Power Supply For A New Computer

[James8]

I am about to build a new computer,bought all components except the power supply.
My choice is an Apevia but I hear all kind of opinions about the quality,some good,some bad.

Would you recommend this power supply ?
What are your opinions ?

Thanks

James8

[Lespaul20]

Read through this.

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

[Alaron]

Simple answer; Avoid Apevia.

And Lespaul's link is a great read.

[Khalil]

Antec, FSP, and Sparkle are the safest way to go.

[Gary$1n2]

I'm confused! In LesPaul's link it lists ULTRA as a bad PSU, but in David Risley's book "Build Your Own Computer", ULTRA is listed as a good, top of the line high end PSU...which one is correct? But then again, I get confused easily too...lol!

[Ahura]

It depends on the model I believe.

[Tin]

If you want top notch no questions asked stability and reliability...look no further than Corsair, PC Power and Cooling, Zippy, Seasonic, or Silverstone. Look for something with one single high amperage +12V rail...as PSUs with multiple rails are limited to 20a each. A large, single +12V rail (without a 240VA limit) can transfer 100% of the +12V output from the PSU to the computer, while a multi-rail +12V design has distribution losses of up to 30% of the power supply's rating. Those losses happen because power literally gets trapped on under-utilized rails. For example, if the +12V rail that powers the CPU is rated for 17 amps and the CPU only uses 7A, the remaining 10A is unusable, since it is isolated from the rest of the system. Since the maximum current from any one +12V rail of a multiple-rail PSU is limited to 20 amps, PCs with high-performance components that draw over 20 amps from the same rail are subject to over-current shutdowns. With power requirements for multiple processors and graphics cards getting bigger, the multiple-rail design, with its 20a limit per rail, is obsolete.

[Gary$1n2]

Opinions please?
Disclaimer first---Home use computer, no xtreme graphics card needed for shoot em up and kill em games (got enough of that already in Orlando), but want enough power to supply and support for an Intel Core2Quad/IntellDG33TL/multiple hard drives and many programs (graphics editing, music, etc).....

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...4503&body=MAIN

Thanks for being honest and informative.

[Tin]

The X-Connect is garbage. If youre running a quad core with alot of hard drives, you will need the right power supply. Its worth it to spend more on a quality unit. The power supply is one of the most overlooked components. I would spend the money on this...$80 after a $15 mail in rebate. its much better than the unit you linked to above.

[Gary$1n2]

Just wondering Tin...you the same Tin as the one in PGA golf...if so, you will know, if not, I played online with a guy went by Tin....lol!

And how is the rebate program in newegg? Never shopped there, but have an account.

Is the Corsair modular, or do I still have to deal with all the unused cables?


(oopps...read the infor further and found its not modular, so I would have considerable cable clutter, i guess)

[Tin]

Its not modular, but modular really isnt good. Youre adding more stuff to the power path...IE more resistance.

[Gary$1n2]

Unfortunately, the rebate runs out today...decisions, decisions....lol!

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by Gary$1n2 Is the Corsair modular, or do I still have to deal with all the unused cables? (oopps...read the infor further and found its not modular, so I would have considerable cable clutter, i guess)

I never use modular power supplies and just use lots of nylon zip ties to take care of the unused power cables. If one of the 5.25" drive bays is empty I just make a small loop with the extra cables and tuck that into the unused 5.25" drive bay. Just try to keep the unused cables from dangling wherever they want (which usually ends up by the CPU heatsink).

Cricket