become necessary for several reasons:

PSU manufactures are now assigning the rails on their multi-rail (3 or more +12V rails) PSU's in whatever fashion pleases them.

Motherboard manufacturers are now requiring additional power connectors, beyond the standard ATX & P4/EPS connectors.

Sometimes the interaction of these unique rail assignments & additional power connectors results in mobo/PSU incompatibility.

All of these problems are of course caused by the ever higher power demands of ever more powerful GPU's.

Most Dual +12V Rail PSU's are not effected as one rail "should always" be used exclusively to power the CPU via the P4/EPS connector, however Dual Rail PSU's that follow the specs can not power highend SLI systems.

Therefore all PSU's recommended for highend systems now need to be Single +12V Rail PSU's.

Please note that the Seasonic built Corsairs & Antecs (HE & Trio) are, regardless of advertising,
Single +12V Rail PSU's, in that there is no per-rail current limiting, meaning that any +12V rail can pull whatever +12V amperage is available. This is also true of the Seasonic M-12's.
The Corsairs are built to higher standards than the Antecs.

From PC P&C's Power Supply Myths Exposed!: http://www.pcpower.com/technology/myths/

8. ARE MULTIPLE 12-VOLT RAILS BETTER THAN A SINGLE 12-VOLT RAIL?

With all the hype about multiple 12-volt rails (ads claim that two rails is better than one, five is better than four, etc.), you’d think it was a better design. Unfortunately, it’s not!

Here are the facts: A large, single 12-volt rail (without a 240VA limit) can transfer 100% of the 12-volt output from the PSU to the computer, while a multi-rail 12-volt design has distribution losses of up to 30% of the power supply’s rating. Those losses occur because power literally gets “trapped” on under-utilized rails. For example, if the 12-volt rail that powers the CPU is rated for 17 amps and the CPU only uses 7A, the remaining 10A is unusable, since it is isolated from the rest of the system.

Since the maximum current from any one 12-volt rail of a multiple-rail PSU is limited to 20 amps (240VA / 12 volts = 20 amps), PCs with high-performance components that draw over 20 amps from the same rail are subject to over-current shutdowns. With power requirements for multiple processors and graphics cards continuing to grow, the multiple-rail design, with its 240VA limit per rail, is basically obsolete.

PC Power and Cooling is once again leading the industry. All of our power supplies now feature a large, single 12-volt rail. The design is favored by major processor and graphics companies, complies with EPS12V specs (the 240VA limit is not a requirement) and is approved by all major safety agencies such as UL and TUV.

From Silverstone: http://www.silverstonetek.com/products-da750.htm

"With the knowledge that single +12V rail power is the next generation power supply, SilverStone Technology introduces Decathlon series, offering enthusiasts more choices with single rail power selections to handle their system."

Dave's Short List: http://www.overclock.net/1863469-post4.html
(Updated March 4, 2007)

Cheap, but Good Power Supplies! http://www.overclock.net/1863470-post5.html
(Updated March 4, 2007)

SLI & Crossfire Power Supplies: http://www.overclock.net/1863472-post6.html
(Updated March 4, 2007)

Modular Power Supplies: http://www.overclock.net/1863473-post7.html
(Updated March 7, 2007)

PSU’s: The Best of the Best of the Best! http://www.overclock.net/1863486-post10.html
(Updated March 7, 2007)

PSU's for DFI High-Performance Mobos: http://www.overclock.net/1863489-post11.html
(Updated October 20th, 2006)

What Dave Would Buy: http://www.overclock.net/1863474-post8.html
(Updated March 9, 2007)

This is a work in progress & it will never be finished (10-25-04).

Quote:

These quality brands are highly recommended,
however not every power supply they offer will meet your needs,
be especially careful to make sure that the +12V rail(s) offer a
Minimum of +12V@26A for Single Video Card Systems & +12V@34A for Dual Video Card (SLI/Crossfire) Systems & More is Better!.

Class 1: These are the Best:

PC Power & Cooling (All Turbo Cool & ULTRA-QUIET SILENCER 610W & 750W),
Seasonic (S-12, S-12E+, M-12),
Corsair,
Silverstone (Zeus models ST56ZF, ST75ZF, and ST85ZF),
Etasis &
Zippy.

Class 2:

Antec,
Enermax,
Enhance,
Fortron (FSP),
Hiper (Type-M 670W & 730W & Type-R 730W)
I-Star,
OCZ Technology,
PC Power & Cooling,
Seasonic,
Silverstone,
Sparkle,
Tagan,
Thermaltake ToughPower (Only the ToughPower Line!),
Vantec &
XCilo.

Class 3:

Hiper (Type-R 580W, 530W & 480W)
Mushkin &
Sunbeam NUUO

Links to all of these fine manufactures websites & reviews are provided at the end.

