Don't be shy!

[jonnyGURU]

I don't want to seem unsociable, but I do not answer "what kind of PSU should I buy" private messages.

Just in the last 15 minutes, I received three such messages.

It's not that I don't like to help. If that were the case, this whole site wouldn't be here! But to hold such conversations in the privacy of private messages defeats the purpose of having forums where multitudes of people can be helped. Think about it! Say someone has a build just like your and has the same question! Besides, wouldn't you like multiple opinions? Some people prefer one product over another and more often than not has a good reason behind their choice.

So don't be shy! Got a question? Looking for advice? Post it in the forums! :)

[madmat]

But, but, but I want a custom answer from the PSU God!

*madmat sits in the corner and cries*

Just kidding ;)

[dBTelos]

I agree. Although I don't get such PMs *tear*.

[Oklahoma Wolf]

I get them every so often at OCForums... not enough to be a problem though.

[Tazz]

I'm with ya jG, it does take away from the community by doing so.

[Bbq]

I get them ALL the time at LWS. Mainly because everyone there recommends TT 430w w/ 18a, or the cheapo generics.

[irev210]

everyone has a different need also...

hard to say what type of PS fits each user. There is no one PS for all sadly.

[dBTelos]

I get them ALL the time at LWS. Mainly because everyone there recommends TT 430w w/ 18a, or the cheapo generics.

LWS?

[reg_pfj]

LWS?

I think it's living with style... I think.

BTW, Jonny, YGPM :D

[dBTelos]

PSU recommendations at Living with Style. Interesting....

[Bbq]

That's right. I'm the only person in the tech section to know anything much :\

[jonnyGURU]

Bump!

I just got a couple PM's long enough to be their own threads. ;)

I don't think anyone here bites. Well... maybe CAD, but we'll keep him in check.

Don't be shy! :D

[CAD4466HK]

Bump!

I just got a couple PM's long enough to be their own threads. ;)

I don't think anyone here bites. Well... maybe CAD, but we'll keep him in check.

Don't be shy! :D

LOL, my bark is much worse then my bite;)

[Skott]

Dear Jonny,
I have this problem with my wife.... :lol:

Sorry, I couldnt resist. :D

[DvBoard]

Well it's better to ask then to not know and end up frying your brand new rig by using a cheapie PSU that came with the case. I did that once and the power supply blew up. I just got lucky it didn't take anything with it.

[fullmetal chocobo]

You know, it's kinda funny mentioning a "don't be shy" post. Because I oringally thought this was going to be like over in the badcaps forums, where the people there are so intelligent and dedicated, that I never felt the need to put a word in. No need to nef on forums as far as I'm concerned.

But this forum seems to have a nice laid back feel to it, and it's very refreshing. And the conversation is still intelligent and useful. :D

[Jecs66]

Don't be shy - Jonny will regret that post in a few years I bet .. laid back is cool but it also INVITES .. I say keep Cad44 and make sure he bites ..

I almost threw out the Praetorian case .. Guess what, this new build is way more then I will ever need and it did'nt cost a mint .. If this Jarhead can build one , anyone can ..

thumbs up to the Guru crew

[Shift]

Haha I used to bother Mr. GURU with the same annoying questions.

Sorry:(

[Cornrow Harfoot]

In the spirit of regreting the PM I sent jG 20 minutes ago and not being shy:

Can I use a 24pin ATX PSU on a 20 pin mobo and just leave the extra 4 pins hanging?

I did try to search first in my defence. :(

[Bbq]

Yes, that's how we roll.

[jonnyGURU]

Can I use a 24pin ATX PSU on a 20 pin mobo and just leave the extra 4 pins hanging?



As long as there's clearance (no component near the connector on the mobo that the extra 4-pins would hit), then YES! :D

[Cornrow Harfoot]

Awesome thanks!

[Fireside]

Well I have a question, Jonny.

If you haven't posted a specific review about a psu, is there any chance we could ship you units for you to test? I don't want to throw an overload of work your direction, but if you're gung ho for critiquing power supplies, then I'd be willing to send any I purchase to you before I put them in my rig.

I'd make my own review, but I don't have near the tools that many reviewers use.

[jonnyGURU]

Depends on the PSU and the "condition" (new?)

[Super Nade]

I always send off my units to Jon for testing. It gives me a lot of satisfaction to use a unit that has passed through senior and junior guru's severe testing. :)

[Fireside]

Depends on the PSU and the "condition" (new?)

Yeah. New in box type stuff.

[CAD4466HK]

Some of you guys out here are ''still" too shy to post your questions:o
Don't be:D
What is the worse that can happen?
So you might get some guy that flames you, big deal. Happens too me all the time:p
You didn't give up on your bike when you kept falling off and hitting parked cars, did you:confused:
Don't give up on the forums, take your time and "really" read the reviews.
We were "all" noobs once:)
If you have a question that seems stupid to you, search for it on the net
first, I do;)

But try to refraine from choosing the cheapest PSU you can find, then ask
if it will run your brand new 8800GTX SLI rig:p

Just remember, we are here to help and to have a good time, enjoy
yourselves:D

[Cornrow Harfoot]

This is the best place to learn about PSU's

Seriously, I ask very nOObish questions compared to what the mods and experience users discuss, and people have been nothing but freindly and helpfull!

