What is the next step up PSU from an Antec Earthwatts 500W?

[Gerr]

I have an Antec Earthwatts 500W PSU powering the following system:

CPU = Intel Q6600 oc'ed to 3.2Ghz.
Memory = 4GB OCZ DDR2-1066
Mobo = Asus P5K-E
Video = EVGA 8800 GTS 512MB
Case = Antec 900
Optical = Samsung 20x DVD-RW w/LS

I had an oc'ed 8800GT that kept shutting itself off, and it wasn't heat related. Did get a message once about not enough power to it, so I am wondering if my PSU is either bad, failing, or isn't powerful enough. I sold that videocard and I am replacing it with an 8800 GTS 512MB, which I have already ordered, but also want to replace my PSU.

What would be a good upgrade to my Antec Earthwatts 500W, without breaking the bank? $100 is my max budget as that new videocard already cost me a lot, and would prefer to spend less, but don't want something cheap. I want something better than the Antec Earthwatts 500W, but it doesn't need to be way better.

Don't care how powerful the unit is or who makes it, just want to make sure my new PSU has more than enough power for my current setup and is a quality unit. Modular cables would be nice, but not needed, and can care less about color or flashy LED lights on the PSU. Won't ever SLI the videocard, but might add another DVD-RW, but that's probably about it.

What would you recommend?

[DuckieHo]

The Earthwatts 500w should have been able to cope with your system fine. Would the system shutdown if you didn't OC your CPU and GPU?

Check out the Corsair PSUs at buy.com.
http://www.buy.com/retail/usersearchresults.asp?querytype=home&qu=corsair+power&qxt=home&display=col&dclksa=1
550VX = $70
650TX = $78
750TX = $100

Modular 520HX = $80

[Gerr]

When ahead and bought the 520HX as it should be more than enough power for 1 video card, and looks like it's a better unit than the Antec EarthWatts 500W.

[Hutch]

When ahead and bought the 520HX as it should be more than enough power for 1 video card, and looks like it's a better unit than the Antec EarthWatts 500W.

Not really... Both are quality PSU's. Your issue likely wasn't your PSU. If you're getting shut down bsod's check the ram first. D9's are the best DDR2 ICs but they also die pretty easily.

Your Earthwatts can handle 408W on the 12v rails... It's a seasonic built unit. The HX520 isn't going to give you any more power, if at all.

[DuckieHo]

Not really... Both are quality PSU's. Your issue likely wasn't your PSU. If you're getting shut down bsod's check the ram first. D9's are the best DDR2 ICs but they also die pretty easily.

Your Earthwatts can handle 408W on the 12v rails... It's a seasonic built unit. The HX520 isn't going to give you any more power, if at all.

I would have to say the 520HX will definitely be able to provide more power if needed. While both Seasonic units, the builds and internals are different.

[burebista]

I have a feeling that if Gabe was able to squeeze 746W (http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/371/8) from HX620, 570W (http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/540/7) from VX450 and 900W (http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/505/6) from Corsair TX750 then Corsair HX520 will be fine if it will be "overclocked" at ~120%. :D

[Gerr]

My problem wasn't ever BSOD's. Suddenly, my videocard would just stop and my LCD would go dark and tells me no input from connection. I know my system was still running as I can hear the sounds and could still do things in game like cast spells, which I can hear, but I see no picture. A warm reset wouldn't fix it either, only a cold boot.

I kept a log of my videocard temps thinking that was it, but it wasn't. Kept a log of my CPU and RAM heat, no issues there. Plus the weird thing is it would ONLY ever do this in a game called Shadowbane. I could play any other game for hours, no issues, and that included Crysis. I simply can't explain it.

Only reason I think it might be power related is once I did get a warning message from the videocard drivers saying there wasn't enough power going to my videocard so it would underclock it and thus preformance would suffer. This happened with the Antec Earthwatts 500W connected to the videocard, so not sure what to think of that. Only saw that once, but once was enough to raise an eyebrow.

On the chance it was an issue with the videocard, I sold that card, making sure the new owner didn't play Shadowbane. I bought a new EVGA 8800GTS 512MB to replace the videocard I sold. I then bought a new PSU incase that was the problem, a Corsair 520HX. Hopefully, one of these will fix my issue.

Thoughts?

[burebista]

Plus the weird thing is it would ONLY ever do this in a game called Shadowbane. I could play any other game for hours, no issues, and that included Crysis.
Ops. Just only one game gave you problems? You play Crysis for hours without problems?
Crysis is a pretty demanding game with all options to max, so if it's stable in Crysis it should be stable in 99.99% of games on Earth. 0.01% is bad luck. :(

[MrWicked1968]

did you ever consider reinstalling Shadowbane?

If you're running Vista, there may be compatibility issues. Ubisoft makes no mention of this game being Vista ready.

[Gerr]

Didn't try to reinstall SB, and it's currently running on XP SP2. Weird thing is it does it less when I remove the factory OC and set it to stock 8800GT speeds, but it still does it once in a while.

And yes, I can play Crysis for hours at the fully OC'ed speeds, no issues what so ever, and the temps get higher in that than when playing SB. Also have played CoD4, World In Conflict, Company of Heros, and Supreme Commander, no issues on any of them.

Weird, I just can't explain it.

[AntecRep]

The Earthwatts is actually a rather beefy design (http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/526/7). I thought you might have a bad one, but I agree with burebista that it should happen with other games if the problem is related to any of your hardware, graphics card included. I would suspect software.

[spursindonesia]

Hey, welcome to the forum, AntecRep, nice to have you here -if indeed you're truly working for them. Perhaps this is a bit of OOT, but back then (not too long ago) there was a thread regarding the new Earthwatts units made by Delta, care to explain the situation/background related to this issue ? Thx beforehand. :)

[kpo127]

Hey, welcome to the forum, AntecRep, nice to have you here -if indeed you're truly working for them. Perhaps this is a bit of OOT, but back then (not too long ago) there was a thread regarding the new Earthwatts units made by Delta, care to explain the situation/background related to this issue ? Thx beforehand. :)
I would like to know also.
I purchased the Sonata III combo w/EA500D psu that I'm in the process of RMA'ing. Loud buzzing humming noises, etc.
I've had a 3 week correspondence with my support ticket with Antec, who was insisting the psu's were the same (EA500 and EA500D)
EA500 is 17a+17a=34amps 408watts
EA500D is 22a+22a=unknown

Surely changing from Seasonic to Delta is cost effective for Antec but what about the end user?

[Stefan555]

The Delta built EA500D has the same combined output on +12V as the Seasonic built EA500, 34A (408W).

http://jonnyguru.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4067&page=3

[MrWicked1968]

Didn't try to reinstall SB, and it's currently running on XP SP2. Weird thing is it does it less when I remove the factory OC and set it to stock 8800GT speeds, but it still does it once in a while.

And yes, I can play Crysis for hours at the fully OC'ed speeds, no issues what so ever, and the temps get higher in that than when playing SB. Also have played CoD4, World In Conflict, Company of Heros, and Supreme Commander, no issues on any of them.

Weird, I just can't explain it.

then the problem is with the software and not the hardware. SB is relatively old and it's obviously using early DX9 API's, probably even dX8 since it's hardware requirements are very unassuming.

I'm just grasping at straws here, but I don't think you ever had a hardware problem.

[AntecRep]

Since it is slightly OT, I'm taking the D question over to the correct thread (http://jonnyguru.com/forums/showthread.php?p=39355&posted=1#post39355)

[Doh]

I know the answer to this...the next step up is an Antec Earthwatts "five -oh- ONE" right...eh... right...pretty sharp huh ?!