New case and PS?

[GNEP]

Glad to know I'm not alone...

[mutz]

Got this Logitech MX700 mouse yesterday. Smooth as silk, but gotta get get used to the new buttons. Still haven't figured out where to put the double click.

Got a new 120 GB drive and Norton Ghost yesterday too. Thought Ghost would get backing up off my back, but still looks like I've still got to remember to do it. I'm lazy...

[Admiral]

Originally posted by ZokesPro
Wow nice case, shitty Cheiftec doesn't ship to Canada.

They don't seem to have a Canadian distributor on their list (there is one for my country though ).
But the US distributor Directron seems to just have added Canada to their direct online ordering list.

[rugger]

Originally posted by Wombat
Not <I>that</I> busy. I only spent $110 total. Thanks to Greebe I found a good PS at newegg for $46 shipped (Allied 450W). I need a new power supply (currently underclocked to keep this system stable, too much load for my 350W), and a case is the last thing I need to build a second system out of spare parts.

You must have a real crap power supply then. A 350W power supply should be able to handle just about ANY current single cpu system.

I am running almost (about 1 hard drive less) as much, using a 250W power supply.

Sorry for my outburst, its just that this power supply inflation is really getting on my nerves. I am worried that within a few years (if it isn't the case already) that we could be running 600W power supplies that are no better (and really can't supply anymore power without damaging itself) than today's decent 300W power supplies.

[GNEP]

The problem is that mine (generic POS) claimed to be a 300W one - in reality I am fairly sure it is less than 250W. Parhelia and a few extra fans seems to have pushed it over the edge. (At least I think so - I will know soon for sure when I first swap out the PSU, test and then swap out the mobo).

The same amount of power should be drawn and on the quarterly bill though, give or take

But yeah - in essence I agree. PSUs never used to be much of an issue. Now they are.

[rugger]

Originally posted by GNEP
The problem is that mine (generic POS) claimed to be a 300W one - in reality I am fairly sure it is less than 250W. Parhelia and a few extra fans seems to have pushed it over the edge. (At least I think so - I will know soon for sure when I first swap out the PSU, test and then swap out the mobo).

The same amount of power should be drawn and on the quarterly bill though, give or take

But yeah - in essence I agree. PSUs never used to be much of an issue. Now they are.

I know about generic power supplies Had one blow on me a few weeks back. But for most configurations, even generic power supplies work ok.

What I am really worried about is that people simply go out and buy the biggest "number" supply they can find, without thinking of whether they are really getting a power supply that can supply this rated output. They will go home, plug their computers into it and it will work perfectly. (because the computer doesn't need anywhere the amount of power rated on the power supply)

And we will still be here bitching and moaning how our overrated power supplies still fail to give enough current to midrange computers.

So, if you are going to buy a very big (400W or more) power supply:

1) It should cost a fair bit. Highend power supplies don't grow on trees, and I am slightly worried about the price you are paying for yours wombat. (but I also realize that high power supply prices may simply be an Australian oddity)
2) You should be able to physically beat generic power supplies to death using a highend power supply. If it isn't built like a tank, or weight the equivalent of a tank, then it probably isn't as highend as you think. (See the IBM Model M keyboard and HP laserjet rule)

Sorry for offtopic ranting again. However, back on topic, I do recommend the Li-Lain cases if you want a pretty case, and A-open power supplies if you want a fairly decent, but reasonable cost power supply.

[GNEP]

That's why they teach industrial designers to add a lump of lead/steel/concrete to the bottom of products aimed at the high end

[rugger]

Originally posted by GNEP
That's why they teach industrial designers to add a lump of lead/steel/concrete to the bottom of products aimed at the high end

ROFL, I have heard about that. I am just waiting for a concrete filled power supply to arrive at my local computer shop. That should sell quite well.

But real higher end power supplies generally do ship with larger heatsinks, more circutry and more durable casings.

[GNEP]

Well, this CTW I have just got is about twice the weight of the generic jobby it is replacing.

To be quite honest though rugger, the difference in price between a 300W branded PSU and a 400W one from of the same brand is not huge in the UK - so to remove the PSU from the equation of what is causing system instability, IMHO it is best to just over-spec it. Even if you're not really seeing the advertised wattage, you wouldn't guarantee that with a lower-W one you'd see what you are expecting either.

Gnep

[rugger]

Originally posted by GNEP
Well, this CTW I have just got is about twice the weight of the generic jobby it is replacing.

To be quite honest though rugger, the difference in price between a 300W branded PSU and a 400W one from of the same brand is not huge in the UK - so to remove the PSU from the equation of what is causing system instability, IMHO it is best to just over-spec it. Even if you're not really seeing the advertised wattage, you wouldn't guarantee that with a lower-W one you'd see what you are expecting either.

Gnep

gnep

Can't argue there, just don't like the direction we are going

[fleabus2]

Hi: Just built a new system with:

Lian-Li PC-6089 Aluminum mid-tower case w/4case fans (includes blow-hole fan)

http://www.lian-li.com/product.php?action=viewPD&prdid=774

Enermax EG651P-VE FMA 550W ATX+12V ver1.2 PSU

http://www.enermax.com.tw/product-01.htm

Usual CPU temp: 38C
Usual mainboard temp: 36C
Front two and PSU rear fans set to medium speed
No over-clocking

The rest of what the case contains:

Asus P4T533-C s478/i850e
P4 2.8b retail
1GB (4x256MB) OCZ (Samsung) PC1066 RIMMs
Promise Ultra133 TX2 controller
2x 80GB Maxtor D740x 7200RPM ATA-133 HDDs
Toshiba SD-M1612 DVD-ROM
Plextor PX-W4012TA CD-R/RW
Matrox Parhelia512 128MB AGP retail
Turtle Beach Santa Cruz soundcard

Very happy with this case/PSU. Suprisingly quiet. Case is roomy enough and well engineered for ease of use and airflow.

Happy trails,