Desktops forum: PSU questions and power protection

The PSU is far more important than any other component in your system. It is the basis for a stable h/w demand for power. If that's lacking or compromised the system falters or fails. While many PSU makers claim x-wattage rating, you should consider what your true needs will be AND add room to grow on. The industry std. 82%(use 75% for quick math) of label rating is what you're really getting at any given time. The full measure of the labeled wattage rating is only for peak periods and they shouldn't on a constant demand level. If so, your PSU is underrated and a bigger unit be sought. Determine what each device draws in power and add them up, them seek a required PSU. Remember, cheap is cheap. There is a reason better PSUs cost more. However, since so many vendors offer this and that, a good rule of thumb, find your wattage value of your system, then add 100W to it. Thus if your system needs 415W, add 100W to get 515W as a basis for a decent PSU. Thus, a good brandname of 550W will do fine. If you find a generic brand, then anything above that 550W is what you really need, so a 600W may do OK, but again, the make-up of the PSU in question, thus why I mention "cheap is cheap", above. Its up to you. Alas, be sure whatever PSU that it also contains the proper cabling and look for "safety decals" and/or tested proof its OK.

tada -----Willy

I did a lot of digging on the individual parts and came up with a modest 400 watts, rounded up and added 100 watts. Is this right?

GPU-180
CPU-65
HDD-6
MB-200
RAM-10
Fan-10
rounded and +100 for good measure = 400

You add all devices, thus all fans installed and maybe the LEDs, ram modules, etc., you get the picture. That's why the extra 100W comes into play plus anything left over is the room to grow. As i stated, if the rated value of the PSU is 550W, then the real dependable amount is 82% of that. As i stated earlier so many makers and vendors offering, and only a small number is ever tested by some PC website like http://www.tomshardware.com should offer some clue. I tend to buy Antec and if generic go into the large wattage units. Thermolake has some offerings too. Newegg is a good source and if they offer it, I tend to feel comfortable buying from them.

tada -----Willy

i found a 600W sigma for $65. is this a dependable company?

It got good reviews on newegg

Use google to find any hits that reflect on the make-up results of that model#. There are so many PSUs out there no one can state this or that is good unless part of a testing group or similar. What maybe good model# now maybe bad on that series on the next release. Either buy a well known namebrand of get a generic that far exceeds your needs. The best I know of is http://www.pcpowerandcooling.com <----you can count on them even they're basic model. Of course, they cost. If you had one of theirs and a generic brand, you could see and feel the difference once you view the insides(visit site and checkout the tech. corner). Take my advice and don't over analyst this.

tada -----Willy

you linked was a very superficial review.... here's a more substantive review.

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=127

By the way the one you picked is less efficient (user more electricity) , has a lower MTBF, shorter warranty, and isn't Sli certified.

If you're going to ignore our recommendations...why ask ?

VAPCMD