GameXtreme 600W & QX6700

[Bun-Bun]

Ok I was going to build my new rig with an E6600 and single 8800GTX and upgrade the PSU later when I go SLI and QX6700 however, I am thinking of just going straight to QX6700 and single SLI for now. Problem is I think I am getting a GameXtreme 600W for christmas.

Well the 600w be enough? Or should I try and exchange it for the 700W until something better comes out (Was gonna get the Toughpower 850w but am thinking of waiting a bit)?

EDIT: On this note of me thinking of getting the toughpower 850w... I am happy with my Antec Neo that i decided to check out the Seasonic M12 700w. Its 160mm deep so it will fit in my case, Its very stable and has little to no ripple and is effienct. Plus I like its sleaving and its modular. Only thing I don't like is the 4 pin and 8 pin aux connectors... I wish they were modular. Would anyone recommend the M12 700w over the toughpower 850w? And the M12 shoudl be able to handle SLI 8800GTX's and a QX6700 right?

[jonnyGURU]

What's "single SLI?" ;)

The M12 700W is more than enough for 8800GTX SLI.

Is a GXS 600W? No. 700W? Maybe, but you'll see that high ripple. The Toughpower 850W? Yeah, no problem.

[Bun-Bun]

What's "single SLI?" ;)

The M12 700W is more than enough for 8800GTX SLI.

Is a GXS 600W? No. 700W? Maybe, but you'll see that high ripple. The Toughpower 850W? Yeah, no problem.

Did I say single SLI? I think ive been on forums too much today...

What I mean is I wont get getting two cards right away and was wondering if the GameXtreme 600w would be enough for a QX6700 and one 8800GTX or if I should try and exchange it for 700w.

When I go SLI 8800 GTX I will definatly be goign with something other then the GameXtreme. And the two best choices I have are the Toughpower 850w and the Seasonic M12 700w. But I can not decide which one to get. Im edging more towards the Seasonic because its tier 2, not thermaltake, and has lots of connections.

[jonnyGURU]

If it was a toss up between the Toughpower or M12, I'd have to go with the M12.

[Bun-Bun]

If it was a toss up between the Toughpower or M12, I'd have to go with the M12.


Alright M12 it is then. Back to the original question.

Will the 600w GameXtreme be enough for a QX6700 and a single 8800GTX? As I said before I think I am getting the GX600 for christmas. I might be able to exchange it for the 700w and if I can I will to avoid the ripple as much as possible but if I can't and you guys tell me it wont be enough ill just sell it and get the M12.

[jonnyGURU]

I would use the GXS with a single 8800GTX in a heart beat.

[Bun-Bun]

I would use the GXS with a single 8800GTX in a heart beat.

even the 600w?

[Oklahoma Wolf]

The 600W can handle one 8800GTX.

[jonnyGURU]

Yep. No problem.

[Bun-Bun]

oooh, local retailer can get Seasonic M12-700 in for $217 CAD... I'll just exchange the GameXtreme 600w (bought from same retailer) for it and pay the difference.

So since they can get the Seasonic's in... anyone think it worth it to replace the Antec Neo 550HE with the M12-500 for my file server? I'm thinking the non existent ripple on the M12's will be worth it in the long wrong for a file server...maybe not?

Then again on that note I could get a Silverstone for the file server cause space isn't an issue... since the ST60Z is the same PSU as the ST65ZF (from jonny's review http://www.jonnyguru.com/PSU/ST60F/) would that not be considered a Tier 1 PSU then? The strider's are listed as Tier 2 while the Zeus are Tier 1 but the ST60Z and ST65ZF are the same thing... im confused...

So in other words... is it worth upgrading 550HE to the M12-500 or ST60F in regards to longevity of a file server and which one should I go for? Or is there another PSU around the 500-600watt $150-$250CAD mark that I should be looking at... man I have twisted this thread around lol

[Oklahoma Wolf]

Or is there another PSU around the 500-600watt $150-$250CAD mark that I should be looking at... man I have twisted this thread around lol

The Zippy GSM-6600P is in that price range, as are a couple of the Etasis built Silverstones (ST56ZF and ST75ZF) at NCIX.

Honestly though I'd keep the Neo HE - it's OEM Seasonic already. Not quite as well built as the M12's, but if it's not giving you problems there's no need to replace it.

[Bun-Bun]

The Zippy GSM-6600P is in that price range, as are a couple of the Etasis built Silverstones (ST56ZF and ST75ZF) at NCIX.

Honestly though I'd keep the Neo HE - it's OEM Seasonic already. Not quite as well built as the M12's, but if it's not giving you problems there's no need to replace it.

I agree with not getting the M12 over the Neo... I was just thinking the M12 would be better for longevity because of lower ripple but at the moment I cant find the review that suggests the Antec Neo has more ripple... maybe I imagined it. That and I can get it locally.

But if I can get a Tier 1 PSU for a File Server then why not? Are you really going to recommend me against upgrading from a Tier 3 to Tier 1 for server purposes?

