New PSU, How many Watts should I get?

[Guttboy]

Hi Everyone,

I havent taken EE classes in over 20 years so I need some of you power guru's to lend me a hand.

I will be building a computer here in the next few months (summertime) and I am looking at PSU's.

How many watts should I be looking for with some of these specs for the system?

-2 or 3 HDD's prob 7200rpm or so
-graphics card (ATI/Nvidia...not sure which but I MAY try putting more than one in way down the line)
-2 optical drives (CD and DVD)
-multicard reader
-soundcard
-usb hub?
-some lighting effects, cold cathode or LED
-misc fans mx of 6
-fan controller
-may attempt liquid cooling
-will DEFINITELY be OVERCLOCKING!!!!

Thanks for the help everyone!!!!

Regards,

:)

[TLH]

Add it all into this and see what you come up with http://extreme.outervision.com/psucalculator.jsp

then we can help you choose a capable psu if you give us a budget.

[Guttboy]

WOW.... I never realized that I would need soooo much power according to this calculator! It is showing me I need over 1100 watts.....hmmmmm.....

[AshenSugar]

look at my system specs, thats all run on a 400watt psu (listed) let me find my psu post and add it back to my siggy

[zekrahminator]

Watts are worthless when considering a PSU, be a lot more careful about the amperage of the 12 Volt rail (aim for no less than 30, with a system like that go for dual 20 amp rails).

[AshenSugar]

http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=22882

[Guttboy]

I have done the reading back and forth, up down, left right....and it has just confused the hell out of me....LOL....

For the system I quoted above....thoughts on a PSU???
Budget for PSU under 200 bucks....of course the cheaper the better....LOL!

[Namslas90]

If you are shooting for a newer build with the Next new genneration graphics cards then I would reccomend a PSU with between 600 and 800 watts. However be sure to ckeck the detailed specs for the 12v rail amperage rating- it needs to be over 22 amps per rail (duel rails for sli/crossfire) with a max draw of around 40-45 amps. If your thinking about using the 'big boys' from nvidiea(8800 series) or the new not yet released ATI R600 series then plan on needing 24-30 amp 12v rails with a max of around 60-75 amps.

An Enermax Galaxy is a top tier PSU that shoud support your needs; as long as you get one above 600 watts. Don't forget to check the detailed spec sheet for the 12v rail amps.

[Guttboy]

Thanks Namslas90.....why the name...kinda unique!

I was thinking about PCPOWER & Cooling the 610 silencer...but still in the infancy of research for this rig I will build summer/fall.....still in my data gathering stage....

I used to live in Rancho Cordova when I was stationed at Mather AFB outside of Sacramento.

[Track]

If you want me to tell u what to buy i need something from u.

Download this - http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4181.html

And reply with the report.

[Namslas90]

Thanks Namslas90.....why the name...kinda unique!

I was thinking about PCPOWER & Cooling the 610 silencer...but still in the infancy of research for this rig I will build summer/fall.....still in my data gathering stage....

I used to live in Rancho Cordova when I was stationed at Mather AFB outside of Sacramento.

Wait a couple more months and see what AMD/ATI has new to offer. It may just change your whole set-up. At the least it will drop the prices of the C2D's and you may decide an entirely different route.

Google Namslas - "It's a family name", and there are lots of us, so I took 90 because nobody was there yet.

[Guttboy]

Track...thanks for the help, however I am building one from scratch and Everest (which I have) will not be of much help in this situation.

Ashen and Zeh....I have been boning up on this and do realize that the amp's are a big necessity.....

Ashen...nice rig...and NICE OC! What supplemental cooling are you using on the CPU? So far I have my 3000+ up to a nice 15% oc without supp cooling on the chip itself (just stock cooling)...and I finally figured out my multiplier (it is called cpu freq in the bios...not clock multiplier and it makes me do the math...LOL)...so this weekend is trying to push it more!

[Guttboy]

Cool Namslas! Yeah I am waiting to see what comes down the pipe.....just researching now and learning as I havent built a rig in a LONG time