Budget PSU selection

[davidletterboyz]

Hi all, this is me first time posting here. :)
I read Jonnyguru's Enhance ENP-5140GH 400W (or silvertstone element 400) review and decided to purchase one since it's having a really nice price here (~USD50)

But someone offered me his less-than-a-month-old Enhance at USD32 which is a really good bargain. Now i'm confused which one should i purchase since both of them are good. Here are some specs:

Enhance ENP-5140GH 400W (or silvertstone element 400):
+12V1:16A
+12V2:18A
12V combined up to 336W (26A)

Enhance ENS-0246B 460W
+12V1:15A
+12V2:16A
12V combined up to 372W (written on their website...dont know how true it is)

I'm currently using an Intel PentiumD 805 running at very low volt bcos my current PSU can't take it any further. Other hardwares are gigabyte 945 mobo, 6800GS PCI-E, 1xdvdrw,1xSATA2 160GB seagate HDD, and one extra 120mm case fan. That's y i dont really bother about +5V and +3.3V rails.. the one i really need is +12V.

Any opinion about these two PSU's? Oh btw...the Silverstone looks way better than the 460W lol:D

[jonnyGURU]

372W combined is pretty nice.

The PSU isn't of their 80% efficiency models, though.. and I know nothing of the build quality of that particular model.

It seems like a good deal, but I just couldn't say from experience.

[davidletterboyz]

372W combined is pretty nice.

The PSU isn't of their 80% efficiency models, though.. and I know nothing of the build quality of that particular model.

It seems like a good deal, but I just couldn't say from experience.

Hi guru...thanks for ur input :D
As far as i know, efficiency = power output/ power input x 100%?
80% means it draws 500W from source to give an output of 400W (it did give 400W in ur review hehe) ?
In other word, I think efficiency only save power consumption. Correct me if I'm wrong...:o

[GalvanizedYankee]

Of those two...Go with the 400 watter.
Combined 12V IS 30A.
It has one quiet 120mm fan instead of two not so quiet 80mm fans.
It is current production and not discontinued as of 11/01/06.
It offers less un-needed 3.3 & 5V wattage, so it will cross load much better.
Plus I bought one. :p

[jonnyGURU]

In other word, I think efficiency only save power consumption. Correct me if I'm wrong...:o

Saves power consumption, but wated power is dissipated as heat. Cooler running PSU's require less cooling, slower RPM fans can be used so you have a quieter unit.

There's a reason the quieter PSU's on the market are also the most efficient. ;)

[davidletterboyz]

Of those two...Go with the 400 watter.
Combined 12V IS 30A.
It has one quiet 120mm fan instead of two not so quiet 80mm fans.
It is current production and not discontinued as of 11/01/06.
It offers less un-needed 3.3 & 5V wattage, so it will cross load much better.
Plus I bought one. :p
Oh, which brand did u buy? Enhance or Silverstone? I dont know if there is a typo in Silverstone's specs.....it says it has 2 PCI-E lol...

Saves power consumption, but wated power is dissipated as heat. Cooler running PSU's require less cooling, slower RPM fans can be used so you have a quieter unit.

There's a reason the quieter PSU's on the market are also the most efficient. ;)
Yeah u r right :P

[GalvanizedYankee]

The Silverstone 400W Element and Enhance ENP-5140GH are one and the same internally.
I paid <$55+shipping/tax for the Enhance unit from eWiz.com 4 months ago. See what DeadeyeDATA on our home page wants for the Element.
The Element has a 3 year warrenty vs the Enhance's one year bulk warrenty.
Plus the Silverstone is fully sleeved with 4 instead of 2 SATA connectors.

Please don't tell me you're not State-Side. I wish ALL members showed a location in thier profile :cool:
If the Element is >$80, consider the Corsair HX520 for $88 from Buy.com at Google check out. I think it has free shipping. Look in our Hot Deals Forum for linkage.

[davidletterboyz]

:confused: The Silverstone 400W Element and Enhance ENP-5140GH are one and the same internally.
I paid <$55+shipping/tax for the Enhance unit from eWiz.com 4 months ago. See what DeadeyeDATA on our home page wants for the Element.
The Element has a 3 year warrenty vs the Enhance's one year bulk warrenty.
Plus the Silverstone is fully sleeved with 4 instead of 2 SATA connectors.

Please don't tell me you're not State-Side. I wish ALL members showed a location in thier profile :cool:
If the Element is >$80, consider the Corsair HX520 for $88 from Buy.com at Google check out. I think it has free shipping. Look in our Hot Deals Forum for linkage.
Thanks for ur input hehe.
I made a mistake in my first post. The Silverstone Element price that i get is US$50... not Enhance. I guess it's a good bargain. :D
BTW, DeadeyeDATA says the Element 400W has 2 PCI-E connectors too... :confused:

[GalvanizedYankee]

2 SATA? You were probably looking at the ENP-5140GN at DeadeyeDATA.
That Element price is good, jump on it!