The only precise way to choose a PS is to add up the maximum current (amperage)
draw for each individual rail and then provide at least an additional 20% for overhead.
All PS calculators use averages, they are not precise.
A 1000Watt PS is useless if that wattage is delivered on the wrong rail(s)!

All of the above are very good PSU's & are recommended.

My personal "BEST BANG for the BUCK" choices are:

$38: XCilo 450W (Lowend to Midrange)

$52: XClio GoodPower 500W (Midrange)

$80: Antec TruePower Trio 550W (Highend to Midrange SLI/CF)

$103: Antec TruePower Trio 650W (8800GTS SLI)

$149: SilverStone Olympia OP750 750W (8800GTX SLI)

$335: SILVERSTONE Olympia OP1000 1000W (R600 CrossFire)

If you require extreme quiet & would like a modular PSU, then the Corsairs were made for you!

Voltages & Amperage: Only the +3.3V, +5V, +5VSB & +12V are used by modern computers. Spec is usually +/- 5%. When the original ATX spec was written the +3.3V & +5V were far more stressed by heavy usage demands than they are in today’s computers. Almost any high quality ATX spec PS of 300Watts or more can supply far more +3.3V & +5V amperage than today’s computers require. Today’s computers, especially the AMD A64’s and the latest Intel's stress the +12V rail the most, requiring far more amperage than was originally called for in the original ATX spec for the +12V rail. Video cards can be the biggest +12V resource hogs!

Wattage: Voltage times Amperage equals Wattage. Wattage is the ability to do work; it can be converted into Horse Power. A PS’s wattage rating is the total combined wattage output of all the rails combined. Older ATX designs created most of their wattage in the +3.3 & +5V rails, creating very little on the +12V rail. Newer ATX12V & ATX12 V2.0 designs are creating ever more wattage on the +12V rail, to meet the needs of today’s & tomorrow’s computers.
To see why total wattage should never be used to select a power supply, but that the properly allocated wattage is very important in selecting the proper PS, please click on the following link to the ONLY "Power Supply Calculator" that I can & DO RECOMMEND, provided by & constantly updated by "mnemonik23": http://www.extreme.outervision.com/

PC P&C Power Supply Selector: http://www.pcpowercooling.com/produc...lies/selector/

Multipul +12V Rails: Most PS’s today supply all of their +12V amperage through one rail, just like almost every PS manufacturer supplies their +3.3V and +5V through one rail each. However some forward thinking manufacture’s are supplying their +12V amperage through more than one rail, the most common today for PC’s is to use two +12V rails or dual rails. The new ATX12 V2.0 spec. also requires dual (or more) +12V rails. This has both advantages & disadvantages.

Why more than one +12V rail? Electrical isolation for noise and improved load/voltage regulation. Some devices, usually electromechanical ones having motors, produce noise spikes & voltage fluxuations, these can include pumps, compressors, fans, drives, lights (when turned on & off) and probably TEC’s & Peltiers. By putting these “noisy” devices, that often turn on & off, or at least often change their power (amperage) demands, on a separate rail we isolate them from the MoBo, CPU, Video Card(s) and the other electronic components that are sensitive to noise & sudden changes in voltage. This can be a good thing! ATX12 V2.0 is the future.
Additional Dual Rail Information: http://forums.extremeoverclocking.co...62#post1371562

Hold Up Time: Measured in milliseconds (ms) is how long the PS will continue to supply in spec voltage & amperage, once the AC input voltage is removed. The longer the hold up time generally the higher the quality of the PS. Hold up time gives the time necessary for an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) to switch to batteries and allow uninterrupted operation of the computer.

Efficiency and Temperature: There are no electronic devices that are 100% efficient & PS’s are no exception. Typically PS’s operate between 60% and 85% efficiency. The more efficient the PS, the less power that is lost as heat and the lower the cooling requirements. Newer PSU's meeting the ATX12V 2.xx specs have efficiency ratings from 70% to as high as 85%. The "80%+" certification requires 80% or higher efficiency.

Reading and Adjusting Voltages: BIOS and software such as Motherboard Monitor 5 (MM5) can not be fully trusted to give accurate voltage readings and since many of today's better PS's allow the user to easily adjust their voltages, it is very important that a voltmeter/multimeter be used to measure these voltages correctly.
How Measure PS Voltages (Rails): http://forums.extremeoverclocking.co...d.php?t=137886
Recommended Digital Multimeter (DMM): http://forums.extremeoverclocking.co...&postcount=491

PFC: Power Factor Correction: This has always been important for large scale commerical applications,
now it is something that the home & small office user can also consider,
especially if you are going to be operating outside of north america.
Required by law in the EU, it is really not a "big deal" for the home & small office user in north america.
Here is a good explination of PFC: http://www.rojakpot.com/default.aspx...var1=81&var2=0
APC on PFC: ftp://www.apcmedia.com/salestools/SADE-5TNQYL_R0_EN.pdf

new egg: I started using new egg as the primary reference source for several reasons including their popularity, broad selection, low prices & format. There is also the fact that I’m basically lazy & using new egg made this much easier! I am now trying to link the factory specs & use Google/Froogle for lowest pricing.

