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[[BDS] The Rock]

I know that I posted about this in another thread, but since Dcom is a self-proclaimed PSU expert I thought I'd ask:

What are the most preferred brands? (top 5) And how big of a supply do I really need?  I know that the biggest draw in the rig will be fans (including GPU/CPU Cooling systems) but I am curious if there are any other substantial loads?  The PSU itself comes to mind, and possibly any external USB connections.  Is there a rule of thumb for say number of fans in the box/size of processor vs. PSU wattage?

Oh, and as a side note, how good are water-cooled systems?  Is it really worth the extra investment, or would a beefy fan-cooled copper heatsink do the trick?

[BlackJack]

pfft, decom isnt the only one, he has shared his knowledge 


pc power and cooling
Corsair
Antec
Silverstone <----(personal preference, never had a problem with them)

[dC0m™]

dC0m to the rescueee!!

 

I know that I posted about this in another thread, but since Dcom is a self-proclaimed PSU expert

Ding-Ding! 1st one correct! Haha. 

The top 5 (in my opinion and recommended by most Hardware gurus in terms of preferred: (1 being top of course)

1) PC Power & Cooling
2) Corsair
3) Seasonic
4) Antec
And Enermax and OCZ fights for 5th in my book. OCZ really depends on model since they use multiple outside manufacturers to make their different PSU lines.

The top 5 in terms of performance and top reliability / stability:(price might be a issue here)

1) PC Power & Cooling
2) Antec Signatures
3) Enermax - Galaxy line
4) Silverstone (depends on model and wattage)
5) Zippy/ Emacs

Usually if you get a single railed PSU that comes from a reliable brand, you can usually load a buncha fans without overloading a rail because it only has 1 single powerful rail rather than multiple weak ones. As for fans, per box; I would say it depends on your configuration. If you're doing something hardcore where a lot of heat will be produced, you should get more fans. I would say 4-6 fans should be about enough and the limit. Anymore and you got a 747 engine. In terms of stacking fans on a single connector (not sure if this is what you might want to know), it depends on the rail that distributes power to that molex. If it was single railed, yet enough amps, you should be good to go, but if we're talking about 4x 18Amp rails, one rail might be responsible for molexes, so you don't want to overload that one 18A rail.

When determining a PSU, generally, we don't judge it by CPU power. Most CPUs (modern chips; Core 2 Duos; Athlons) these days don't use more than 150w, let alone 100w. and PSU from 500w range from like $50+. Of course, the power hogs in the computer are the GPU and CPU and depending on your configuration, the power need will range. For say, a top of the line 4870 card with a AMD Phenom X4 processor, my suggestion would to get something around 600 - 700W+. Most C2D only use about 65w.

EDIT: forgot your last question:

Water-Cooling is a worthy investment if you have the cash and want the best results of overclocking. In my opinion, the only good water-cooling setup is the ones you build yourself. Meaning you choose the pump, the reservoir, the waterblocks, the radiator. The pre-built ones are often crap and way overpriced. There is a downside to WC. WC requires maintainance every 2-3 years but preferably, every year. You must constantly check for leaks and algae development because that is harmful to the WC setup. Also, it is usually pretty hard for the novice computer builder to setup.

If you want to play it safe yet want come clocks, get a beefy heatsink. How beefy depends on how much of a overclocker you are. Heatsinks + Fans is much safer way and possibly cheaper and can almost achieve similar results.

If you're not much of an overclocker, a Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro for about $20-$30 will do fine.

If you want high overclocks, look into the Xigmatek HDT-1294 which is about $30 - $40, or the ThermalRight Ultra-120 Extreme which is among top 3 heatsinks in the market (also pretty fucking pricey) and costs $60.

[[BDS] The Rock]

Usually if you get a single railed PSU that comes from a reliable brand, you can usually load a buncha fans without overloading a rail because it only has 1 single powerful rail rather than multiple weak ones. As for fans, per box; I would say it depends on your configuration. If you're doing something hardcore where a lot of heat will be produced, you should get more fans. I would say 4-6 fans should be about enough and the limit. Anymore and you got a 747 engine. In terms of stacking fans on a single connector (not sure if this is what you might want to know), it depends on the rail that distributes power to that molex. If it was single railed, yet enough amps, you should be good to go, but if we're talking about 4x 18Amp rails, one rail might be responsible for molexes, so you don't want to overload that one 18A rail.

ACtually this is EXACTLY what I was wondering about.  The power supplies I am used to working with are on a larger scale (for computerized protective relays) that output on the order of 1-5kW.  I have always been curious about the current draw from daisy-chaining fans, but never really looked into the limitations.ratings of the power supply. I assume that you would recommend a single-railed PSU with a larger current rating, over a multi-railed supply...?

