New build

**370forlife** · 05-10-2010, 06:48 AM

Re: New build

Sounds good to me.

**AudioCraZ** · 05-10-2010, 08:58 AM

Re: New build

I would do the math on the hardware, and make sure that power supply is enough. If you are close to max, definitely replace the power supply with a more powerful one. You never want to use a power supply at 90%-100%.

**stevo1210** · 05-10-2010, 10:12 AM

Re: New build

yeah that was another discussion i had with my brother. But i guess we'll try with the psu we have now and then if thats suss, we'll get the 550w seasonic unit.

**Scenic** · 05-10-2010, 11:46 AM

Re: New build

uhm... i'm running an overclocked Core 2 Quad Q6600 (2.4 @ 3.2) with 6GB RAM, a Geforce GTX260 and a ton of HDDs and other crap on a 430W Antec (seasonic OEM).. and i still have room for even more hardware..

makes me laugh at the people who scream "ZOMFG you need a 600+W PSU for that!!!11" .. and at the same time recommending some noname POS PSUs

i also had my old Geforce 8800GTS 320MB (the old hot running powerhungry G80 core version) running in that comp as a 2nd card... no probs on full load..

a quad on a 350W psu is a different story though, but the 9600GT is much less power hungry than both my GTX260 and the 8800GTS.
especially if it's the newer generation of 9600GT's without the PCIe power plug

**c_hegge** · 05-10-2010, 05:23 PM

Re: New build

That PSU should be enough. I find that delta can sometimes be a bit under-rated (ie. they can handle more than they are rated for).

**stevo1210** · 05-10-2010, 08:06 PM

Re: New build

Just before I buy this stuff tomorrow... Are there any objections to my CPU and motherboard choices?

**AudioCraZ** · 05-10-2010, 09:21 PM

Re: New build

Gigabyte boards are ok. Not a huge fan of them, but have used them in the past.

My main thing about power supplies is if you run them at max, or near max output, they run hotter, and tend to not last as long. The main reason to go overkill with your power supply is typically if you under watt your power supply, it will be more efficient. Plus, you can usually pick up 650 watt power supply for the same price as 550watt.

From most of the reviews of power supplies, at max average power supplies are 70%-80% efficient, when you run them at 50%-70%, they can get up to 89% efficient. I rather have the power savings, for the few extra dollars.

**toastygoodness** · 05-10-2010, 09:24 PM

Re: New build

sounds great. gigabyte make the best am3/am2+ boards.

deltas will work fine. they are really underwatted.

besides, what he's asking for will do nothing more than 250w.

http://extreme.outervision.com will tell you.

**AudioCraZ** · 05-10-2010, 09:26 PM

Re: New build

What OS you going with?

4 gigs would mean you need a 64bit os... so Win7?

The only thing I would make sure you get is FANS... A gaming computer can never have enough fans.

**etnietering** · 05-10-2010, 09:43 PM

Re: New build

According to what I plugged into this: http://extreme.outervision.com/PSUEngine which involved some guesswork on my part, the recommended PSU wattage they gave was 335W, so your 350W is just fine. Keep an eye on the fan though, especially if it's an older unit. You know more about the specifics of the system, so you can plug things into that form and generate a more accurate number.

**stevo1210** · 05-10-2010, 09:44 PM

Re: New build

Yeah we're going with Windows 7... in fact he already has Windows 7 installed on the PC he has now, so it's just a matter or re-activating and that's about it.

As for the fans... There is a 12cm intake and a 12cm exhaust at the back... is this enough? The case is a Thermaltake Mambo series so I think it should be designed to cool properly.

Thanks.

**stevo1210** · 05-10-2010, 09:49 PM

Re: New build

Originally posted by etnietering

According to what I plugged into this: http://extreme.outervision.com/PSUEngine which involved some guesswork on my part, the recommended PSU wattage they gave was 335W, so your 350W is just fine.

Yeah I used that program and got 338W, so it's very close to what you got. So I guess the Delta is sufficient for now...