Other PS’s: I am not perfect or all knowledgeable, it is highly probable that I have made errors of omission, please forgive me as I have done more or less the best that I could given the restraints of the real world. I am sure that there are other PS’s that deserve to be recommended and with any major price changes my recommendations might have been different.

I update this guide as often as possible, already (11-4-04) as a result of suggestions by knowledgeable EOCF members 4 additional PS's have been added to the recommended list. Please add your experiences, comments & recommendations to this thread. They will be appericated.

APC UPS: American Power Conversion (APC) http://www.apcc.com makers of IMO the world’s finest Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS), check them out, I promise that you will be glad you did.
I recommend this one as it also protects your network connections.
Back-UPS ES 725 Broadband: http://www.apc.com/resource/include/...se_sku=BE725BB
Available at new egg for $81: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...101-127&depa=1

Use 2 or more PS’s: It is often better & cheaper to use more than one PS to power your computer. There are two methods of doing this, the first is simple & safe, the second requires the skills of an electronics technician and if performed improperly could damage your system, and so we will concentrate on the safe & simple method.

Use a second PS to power your lights & fans and maybe your HDD’s, FDD’s & OD’s. Allowing your main PS to concentrate on your MoBo, CPU & Video Card(s). As your lights, fans & various drives are electrically isolated from your MoBo, this is safe & simple, allowing you to use as many PS’s as required, to power all of the eye candy imaginable. Turn your Fans & Drives "ON" first & turn them "OFF" last.

To be recommended to power a modern system the power supply must meet the following criteria:

(1) It must meet all usual ATX, AMD, Intel & UL standards for USA operation,

(2) It must have been manufactured by a well known reputable company, known to offer products of very high quality, their products having been used, tested, reviewed & recommended by many experienced & knowledgeable users, and

(3) It must supply a minimum of 26A on the +12V rail(s), as this is critical for today's computers.

To be recommended as a “BEST BANG for the BUCK”, in addition to meeting all of the above criteria,

the PS must clearly supply more +12V amperage for less money, than its competitors.

Cheap, but Good Power Supplies! http://forums.extremeoverclocking.co...&postcount=197

To be recommended for “Premium Choices”, in addition to meeting to meeting the basic criteria,

the PS must be of exceptional quality, literally being one of the very best in the world.

Many of these also offer special features not usually found on lesser PS’s,

such as tighter load/voltage regulation, extreme power, silent operation or user adjustable voltages.

To be recommended for “Professional Choices”, in addition to meeting to meeting the basic criteria,

the PS must have been designed & built to the exacting standards required to

power professional workstations & servers, where failure is not an option.

These PSU's must be "The Best of the Best of the Best"!

Quote:

These PSU's were/are designed for older systems where the CPU is often powered from the +5V rail.
However these still provide enough +12V amperage to run most of today's lowend to midrange systems.

[20-pin ATX Only]
ENERMAX EG301P-VB-1-FM 300W
Output +3.3V@28A; +5V@30A; -5V@1A; +12V@22A; -12V@1A; +5VSB@2.2A
$32: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817103463
Discontinued Model.

[Many Different Versions, many are 20-pin ATX Only]
ENERMAX EG365AX-VE(W) / EG365AX-VE(G) / EG365P-VE 350W
Output +3.3V@32A; +5V@32A; -5V@1A; +12V@26A; -12V@1A; +5VSB@2.2A
Specs: http://www.enermax.com.tw/english/pr...y1.asp?PrID=29
From $43: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=...line&scoring=p

[Many Different Versions, many are 20-pin ATX Only]
ENERMAX EG465AX-VE(W) / EG465AX-VE(G) / EG465P-VE
Output +3.3V@35A; +5V@35A; -5V@1A; +12V@33A; -12V@1A; +5VSB@2.2A
Specs: http://www.enermax.com.tw/english/pr...y1.asp?PrID=28
From $46: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=...line&scoring=p

[20/24-pin ATX]
VANTEC ION 2 VAN-460N ATX12V/ EPS12V 460W
Output +3.3V@28A; +5V@30A; -5V@0.5A; +12V@30A; -12V@0.8A; +5VSB@3.0A
Specs: http://www.vantecusa.com/p_ion2460.html
From $60: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?so...line&scoring=p
This is my #1 Recommendation for this class of PSU's.

