Hey guys, I'm putting together a simple build for the 'rents. I currently have the chance to get an AMD Phenom II X4 965BE, ASUS M4A87TD EVO Motherboard and 4GB RAM for just £135. Also included in the build will be a Radeon HD4870 512MB (from my current PC, i've just bought a 4890 1GB). HDD will probably be from the old PC back home, an IDE one (ARGH). As I can't be buying a HDD at their prices at the moment. I will be posting in the MarketPlace for PSU/HDD. Currently the build stands at around £195, could be going to £245 if I get the Phantom case from Tundra when he finds out delivery prices. I can persuade them to go to £300 probably. So that would leave me with around £55 for a PSU. I looked at this PSU - and if I don't get any offers in the market place this is probably what i'd go for. Think that is enough wattage? I don't know if its a very known brand and I KNOW people will recommend corsair. But thats modular, which I want. As for HDD, /IF/ I can persuade them to go higher than £300 (by about £50) I might look at an SSD. Are there any for that sort of price? Thanks in advance for any help Pete
I would check what out put the 12v rails supplying the GPU are like on some thing that cheap, because they might not be able to carry enough power.
If you cant stretch dont go for a cheap moulder. You're going to need 80% of the cables any ways since the 4870 will need x2 6pin cables. Is the case even going to have a clear side? My brother has a corsair cx400 inside am antec 300 and its fine
I'd avoid that psu like the plague if I where you, go for something like this http://www.scan.co.uk/products/500w...bronze-sli-crossfire-eps-12v-quiet-fan-atx-v2 just over your budget, but it's worth it for a decent PSU, I never understand why people do that, spend good money on lots of lovely parts and then go for a crappy PSU, and yeah also its modular, so cover's all the bases right?
I think a better PSU for peace of mind is in order. I have no way of knowing if it is good enough until I get it. The case is one of three. Akasa Eclipse, Antec 1200 or NZXT Phantom (The Phantom I haven't got yet and is still a possibility 2nd hand.) So, no looks don't matter anyway, even with the window. It's simply the fact I prefer modular as I HATE lots of cables all over the place. I was looking at the CX500 (£47.40 Scan), which looks like it could do the job. I don't understand the whole "rails" and things with PSUs. I know it says it has 2x 6+2 pin PCI-E Power noted on Scan, which I assume are the ones for GFX - so it has what is needed. Yea, I don't usually go for a crap PSU. I've had top-end Antecs usually. Just this is a cheap build. And that Silverstone one looks great, although unfortunately according to Scan it only has 1 PCI-E 6+2Pin cable. I would need two for the 4870 But cheers for the suggestion.
How about this one: http://www.scan.co.uk/products/450w...ff-80-plus-bronze-sli-crossfire-eps-12v-fan-a *Modular *Enough Amperage on the 12v rail to run your 4870 *Two (6+2) pin PCI-E cables *Its bigger brother was recommended by bit-tech here http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/buyers-guide/2011/05/10/pc-hardware-buyer-s-guide-may-2011/5 *Only £42.54
Yup it has one 6 + 2 pin PCI E and also a 6 pin power so you won't have any trouble powering the 4870 now go buy it!
You make me feel so silly. Haha. Well it's definitely in contention. Awaiting result on another PSU then i'll go about getting this one. There isn't a big hurry. Thanks for the suggestion.
I have the 1200 and it has loads of space to hide cables mate.You dont have to worry about it with the other cases.
Pete* which PSU did you go for in the end mate? I have a similar dilemma, I sold my brother my old 555, Asus motherboard, case, 2gb RAM, 250 HDD and 4870 but the only PSU I have is an old Hiper thing with a 20 pin atx connector and no 6pin PCIe connectors, cos I'm not giving him my Antec! I have found a couple of supplies including the XFX listed above, or an ocz Clickety Click I told him it would be around £35 but he could stretch a bit further. Just wondered what you went for in the end, or if anyone has any better ideas.
Hey, I ended up getting the Corsair HX520W from someone in the Marketplace. Only cost me about £30. Which is plenty enough wattage for the build I did. Probably get away with a 400W PSU to be fair. That 500W OCZ would be powerful enough by far. Whether the actual PSU itself is anygood I have no idea. If you don't need modular, maybe this is a good one. I think Silverstone PSU's are supposed to be good. Clicky
The OCZ ModXStream Pro 500W http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/OCZ-ModXStream-Pro-500-W-Power-Supply-Review/973/ Silverstone Strider Essential 500W SST-ST50F-ES http://www.sweclockers.com/recension/12226-nataggregat-i-budgetklassen-2010/7 IMO it is a choice between a modular PSU and a PSU with longer cables. I think the XFX Pro 450W Core Edition is the best choice, as long as it is the V1 version, rather than the V2 as the V2 only has one PCIe connector.
This is on Scan, will it be sufficient do you think, given that AMD recommend a minimum of a 500w supply? I can get him to spend the extra fiver, but I'd like to clarify for my own piece of mind really as I can't see it needing 500w. Silverstone 400w
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-5870,2422-20.html Shows a system with an i7-975 OC'd to 4GHz and a 4870 using 314W under Furmark at the wall. Considering that: Furmark is an unrealistic load, that an i7-975 is 50W more power hungry (according to TDP ratings) than an AMD Phenom II X2 555, and that 10-20% can be taken off the 314W number due to it being measured at the wall. I would say that yes you could power a build with a 4870 on the Strider Essential 400W without overloading it. However on a heavy load it is likely that you would be pushing it close to 100% load (the 12V rail of that unit is only 300W). If it was a top of the line unit in terms of quality, which being a mid to low end Sirtec built unit it probably is not, then that would not be a problem. So if your brother is not going to game with these parts then it would be okay on the 400W unit, otherwise I would recommend the XFX Pro 450W Core Edition, which probably has the best performance and build quality out of the three mentioned so far.
