Stevo's building a computer again!

[stevo1210]

Okay, so after a VERY LONG break from the IT industry... I've decided to build a computer after my brother upgraded to a Core i5 and gave me his CPU and motherboard. CPU is an AMD Phenom 945 and Motherboard is some Gigabyte ATX sized thing. I think there's also 4 sticks of RAM on there. Sorry, all my knowledge of computers went out the window after I moved onto cars and bikes.

I currently use an Acer Aspire Core 2 Duo of some sort (dunno specs), bought in 2009 second hand. Works great as it is but got some freebie parts so why not upgrade?

I need an ATX case and a power supply so far. I'll reuse the hard drive, DVD drive and graphics card from my Acer desktop. I've had a bitch of a time finding a suitable case due to space constraints on my desk and I found the Cooler Master 361 to be the best case for the small cubby area on my desk as it's height restricted.

The power supply I have a few choices and not too sure what to get so here I am to ask the questions!

Okay, so I found two power supplies which I think *should* be okay.

* Corsair VS350 (New ~ $45)
* FSP AX500-A Blue storm (Used ~ $24)(http://icrontic.com/article/fsp_ax500a_blue_storm)

Not sure if I should get the new Corsair VS350 as it's relatively cheap and has a 2 year warranty or a used FSP for $24 with a 60 day warranty to save $$$. Never had issues with FSP in the past but would like some advice nonetheless. I see Teapo caps! :O

Thanks.

[shovenose]

Re: Stevo's building a computer again!

Don't feed the Corsair overhyped corporate troll.

[c_hegge]

Re: Stevo's building a computer again!

Both those PSUs use rubbish caps. If you aren't going to use a Graphics card, then the Seasonic SSP-350GT would be an option. Otherwise, I'd say go for a Seasonic G-360.

[cheapie]

Re: Stevo's building a computer again!

The Seasonic S12II Bronze-380 ($60) would also be an option if you don't need an EPS12V connector, but the G-360 ($55) is probably a better choice.

I actually have the S12II Bronze-380 and 520 (also $60, but the 430 watt version is on sale for $50), and they have all Chemi-Con capacitors, except for the primary filter cap on the 520, which is a Rubycon.

Prices listed are those from Newegg, as of today.

[stevo1210]

Re: Stevo's building a computer again!

Oooh, would like a Seasonic... $60 would be great if those prices were existent here! The basic seasonic c_hegge suggested starts at $90! Bit out of my budget...

Not sure what to do now. That cheap $24 FSP unit is calling me.

[mockingbird]

Re: Stevo's building a computer again!

Which model FSP?

Most new'ish FSP models with all Teapo SC series caps, just change out the two 8mm 5VSB caps and you have a first class PSU.

[c_hegge]

Re: Stevo's building a computer again!

The Seasonic S12II Bronze-380 ($60) would also be an option if you don't need an EPS12V connector, but the G-360 ($55) is probably a better choice.

I actually have the S12II Bronze-380 and 520 (also $60, but the 430 watt version is on sale for $50), and they have all Chemi-Con capacitors, except for the primary filter cap on the 520, which is a Rubycon.

Prices listed are those from Newegg, as of today.

In Australia, the S12IIs are the same price as the G-series, so there is no point in buying them, and the S12II 380W isn't available at all.

EDIT: http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?...ducts_id=25375 The 350GT is only &79 at PCCG. It's still a bit expensive, though (and may even be closer to 90 once you factor in freight).

[stevo1210]

Re: Stevo's building a computer again!

Just built this computer a few days ago into a Cooler Master 361 case where the PSU goes in the front. Currently using left over parts and stuff so I installed a Thermaltake XP550 PSU in there for now. It's only temporary but gets real hot cause it can't ventilate so well. Only a temporary for now till I have time to look for a new PSU.

Seeing as I hadn't built anything in the space of 4 years and left the IT industry as a whole, it took me a good 3 hours to figure everything out. I was trying to figure out how the optical drive communicated with the motherboard cause I didn't see no IDE ports on the drive... turned out it was a SATA drive (my brothers old one).

When I last built a PC, SATA optical drives were unheard of! Though SATA HDD's I used at the time.

... it's been a while.

[stevo1210]

Re: Stevo's building a computer again!

Got an Antec Truepower II BLUE for about $20 on ebay. After I won the auction, there was a slight tingle in my mind cause I remembered many years ago (when I was a kid), Antec had this rep for bad caps.

Type into google the name and model and bam, I've bought a dud. Ain't got time to fix caps so once it arrives, it leaves my front door via eBay again.

Well, I'll take a look first before but the caps situation doesn't sound good. Anything with bad caps I just throw in the bin, I haven't got time to eat or sleep... let alone fix stuff unfortunately.

Recently threw out a Cooler Master 500W PSU and a HEC 300W unit cause of a bad cap on the +5V standby lines with both units. Shame I didn't think about selling them as faulty and may have picked up a few beans!