[20-pin ATX Only]
PC P&C Silencer 360 ATX 360W
Output: +5V @ 30A, +12V @ 21A, -12V @ 0.8A, +3.3V @ 26A, +5VSB @ 2A
Specs: http://www.pcpowercooling.com/produc...view=techspecs
$65: http://www.pcpowercooling.com/produc...ATX&view=about

"BEST BANG for the BUCK"

$39.99 & shipping [24-pin & 20-pin]
FSP Group (Fortron Source) AX400-PN ATX12V 400W
+3.3V@22A, +5V@21A, +12V1@18A, +12V2@16A (+12V@25A total max), -12V@0.3A, +5VSB@2A
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104953

$39.99 & shipping [24-pin & 20-pin]
XCLIO XClio 450BL ATX 450W
Hold-up Time >20ms at full load, nominal line
Efficiency > 70%
Output +3.3V@32A, +5V@30A, -5V@0.5A, +12V1@15A, +12V2@17A, -12V@0.3A, +5VSB@2A
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817189003

$49.99 & shipping [24-pin & 20-pin]
FSP Group (Fortron Source) AX450-PN ATX12V 450W
3.3V@30A, +5V@28A, +12V1@18A, +12V2@18A (+12V@29A total max), -12V@0.5A, +5VSB@2A
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104954

XCLIO GOODPOWER 500W ATX 500W
Max Combined +12V@30A (support both 24pins and 20pins motherboards)
$49: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817189005

$67 & Free Shipping [24-pin & 20-pin]
Fortron 500W Blue Storm AX500-A ATX12V:
+3.3V@30A, +5V@28A, +12V1@15A, +12V2@15A, -12V@0.5A, +5Vsb@2.0A
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?p=PS-FS500A&c=pw

Enermax 535W Whisper II EG565P-VE FMA V2.01 - SLI Certified
(support both 24pins and 20pins motherboards)
Voltage Rails: +12V: 34A (total): +12V1@18A & +12V2@18A -12V: 0.8A, +5V: 32A, +5VSB: 2.5A, +3.3V: 32A
From $75: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=...e&sa=N&start=0

Sunbeam NUUO SUNNU550-US-BK ATX12V/ EPS12V 550W
$75.00 & shipping > 3yr warranty < > Modular < > SLI Certified <
Max Combined +12V@30A
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817709004

Sparkle 550W (EPS) FSP550-60PLG (+12V@36A)
From $81: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?ti...Search+Froogle

Fortron-Source 550W EPS 12V Computer Power Supply FSP550-80GLC
$83: http://www.directron.com/fsp55080glc.html

OCZ GXS 600W/700W
Specs: http://www.ocztechnology.com/product...m_power_supply
From $85 at Monarch: http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merch...ry_Code=ps-ocz

Premium Choices

“PC Power & Cooling” offers a complete line of power supplies.
All of PC Power & Cooling’s power supplies listed below
meet our requirements for the “Premium Choices” list. > 3 year warranty <
Their “Ultra–Quiet SILENCER Line” includes:
310 ATX > 310Watts > +12V @ 19A for $49.00 + S&H
360 ATX > 360Watts > +12V @ 21A for $65.00 + S&H
410 ATX > 410Watts > +12V @ 23A for $85.00 + S&H
470 ATX > 470Watts > +12V @ 26A for $99.00 + S&H
Complete details available at: http://www.pcpowercooling.com/home.htm

Antec Neo HE 550W
Up to +12V@42A
Specs: http://www.antec.com/specs/NeoHE550_spe.html
From $96: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=...line&scoring=p

Antec Neo HE 500W
Up to +12V@38A
Specs: http://www.antec.com/specs/NeoHE500_spe.html
From $79: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=...line&scoring=p

Antec Neo HE 430W (Non-SLI/CF Only)
Specs: http://www.antec.com/specs/NeoHE430_spe.html
From $66: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=...line&scoring=p

Antec Neo HE 380W (Low to Mid-Range Only)
Specs: http://www.antec.com/specs/NeoHE380_spe.html
From $50: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=...line&scoring=p

$136 [24-pin & 20-pin]
Antec Black Fanless 350 Watt ATX12V power supply, Model "Phantom 350" - Retail
Model# Phantom 350 Item # N82E16817103925
Output: +3.3V@28A, +5V@30A, +12V1@16A, +12V2@18A, -12V@1.0A, +5VSB@2.0A
http://www.securemart.com/cgi-bin/fu...3.html?pcode=1

OCZ PowerStream 520W SLI Ready
http://www.ocztechnology.com/product...dia_sli_ready_
From $109: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?ti...Search+Froogle

Enhance ENS-0560G 600W
Specs: http://gamegiants.net/redirect.php?a...85d23edc244074
From $114: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=...line&scoring=p

Mushkin XP-650W
Max Combined +12V@44A
Specs: http://www.mushkin.com/doc/products/...ply/xp-650.asp
From $187 http://froogle.google.com/froogle?so...line&scoring=p