[BlackJack]

single rail ftw rock, multirail suck monkey cock

[[BDS] Gurney (BEER)]

The power supplies I am used to working with are on a larger scale (for computerized protective relays) that output on the order of 1-5kW.

 

[[BDS] Morgo_mpx]

Silverstone <----(personal preference, never had a problem with them)

Silverstone suck balls. I had over 10 psus(different models usually around the 600-750w range) fail in builds.

My favorite is Antec. They are really quality products, and alot cheap then enermax, and PCP&C.
OCZ and Corsair have worked well for me aswell.

[[BDS] hav0k99]

single rail ftw rock, multirail suck monkey cock

I shall call you miniCom.

[[BDS] Fire Captain Joe]

Get a modular Corsair...

 

[RadioMan]

Get a modular Corsair...

 

got a link, Joe?  I'm thinking about getting a new one too..but I don't have much to blow on it...

[BlackJack]

modular psu's are for the lazy  lol

[dC0m™]

ACtually this is EXACTLY what I was wondering about.  The power supplies I am used to working with are on a larger scale (for computerized protective relays) that output on the order of 1-5kW.  I have always been curious about the current draw from daisy-chaining fans, but never really looked into the limitations.ratings of the power supply. I assume that you would recommend a single-railed PSU with a larger current rating, over a multi-railed supply...?

Well, I wouldn't say ALL single rail power supplies are good. It really depends on the brand and model. But yes, I generally recommend single railed but that only goes for a few brands. I wouldn't suggest getting a single railed POS like this to power your C2D setup with 8800GT. It's depends on BRAND AND MODEL.

single rail ftw rock, multirail suck monkey cock

Wrong.
You have much to learn.

That comment was like a total insult to me. I came from a multi-railed PSU that rocked. It was my first ever OCZ GameXStream 700W which had 4x 18Amp rails. I've built numerous builds with multi-rails; not only are all of them still alive today, but none ever had a single problem. It's not even that I've used reputable brands, I've used some shit brand like Cooler Master eXtreme that were their bottom of the line PSUs and it's still clicking today.  

You do know that many brands still use multi rails and that they're almost if not, equal to single railed PSUs. Such brands like the Antec Signature and Quattro line, Enermax's Galaxy line, all of Seasonic PSUs, BFG Tech ES and LS line, and many others. Basically, there are a bunch of good brand names out that other than the Single railed companies (mainly Corsair and PCP&C). You have to look outside the "single railed picture".

Silverstone <----(personal preference, never had a problem with them)

Silverstone suck balls. I had over 10 psus(different models usually around the 600-750w range) fail in builds.

My favorite is Antec. They are really quality products, and alot cheap then enermax, and PCP&C.
OCZ and Corsair have worked well for me aswell.

I don't really like Silverstone either. Never really tried them though..

I like Antec too. I've only used their EarthWatts line and Quattro line. I've built 2 builds with the EarthWatts 430w (Delta design; converted from Seasonic) and 1 build using the Quattro 850w. The earthwatts were relatively easy to use in terms of cable routing and was super silent. The quattro was very well spec`ed considering it's modular and 4x 18 amp rails and it's output is 850w. Very versatile but could get limiting when you need a lot of modular plugs.

I've always been and will be a OCZ fanboy. I love their memory and PSUs. I don't give a shit if it's single railed or multi railed, OCZ is some top shit in my book. Well, it really depends on model since they build their PSUs on multiple OEMs.

I shall call you miniCom.

Oh, please no.

Get a modular Corsair...

 

They're pretty good. If you need modular and high Watts, I highly recommend Antec.

[[BDS] Fire Captain Joe]

Get a modular Corsair...

 

got a link, Joe?  I'm thinking about getting a new one too..but I don't have much to blow on it...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139001

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139002

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139007

[dC0m™]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139007

Did you know that the Corsair 1000w is actually 2x 500W (with 40Amp single rails each) connected side by side under one casing? 

[[BDS] Morgo_mpx]

I like Antec too. I've only used their EarthWatts line and Quattro line.

I've always been and will be a OCZ fanboy. I love their memory and PSUs. I don't give a shit if it's single railed or multi railed, OCZ is some top shit in my book. Well, it really depends on model since they build their PSUs on multiple OEMs.

Atm when i build pc's i use the antec earthwatts. Great PSUs and very affordable.

OCZ ram is my favorite, since its always really good and cheap too. Followed by either Geil or Kingston. IMO with ram the Carsair XMS series are overrated, the only desent Corsair if the dominator series.

With modular PSU ive only used a CoolerMaster, and it seems ok. I like the idea, i just wish antec would make some that arnt very expensive