View Full Version : What size do i need for my rig...
Hi Guys
I was complaining last night that my PSU was getting far too hot.
Its a 400 or 420w Zalman thats a few years old
My PC is under my desk so that doesnt help but im sure it shouldnt be kicking out that much heat!
My specs are:
AMD 64 4000+
BFG 7800 GTX
3 HDD's, All about 320GB each
Then the usual stuff really. Its not OC'd and never has been.
Just wondered if i need more power, Thats why its getting too hot?
Cheers
Mat:S
PeterStoba
31-05-08, 12:13
What case have you got, and whats the cooling set up? is the desk right next to the sides of the case or is there some room?
Define hot. Is the Power Supply working fine other than the fact that it's kicking up a fair amount of heat? For all intents and purposes a good branded 400W PSU like your Zalman shouldn't have a problem with that system, ignoring the fact that the PSU will have aged a certain amount depending on how much use it's had and how old it is.
I dont have any other problems (touch wood) but its just the heat from the rear fan really.
http://gti-online.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/images/DSCF0552800x600.JPG
Here's the PC. There is ample room from the top fan to the desk.
The air goes in the front, Over the HDD's and out the back or top. The PSU cool's itself really.
I dont know if there is a program that can tell me what my system is pulling?
I was thinking of knocking up a bit of tube with a fan coming from the back and going up the back of the desk rather than under it by my legs.
Its not really curing the problem though, Im not using it at the moment as it gets too hot and its not even summer yet!
I cant say how hot the air from my PSU is without a temperature gauge, but its easily the warmest air outlet in my PC.
Yeah it's the warmest outlet on mine as well. Typically they will run a bit warm, particularly the ones which are made to be silent or at least fairly quiet.
I don't think it's a cause for concern so long as there's no symptoms suggestion that the PSU's going to throw a hissy fit. Maybe you could cut some wood behind the PSU to give it an extra inch or so of room?
I know theres not a problem with it, It just runs hot. But is there any PSU's that run cold because i dont think i can take the heat any more!
500w OCZ stealthXstream's run pretty cool, they slowly blow air onto other components too :)
Im leaving my desktop on for 5 mins and then going to measure the temp of the air the fan is blowing out. Ive got a proper calibrated guauge i use for my nitro RC car.
PeterStoba
31-05-08, 17:14
PCP&C Silencer, these run cool apparently (http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Power+Supplies/450w+to+499w/PC+Power+%26+Cooling+SILENCER+470+?operation=shopp ingCartAdd&productId=31341&context=)
Hiper, these are cool too! you will need a molex to sata cable adaptor though (https://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Power+Supplies/200w+to+449w/Hiper+425W+PSU+HPU-4S425?productId=30570)
wonderlust
31-05-08, 17:25
PCP&C Silencer, these run cool apparently (http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Power+Supplies/450w+to+499w/PC+Power+%26+Cooling+SILENCER+470+?operation=shopp ingCartAdd&productId=31341&context=)
Hiper, these are cool too! you will need a molex to sata cable adaptor though (https://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Power+Supplies/200w+to+449w/Hiper+425W+PSU+HPU-4S425?productId=30570)
Depends if he has an hard disk that has both a molex and sata connectors or not :D
Im willing to spend quite a few pounds if i can find one that runs really cool!
PeterStoba
31-05-08, 17:40
Fair point
my gpu is the warmest air coming out my case by far, even when idle.
part of your problem is the zalman, as it blows on your cpu the heat is going into your psu (heat rising and that) if you had a tower blower you could aim towards the rear which would help. also a psu that is running around 80% of its capacity is around its optimal for maxing the efficentcy too, so your pulling around 400/450 so a 500/600w would be much better for your electric bill too :D
http://extreme.outervision.com/PSUEngine
Nice link Marsey!
