How big of a PSU?

sinix · Post by **sinix** » Sat Feb 14, 2004 9:41 am

Hi,

I'm looking to update my music computer. I've currently got a 350w ultra quiet PSU, but I'm thinking it's not going to be enough for my new system. It's run fine so far, but I really don't know how much power the Creamware cards need? I know the specs on the UAD-1 cards are 14w each. Are there any specs on Creamware?

The new system is something I'm going to live with and be happy for the next 4 years (at least this long - I'm pretty happy with the current setup), so I'd like to make sure it's "right". I've got the oportunity to do this now $ wise, which I doubt is not going to be the case again for sometime.

Current system (which is fine on 350w):

Asus P4B533
P4 2.4ghz
1GB DDR333
32mb Nividia Geforce2
2x 7200 WD120JB PATA drives
Sony 48x CDRW
1x Pulsar II
1x UAD-1

New System:

Intel D875PBZ
P4 3.2ghz
1GB DDR400
128MB ATI Radeon 9600XT
2x Seagate 7200 SATA Baracuda
Sony 48x CDRW
1x PowerPulsar II
2x UAD-1

So basically, I'm more than doubling the Creamware DSP, adding another UAD-1 and beefing up the CPU and video systems.

So is this too much for a 350W PSU? 400W? Maybe 450W? I'm a real noise freak, so I like getting the most quiet PSU and fans possible.

Any advice or experienced suggestions, especially on how to compute my power needs is welcome.

Thanks -

Post by **garyb** » Sat Feb 14, 2004 1:52 pm

yeah,get a big one(450+).get it from a reputable manufacturer(antec etc.)as well.power figures for supplies can be wildly embellished.

as for noise,do the best you can,but personally,i'd get the best working system.then i'd find a way to make it reasonably quiet.i used an acoutilok cabinet.if it is proberly vented,you could put the pc in a closet or cabinet or other room.(beware on lack of ventilation!)i have found that 20' vga extentions and even keyboard and mouse extentions work great....

Nestor · Post by **Nestor** » Sat Feb 14, 2004 6:02 pm

I would strongly recomend you a Thermaltake. I have two of them and are extremely stable, have power divisions like 3.5v, 12v, etc., separated from one another.

Mind you, there are out there many manufacturers telling you 400watts, or 500watts, but they may be wrong values. It is a well known issue.

Antec and Thermaltake are the two best buys you can get.

I wish I could give you more information right now, but I'm not at home, and the computer I'm using is terrible! If you are going to buy it very soon, I will not be able to help, but if you have still a few days, I will give you full information about it. Cheers.

sinix · Post by **sinix** » Sat Feb 14, 2004 7:00 pm

Nestor,

I just purchased the PowerPulsar II, so the computer hardware and 2nd UAD-1 are still a month or two off.

Thank you very much for the info.

sinix · Post by **sinix** » Sat Feb 14, 2004 10:44 pm

Nestor,

Actually, I may wind up order the parts sooner than expected.

I think I'll take your advice and get this one:

Thermaltake W0013 Xaser Silent Purepower 480W w/Silver Housing Retail

This seems to have nice specs. We'll see how it "sounds".

Further suggestions are welcome!

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: sinix on 2004-02-15 11:04 ]</font>

Nestor · Post by **Nestor** » Sun Feb 15, 2004 10:31 am

I’m in a computer in the countryside, and connection is painfully slow! It takes about 10 minutes per click...

Nevertheless, I came back today and so your post, I just do anything else, make a click and then come back...

You have got by yourself to the very one I was talking about. Those PSU are virtually sillent. You can buy one of those blidly, they are absolutely high quality electricity supliers, and extremely silent. Their power is REAL POWER, if it says 480, it is 480, period! As I said, I have two of them, same model than you plan to get, just less powerfull than yours, mine are 400watts.

Go for it!!!