PSU Recommendation for A8N-SLI?

intx · Post by **intx** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 5:04 pm

Looking for a quiet, not too expensive power supply that works with the A8N-SLI Motherboard.. The best choice based on the recommendations on this site seems to be the Antec NeoHE, but that model seems to have trouble with the Asus A8N-SLI motherboard for some reason.

Any other suggestions for a good solid PSU? I'm using a fortron 300w but apparently it's far from powerful enough.

dhanson865 · Post by **dhanson865** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 6:25 pm

intx wrote:Looking for a quiet, not too expensive power supply that works with the A8N-SLI Motherboard.. The best choice based on the recommendations on this site seems to be the Antec NeoHE, but that model seems to have trouble with the Asus A8N-SLI motherboard for some reason.

Any other suggestions for a good solid PSU? I'm using a fortron 300w but apparently it's far from powerful enough.

That motherboard doesn't use more than any other nforce4 sli motherboard. The question is what video card or video cards will you use with it?

Most SPCR types would agree that SLI is not a noise friendly concept and would stick with a single video card. See http://www.silentpcreview.com/article28-page4.html for some real power readings.

If your only concern were a typical single video card system idling around 70W and topping out around 150W:

The best choice by efficiency under 150 watts is the Seasonic S12-430 and by extension the S12-380 is a slightly better deal due to price.

If you are going SLI with a 7xxx card you might want a 520 watt Corsair as a medium price option.

If you are going SLI with a 8xxx card you better be sure how much power you really need.

Code: Select all

Model       Output (W)  150     200     250     300     400     500
        Efficiency
     S12-430            81.6%   81.8%   80.5%   79.6%   75.5%*
     HX520W             81.0%   84.5%   85.2%   85.1%   83.7%   81.3%
     S12-550E+          81.9%   84.8%   84.3%   84.1%   82.9%   81.2%

         Noise (dBA@1m)
S12-430                 22      25      29      32      37*
HX520W                  22      22      22      22      29      43
S12-550E+               20      20      21      25      38      40

intx · Post by **intx** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 10:52 pm

I don't plan on using any fancy video cards.

A google search of A8N-SLI and NeoHE or Antec will confirm that there is a serious problem between the two in terms of compatibility. No one really explains how or why though

Aris · Post by **Aris** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 11:01 pm

If you want modular cabling and you dont have a case like the P180 where it keeps your PSU thermally seperated from the rest of the case, then i'd highly recommend the Antec Neo HE 430w. Its much easier to keep it thermally isolated from the rest of a standard PC case than with 120mm fan PSU's.

intx · Post by **intx** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 10:56 am

Aris wrote:If you want modular cabling and you dont have a case like the P180 where it keeps your PSU thermally seperated from the rest of the case, then i'd highly recommend the Antec Neo HE 430w. Its much easier to keep it thermally isolated from the rest of a standard PC case than with 120mm fan PSU's.

Thanks for the recommendation. I agree the NeoHE looks great, it was my first consideration based on SPCR's Recommended PSUs page.

Unfortunately a google search seems to say it won't work for me (with this particular motherboard).

http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&q=neo ... -sli&meta=

dhanson865 · Post by **dhanson865** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 5:02 pm

intx wrote:I don't plan on using any fancy video cards.

A google search of A8N-SLI and NeoHE or Antec will confirm that there is a serious problem between the two in terms of compatibility. No one really explains how or why though

I have a A8N-SLI and I've personally used it with a 350, 380, and 430 watt power supply.

If your current 300 watt power supply has a 24 pin power connector and enough spare molex (5.25" drive) connectors then it is enough for use with most video cards.

If your current PSU does NOT have a 24 pin pin connector then you might as well get a modern one. No reason not to get a 380 watt S12 for a single video card system.

A Corsair 520 watt is about $100. A S12-430 is about the same price. A S12 380 is about $80. There are cheaper options up front but the lower efficiency and higher noise will cost you after the purchase.

An Earthwatts 380 is about $45, the S12 330 is about $60 and either one is something I would avoid at retail prices. They just aren't as quiet or as efficient at the loads I see most. Though I must say the earthwatts is a nice option should you find one on clearance a reputable retailer.

Code: Select all

Model       Output (W)  65      90      150
        Efficiency
     S12-330            75.5%   77.9%   80.3%
     S12-380              .?%     .?%     .?%
Antec Neo HE 430        75.5%   76.2%   79.0%
Earth Watts 430         75.6%   78.3%   81.0%
     S12-430            78.3%   80.5%   81.6%

         Noise (dBA@1m)
S12-330                 21      21      21
S12-380                  ?       ?       ?
Antec Neo HE 430        20      20      21
Earth Watts 430         22      22      22
S12-430                 20      20      22

PSU Recommendation for A8N-SLI?

PSU Recommendation for A8N-SLI?

Re: PSU Recommendation for A8N-SLI?