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BobbyDouglas
Posts: 5470
Joined: 5/15/2003
From: Arizona
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Help with PSU? - 10/15/2005 2:41:57
Let me begin with this setup:
MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum nForce4 Ultra
Athlon 64 X2 4400+ Toledo 1GHz
Corsair ValueSelect CAS2.5 (2x512) X 2
Thermaltake A2259 Hardcano
BFG GeForce 6600 GT OC
WD Raptor WD740GD 74GB in RAID 0+1 X 4
WD Caviar SE WD2500JD 250GB in RAID 1 X 2
BenQ DW1640 X 2
XMYSTIQUE7.1 8 (7.1) 24-bit 96KHz
Which currently runs fine on a Fortron AX500-A PSU with dual +12V rails.
PSU specs: +3.3V@30A, +5V@28A, +12V1@15A, +12V2@15A, -12V@0.5A, +5Vsb@2.0A
All four raptors consume a little less than 3amps on the +5V rail, and then 1.5amps on the +12V rail
The two WD2500JDs consume around 1amp on the +5/+12v rails
The 6600GT OC requires 18amps
I'm not sure what the specs are for the MB, CPU, fan/heat controller, ram, dvd drives, nor sound card.
Anyone know if this Fortron will run into any issues running this? Without the hardcano, there are just enough power connectors, with the hardcano, I need to run a Y splitter. I was to add two additional WD2500JDs (also in raid 1), but I am getting afraid that it might just require too much power from the PSU.
I took a look at getting a 2nd PSU, but all external PSUs look horrible, and I haven't been able to find a convertor for my case that will convert the empty bays into a spot to hold the PSU.
Suggestions?
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albino_lab_rat
Posts: 634
From: MN USA
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RE: Help with PSU? - 10/19/2005 15:31:41
hmmmm, looks like nobody wants to touch this question.
What the heck, I will give it a go!
After doing some reading, this is what I found out about this PSU
Your PSU is rated at 460 watts (it will say 500 watts on most sites, but the manufacturer rates it at 460). Fortron is a well respected manufacture of PSUs, and the AX500 has a pretty decent efficiency rating, a bit over 70% depending on the load. It also looks cool, which is VERY important when putting together your own machine . Well that is all fine and dandy, but does that mean it has enough power to run all this stuff? (heck of a system, btw)
Well, truth be told, I can't say for certain without looking at all the specs for all of the components, and quite frankly, that could take a fair amount of time, and I am lazy. Off the top of my head, I would say get the splitter, put in the hardcano and your PSU should be able to handle it just fine.
However, you have spent a pretty penny or two on that system (Beyond bragging rights, what do you need 4 raptors and 4 250 gb HDs for? Just curious.). If it were up to me, after spending all that money and time, I would shell out a bit more and get myself a well respected 600 watt (or bigger) PSU with all the connectors that I need, and know that the power will be stable. You may ask yourself, do I really need that big of a PSU? Heck yah, what with all the black lights, reactive cables, reactive fans, liquid cooling system and a fog machine you need to add. Then let the overclocking begin!!! Droooool. TWO PROCESSORS TO PLAY WITH. Muhuwahaha!!!!!!!!!!
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BobbyDouglas
Posts: 5470
Joined: 5/15/2003
From: Arizona
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RE: Help with PSU? - 10/19/2005 18:09:51
quote:
What the heck, I will give it a go!
- Yippie 
quote:
Your PSU is rated at 460 watts (it will say 500 watts on most sites, but the manufacturer rates it at 460).
- Not sure what source you are quoting, but I just double checked and the watts are 500 according to the website.
quote:
X500 has a pretty decent efficiency rating
- Core Center is reporting a <.1% difference from actual specs, so you're right about it being a good one.
quote:
Off the top of my head, I would say get the splitter, put in the hardcano and your PSU should be able to handle it just fine.
- That's what I was thinking, but I don't want to take the chance of losing all my data simply because there wasn't enough amps available on the 5v rail.
quote:
However, you have spent a pretty penny or two on that system (Beyond bragging rights, what do you need 4 raptors and 4 250 gb HDs for? Just curious.).
- Initially I was running a Seagate 120gb barracuda, but I read about the raptors and the huge performance increase people have seen. So I took the plunge, saved up some money, put my stuff on the 74gb and used the 120gb as a backup drive.
On that old computer running the 74GB raptor (which is shown as 69gb, not 74), I had 500MB left So I knew in my new computer I would have to get a 2nd one. However, I needed security! Only way to get that is setup the raptors in a raid array (in my case 0+1, but I could setup two arrays for all four drives in raid 1). So I had to get 4 drives to have the security and space. The 250GB is my backup drive, which is also mirrored. Basically, it would take quite a bit before I actually lose data.
A lot of people (usually who can't afford raptors) absolutely hate them. Mostly because they tried out the 36gb one (that has been reported to have less performance than the 74gb), or they just hate knowing that you can spend a little more money, and get something really fast.
quote:
If it were up to me, after spending all that money and time, I would shell out a bit more and get myself a well respected 600 watt (or bigger) PSU with all the connectors that I need, and know that the power will be stable.
- If there was a way I could shove a 2nd PSU in, I would do it 100%, however I just don't know of a way to turn unused bays into a PSU storage box. But, I see no reason to spend the money if it isn't needed. I got the Forton in the first place because of how well respected it is.
quote:
Then let the overclocking begin!!! Droooool. TWO PROCESSORS TO PLAY WITH. Muhuwahaha!!!!!!!!!!
- If I ever overclock it, it won't be by much at all. I just don't like taking the chance that something will stop working.
Btw, when the XP screen loads, the blue bars that go across the screen only go by 1 and a half times. On my old P4 it took around 10 times until it would fully load. Most of this increase was due to the raptors.
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albino_lab_rat
Posts: 634
From: MN USA
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RE: Help with PSU? - 10/19/2005 18:19:57
quote:
- Not sure what source you are quoting, but I just double checked and the watts are 500 according to the website.
http://www.home2000.net/client/fspgroupusacom/images/AX500-A_S.pdf
Its under general requirements.
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BobbyDouglas
Posts: 5470
Joined: 5/15/2003
From: Arizona
Status: offline
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RE: Help with PSU? - 10/19/2005 18:29:18
Ah, thats under continuous conditions. It is rated (peak) at 500watts.
I sent an e-mail off to fspgroupusa and asked if someone can review it to see if it is good enough for what I need.
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