Re: Which Case and PSU?

"Matt" <mattb95@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

What is it that makes Antec PSU's good. Should they be the only
manufacturer I focus on?

Good reviews, quiet, efficient, reasonable price...

Shop around and look at reviews on the vendors' web sites (e.g., newegg),
magazine web sites (PC-Mag and Maximum PC), and geek sites like
tomshardware. You'll get a pretty good picture of the contenders.


Basically, I'm struggling to see the difference between these Antec 1200,
Antec 900 etc. cases you guys are keen on, and a much cheaper case (EV
Silver Mid Tower Gaming Case with Massive 14cm Front Fan - No PSU) for
£15:

Again, read reviews. A removable MoBo tray can save a LOT of time in
assembly and later upgrades. Placement and size of HD cages can make
installation of other parts a nightmare. Tool-free fasteners save time,
especially if you open the case frequently. Fan placement can mean the
difference between a cool runner and chronic problems (e.g., does the
intake fan blow across the HD cage to keep them cool?). Aluminum is light
and heat-conductive. Plastic is an insulator and will NOT help conduct
heat outside the case. Steel is cheap but heavy...


Clearly I could get a good PSU for around £40 and be nowhere near £100.
Clearly doing this I would be cutting back somewhere, but where?

Avoid the "bigger is better" paradigm. Today's efficient systems will run
just fine on a 300 Watt PSU. If you get a high-end gfx card (which can
draw 75-100 Watts alone), boost that to 500 Watts, even though the system
INCLUDING the gfx card will only draw 250-280 Watts. If you're going to
get a second gfx card, 600 Watts with a pair of connectors for the cards
will be good planning. Look at the capacity of the 12V rail; that will be
your limiting factor with MoBo, Gfx, HDs, and PCIe stuff all running off
it. Dual/triple 12V rails are just marketing hype, but look at total 12V
capacity.

If you're not an extreme gamer, cut back on the Gfx card. A 3850 will do
anything you need except play fancy games at highest frame rates...


.

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