Thermaltake ToughPower (w0116) 750W
Up to Max Combined +12V@60A
Specs: http://www.thermaltake.com/product/P...0116/w0116.asp
From $178: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?so...line&scoring=p

:computer: Professional Choices "The Very Best"! :computer:

“PC Power & Cooling” offers a complete line of power supplies.
All of PC Power & Cooling’s power supplies listed below
meet our requirements for the “Professional Choices” list. > 5 year warranty <
Their “Ultra–Quiet SILENCER Line” includes:
610 ATX > 610Watts > up to +12V @ 49A for $159
750 ATX > 750Watts > up to +12V @ 60A for $199 (My #1 Choice for UBER/QUAD SLI/CF!)
Their “Turbo-Cool” line includes:
Various 510 Models 510Watts > +12V @ 34A from $189 to $229
The New 1KW-SR 1000Watts > +12V @ 72A for $549
Complete details available at: http://www.pcpowercooling.com/home.htm

PC Power & Cooling Turbo Cool 510 (Modded by Performance-PCS)
+12V@34A, +5VSB@3A
From $279: http://www.performance-pcs.com/catal...79e557c87df484

Corsair HX 620W (My #1 Choice for Highend SLI/CF!)
Specs: http://www.corsairmemory.com/corsair...er_supply.html
Up to +12V@50A, +5VSB@3A
From $151: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?so...line&scoring=p

Corsair HX 520W (My #1 Choice for Everything else!)
Specs: http://www.corsairmemory.com/corsair...er_supply.html
Up to +12V@40A, +5VSB@3A
From $105: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=...line&scoring=p

OCZ EvoStream 600W
Specs: http://www.ocztechnology.com/product...m_power_supply
From $169: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=...line&scoring=p

[24-pin & 20-pin]
Seasonic S-12 330W
From $ 45: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=...line&scoring=p

[24-pin & 20-pin]
SeaSonic S12-430 ATX12V 430W
Type ATX12V
Maximum Power 430W
Output +3.3V@30A, +5V@30A, +12V1@14A, +12V2@15A, -12V@0.8A, +5VSB@2A
From $76: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?so...line&scoring=p

[24-pin & 20-pin]
SeaSonic S12-500 ATX12V 500W
+3.3V@30A, +5V@30A, +12V1@17A, +12V2@16A, -12V@0.8A, +5VSB@2A
From $103: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=...line&scoring=p

[24-pin & 20-pin]
SeaSonic S12-600 ATX12V 600W
+3.3V@30A, +5V@30A, +12V1@18A, +12V2@18A, -12V@0.8A, +5VSB@2A
From $127: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=...line&scoring=p

SILVERSTONE SST-ST75ZF ATX 12V 2.2 & EPS 12V 750W Power Supply
Max combined +12V up to +12V@60A (720W)
Specs: http://www.silverstonetek.com/downlo...75zfmanual.pdf
From $165: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?so...line&scoring=p

SILVERSTONE SST-ST56ZF ATX12V/ EPS12V 560Watts Power Supply
Max +12V up to +12V@38A (456W)
Specs: http://www.silverstonetek.com/downlo...56zfmanual.pdf
From $109: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=...line&scoring=p

Zippy PSL-6701P-SATA 700W (+12V@45A)
http://www.zippy.com/P_PRODUCT_DETAI...r=3&lv_rfnbr=2
From $250: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=...line&scoring=p

Zippy PSL 6850P 850W (+12V@60A)
Specs: http://www.zippy.com.tw/P_PRODUCT_DE...r=3&lv_rfnbr=2
From $322: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?so...line&scoring=p

PC P&C Turbo-Cool 1KW-SR (+12V@72A)
$549: http://www.pcpower.com/products/view...view=techspecs

:helpme Links & Reviews: :helpme

Akasa: http://www.akasa.com.tw/

Antec: http://www.antec.com/us/

Enermax: http://www.enermax.com.tw/main.php

Enhance: http://www.enhanceusa.com/category.php?id=1

Etasis: http://www.etasis.com.tw/

Fortron Source: http://www.fsp-group.com.tw/english/...1_overview.asp

Hiper: http://www.hipergroup.com/products/power.html

I-Star: http://www.circotech.com/iraposu.html

OCZ: http://www.ocztechnology.com/

PC Power & Cooling: http://www.pcpowercooling.com/home.htm

Seasonic: http://www.seasonicusa.com/

Silver Stone: http://www.silverstonetek.com/index.asp

Sparkle Power: http://www.sparklepower.com/

Tagan: http://www.tagan.com/main.htm

TTGI (Super-Flower): http://www.ttgiusa.com

VANTEC: http://www.vantecusa.com/home.html

ZALMAN: http://www.zalmanusa.com/usa/usa_index.asp

ZIPPY/EMACS: http://www.zippy.com.tw/P_PRODUCT.asp?lv_rfnbr=2

Reviews: Here you find a large number of reviews, most positive and some negative, many review sites get paid to write the reviews and therefor tend to give positive reviews to almost everything, so look for the negative reviews.
http://www.amdboard.com/psu.html

Get a Second Opinion: Bleedin Edge PS Guide: http://www.bleedinedge.com/guides/ps...select_01.html

Testimonials: http://forums.extremeoverclocking.co...&postcount=316

Some Useful Reviews:

Better PS's = Faster Computers: http://forums.extremeoverclocking.co...&postcount=380

EOC PSU Reviews: http://www.extremeoverclocking.com/articles.php#13 (by Jason!)

