Need new PSU, rec please.....

[footman]

OK, I have a p4 2.4C at 3.3Ghz and an Asus P4P800, 2x512mb of OCZ 4400DDR running at 1:1 at 280mhz, and a 6800GT. Everything was running fine with my 500W psu that delivers 34a to the 12v rail. This week I installed watercooling and a 12v pump. Unfortunately, there is a whine from the pump that varies in intensity every time I do anything with my PC. Using a multimeter tonight I found that my 12v rail was running at an average of 11.43V and a low of 10.64V. This is crazy, I obviously am not supplying my pc with a decent current, perhaps the 12V pump has overloaded my 500W PSU??????

Anyhow with my new Watercooling and 6800GT, and new CM Stacker case, my wife will have my ass if I spend much more on my freakin pc (esp with her birthday just around the corner). I have a budget of $100 and have been recommended the Powerstream range of PSU's. The 520W is out of my price range, will the 420W provide my pc with the stable volts it needs???? There doesn't appear to be much difference between the 420W and the 470W version.

I can pick up the 420W for $92 with shipping. Will it do the job????

Thanks..........

[footman]

Anyone????

[footman]

Man you guys suck, no advice what so ever, so much for OCZ based forum........

[Snafu]

Tsk, tsk. Give some guys a chance to log in will ya'. It's not even been 12 hours since your first post :D.

Anyways I would not think that replacing a 500w PSU (34A +12v rail) with a 420w PSU (30A +12v rail) would solve the problem unless you are planning to add this PSU in addition to the 500w PSU (= 2 PSU's in one case).

I wonder if there is something else causing the problem here.

Do you have more than one +12 rail? I wonder if you have too many high-amp components on the same rail? If so then switching them aorund might help.

What pump are you using and what amps does it draw? I wonder if there are any better out there that may not draw as much juice and give you good flow.

FYI - I had heard that newer drivers for nVidia cards drops the psu wattage requirement for thier new cards. Just thought I'd mention it.

Just asking to see if there is a way around needing to get a new PSU :thumb:.

PS - NewEeg has 420 listed for $85.50 without shippin and the 470 for $109.50 (the later has a 33A +12v rail). Might save you some bucks there depending on shippig costs from NewEgg.

[footman]

Thanks Snafu, problem is not total power supplied but the fact that it should be stable and clean. MBM reports today that my 12v line has an average of 11.48v and a low of 10.46v.

These are the specs on the 12v pump I'm using:

Nominal voltage
12 V DC

Operating voltage range 6 to 14 VDC
Nominal power (@ 12 V)
24 W

Nominal current (@ 12 V) 2 amps
Motor type Brushless, microprocessor controlled
Maximum head
10 ft (3.1 m)

Maximum discharge
~ 317 GPH (1200 LPH)

Connection size
½" barbs

Maximum pressure 50 PSI (3.5 BAR)
Temperature range 32 °F to 140°F (0 °C to 60 °C)
Electrical connector
Molex 4 pin

Weight
1.4 LB (650 gr.)

Impeller Housing material
Noryl®

Our noise measurement (non lab environment) 33 ~ 34 dBA in a quiet room @ 2'


My other components consist of DVD drive, CDRW drive, Asus P4P800, P4 2.4C at 3.3Ghz (default Vcore), Audigy2 ZS, 6800GT, 10/100 network card, 2x512mb ocz 4400 ram 1x160gb hard drive, 1x80gb hard drive.....

I've tried swapping everything around and it has made no difference. I can only assume that my current PSU is in fact an expensive POS!!!!! :yikes:

My thought are that even though the Powerstream is less powerful, it should be more reliable and will provide a more constant source of watts. It can be adjusted too........

[Snafu]

I was just hoping your PSU wasn't POS and see if there is anything that could be done about it to help out. Looks like you tried all I could suggest ATM. I guess RMA your current PSU is not possible?

The 6800 cards did require a minimum 470w PSU but I hear that with the newer drivers the PSU requirement has dropped to 420w - don't quote me check the comments with the nVida driver update.

I'm not sure about the 420W PSU being adequate with 30A on the +12v rail. Sounds like it should be but the most accurate way to tell is to add up all the amps required for each component using the +12v rail (refer to the specs for each component). If the number is less than what the PSU provides then you should be okay. If the numbers are close then you could be maxing out the PSU which does not help out in the long run.

I have a list of general amperage requirements for various components but unfortunately it is not with me right now. Otherwise I would give you a rough calculation. It is still more accurate to use the manufacturers specs.

EDIT: stumbled upon this site (http://www.short-media.com/review.php?r=133) talking about PSU and amperage calculations. Might help you out

[footman]

Thanks Snafu......

Just ordered the OCZ Powerstream 470W PSU.

Thanks for the replies......

[Snafu]

Your welcome. Post how it goes.

[Paragon]

I think you'll be well satisfied with Snafu's advice footman :rock: Maybe something that might help you in the future to get a faster response is to post in the specific OCZ forum that covers the question you have; all of the forums here at the BleedinEdge are not "OCZ based" as you stated; justed the ones with the specific "OCZ Banner" :thumbs:

Let us know how your choice turns out :wave: