Hi,

The machine i'm normally using (pretty old) has had its Zalman ZM400B 400W PSU has blown. So i can't get my machine on.

Anyway i need a new machine, here is the specs of my computer

P4 3.6 Ghz with HT (Dual)
Nvidia 6400 GTX (yee gads thats old)
100 GB Maxtor HDD
1 GB Ram

Any suggestions for a new unit, my pals have been suggesting a 500W unit. Any reccomendations (preferably under US 100)

BTW: Nukes has said i can use his machine for net usage. Thanks

I assume you mean you need a new PSU? Try get an A-Open. I like them.

People have been speaking highly of Antec, but they are pricy.

Worth the money?

You can buy the 600w PSU I have for $100... he he.

I'll even cover the postage!

AOpen's are nice, they're actually rebranded Fortran units so they're pretty hardcore. Antec's aren't bad either, but I haven't used one personally so I can't really comment.

The new range of Gigabyte ones are pretty decent too if you can get them, otherwise just fork out the fat cash and get an OCZ

But yeah, 500W should be sufficient for your rig.

I'll suggest an Antec - sweet psu's
Thermaltake is good also

You should be able to get a good 500W for under $100

unfortunately the same cannot be said for the 700W and higher range... aopen has reverted to some chinese company for the higher range psu's... and I doubt there's much of the fortran ones going around...

I personally have been using the antec 550W true power 2, 550W true power Trio and 650W true power Trio is in my current system.

The 550W was the True power 2 which was a load of hogwash! It got too hot over utlized from a mid range pc... so it blew!

System spec for the 550W:
AMD 4200+
mobo,
2gigs DDR ram
2x250gig HDD in raid
x1900xtx
dvdrw
3x120mm fans
water cooling of 5V

my replacement was the 550W True Power Trio as the TP2 was phased out.

Spec that it ran this psu:
Intel C2D E6600
2gig DDR2 ram
3x250gig HDD
3x120mm fan
1x antec spotcool fan
dvdrw
watercooling of 5V

the PSU ran cooler than the TP2 and system was stable until I replaced it with the 650W TPTrio

650W overkill IMHO but hey I got it as a replacement value to the 550W TPTrio

however my electricty bill has increased R30/month now

if you wondering about the 12V rail of the antec true power 3 here's a spec:

watt 12V total watt
430 384
550 504
650 624

Here's the specs for the coolermaster realpower:
watt 12V total watt
550 360
850 720
850 720


see the 12V doesn't loose much ground compared to the likes of the DON'T EVEN BOTHER WITH THE COOLERMASTER EXTREME!

the Antec NeoHe is overpriced for the performace...

I have to disagree on the quality of the 700W and up AOpen units, I've been very impressed with mine thus far.

Rails are good and stable and it's very quiet too.

I'm with RustPuppet on this one. My A-Open PSU which is a 700W or more (I forget) PSU has given no problems at all. It is indeed very quiet, and stable.

Well it would help for some specifics. Any reccomendations.

Ruk are you serious that you'll cover postage? Then sign me up (always good for the extra 100W)

wats a psu? i forget

Power Supply Unit

+postcount

I'm with Cyfer

Have had just about everything (ocz, antec, enermax, thermaltake etc. etc.) and my A-open 700W has never given a days shit (told Cyfer to buy one after my experience)

Thermaltake is shit IMO never had anything but crap with the butterfly 480W etc. not sure about the new ones.

OCZ is tha shit but very pricey for what you get.

Enermax is a great PSU never had shit with them either.

Antec (wasn't too happy with, sold my 550 to Fish

aerocool - not too bad, would rate a little under the a-open tho for the same moolah






I want one too

lol it was a 500W not a 550... and it died on me the crappy true power II was kak... so got a replacement the 550W Trio...

changed that now to the 650W trio... much happier