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Corsair TXv2 is better. The Earthwatts doesn't provide less amperage fyi, it's listed in the label that it can provide 54a.
And a 650w unit is sort of a waste if you don't intend on doing SLI.
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On December 31 2011 09:34 skyR wrote:Corsair TXv2 is better. The Earthwatts doesn't provide less amperage fyi, it's listed in the label that it can provide 54a. And a 650w unit is sort of a waste if you don't intend on doing SLI.
Thanks skyR.
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Hey CBR thread, I'm out of the loop on computer hardware nowadays, need some critique and guidance
What is your budget?
400-700
What is your resolution?
around 1440x900 or 1680x1050
What are you using it for?
For parents & general family use, gaming-wise probably nothing past standard web browser games.
What is your upgrade cycle?
Probably never
When do you plan on building it?
Soon, yo
Do you plan on overclocking?
Nawp
Do you need an Operating System?
I'll find a way
Do you plan to add a second GPU for SLI or Crossfire?
Planning on using AMD Llano graphics unless there's a better, cheaper alternative
Where are you buying your parts from?
Trying to get it all from Newegg. I'm near a Fry's and Microcenter that I can utilize if I'm not too lazy. Might try other sites if the deals are worth the hassle.
Cases I've got in mind
CPU and Mobo combo or I could combo it with a mobo from Asus/MSI/Gigabyte if that Biostar is a bit shoddy
I'm salvaging 2x 320gb 5400rpm WD hard drives from old laptops. I think they're 2.5", so I'd need an adapter or something to keep them in place? Also salvaging a CD/DVD drive
So I still need to find RAM, prob 4gb, a PSU, a keyboard, a fairly quiet HSF(a more compact version of a hyper 212+ would be something along the lines of what I'd like to get)
Thanks ahead of time
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um you really don't need an aftermarket heatsink for that.
Also for general gaming usage a G530 and its integrated graphics is more than enough and should make the setup total at around 200$. If you need more graphics you could try either a6-3670k or i3 2105
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600w units are a waste of money if you have no intention of doing a multi-GPU configuration. The Rosewill Capstone 450 for $60: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182066 is what you want for every single GPU configuration. The apevia and raidmax is shit, the Antec Neo Eco is decent but significantly worse than the Capstone.
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edit: nevermind skyR beat me to it.
The Antec is pretty decent and the others are pretty bad. Also an i5-2500k would use a lot less power than the Phenom II X4, and if you're getting like HD 78xx or something like that, that's not going to be a power monster either. Power consumption's on the way down.
I recommend the Rosewill Capstone 450W ($60). It's going to be enough for any sane single-GPU setup out there (no, not if you overclock Sandy Bridge-E or an FX-8xxx and get a top-end GPU and overclock everything significantly, but everything else), and I wouldn't be surprised if it could supply more clean power than the Apevia and Raidmax, despite the labels given on the three units. It's a couple steps ahead of the Neo Eco in quality as well, pretty similar to Seasonic X Series but not modular.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182066
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Will definitely look into getting that one, then. Glad I came here first. So with the Capstone I shouldn't need to upgrade that psu *ever* if I am only going with 1 gpu, even if I overclock some etc?
Other places I have went have been misleading, telling me I needed at least 600w to run what I am upgrading to over the next few months. Glad they were wrong 
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Yes, the Capstone is fine for an overclocked 2500k and any overclocked single GPU configuration.
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Alrighty, cool. Thanks both.
Funny, someone on another forum told me that 450w was useless and my gpu itself would use 400 of it. Told me to get at least 750 lol. Very glad that guy is completely wrong
Thanks again, will order now actually :D
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Ya that guy is an idiot and can't read English or have any understanding of power supplies. He's getting his numbers off of power consumption charts for the entire system most likely or misunderstanding manufacturer recommended wattage.
+ Show Spoiler [chart] +
You can see that the chart is for the entire system drawn at the wall. The configuration used here is using an overclocked Bloomfield (first generation core i7) which uses significantly more power than a 2500k. Even with a more power hungry processor, only the highest end cards such as the GTX 580 ever surpass 400w. This measurement is AC (measured at the wall), your power supply is DC. Your typical power supplies are 80% efficient so 400w measured at the wall means your power supply is only using 320w.
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capstones are more like 90% though, also another thing to note is that all the capstones are rated for silver at their rated wattage + 100w so you can think of the 450w gold unit as a 550w silver unit, and even then it has some overhead and can deliver over 600w just fine
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Uh, by context, I would assume the reference to efficiency is about the power supply used for the measurements in the chart. If you look at the article, they're using an Antec True Power Quattro 1200W, which is more like 88% efficient at around 400W AC draw.
Yes it's a very minor detail that doesn't much detract from getting the point across, but I'd be very surprised to see a reviewer use a power supply that's less efficient than 80 plus certified, for their bench tests. A lot of PSUs that aren't even 80 plus will be more than 80% efficient at the kind of loads you see in the chart, like original Corsair CX.
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60$ is way too cheap for it so no, I think it was supposed to go right back up to 80$ by 2012 so tomorrow
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What is your budget?
Sub 400 bucks
What is your resolution?
1920x1080
What are you using it for?
Only play SC2, but will need to be able to run Photoshop smoothly. Would also like to be able to stream.
What is your upgrade cycle?
Well, I haven't upgraded my comp in about 3yrs now.
When do you plan on building it?
As soon as I could.
Do you plan on overclocking?
Nope, don't plan on getting into that.
Do you need an Operating System?
Pfft...no.
Do you plan to add a second GPU for SLI or Crossfire?
Negativo
Where are you buying your parts from?
Newegg or tigerdirect
I basically use my computer only to play starcraft, and I do that on low settings to minimize distractions. However, it will often still lag during large engagements, or if I going heavy on the lings. I am also going into graphic design and need a computer that won't be slowed when running Photoshop. Having the ability to stream seamlessly would also be nice. I'm very impatient when it comes to switching inbetween processes or loading times, so that definitely needs to be minimized.
I am going to be keeping my gpu, hard drive, and power supply, so I am only looking to upgrade my mobo, cpu and ram.
EDIT: Gonna post some of the stuff I've been looking into.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131724 mobo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231189 ram
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072 cpu
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So it should be 80+ and 336W on 12v? That should be... pretty good for the price!
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EPT![[image loading]](http://images.anandtech.com/graphs/graph5261/43137.png)
