ST50EF-PLUS - Enough for new build ?

[willow]

First, thanks to all, especially Jonny, for this great resource.

I purchased a Silverstone ST50EF-PLUS a couple of months ago for a new build, based on an AM2 mobo, an X2 4200+, 7600gt...

Sooo, I canned that approach & have put together the following parts:

Intel BadAxe 2
e6600 (yes I will OC)
2x1gb Ballistix DDR2-1000
x1900GT
2 - SATA HD's
2 - Optical Drives

Now I'm concerned that the ST50EF-PLUS is the right match for this build. I'm sure it will work, but I just don't want to skimp. I'll never use sli/cf, but could potentialy add another drive or 2.

The Zippy GSM-6600P in particular has my attention, but I don't want to spend $ I don't have to either.

Whaddya think?

[burebista]

You'd be fine. X1900GT draw 75W (http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/power-noise_4.html)(~6A from +12V) double than 7600GT but you have plenty of room with Element Plus 500 (36A).

[Oklahoma Wolf]

Should be enough. I'd give it a try anyway.

[willow]

Ok...thanks!

I just went to http://www.extreme.outervision.com/PSUEngine

& they're calling for 462 watts. I know amps are more important than watts, but this 462 seems a little close to the 500 watt rating of the ST50EF-PLUS.

If I were to go with a bit more muscle, what would be reasonable choice?

[CAD4466HK]

Don't put too much faith in those PSU calculators:p
You'll do fine with that Silverstone;)
jG gave you his blessings, what more could you ask for:confused:

[willow]

OK, thanks...I'll give it a rest.:D

(jG? he didn't post in this thread? does he have an alias, or am I missing something?)

[CAD4466HK]

Trust me, He's everywhere you go, he's watching you right now,see him:confused:

Yeah, my bad, wrong post
But what's wrong with OKW:confused:
And don't forget about our Count from Romania

[ParticularistEleven]

I'd first like to thank you guys for running this incredible forum on a topic that's sorely overlooked by nearly everyone else. That said, I'm also going to be building a system early next year with about the same specs as the OP, but I'm thinking of getting an 8800GTX later on (single card, and probably won't ever go SLI). After reading the sticky thread about this topic, it doesn't seem like the ST50EF-PLUS would be able to handle this beast. However I'm still hoping it could because I really like it. What are your guy's thoughts on this? Also, it seems like the new G80 line of cards have a huge jump in power requirements versus the G70 line.

P.S. Does anyone know if the ST50EF-PLUS fits into the Antec P180 case? I've heard that the case has problems fitting some PSUs.

[CAD4466HK]

If I was you, which I'm not:p
I would at least go with this for an 8800GTX;)

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=373100&prodlist=bizrate

[ParticularistEleven]

The main things I'm looking for in a PSU is:
silence efficiency value


It's been pretty hard trying to sift through all of the possible PSUs out there trying to balance those three values. I understand that quality PSUs are worth the money, but I really want to stay around the ~$100 range. The cheaper the better. So far the Silverstones seem to provide these qualities while being in my price range. What exactly should I be looking for in a PSU for an 8800GTX? Would you recommend any of the higher-wattage Silverstones? I'm trying to cash in on the great deals on Silverstones that deadeyedata has.

[madmat]

Meh, the ST50EF will be fine for a GTX, hell, the ST40EF would power it IF it had dual PCI-e connectors. It meets nVidia's requirement of 30A on the 12V rail.

[GalvanizedYankee]

The ST50-EF Plus will cut it. It will be fairly quiet and very efficient.

For $40 more the Corsair has 3x12Vrails. Combined 12V is 40A on the Corsair vs 36 for the Silverstone. Both will be about as loud but the Corsair will probably have a more sophisticated thermal fan control and offer lower dBA at 60~80% of load, not by much but a little. The Corsair will be semi-modular with a 5 year warrenty, the Silverstone is hardwired with a 3 year warrenty. The Corsair has better Nipponese capacitors compared to the Silverstones Taiwanese Teapos.

At this level $40 more buys ALOT of sweetness.:cool:

You wanna keep it < $100...Be very happy with a ST50-EF Plus. :cool: :D :cool:

Two months ago I up-graded Sister's rig with a Enhance ENP-5140GH and it is quiet, stable and inexpensive. The Silverstone 400W Element is based on this unit but as an Enhance it's totally unsleeved.

[willow]

Hey CAD, that's a disgusting avitar you switched to! :eek:


(But I do appreciate all your great input on these forums.) :D

[Oklahoma Wolf]

Hey CAD, that's a disgusting avitar you switched to! :eek:

It's hard to get a Wraith to pose for a camera, let alone give you a nice lovely smile like that :D

[burebista]

... After reading the sticky thread about this topic, it doesn't seem like the ST50EF-PLUS would be able to handle this beast.
A picture (http://www.crazypc.ro/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=16963&d=1163021844) (sorry for quality) with Kentsfield@3.3GHz + 8800GTX powered by an Antec Phantom 500. No problems.
In full-load and DX9 it seems that 8800GTX draw ~11-12A from +12V line.
It will be interesting to see by what amount power consumptiom will raise in DX10...

[CAD4466HK]

Hey CAD, that's a disgusting avitar you switched to! :eek:


(But I do appreciate all your great input on these forums.) :D

I'm hurt, I thought it was kinda of cute, you know, for the kids
But as OW said, it's not that commonplace for a Wraith to Vogue:)

And here I thought ole Scorpey would get all the insight;)

[willow]

P.S. Does anyone know if the ST50EF-PLUS fits into the Antec P180 case? I've heard that the case has problems fitting some PSUs.


It does fit. That's the case I'm using. I did modify the bottom 120mm fan location...not out of necessity, but rather practicality. I removed it from the center & installed it in the front, so it's blowing thru the bottom HD cage. This way it cools the drives better & frees up space in the center for running the psu cables.