PSUs single 12v Rail or more?

[Zepher]

What size PSU would you recommend for a system with the following:
9 7200RPM hard drives, Q6600 Quad Core OC'd to 3Ghz, 8GB of ram (4x2GB), GTX285 and 9600GT, 2 120mm fans, 2 90mm fans, BD/HD-DVD/DVD-RW Drive?

 

[sygnus21]

You could use one of these calculators to help determine what you want/need

- Welcome to Corsair :: Power Supplies
- Antec Power Supply Calculator
- eXtreme Power Supply Calculator

Some people don't like/trust them, but they're fairly accurate. Some people add 100watts for "breathing" room, but...

 

[LiquidSnak]

I would recommend 1100W for your system, but I do add 50-100 watts for breathing room.

If I need a good recommendation on the fly, I'll take somewhere between Newegg's PSU calculator and Antec's

 

[sygnus21]

I really don't think he needs an 1100 watt power supply for that system.

Playing aorund with those calculators and plugging in his system specs, plus adding a few extras like a floppy, and giving him 2 GTX285's 2gig models, I couldn't reach 850watts!

And doing this without SLI I gave me about 513ish watts.

My two cents.

 

[Joshatdot]

You could use one of these calculators to help determine what you want/need

- Welcome to Corsair :: Power Supplies
- Antec Power Supply Calculator
- eXtreme Power Supply Calculator

Some people don't like/trust them, but they're fairly accurate. Some people add 100watts for "breathing" room, but...

I used the Antec one to see what I would need for my rig once I get the GTS 450 OC. It said I needed 400w.

I just tried it again for Zepher .. Antec says 868w PSU .. so 1000w

 

[LiquidSnak]

Ah. Antec says this for me:

 

[thefabe]

One thing I've noticed is a lot of people try to save money on their power supply. To me it is one of the most important pieces of hardware you purchase when doing a new build. It's the heart and soul of your system.

So I always recommend that they purchase a Quality Branded PSU with a minimum of 80% efficiency rating.
I also think a modular power supply is the way to go for several reasons one not just being cable management, but not having to charge (send power through) cables your not using.
having said that we also know it's more about the amps than the wattage.

So if your going to use a calculator, then I would add 20% above what is suggested, this would leave you some room to expand your systems hardware.

I like to try and stay around 28 to 32 amps on the 12v rail(s).
Also with any purchase read reviews and find all the information you can before you buy, try to anticipate any upgrades you may make to your system in the future and include them when purchasing your power supply.

Antec. Corsair, OCZ, Silverstone are all quality power supplies.

IMO a 1100w PSU for the above is a little over kill maybe if he was running quad slid or something then yes.
Having 9 hard drives requires more power but their all not being accessed at the same time so the draw would be less then a quad SLI system for instance.

I would have to agree a 850-900w would be more than enough.
Also if you research deep enough you'll find that quite a few lesser known power suppiies are built by the same company as some branded ones we know and love. but to different specs and usualy with lower quality parts.

I ususally figure if I stay around 650 to 800w then your in pretty good shape for future proofing your system in case you decide to add another GPU or Hard drives or more memory.
JMO Fabe

 

[madtownidiot]

There's nothing wrong with multiple rail power supplies. but IMO for most home built systems, a single rail PSU is usually the best choice. In the OP's system.. I would recommend using a 850w PSU with a 70A 12v rail, just to have some leeway for the planned upgrades.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Zepher,
"What size PSU would you recommend for a system with the following:
9 7200RPM hard drives, Q6600 Quad Core OC'd to 3Ghz, 8GB of ram (4x2GB), GTX285 and 9600GT, 2 120mm fans, 2 90mm fans, BD/HD-DVD/DVD-RW Drive?"

Any type of amplification means that having extra head room or current available above and beyond the max draws allows the whole process to work with less strain and this has a profound benefit on the components being driven by the amp. For this reason "I" would look at 1000+ as my starting point for your system and possibly higher I you think at a later date you may get into even more current drawing components.

 

[sygnus21]

You could use one of these calculators to help determine what you want/need

- Welcome to Corsair :: Power Supplies
- Antec Power Supply Calculator
- eXtreme Power Supply Calculator

Some people don't like/trust them, but they're fairly accurate. Some people add 100watts for "breathing" room, but...

I used the Antec one to see what I would need for my rig once I get the GTS 450 OC. It said I needed 400w.

I just tried it again for Zepher .. Antec says 868w PSU .. so 1000w

Whatever power supply you get, make sure it's a good quality one! I can't state this enough!

Good luck

 

[Wishmaster]

In my system I run a 52A 650W Corsair.

It powers:
Q9650 @ 3.6 (400FSB)
4 Dimms of 1066 RAm (8GB @ 4x2GB)
HD 4890 Vapor X (also OCd - 870/1050)
Xtreme Gamer Sound Card
LG BluRay Drive
Intell SSD, OCZ SSD, WD 640GB HD, WD Black 1TB HD
(3) 120mm Fans, (1) 120mm LED fan, (1) 250mm fan
Plus extra USB devices such as Xbox controller etc

It has more than enough power and plenty to spare.



With 9 spinning HD's, I would think the largest drain on the system would be the spinup at startup.


IMHO, the 60A 750W would be more than enough power for that setup.


But I do agree, 1000+ W PSUs are just way overkill unless your doing higher end Tri-SLI or something along that line.

Also, don't skimp on the PSUs. And that doesnt mean get the biggest most expensive one either. Simply, a very good quality built one.

The PSU is probably the 1 single most important piece of Hardware in the system that often gets overlooked.

 

[Zepher]

Well, I went with an Antec True Power Trio 650watt unit.

 

[sygnus21]

Antec makes good power supplies, shouldn't have an issue there.

 

[Joshatdot]

Quick update .. my GTS 450 OC arrived today and runs perfectly fine on my Antec EA-430D. It runs much quieter and cooler so far. I have not installed the 2nd HDD yet, but I am seriously looking into a 550w or 600w quality PSU when I upgrade my CPU to a AM3 Phenom II X4 something.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Good for you and just make sure it's fully modular to keep the routing clean and to a minimum. I still see a larger PSU in your future. But it's all good !

 

[Agiel]

go over 550W most of the PSU's dont have real wattage, so my advise use anything above 550W, Rosewill, Seasonic, Antec, Cooler Master, i got a Thermalthake TR2 600W two 12v riels 24/32amp ... never get hot, and i have a heavier setup than you ...

 

[GeneO]

Quick update .. my GTS 450 OC arrived today and runs perfectly fine on my Antec EA-430D. It runs much quieter and cooler so far. I have not installed the 2nd HDD yet, but I am seriously looking into a 550w or 600w quality PSU when I upgrade my CPU to a AM3 Phenom II X4 something.

It should be more than adequate. I am running an OC 4770k, OC 660TI, 3 HDD, two SSD, a half dozen fans, and that PSU would probably be enough for me right now.

Would recommend Seasonic and Rosewill Capstan (or other super flower based) PSU.

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