Reviews by jonnyGURU: http://www.jonnyguru.com/reviews.php(Highly Respected!)

SLI and CrossFire Push Power Supplies to the Limit: http://www.extremetech.com/article2/...1932949,00.asp

SLCentral PSU Reviews: http://www.slcentral.com/

5 SLI PSU's Tested: http://www.pcmoddingmy.com/content.php?review.306.0

34 PSU's Tested: http://www.hexus.net/content/reviews...VybF9wYWdlPTE=

SLI Ready Power Supply Roundup: http://www.pureoverclock.com/review.php?id=15&page=1

14 PS Test: http://www.slcentral.com/raidmax-rx-520xp-psu/index.php

Eight (8) Way PS Test & Review: http://techreport.com/reviews/2004q4/psus/index.x?pg=1

Akasa PaxPower 460W: http://www.extremeoverclocking.com/r...60w-PSU_1.html

Antec True Power II "TrueBlue" 480W (by Jason): http://www.extremeoverclocking.com/r...480Blue_3.html

Antec True Power 330W: http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.c...id=1655&page=1

Antec Phantom 350W Fanless: http://www.extremeoverclocking.com/r...tom_350_1.html

Antec NeoPower 480W (by sin0822): http://guruhardware.com/neoreview.htm

Antec NeoPower 480W: http://www.viperlair.com/reviews/cas...ec/psu/neo480/

Antec True Power 550W (by Monty): http://forums.extremeoverclocking.co...&postcount=347

Asipre: http://www.techfreaks.org/reviews/aspire500w.shtml

Cooler Master 550W "Real Power" (by Jason): http://www.extremeoverclocking.com/r...er_550W_1.html

Enermax Noisetaker EG425P-VE 420W: http://www.extremeoverclocking.com/r...er_420w_1.html

Enermax EG475P-VE (470W) : http://www.extremeoverclocking.com/r...475P-VE_1.html

Enermax EG495AX-VE SFMA 2.0 (by TransNone13): http://forums.extremeoverclocking.co...&postcount=365

Enermax 535W EG565P-VE FMA (by Scrufdog): http://forums.extremeoverclocking.co...&postcount=310

Fortron Blue Storm 500W: http://www.clubOverclock.net/reviews/power/...e/ax500/p2.htm

Hiper 480W Silent Type R (by Ket): http://forums.extremeoverclocking.co...21&postcount=5

Nvidia SLI Certified: http://www.nzone.com/object/nzone_sl...rsupplies.html

OCZ PowerStream 420W: http://www.lanaddict.com/rev/126/1/

OCZ PowerStream 470W: http://www.virtual-hideout.net/revie...su/index.shtml

OCZ PowerStream 520W: http://www.3dxtreme.net/index.php?id...owerstreampsu1

OCZ Modstream 450W Review by klebs89: http://forums.extremeoverclocking.co...&postcount=415

OCZ ModStream 450W: http://www.xoxide.com/ocz-modstream-...dular-psu.html

OCZ ModStream 520W: http://www.neoseeker.com/Articles/Ha...modstream520w/

PC P&C 510 (by Azsen): http://firmware.orcon.net.nz/esf/510...ini-review.htm

PC P&C 510 SLI: http://www.pureoverclock.com/review.php?id=11

PC P&C 510W: http://www.extremeoverclocking.com/r..._Deluxe_1.html

TTGI PLUG-N 550W (Modular): http://www.extremeoverclocking.com/r...-N_550W_1.html

Seasonic S12-430: http://www.silentpcreview.com/article226-page1.html

Seasonic S12-500 & S12-600 PSU's: http://www.silentpcreview.com/article247-page1.html

Seasonic S12-600W PSU: http://www.pcper.com/article.php?aid=106&type=expert

Silverstone Zeus ST65ZF: http://www.slcentral.com/silverstone-zeus-st65zf/

Super-Flower TTGI TTGI TT-350SS (350W): http://www.overclockers.com/articles966/

Super Flower TTGI TT-550SS (550W): http://www.overclockers.com/articles941/

Super Flower TTGI SF-550MT (550W): http://www.systemcooling.com/superflower_sf550-01.html