The most hard drives I could see my self putting in the FS is 10... considering that do you think the ST56ZF is enough or should I get the Zippy GSM-6600P? EDIT: After reading Jonny's reviews im leaning more towards the Zippy then the ST56ZF not that the Silverstone is a bad choice either ;)

Also would the ST60Z be considered Tier 1 since it is the same thing as the ST65ZF or does the modular cables make it not so?

Man its so much easier when looks and size are not a factor...lol

[Oklahoma Wolf]

The ST56ZF is enough, but the Zippy is independantly regulated - it has the advantage between the two.

[Bun-Bun]

The ST56ZF is enough, but the Zippy is independantly regulated - it has the advantage between the two.

What do you mean independantly regulated?

[Oklahoma Wolf]

Three independant regulators, mag amps, and pi filters for each main output. In other words, the only thing they have in common is the main transformer and primary section ;)

A more commonplace group regulated design derives the 5v from the 12v regulators... this is why units like the FSP Epsilons have weird looking readings when the rails are not loaded or heavily crossloaded.

Although, the Epsilon actually does have seperate regulators for 5v. Just no seperate mag-amp due to space and the lack thereof.

[Bun-Bun]

Three independant regulators, mag amps, and pi filters for each main output. In other words, the only thing they have in common is the main transformer and primary section ;)

A more commonplace group regulated design derives the 5v from the 12v regulators... this is why units like the FSP Epsilons have weird looking readings when the rails are not loaded or heavily crossloaded.

Although, the Epsilon actually does have seperate regulators for 5v. Just no seperate mag-amp due to space and the lack thereof.

Ah ok, so that means the Zippy can handle crossloading better, regulate voltages better, and have less noise creep between rails? Even though I don't understand why FSP Epsilon units of weird looking readings based on that... but thats ok.

[Oklahoma Wolf]

The Zippy won't even blink at a crossload. The ST56ZF does, but it's overbuilt enough you have to push it really hard to make it flinch.

The FSP looks to share a mag-amp (essentially just a big coil with more than one winding) between the 5v and 12v rails. That's why they affect each other - those extra windings affect each other depending on the current going through them.

[Bun-Bun]

The Zippy won't even blink at a crossload. The ST56ZF does, but it's overbuilt enough you have to push it really hard to make it flinch.

The FSP looks to share a mag-amp (essentially just a big coil with more than one winding) between the 5v and 12v rails. That's why they affect each other - those extra windings affect each other depending on the current going through them.

Oh ok so the 5v and 12v windings are rapped around the same mag amp? thus the magnetic feilds affect eachother esspecially during crossload. That makes sense.

Well local retailer can get the M12-700 and will be happy to exchange my GameXtreme 600w if I did indeed get it for christmas and I will only have to pay like a $90 difference. And I will get the zippy for my file server from NCIX unless the local retailer can get it in. So now what to do with the Antec Neo...

[Oklahoma Wolf]

Close - the 5v and 12v windings of the coil together are the mag-amp (magnetic amplifier) ;)

I hate to think what a Zippy will end up costing you in the middle of Saskatchewan having to be specially ordered. Probably more than it would cost from NCIX to begin with. We're already lucky NCIX listened to me and Know Nuttin from OC Forums and actually got them in stock ;)

[Bun-Bun]

Close - the 5v and 12v windings of the coil together are the mag-amp (magnetic amplifier) ;)

I hate to think what a Zippy will end up costing you in the middle of Saskatchewan having to be specially ordered. Probably more than it would cost from NCIX to begin with. We're already lucky NCIX listened to me and Know Nuttin from OC Forums and actually got them in stock ;)

You would be surprised what OTV can do. But I love NCIX and probably will just order it from them :D

BTW what is the purpose in a mag amp?

[Oklahoma Wolf]

I've heard good things about OTV :)

When I was still in Saskatoon I used Designer Graphics out of Winnipeg up until I found out about NCIX... didn't even know about OTV back then. My only experiences were with C Prompt (evil) and Techtronics (eviller), and the two of those combined were enough to make me forget about buying computer stuff in Saskatoon unless it was really needed right then and there.

Mag amp info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_amplifier

It amplifies low frequency signals. Actually I think I'm wrong about the roles of the two windings on the 5v/12v Epsilon coil. Will have to look at this one here again.

[Bun-Bun]

I've heard good things about OTV :)

When I was still in Saskatoon I used Designer Graphics out of Winnipeg up until I found out about NCIX... didn't even know about OTV back then. My only experiences were with C Prompt (evil) and Techtronics (eviller), and the two of those combined were enough to make me forget about buying computer stuff in Saskatoon unless it was really needed right then and there.

Mag amp info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_amplifier

It amplifies low frequency signals. Actually I think I'm wrong about the roles of the two windings on the 5v/12v Epsilon coil. Will have to look at this one here again.


Whoa way to tired to understand all that... ill read teh wiki again tomorow.

The best places in Saskatoon to buy stuff is Top-Logix and OTV. Both are privately owned and are competive with online pricing.

But NCIX is so awesome that I cant help but order most of my stuff there without even looking at local stores. Except my Antec Neo... I wanted my computer back ;)

[Bun-Bun]

Ok now that I have decided on my PSU's... what is a good DMM to get for testing (like what kind of things am I looking for in a good DMM) and what is a cheap method of determing the power draw at the outlet?