New AMD Build

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dgraham1977

Geek Trainee
I am looking to do my first pc build from scratch up. I am hoping to get some input on what I've selected......based on things like the videocard, cpu, or the power supply. The components for my new build will be as follows:

Motherboard: Asus Crosshair
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 6000+
Case: Coolermaster CM Stacker 832
DVD Writer: LG SATA DVD +RW -RW Lightscribe
Hard Drives: Western Digital 500GB SATA2 x 3 (for the raid option of mirroring)
Video Card: BFG GeForce 8800 GTS OC 550MHZ 640MB
Memory: Corsair PC2-6400 4GB

There are a few things I am curious about. Firstly, how do you determine how much power will be needed to run a high end pc, with a possibility of having 2 videocards installed along with Overclocking at some point? When I buy my components I would like to be able to get a power supply that will have enough power to supply the 2 videocards, 3 hds with a possibility of a 4th or 5th later down the road. That being said, I have been told that a 650w power supply would be enough for my purposes. Based on what I've stated in my specs and my plans for the system, will this infact be enough power for my machine? Also, is there a better brand of psu to go with (thermaltake, silverstone, corsair etc ) and if so what would be suggested? I would like to get a modular power supply, just for the sake of not having all the extra cables on the psu that I'd never use anyway.

Two of the psu units I was looking at are:

Corsair CMPSU-620HX 620W
SilverStone Strider ST75F 750W


Secondly, seeing as how I am building a high end pc here how much cooling would I want to have and what would you suggest in this regard? Do I want to get a new cpu cooler instead of what would come with the cpu itself?


I am looking to stick with the asus crosshair because it has the features I am looking for on a mobo, but anything else I am willing to change if there are any better suggestions out there.



Thank you in advance for any input given.

It is greatly appreciated.
 
I'm not a PSU expert, but I do know some basic rules. Never get a cheap PSU (I believe you already know that) Make sure you do the maths, and add up all the minimum power required by your components and buy a PSU that add up to it with a little over. If you want more detail, have a look at Big B's PSU sticky (there's a link in my sig) it provides very detailed instruction and advice.

The stock CPU cooler should be just fine, even when overclocked. But if you do want more from your overclock than the stock CPU fan can handle, I highly recommend the Zalman S9700. It isn't expensive, and the cooling is excellent.

hope these help
 
This is my problem though.....I am buying everything for my system from one location, and it is one of the online sites available (ncix.com....just in case you ask) and it is not available there......I kind of know what the better brands are out there......but as it is my first time building a pc from scratch I want to ensure that I pick a good psu with what I'll need for my build. I do have an idea of how much power my machine will need -- roughly a 700w psu, but as I said I would like to make sure that I get a good psu, that is sli compatible, and I am undecided as to whether to go by way of a modular supply or not.....because I have even less of an idea as to which ones would be better in that regard.
 
from what I know, anchored cables are much safer than modular cables. People say that it's protected against burn outs because if the modular cables don't make a direct connection, it won't give out the proper amount of power and it will burn out.

For the PSU brands, I would get a Corsair for a high-end system, pc power and cooling (i think) and OCZ.
 
Well if you want to give yourself some room for manouvre for any future ugrades, you may want to give yourself some extra power, to be on the safe side, 650W may be OK but surely 750W or even 800W would be better.....though about all you could add/change to that rig in the future is extra graphics card, or quad CPU when AMD decided to release the Phenom/Agena that is......

You can use the PSU calculator at the ASUS website and it will calculate the minimum power requirements for your system based on your entries....
you can find it here:

http://support.asus.com/PowerSupplyCalculator/PSCalculator.aspx?SLanguage=en-us

After entering your specs listed above in the calc, and making some gueses, about USB devices, Fans etc.....then it gave a figure of 700W, and that is the mimimum they advise......so I'll ealve it to you to decide on that one.... or maybe you can enter more precise details for a more precise figure.....but give it a go, it can't hurt after all.....lol.

Good luck with the build, I really like the Crosshar mobo, but its a bit too expensive for my liking with the only difference is the POST LCD display and the power/reset switchees on the mobo and the LED's to light the mobo as well, which a simple CCLK will prvide plenty of light ayway, so to me it's not worth paying all that much more for, but it does look pretty I'll give you that....lol.....
 
Well considering I am building what would be considered a high end system - one that with maximum upgrades will last me for a while anyway adding a psu that costs a bit more is not a huge issue. I want to find a good psu that would be at a reasonable price obviously, but if I have to pump a little bit more into it I will do that too.......it all depends on what is available from where I am buying my components from.
 
dgraham1977 said:
Well considering I am building what would be considered a high end system - one that with maximum upgrades will last me for a while anyway adding a psu that costs a bit more is not a huge issue. I want to find a good psu that would be at a reasonable price obviously, but if I have to pump a little bit more into it I will do that too.......it all depends on what is available from where I am buying my components from.
Click to expand...

well you should be fine with the three 1kw ones

what's your budget for a psu

heres a few

Tagan TG800-U26 I-XEYE II 800W Blue LED PSU

Antec TruePower Quattro 850W Modular PSU - 2x 8pin PCI-E, 2x 6pin PCI-E, 4x 12V Rails 80PLUS Energy Efficiency

OCZ GameXStream 1010W PSU - 12cm Fan, 20+4pin, 8pin CPU, 4x PCI-E, 6x SATA

some expensive proper high end ones

Tagan 1100W Turbojet Engine Dual Fan Quad SLI PSU

Enermax Galaxy 1000W CrossFire EGA1000EWL ATX2.2 Modular PSU
 
Hi there,

Looking at your original post, and the available PSU's at the supplier your using, then the below all seem reasonable PSU's around about the price range you mentioned in your original post.......

Hope it is of some help.....


There's this Antec 850W Truepower with connectors for Quad SLI.

NCIX.com - Buy Antec Truepower Quattro 850W Power Supply ATX V2.2 EPS12V 20/24PIN Active PFC 80PLUS Dual 8PIN PCI-E - TPQ 850 In Canada.

PC Power & Cooling 750w SLI Ready - this is an excellent choice and is cheaper than the Thermaltake I bought as well....

NCIX.com - Buy PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad 750W ATX V2.2 EPS12V 24PIN SLI Active PFC Power Supply Black - S75QB In Canada.


Thermaltake Toughpower 750W PSU - This is the PSU I bought for my system and have read some good reviews....

NCIX.com - Buy Thermaltake Toughpower 750W ATX12V 24PIN SLI/CROSSFIRE Ready ATX Power Supply 140MM Fan Active PFC - W0117RU In Canada.

I dont know much about the Silverstone brand, but this looks like a good offer at the moment....!!!

NCIX.com - Buy Silverstone Zeus ST85ZF 850W ATX12V 20/24PIN Power Supply W/80MM Fan Active PFC Quad SLI Ready - SST-ST85ZF In Canada.

Good luck with your system.....

Kaz
xx
 
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