Tagan 420W: http://www.ocprices.com/index.php?re...54&cat_id=1040

Tagan 480W: http://modtown.co.uk/mt/review2.php?id=taganpsu

Meridian XClio 450W & 400W (by Jason): http://www.extremeoverclocking.com/r...io_450W_1.html

Do you like the performance of the recommended PS, but don't like its looks?
Want different cableing? How about different fans? Have it your way!
This link to was provided courtesy of "Oc2theSkY": http://www.performance-pcs.com/

Modular Power Supplies: http://forums.extremeoverclocking.co...&postcount=196

Sleeve it yourself: Spinals sleeving guide: http://forums.extremeoverclocking.co...d.php?t=155111

$5 Universal Molex Pin Remover (found by eboy0) : http://www.xoxide.com/molexremover.html

If you own an HP, Gateway, Compaq, Dell or Emachine: This is how to find-out what PS is probably inside.
This link was found by "Monty" who also created my avatar & signature, Thanks, Monty!
http://www.power-on.com/index.html

Cables & Adaptors: http://www.svc.com/cables.html

Making your own cables & adaptors is cheap, easy & allows you more control of the inside of your case.

http://www.molex.com/cgi-bin/bv/molex/index_login.jsp

http://www.action-electronics.com/molex.htm

How to jump start a PS: http://forums.extremeoverclocking.co...d.php?t=118964

How to make fans run at 12V, 7V & 5V: http://forums.extremeoverclocking.co...&postcount=297

Remote/Secondary Power Supply Starter: http://www.performance-pcs.com/catal...oducts_id=3163

How to hook up 2 computers to 1 PS: http://forums.extremeoverclocking.co...threadid=33884

How to hook up 2 PS's to 1 computer: Provided by 4-n-zics: Dual ATX PSU wiring diagram Two PSU switch box

How to power TEC's with PC PS's: http://forums.extremeoverclocking.co...&postcount=191

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

Andy@OCZ: mailto:andy@ocztechnology.com

ATX12V Power Supply Design Guide PDF: http://forums.extremeoverclocking.co...chmentid=60568

SSI: RECOMMENDED EPS12V Power Supply Design Guide PDF:
http://www.ssiforum.org/Power%20Supp...Spec%202_1.pdf

Dave's Short List: http://www.overclock.net/1863469-post4.html
(Updated March 4, 2007)

Cheap, but Good Power Supplies! http://www.overclock.net/1863470-post5.html
(Updated March 4, 2007)

SLI & Crossfire Power Supplies: http://www.overclock.net/1863472-post6.html
(Updated March 4, 2007)

Modular Power Supplies: http://www.overclock.net/1863473-post7.html
(Updated March 7, 2007)

PSU’s: The Best of the Best of the Best! http://www.overclock.net/1863486-post10.html
(Updated March 7, 2007)

PSU's for DFI High-Performance Mobos: http://www.overclock.net/1863489-post11.html
(October 20th, 2006)

What Dave Would Buy: http://www.overclock.net/1863474-post8.html
(Updated March 9, 2007)

Testimonials: http://forums.extremeoverclocking.co...&postcount=316

Powering Your PC: Truths and Misconceptions - A Guide To Power Supplies (by Jason):
http://www.extremeoverclocking.com/a...y_Guide_1.html

Recommended Digital Multimeter (DMM): http://forums.extremeoverclocking.co...&postcount=491

I hope that this guide has been of assistance.
Thank you for visiting!

Please add you choices, comments, experiences & recommendations.

calvin924597 · 03-13-07

Looks good!

You may want to add the PC&C Silencer 750 quad in the "Best Bang For the Buck" section, for $199, it's a great deal.

just my 2 cents.

**Chozart** · 03-13-07

It would have been, had Silverstone not come with the Olympia, which is at least as good, and cheaper

davidhammock200 · 03-14-07

Updated 3-7-07

Dave's Short PSU List

Quote:

Originally Posted by webstien

I had to make this

Quote:

As you will see all PSU's recommended for highend systems are Single +12V Rail PSU's.

This has now become necessary for several reasons:

PSU manufactures are now assigning the rails on their multi-rail (3 or more +12V rails) PSU's in whatever fashion pleases them.

Motherboard manufacturers are now requiring additional power connectors, beyond the standard ATX & P4/EPS connectors.

Sometimes the interaction of these unique rail assignments & additional power connectors results in mobo/PSU incompatibility.

All of these problems are of course caused by the ever higher power demands of ever more powerful GPU's.

Most Dual +12V Rail PSU's are not effected as one rail "should always" be used exclusively to power the CPU via the P4/EPS connector, however Dual Rail PSU's that follow the specs can not power highend SLI systems.

Therefore all PSU's recommended for highend systems now need to be Single +12V Rail PSU's.

