Hi, I know this isn't Linux related, but I figured this would be a good place to ask.

I want to get a new PSU eventually.
I currently have a 350WATT PSU that came with my case, a Turbo Case X-Dreamer.
I have the following hardware:
- DVD-rom (nothing fancy, came with my computer 3 years ago)
- LG 24X CD-RW
- 40GB Fujitsu Hard drive (also came with the computer)
- 60GB Western Digital 7200rpm hard drive
- P4 1.3 GHz processor (one of the first p4's perhaps)
- 4 case fans
- 1 UV cold cathode (on on of the fans)
- MSI FX5200 VTD video card (does not have a power connector)

I was running all this (except the fans) on a 300W PSU before, but I would like to have a little flexibility. I would also like something that is more quiet, though I think the majority of the noise comes from the other 4 fans and the processor fan. Hopefully I could get something that would not create as much heat, and I figure if I get something designed to run at a higher wattage, it will run cooler since it will not be running at full capacity. Right now my case can keep my room a few degrees higher than the rest of the house...fine in the winter, but sucks big time in the summer (no A/C). My case temp is often in the 90oC-100oC range during the summer, and usually around ~85oC during the rest of the year...but I need to crank up my fans to stay under 100 during the summer.

So I would like enough power to add a few more fans, 2 12" cold cathodes, and still have lots of room for expansion left over. I was thinking less than $100 Canadian (so pretty budget) and in the 400-500watt range, but this is why I posted here...I need to know approx how much power I am using, and how much gain I would get by upgrading. Can a PSU under $100 provide any significant advantages especially with temperature and noise?

Also, are there inexpensive ways to cool a case more efficiently? i.e. is there a way to keep the case at or below romm temp for less than $50 canadian?

90-100oC Have you got that right?! Thats as hot as boiling water!

I only know sites from the UK but overclockers usually have got PSU's and stuff that can be kept cool, so look for an overclocking site, they know this stuff backwards.

As for quiet I doubt you'll find anything under $100 Canadian Theres a pretty good Canadian site QuietPC Canada But the 350W your still talking $130, There's the SilentX 400W thats about $136, but thats the lowest I could find.

sorry, that is farenheit...I'm just used to using celcius

I hate to keep plugging these guys, and no they're not paying me, but PC Power and Cooling's Silencer® is one of the best on the market. Just don't ask me how they managed to register the word silencer as a trademark. I'm still trying to figure out if CompTIA can sue school teachers for using A+® without permission. hehe

As for keep you box cool try a window unit (A/C) or water cooling

-Joey

http://www.mge-usa.com/xgbox/detail....=170&iType=401

i have one of these PSUs and its done me good. it also has a fan with a blue LED on it

I got a antec trueblue480, cost me I think around 90$US. I don't know how much tha'd be in canada, but if you can find a good site in canada I'd go through and give you some good psu's. I'd recommend either Antec or Enermax both make very good psu's. Just make sure you got enough amps on the 12v rails, and you'll be fine.

You could just get a better heatsink/fan for your cpu, then that'll allow you to have higher case temps. Only way to lower your case temps with anything normal would be watercooling, as heatsink/fan make the case temp hotter, by sending the heat from the heatsink into the air. What are your cpu temps right now?

Thanks for all the replies. I've found the following PSU's at a local store, now I have to decide how much power I need, and which is better.

Enermax 450W EG465P-VE (FC) w/ Fan Control $103
Antec TRUE430 430W info $118
Antec TrueBlue 480W info $130
Thermaltake Silent 420W Active PFC (W0008R) info $78
Thermaltake Silent PurePower 480W Silver (W0013) $99
Thermaltake Silent Butterfly 480W Dual LED(W0021) $105
Zalman ZM400A-APF 400W Noiseless PSU $129


Now, how do I decide between these. Obviously price is important, but what should I base my decision on beyond that?

Also, I used some online PSU Wattage Calculator , which calculated the approx. wattage I should get. It gave me a value around 420watts for my current setup...so I figure 400 + watts should be enough.

I appreciate the help.

I tried to find that enermax to find out what the amps were, on the 12v rail, but I couldn't find it. I'll look again later, I don't have too much time right now, but I think all of those are fine, just get the ones with the most amps on the 12v and 5v rails, I think the enermax would probably be the best one of those you listed.

http://www.maxpoint.com/products/pow...65fc/index.htm

I read a few reviews...and it sounds really good. Only apparent problem was that the shielding on the wires made them hard to bend.

I'm leaning towards this right now. Thermaltake is out, because I have one of their fans, and EXTREMELY loud when it speeds up...and when it goes slow it is not smooth, and sounds like a somewhat crappy fan (though it does the job well). The two other brands look pretty good too...but none have had reviews (that I've found) close to as good as the Enermax one.

Thanks for the help, and if anyone still has any opinions, I'd be glad to hear them.

I had to replace my PSU recently and was overrun with lots of info which didn't really help much till I found a really interesting little test which was done on 19 PSU's. Unfortunatly I don't have enough posts to give you a link but quote the site:
"What an epic project - 19 different power supplies were analyzed in our 6-week Live Stress Test conducted at the THG Lab in Munich, six of which did not pass the test. Maximum output ranged from 300 watts with the Fortron all the way up to 850 watts with the Turbo-Cool from PC Power & Cooling."

just google TOMSHARDWARE. When you find them, do a search for "Power Supplies Under Full Load"

I hope that helps decide on a reliable PSU.