Will Antec Sonata II (450W SP 2.0 PSU) suffice for my X2?

Immacolata · Post by **Immacolata** » Sun Mar 26, 2006 11:30 am

Im considering building a new system with
AMD X2 4200+
Geforce 7900GT (450 or 520 MHz version, not sure yet)
2x1024 GB
Couple of optical drives
250 GB Maxtor MaxLIfe III disk
Sound Blaster Audigy
ASRock ULI1697 motherboard

The Sonata II comes with a SmartPower 2.0 450W PSU. I know that I must keep an eye on 12V amperage, and the SPCR review seems to suggest that this unit can handle it with a combined output of 34A on 12V rails.

Ive run the components through eXtreme PSU Calculator v1.3 http://www.extreme.outervision.com/

It spits out 340W requirement.

I wonder if this PSU will cut the mustard? I don't intend on SLI, nor overclocking. I just don't do that stuff.

If I go with 520 mhz 7900GT will that drastically increase the consumption or is it minor?

I could get the 500 watt unit, but that would be at extra cost and Im kind of reaching the limit of my budget. So I hope this setup will suffice. Any comments?

m0002a · Post by **m0002a** » Sun Mar 26, 2006 11:37 am

I believe that the SmartPower 2.0 450W PSU is plenty of power for your components. But I would also recommend an Antec P150 case (if you don't mind white) since it is quieter case and has a Antec 430-watt PSU.

Immacolata · Post by **Immacolata** » Sun Mar 26, 2006 11:45 am

Thank you for the reply. I see that it has the HE version PSU, that might be just as good as 450w one. However, it somewhat more pricey where I am from. Besides I have a Lian LI noise dampened case already, I might just butcher the Antec and switch PSUs (my old one is a Zalman 400 that regretfully puts out too little on the 12V rail.), then use the Antec Sonata II for my stowed-away-in-a-closet pc.

dddibley · Post by **dddibley** » Sun Mar 26, 2006 11:51 am

SP-450 works fine with a full compliment of devices. (see signature)

ddd

Immacolata · Post by **Immacolata** » Sun Mar 26, 2006 11:53 am

It is the 7900 GT and dual core AMD X2 Im worrying about specifically. I actually don't know where the CPU draws its power from but I suspect it its the 12V rail? The 7900 GT does so too apparantly and Nvidia actually puts a 22A 12V PSU as requirement for those cards (or 20A, cant find that reference now). But I think Ill go with it, the Sonata looks like a nice piece as well

klankymen · Post by **klankymen** » Sun Mar 26, 2006 12:59 pm

actually i wouldn't be surprised if the p4 and ATI card in dddibley's signature drew more power than a 4200+ with a 7900GT, so I say you should be safe with 450W (380 would do if you're not overclocking)

dddibley · Post by **dddibley** » Sun Mar 26, 2006 1:30 pm

Immacolata wrote:..where the CPU draws its power from.. Nvidia actually puts a 22A 12V PSU as requirement for those cards..

AFAIK the motherboard connector supplies the CPU and PCI slots etc. and draws from one of the 12V rails.. the rest of the components (eg. vid card, HDDs etc) are power from the other. The total 12V current for the PSU is 32A so there shouldn't be an issue. Here's a good read.

Power Supply Fundamentals & Recommendations, Page 3

SP-500 is nice because the cables are modular (and longer). Sonata II with SP-450W is a pretty decent buy too. Just remove the side panel lock.. ACAG.. front port wiring and LED.. you'll be fine

ddd

Immacolata · Post by **Immacolata** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 12:31 am

dddibley wrote:
Immacolata wrote:..where the CPU draws its power from.. Nvidia actually puts a 22A 12V PSU as requirement for those cards..
AFAIK the motherboard connector supplies the CPU and PCI slots etc. and draws from one of the 12V rails.. the rest of the components (eg. vid card, HDDs etc) are power from the other. The total 12V current for the PSU is 32A so there shouldn't be an issue. Here's a good read.

Power Supply Fundamentals & Recommendations, Page 3

I read it. In fact, i think I spend 3 hours on reading about PSUs on SPCR yesterday. Still, some things are unclear, such as how much amp you need on the 12v rail for a system that I want to make, that is why I asked.

SP-500 is nice because the cables are modular (and longer). Sonata II with SP-450W is a pretty decent buy too. Just remove the side panel lock.. ACAG.. front port wiring and LED.. you'll be fine

ddd

ACAG? side panel lock? Front port wiring and led? What are you talking about? Why do I want to remove them? They are connected to the PSU?

quikkie · Post by **quikkie** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 1:34 am

the 450W PSU will be fine, your GPU uses a max of 80W and the CPU uses a max of 89W, one HDD, 2 optical drives, memory, your sound card and your motherboard might push as much as 60W (tops). 80+89+60 = 229W + some miscellaneous 5V loadings.

StarfishChris · Post by **StarfishChris** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 2:44 am

Immacolata wrote:ACAG? side panel lock? Front port wiring and led? What are you talking about? Why do I want to remove them? They are connected to the PSU?

They are parts of the Sonata case, not the PSU. (CAG = chassis air guide, to bring air from a vent in the side panel to the processor)

Immacolata · Post by **Immacolata** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 4:02 am

quikkie wrote:the 450W PSU will be fine, your GPU uses a max of 80W and the CPU uses a max of 89W, one HDD, 2 optical drives, memory, your sound card and your motherboard might push as much as 60W (tops). 80+89+60 = 229W + some miscellaneous 5V loadings.

ITs on order now. Im glad that the 7900GT came out now, they are rumoured to be relatively silent compared to ATIs offerings.