Please note that the Seasonic built Corsairs & Antecs (HE & Trio) are, regardless of advertising,
Single +12V Rail PSU's, in that there is no per-rail current limiting, meaning that any +12V rail can pull whatever +12V amperage is available. This is also true of the Seasonic M-12's.
The Corsairs are built to higher standards than the Antecs.

From PC P&C's Power Supply Myths Exposed!: http://www.pcpower.com/technology/myths/

8. ARE MULTIPLE 12-VOLT RAILS BETTER THAN A SINGLE 12-VOLT RAIL?

With all the hype about multiple 12-volt rails (ads claim that two rails is better than one, five is better than four, etc.), you’d think it was a better design. Unfortunately, it’s not!

Here are the facts: A large, single 12-volt rail (without a 240VA limit) can transfer 100% of the 12-volt output from the PSU to the computer, while a multi-rail 12-volt design has distribution losses of up to 30% of the power supply’s rating. Those losses occur because power literally gets “trapped” on under-utilized rails. For example, if the 12-volt rail that powers the CPU is rated for 17 amps and the CPU only uses 7A, the remaining 10A is unusable, since it is isolated from the rest of the system.

Since the maximum current from any one 12-volt rail of a multiple-rail PSU is limited to 20 amps (240VA / 12 volts = 20 amps), PCs with high-performance components that draw over 20 amps from the same rail are subject to over-current shutdowns. With power requirements for multiple processors and graphics cards continuing to grow, the multiple-rail design, with its 240VA limit per rail, is basically obsolete.

PC Power and Cooling is once again leading the industry. All of our power supplies now feature a large, single 12-volt rail. The design is favored by major processor and graphics companies, complies with EPS12V specs (the 240VA limit is not a requirement) and is approved by all major safety agencies such as UL and TUV.

From Silverstone: http://www.silverstonetek.com/products-da750.htm

"With the knowledge that single +12V rail power is the next generation power supply, SilverStone Technology introduces Decathlon series, offering enthusiasts more choices with single rail power selections to handle their system."

PC P&C Turbo-Cool 1KW-SR [Single +12V Rail] (The Best of the Best of the Best!)
+12V@72A, Rated@50C, Efficiency 83%, 5yr Warranty
Specs: http://www.pcpower.com/products/view...view=techspecs
$499: http://www.pcpower.com/products/view...WSR&view=about

SILVERSTONE Olympia OP1000 1000W [Single +12V Rail]
Up to +12V@80A, Rated up to 50C, Efficiency Typical 80%, ???yr Warranty
Specs: http://www.silverstonetek.com/products-op1000.htm
From: $335: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=...line&scoring=p

Zippy PSL 6850P 850W [Single +12V Rail]
+12V@60A, TEMPERATURE RANGE: OPERATING 0-40, Efficiency 71%, ???yr Warranty
Specs: http://www.zippy.com.tw/P_PRODUCT_DE...r=3&lv_rfnbr=2
Gaming Specs: http://www.zippy.com/P_product_detai...850P(G1)-PCIE4
From $322: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?so...line&scoring=p

PC P&C Silencer 750W Quad[Single +12V Rail] (My #1 Choice for 8800GTX SLI!)
Up to +12V@60A, Rated@40C, Efficiency 83%, 3yr Warranty
Specs: http://www.pcpower.com/products/view...view=techspecs
Review: http://www.legitreviews.com/article/451/1/
$199: http://www.pcpower.com/products/view...php?show=S75QB

Silverstone Decathlon DA750 750W [Single +12V Rail] [Modular]
Up to +12V@60A, Rated@50C, Efficiency >80%, ???yr Warranty
Specs: http://www.silverstonetek.com/products-da750.htm
From $178: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?so...line&scoring=p

SilverStone Olympia OP750 750W [Single +12V Rail]
Up to +12V@60A, Rated@50C, Efficiency >80%, ???yr Warranty
Specs: http://www.silverstonetek.com/products-op750.htm
From $149: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=...line&scoring=p

SeaSonic M12 SS-700HM 700W [Performs as a Single +12V Rail PSU.] [Modular]
Up to +12V@56A, Rated@40C, Efficiency up to 85%, 3yr warranty
Specs: http://www.seasonicusa.com/m12.htm
Review: http://www.jonnyguru.com/review_details.php?id=13
From $189: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?so...line&scoring=p

Corsair HX 620W [Performs as a Single +12V Rail PSU.] [Modular] (My #1 Choice for Highend 8800GTS SLI!)
Up to +12V@50A, +5VSB@3A, Rated@50C, 5yr Warranty
Specs: http://www.corsairmemory.com/corsair...er_supply.html
Review: http://www.legitreviews.com/article/371/1/
Review: http://www.jonnyguru.com/review_details.php?id=32
Review: Can the Corsair 620HX Power Supply Handle 8800 GTX SLI:

		Overclock.net - Overclocking.net > Components > Power Supplies
Power Supply Guide