**toastygoodness** · 05-10-2010, 09:52 PM

Re: New build

you should probably consider a cpu fan, like arctic cooling freezer 64 or somthing.

phenom ii's don't run hot hot but a good cpu fan will get it good temps. mine runs at 24C idle and 34C max load games and 44C on Core Damage with the freezer64 and AS5

**370forlife** · 05-11-2010, 04:01 AM

Re: New build

Originally posted by AudioCraZ

Gigabyte boards are ok. Not a huge fan of them, but have used them in the past.

My main thing about power supplies is if you run them at max, or near max output, they run hotter, and tend to not last as long. The main reason to go overkill with your power supply is typically if you under watt your power supply, it will be more efficient. Plus, you can usually pick up 650 watt power supply for the same price as 550watt.

From most of the reviews of power supplies, at max average power supplies are 70%-80% efficient, when you run them at 50%-70%, they can get up to 89% efficient. I rather have the power savings, for the few extra dollars.

Well, high efficiency is usually only achieved around 20-100% loading, because thats what 80plus tests at. When idle, most are around 75% efficient. Having a higher wattage psu will not only be more expensive, but at low loads you probably aren't going to see much of a difference, so I don't think it's worth shelling out the extra dough.

The 335W number that the extreme calculator comes up with is the absolute maximum that your system can use, that being running a cpu burn in on your cpu while at the same time running furmark on your gpu. Unrealistic and non-real world scenarios.

**c_hegge** · 05-11-2010, 05:07 AM

Re: New build

Originally posted by AudioCraZ

Gigabyte boards are ok. Not a huge fan of them, but have used them in the past.

I think Gigabyte Ultra Durables are the best boards available. I've only ever seen a three or four fail.

Originally posted by stevo1210

Yeah I used that program and got 338W, so it's very close to what you got. So I guess the Delta is sufficient for now...

A 338W gutless wonder = 180W-200W Delta, so it will be more than enough.

**AudioCraZ** · 05-11-2010, 12:30 PM

Re: New build

you guys neglected to add in other factors though.... How many usb devices, and are those powered by the USB port? How many fans? It is just the hardware he is running, but what else he is running. PS2 keybords pull off the 12v line. USB pulls off the 5v line. The Firewire on the board has 12v on it, are they going to use that? In all honesty, no, that 350 isn't going to be enough for the average user. Like I stated before, better to buy a bit of overkill now, then to pop the power supply, and hope it doesn't take something with it. Comon guys, don't be cheap asses.

Also, what temp is the office/area the computer is going to be set at? You also got to take in account that when the ambient temp is hotter, the power supply puts out less, due to heat. It may not be a problem at all, but here in California, we get 115deg f summers.

You can do what you want, in all honesty, but I always build a system with a bit of overkill. Gives room to grow, and gives a bit more stability.

**AudioCraZ** · 05-11-2010, 12:50 PM

Re: New build

Originally posted by c_hegge

I think Gigabyte Ultra Durables are the best boards available. I've only ever seen a three or four fail.

A 338W gutless wonder = 180W-200W Delta, so it will be more than enough.

Same here, But I tend to use Intel, Supermicro, and MSI boards, typically workstation class boards. The reason is I build systems for clients that the systems will run reliably for 3-5 years. It is a rare event I use MSI boards, but I will use them. The mass majority of my computers due last 5 years, and run great, with only the usual HDD replacement up until they are ready to build a new system. I don't build cheap systems (as in low cost computers), and it isn't I am pompous, it is just what my customers want. For friends, I will build them whatever, but try to get them to spend a bit more. Some friends do, some don't. Depending on their budget.

**370forlife** · 05-11-2010, 01:17 PM

Re: New build

Delta's won't blow up. Period. I have seen plenty of systems with core 2 quads and 8800gts's run off 350W hipros, deltas, and even bestecs (mostly in HP's and a few dells) You probably won't get over 300W while intense gaming. (hey, I ran a 754 3200+ oc'd at 2.53ghz and a 8600gt off a rosewill 350w that came free with a case and never had any problems)

Most fans, usb devices, etc... use negligible amounts. Common 8cm fans use what like 6w when at full blast? A keyboard uses a lot less than that, 5v and 3.3v you don't have to worry about in a modern system as not much uses them anymore.

**AudioCraZ** · 05-11-2010, 01:58 PM

Re: New build

It depends, low end fans are around 2-4w (around 60cfm), and high end fans can get up to 50w (noisy 150+cfm).

New build

New build

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