Need PSU Advice

[ChibiCrow]

After 5 years I finally decided to build a new machine... waiting that long seems to have resulted in some gaps in my tech knowledge. I need some advice on a power supply for this build.

The biggest issue I think is the GeForce 7900 GTX, if I'm correct it wants at least 450w, 12V@26A and a PCI-e connector. Here are the other components that may need consideration when choosing the PSU...

AMD 64 X2 Dual-Core 3800+ CPU
ABit KN8 Ultra MB (24 pin)
Corsair D400 1G x 2 (not sure if this matters to the PSU but listed it just in case)
74G WD Raptor 10k SATA HD

The case is an Antec solution SLK3800B, it came with a PSU in it but it appeared to be dead. With the CPU, memory, mobo and graphics card all plugged in it failed to turn on at all, and did not even light the LED's on the motherboard that indicate whether or not the MB is getting power (on my other abit the LEDs will light even if the graphics card is not plugged in), I even tried jumping the 20+4 pin connector and got nothing. Then proceded to check it with a volt meter... pretty sure I can declare it dead as a doornail. Since is was only a 400W is is likely insufficient anyway so I am looking for a suitable replacement.

I'd prefer one with the following priorities in this order:

- Stable... hopefully won't burn out in 3 months or less fits in case, and will provide adequate power for the 7900 GTX
- Costs around or less than $100
- Vents out the rear, won't require me to cut holes in the box
- Quiet isn't really a priority, my old box is open with a floor fan blowing directly into it.. just as long as it doesn't make a high pitched whine that gives me a headache.

P.S. the case has a 120mm fan in front mounted low, another 120 in the back, mounted just below the power supply, and a side fan with an air guide channelling air off the CPU fan on the side. I have a copper heatpiped ThermalTake sink on the CPU with Arctic Silver applied, and heat spreaders for the RAM... do you all think this will be sufficient cooling for this setup? I know some of these components can get quite hot especially at full load.

Thanks in advance for any advice, much appreciated!

[David M]

http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=131195

There are all kinds to choose from. It is very important to limit your choice to a high quality power supply. A bad power supply can take out other computer components. You cannot compare watts between a cheapie with watts from a good quality PSU. Manufacturers can claim whatever wattage they want..there are no standards or anyone enforcing wattage claims. Watts is not the only quality, you want voltage stability and accuracy as well. Read the link and read some magazine articles. Generally you won't go bad with the eight brands referenced in the link (in bold). Any power supply can go bad but with a good one your chances of failure or problems are a lot less.

[glc]

The Antec TPII-550 is a good choice.

[ChibiCrow]

I wholeheartedly agree about the quality of the PSU being very important, in fact it seems to me that many problems some folks have had with this vid card could stem from a poorly chosen PSU.

Thanks for the advice on brands, I am currently considering this one... http://www.atacom.com/program/print_...OWS_ANTE_NE_50

...it seems to have all the necessary connections and as an Antec is liable to be nice and compatible with my case... however I am a bit confused over the rails. Do I need to have 26A+ on a single 12V rail or can 2 or more add up? I am not sure how this works (or what a 'rail' is in general, it's not a standard electronic term I'm familiar with, however as I mentioned, my knowledge is rather out of date... )

Thanks again!

[blue60007]

Yeah, add the rails together. Looks like that one has 51A@12V

A rail is basically the different voltage outputs (3.3, 5, 12V, etc)

[Mr.Ferrari]

Great choice too:
http://shop3.outpost.com/product/475...H:MAIN_RSLT_PG

[ChibiCrow]

Wow, all the prompt replies, I am impressed. Thanks alot!