[CAD4466HK]

There you go.....;) :D

[Stoffa]

I got a bit of a simple question as well:

Let's say a system takes up 410 watts at full load. Now I hear a lot of people say that buying a really high watt-psu is stupid in this case (say 750 watt) because it makes the computer use more power than if I was to use a 450 watt psu or something like that.

Is this true?

[jonnyGURU]

Nope.

A PC uses what it uses.

Now, some PSU's are more efficient than others, and it's easier to find something that's more efficient at lower wattages, so that might mean it draws more from the wall......

....BUT, it's still apples and oranges. Say you have a Seasonic 700W vs. a Cooler Master eXtreme Power 430W. The Seasonic is going to be more efficient than the Cooler Master at any load.

[Stoffa]

Right, so besides the financial downside of getting the psu there's no other drawback in getting the heaviest psu you can find. Might as well be prepared for the future when I buy a psu now since I intend to use it for as much time as possible.

Thanks for the answer :)

Edit: Btw, I was wondering why you were complaining about the fixed 8 and 4 pin cable in the Corsair review, but not in the Seasonic M12 700W review? Doesn't that psu have the exact same problem?

[jonnyGURU]

I guess I got over it... I don't know. ;)

[Brokennails]

Well, first time post, but have been to your site a few times, always great info...

I was all set to get an Enermax Galaxy after owning a Liberty 500 and having no problems. I have to have a modular PS as I make my own cables for an exact fit, or pretty close since I lose patience fast... ;) Also I would be able to use most of my existing cables... But after reading your review, I became a little worried. I plan on a C2D upgrade and probably another 8800GTX after Nvidia sorts out the sata Raid issues some are having with the 680i so I am looking a good PS. If you still think the Enermax will be good I will go with one, otherwise I am leaning towards the Seasonic M12...

What are your thoughts?

[jonnyGURU]

Always wait until the last minute.

Like the issue with SATA RAID on the 580i, wait until you're ready to actually pull the trigger.

With people scrambling to get PSU's out that are G80 SLI certifiable and new 8-pin PEG connectors coming out and then ATI's new effort coming out next year, you're going to see more and more power supplies come out that are high powered, and actually better built and more efficient than whatever came out before it.

When the Galaxy came out, it was pretty much the only 1kW option to the PCP&C. Now there's the Coolmax, BFG and Tagan. The Silverstone will be here very soon. And there's going to be efforts from OCZ, Ultra, Xcio and Thermaltake around the time of CES, and after that you'll likely see some 1kW and up product from Corsair and others.

Let it be the last component you pull the trigger on.

[Brokennails]

So, assuming I was going to order today... ;) If I didn't decide to go C2D, but instead just going 8800GTX SLI with my current setup...

Is the Enermax not worth the risk of premature component failure and get the Seasonic, or would you believe that there really isn't too much of a threat?

[jonnyGURU]

I don't think there's anything really wrong with the Galaxy. I mean, sure it had a lot of ripple when crossloaded with a low 3.3V/5V load, but it was still less than an FSP Epsilon at half the load! :D

Zeus 850W if you were buying today.

[Brokennails]

Yeah, nice PS, but not Modular.....

Thanks for alleviating my concerns on the Enermax... Probably going that route.

[jonnyGURU]

Yeah. If you're looking to buy a high power modular TODAY, there's only two choices I can think of off the top of my head. The Galaxy and M12 700W. The Silverstone ST75F falls a tad short.

[Bipidri]

Yeah. If you're looking to buy a high power modular TODAY, there's only two choices I can think of off the top of my head. The Galaxy and M12 700W. The Silverstone ST75F falls a tad short.how about the Be Quiet! Dark Power Pro 850W ?
http://www.be-quiet.net/be-quiet.net/index.php?StoryID=45

[jonnyGURU]

how about the Be Quiet! Dark Power Pro 850W ?
http://www.be-quiet.net/be-quiet.net/index.php?StoryID=45

Don't know. Looks like a Topower, though.

[Bipidri]

Okay I think I understood, you check the code under the 'UR' thingy logo on every PSU label, then go to http://database.ul.com/cgi-bin/XYV/template/LISEXT/1FRAME/gfilenbr.html input it, and they say who made it, right? but I tried with E130843 (seen on a Techpower review of Be quiet!750w) and no match found. :confused:
so then I went to see on your chart http://www.jonnyguru.com/SMPS_UL.htm where it was listen under Topower.
How do you know that if it's not on UL database? Is it by visually comparing the layouts inside units?

[ceewi1]

E130843 brings up the Topower listing in the UL database for me...

[Bipidri]

E130843 brings up the Topower listing in the UL database for me...you are right. I must have made a bad copy/paste. Thx