System Type:
Dual Processor
Motherboard:
High End - Desktop
CPU:
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ 2200 MHz Toledo
CPU Utilization (TDP):
85% TDP
RAM:
2 Sticks DDR SDRAM
Video Card:
NVIDIA GeForce 7800 GTX 430MHz
Video Type:
Single Card
SATA HDD:
3 HDDs
DVD-RW/DVD+RW Drive:
2 Drives
Floppy Drive:
1 Drive
Sound Blaster - All Models:
Yes
Additional PCI Card (avg):
1 Card
USB:
2 Devices
Fan Controller:
Yes
Front Bay Card Reader:
Yes
Fans
Regular:
2 Fans 80mm; 1 Fan 120mm;
Keyboard and mouse:
Yes
System Load:
90 %
Recommended Wattage:
448 Watts
Hmmm. I think ive found my problem...
So say i went for a good cooling 750ish Watts. That should produce no heat really as i wont be putting it under hardly any load..
PeterStoba
31-05-08, 18:14
My top exhaust is my hottest, psu exhaust is cooler than the top exhaust...
No way do you need 750!
600 / 100 = 6
6 x 80 = 480, which is above your estimated usage
So 600W MAX
wonderlust
31-05-08, 18:23
There is another calculator at http://web.aanet.com.au/SnooP/psucalc.php not sure it's accurate, says my q6600 should draw no more than 249W!
My top exhaust is my hottest, psu exhaust is cooler than the top exhaust...
No way do you need 750!
600 / 100 = 6
6 x 80 = 480, which is above your estimated usage
So 600W MAX
I know but i like to make things future proof. I dont want to be in the same situation in a year or 2.
Wonderlust, Link doesnt work?
I have just had a quick measure. Under my desk the temp is about 30oc depending on where you take the reading. Getting towards the PSU its going up to about 35...And then at PSU level near the fan, Not pointing at the PSU just away from it so reading the air its.......40!!!!
I need a new PSU....Needs to be VERY cool please. Any ideas?:|
http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Power+Supplies/500w+%2B/Cooler+Master+Real+Power+M700W+Modular+Power+Suppl y+?productId=30606
read some reviews for this 1, all sung its priases for its noise, temps and stability.
its 1 im thinking about as i need a psu in 1 of my other machines and if i get 1 of them i can throw this 600w into that.
edit
im still not sure why i would need to extend my shirt to fit it in my case tho philip :D
Your PSU is not stretched for demand here.
448 Watts
You've selected Dual Processor. Pick single processor and that'll back down to around 350-365W I'd imagine.
At the end of the day, I don't believe there's any hazard with using your existing PSU. At any rate, with the airflow conditions in your situation any PSU will run quite toasty under there. If however, you have the funds to do so and genuinely want to do so rather than feeling as though it's a must, then go for it. A New PSU isn't a bad thing to have and today's PSU's will be more efficient as well.
If you wanted a new PSU, my votes would go to
Seasonic S12 500W
OCZ StealthXstream 600W
Corsair TX 650W
Tagan BZ 500W / 600W
Don't want to make it seem as though I'm having a rant but I simply want to establish that a new PSU isn't a must.
Does your case have a side fan? It may be that you dont have enough cool air coming into your system from the front.
Your air seems to have to come from the bottom front all the way up to the top over your mobo gpu and cpu. By the time its got all the way up there its going to be warm already.
I wouldn't have said 40c was hot though, I reckon mine might be about that temp.
I also agree with mul, your system is stable? So whats the problem? Unless you dont like warm air, heat hater.
Sorry. My origional spec was wrong. I am using an AMD Athlon 64 x2 4200+:mrgreen:
It makes sence that if you push any PC part then it produces heat, So a bigger PSU is a big step in the right direction i think.
I do have a few tricks up my sleave to cool it down under there too so i think im going to get cracking on it.
Marsey. That is one of the ones i was looking at. A few reviews says it runs quite cool so thats my first choise i think. I notice a few of the review ones dont have the power switch on the back. What's that about?:S
Edit-
I just want the heat away from my desk. It gets too hot for me to play anything on the PC. My room is south facing so i get the sun through the day and also have cavity insulation so its a hot house!
