Is there enough power?

**Topcat** · 01-01-2007, 03:19 AM

Re: Is there enough power?

I think it'll be ok.

**gonzo0815** · 01-02-2007, 01:35 AM

Re: Is there enough power?

This should be sufficient.

**stevo1210** · 01-22-2008, 12:04 PM

Re: Is there enough power?

I need to update this thread again because my original post was lost due to some database issues TC was having with the forum database.

Well.... here's my question. I am going to build a new PC with some parts that I have recently purchased. The only thing I haven't purchased is a PSU.... because I was thinking that I could re-use some of my older ones.

I have a choice between two PSUs I already have.... they are:

* Thermaltake XP480NP 24 pin 430W PSU
* Dell L350N-00 24 Pin 350W PSU

And the following is the configuration of my new PC:

* Asus P5K-E WIFI AP edition
* Intel Pentium D 920 2.8Ghz, 4MB cache, 800MHz
* 2X G-Skill 512MB DDRII 667MB RAM modules. (1GB total)
* ATi Radeon X300 128MB.... I am planning to buy another one that's faster.... I'm thinking of the Radeon 2400PRO 256MB.

* 2x DVD burners
* Seagate 200Gb SATA HDD
* 3x case fans
* Case lighting/ neons.

I have heard of some reports that the Thermaltake PSU is not actually a 430W.... but only about 300W??

Thanks.

**zandrax** · 01-22-2008, 02:41 PM

Re: Is there enough power?

Originally posted by stevo1210

I need to update this thread again because my original post was lost due to some database issues TC was having with the forum database.

Oh no: my reply got lost.

Anyway, I'll summarize there: the Dell unit is a Liteon one. I saw some picture on this chinese site: it seems a quite standard psu, without pfc but with 2 820 uF, 200v, 85°C Elite caps. Elite seems to be a bad brand and I have no idea about its 12v rail(s), but their capacity is quite big for a 350w psu: my overall impression is quite positive, I'd trust it.

The Termaltake should be an XP480 pfc-less (NP means No Pfc): there are some photo and a Xbitlabs' review. According to this review, the XP480 is an old Atx 1.3 psu which could be honestly rated for 250w continuous, 300w peak; moreover, it failed abruptly at about 320 watts [main transformer broke out, so neither OVP nor OCP protection here ...]. Your Pentium D should draw a lot, something like 100w in idle and near 200 at full load: I think this isn't a psu you should try if you care your hardware.

The Liteon seems a fair deal (you may consider recapping, it should be worth to do) unless you can afford a better psu.

Zandrax

**stevo1210** · 01-23-2008, 01:58 AM

Re: Is there enough power?

Originally posted by zandrax

Oh no: my reply got lost.

Anyway, I'll summarize there: the Dell unit is a Liteon one. I saw some picture on this chinese site: it seems a quite standard psu, without pfc but with 2 820 uF, 200v, 85°C Elite caps. Elite seems to be a bad brand and I have no idea about its 12v rail(s), but their capacity is quite big for a 350w psu: my overall impression is quite positive, I'd trust it.

That one had Elite caps?? Mine has all OST caps from what I can remember. My Thermaltake which was very expensive on the other hand has Su'scon, Capxon and Teapo caps.
IIRC I think the Thermaltake has 680uf 200V input caps compared to 820uf 200V in the Dell PSU.

**zandrax** · 01-23-2008, 03:08 AM

Re: Is there enough power?

Originally posted by stevo1210

That one had Elite caps?? Mine has all OST caps from what I can remember.

The pictures I found show two Elite primary caps:

Overview: notice the stick on the main transformer and the heatsinks.

Connectors.

The psu should be a LiteOn PS-6351-1DS or -1DFS: are we referring to the same psu?

Originally posted by stevo1210

My Thermaltake which was very expensive on the other hand has Su'scon, Capxon and Teapo caps.
IIRC I think the Thermaltake has 680uf 200V input caps compared to 820uf 200V in the Dell PSU.

Price doesn't mean much nowadays: quality varies a lot and even some questionable products are priced high (es 650W Deers

).
Antecs are and were expensive, but employed Fuhjyyu caps; new Seasonics are going to replace Antecs from the quality point of view (expect a massive failure in a few months); Thermaltake is only a brand selling psus made from three different manifacturers. Even Fortron subsources some of its low level products (you can get a similar crap, but at least it isn't so expensive).

If you own both psu and they are out of warranty, you can open them and look with your eyes.

Zandrax

**PCBONEZ** · 01-23-2008, 03:13 AM

Re: Is there enough power?

I don't know if Elite are bad as primaries.
I know the low ESR caps are bad and blow out in LCD inverters often.

**starfury1** · 01-23-2008, 05:19 AM

Re: Is there enough power?

well since I don't know the quality of build of the Thermaltake I didn't comment on what is likely the better choice.

So i'll stand to be corrected on any of the following below;

The above appears to be Delta built
I think those heat sinks are somewhat a trade mark of them

These from what I understand are an OK build

The design is old by todays standards.

The primary cap are usually not of the highest quality and this tends to be the norm with psu's
They sort of don't need to be the greatest in that position

So I say they fall into that category...they would not be high quality but probably do the job asked of them
(but good quality ones is always a good idea)

Since we here use 230 VAC the caps would be in series from memory and so capacitance is halved.

They are big thought, my old Emermax uses 820uf and I've known it to hold for about a second... driving the old box when the power goes out (switching phases)

This is only my suspicion
but I think the Dell would probably run closer to its rated wattage then the Thermaltake

but and here's the BUT

If people are saying its only good for about 300W (Thermaltake )
(going by the above this might actually depend on who built it)
there's not much in them really!.
(if thats the case)

You might want to try them both and monitor the DC rails
(light test load then box load)
check how much heat each is generating under load.
(Have a look at the heatsinks and the transistors used if you like)

The other thing is, to do some "real load" testing on both the psu's
and draw you own conclusions on what each is capable of

I suspect both would power the box ok
Might be a bit of a fine margin for my liking but I'll have to leave that open as I don't know for sure)

Of course Stevo a Recap of output caps on either or both doesn't go astray.

As you know stevo, whats the so called "rated Wattage" is usually somewhat different to what it really is.....so guess it a case of who's telling the tallest tail here...
(the old PMPO type thing 1000W when its really a 10W RMS Amp...the liberties they take sometimes with specs)

(possibly what you really need to look at is what each is rated to deliver on the 3V3 5V 12V rails, what they really deliver is another question)

I know your really after a blessing as use this one or that one, unfortunately I don't know for sure

some pentium CPU's are buggers for power and Graphics card can be too so guess you will have to check how potentially demanding these might be.

Me well Id just buy a beefer quality psu and be done with it but thats me.

I'd try them both and see which one is less stressed in the box
(350W was a fair size for its day)

not much help, I know

Cheers

**zandrax** · 01-23-2008, 07:22 AM

Re: Is there enough power?

How stupid am I?
In the "PSU Build Quality Pictorial" thread, our Per reviewed a Dell L350P-00, which IMHO is a passive pfc version of stevo's L350N-00: the interior is very similar, the primaries are Ltecs (Liteon may change them according to supplies).
BTW, Delta doesn't seem to use these 45° angled heatsinks.

Zandrax

**kc8adu** · 01-23-2008, 08:13 AM

Re: Is there enough power?

that dell unit is a liteon and i would recap it and use it.
some batches have really crappy secondary caps.
i have a 350 like that i recapped and it is running in a server 24/7

Is there enough power?

Is there enough power?

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