Agonizing over PSU
Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2007 6:10 am
Hi all!
A few weeks ago one of the fans on my Chieftec PSU started screeching and I had to take it out and temporarily replace it for a thicker fan attached on the outside.
My first thought was to simply replace the fan but I discovered it's not easy to find a replacement of the same size, wich is the only one that fits. Then I thought that, since my ears are kind of sensitive and they sometimes actually hurt after a day near the PC, I might as well switch the PSU itself - after all, I already replaced the CPU sink and the VGA fan for more silent (and, I think, efficient) devices.
My doubts began when I came across the PSU catalogs online. My mobo requires a 350+w(!) PSU with a 12v-18A rail.
Problem:
Very few PSU have 12v-18A below 600w versions!
Those that have it are mostly PCF passive, low efficiency, and rarely low noise. Most have no info at all regarding protection systems and Rohs certificates.
What would be more enviromentaly friendly?
- Something like a Corsair, even though it will never actually use 520w?
- A lower wattage PSU with a lower efficiency? like BeQuiet Dark Power P6 Pro 430W (not much difference in efficiency, but more noisy, some reported trouble and unknown protections *sigh*)
- OR should I just order new fans from some faraway place and keep my Chieftec running? It think it does have passive PCF, wich is a pro, the con being the fact that it runs a bit hot no matter how cool the weather is. And around here the weather is not cool at all most of the year... I don't remember the last time I had my case closed and I still think the CPU should be a little cooler....
By the way, I was thinking replacing the fans (currently Adda) with Silenx. But I don't know if they should have the same amps (0.12 and 0.15) or if that makes no difference at all as long as I get the volts right. I totally suck at sciences...
PS - I'm not overclocking.
A few weeks ago one of the fans on my Chieftec PSU started screeching and I had to take it out and temporarily replace it for a thicker fan attached on the outside.
My first thought was to simply replace the fan but I discovered it's not easy to find a replacement of the same size, wich is the only one that fits. Then I thought that, since my ears are kind of sensitive and they sometimes actually hurt after a day near the PC, I might as well switch the PSU itself - after all, I already replaced the CPU sink and the VGA fan for more silent (and, I think, efficient) devices.
My doubts began when I came across the PSU catalogs online. My mobo requires a 350+w(!) PSU with a 12v-18A rail.
Problem:
Very few PSU have 12v-18A below 600w versions!
Those that have it are mostly PCF passive, low efficiency, and rarely low noise. Most have no info at all regarding protection systems and Rohs certificates.
What would be more enviromentaly friendly?
- Something like a Corsair, even though it will never actually use 520w?
- A lower wattage PSU with a lower efficiency? like BeQuiet Dark Power P6 Pro 430W (not much difference in efficiency, but more noisy, some reported trouble and unknown protections *sigh*)
- OR should I just order new fans from some faraway place and keep my Chieftec running? It think it does have passive PCF, wich is a pro, the con being the fact that it runs a bit hot no matter how cool the weather is. And around here the weather is not cool at all most of the year... I don't remember the last time I had my case closed and I still think the CPU should be a little cooler....
By the way, I was thinking replacing the fans (currently Adda) with Silenx. But I don't know if they should have the same amps (0.12 and 0.15) or if that makes no difference at all as long as I get the volts right. I totally suck at sciences...
PS - I'm not overclocking.