My case doesnt have a side fan, The only input is the 120mm at the front...But i need the intakes on the outside of the desk, Its pointless having them under it as its just going to suck hot air in..
You dont wanna overdo it on a powersupply, they are most efficient at 80% load, so a 600w psu is probably best.
tbh im not sure??? on the other hand i cant recall using that switch on mine other than if i was taking it to bits.
wonderlust
01-06-08, 09:09
I fixed the link :redface:
Im im between these 2:
http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Power+Supplies/500w+%2B/Tagan+700W+Modular+BZ+Piperock+Series?productId=30 341
Gets good reviews and good features
http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Power+Supplies/500w+%2B/Cooler+Master+Real+Power+M700W+Modular+Power+Suppl y+?productId=30606
Same really, The lights on the tagan looked better:redface:
Whats your thoughts?
I just hope they run cooler or im going to have to look into a air con unit for my room!:sad:
The Tagan is certainly the more capable unit. I don't tend to have a bias as far as brand loyalty is concerned but they make very good Power Supplies.
The Tagan BZ has quad 20A rails while the Real Power has quad 19A rails. The Tagan BZ can offer up to 674W purely on the +12V rails, which is a max combined of 56A, as opposed to the 52A on the Coolermaster. Furthermore, the Tagan unit gives you the option to split the 12V rails or flick a switch and make it a single large combined rail.
The Modular connections on the Tagan do look a little bit nicer. They're both 80PLUS certified.
Another advantage is Tagan's aftersales customer service. I've just had to RMA a Tagan 420W unit that has failed after 34 months usage, I've sent it on Thursday, they received it on Friday and it appears a unit was dispatched the same day. That sounds pretty good to me in my opinion though I'll reserve judgement until it's actually in my hands.
cant knock that for customer service can you :) yea the tagen does look the best of those 2 on paper but im not sure you can switch that 1 to single rail as i thought it was only the turbo modles that had that but i have been wrong before ;)
I don't believe the BZ is available in standard & turbo models. Just one
http://www.pcfrags.com/modules.php?name=LD_Reviews&op=display_review&rid=81&page=4
I read a review (Will post the link tonight) of the Tagan and there is a little switch on the back to switch onto the one rail. "Turbo" i think they call it or somthing.
On the review they said that the heat from the exhaust fan was 33oc at 399watts.
So not a vast improvement but i think it will run cooler when the PC is just ticking over.
I think i may have to look into getting more cold air from the front of the case. Like getting a better flow 120mm fan or even adding another one towards the top!
I'd go for the Tagan, coolermaster isn't a brand i'd usually associate with a qaulity PSU.
Tagan good reviews, looks the business, and piperock sounds kinda cool lol
when i was reading reviews on the bz range i dont recall them having the turbo switch but that review does so they may have put it across the board? the ones that did have the turbo mode weren't modular which is what put me off them at the time but that looks better.
looking at your desk could you not cut a hole in the bottom of you case (and the desk) and stick a fan sucking up from there somthing like mine?
Hmm. That is another option, Good thinking! I will look into that one.
I think the tagan wins then..Oh lovely, Another rewiring job:|:lol:
Just been looking at some 100+ CFM fans..Mmm lovely but they are pretty noisey! I hope a fan controller would help though:|
PeterStoba
03-06-08, 19:22
Kaze Jyuni 1900RPM Slip Stream 120mm Fan
110CFM at 37DBa, get a fan controller and down them to around 30dba and still get good movement
To be honest, a decent 40-50CFM 120mm fan would do the trick and they won't be irritatingly loud. Take a look at Noctua's 120mm fans.
or a scythe sflex 1600 rpm if you want a slightly cheaper option, i have a case full of them and i only hear the wind when they are at full speed :D
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