computer power supply at DVinfo.net

Charles King · September 19th, 2003, 07:19 PM

I'm wondering what is an ample amount for a computer used for video editing? There are 350, 400 and 550 watts power supply. I was thinking of getting the 550w but wonder if it will be an overkill.
When would I need 550watts in the first place?

Alex Knappenberger · September 19th, 2003, 07:29 PM

How many HDD's are you using, and how many CDrom's and stuff? You going to be running a bunch of fans or anything?

If your running 1-2HDD's, and 1-2CDRom's, and all the other normal stuff, then a 350 watter is more then enough.

HOWEVER! The quality of the powersupply is often more important then the wattage it can output. Enermax make's the best ones hands down, but they are expensive. Get a Allied one from newegg.com, if your on a budget, they are good and very affordable.

You can tell the quality of the powersupply by simply holding it, the better ones feel "beefy" or heavier, then the cheap ones. In my computer, I have a decent 300w running all my basic computer stuff, but I modifed another CHEAP 300w powersupply that I had laying around inside my case (empty 5.25" bays) to run my 15 or so fans. You can tell the difference of quality between the 2 in my computer pretty easally by just holding them.

Good luck.

Charles King · September 19th, 2003, 08:09 PM

Let see. 3 Hard drives, one DVD, one CD writer. the 550 and 400watts power supply I saw have dual fans and are low in terms of noise reduction. I don't know the name but it feels beefy enough.

15 Fans Alex. Man, that's alot.

Alex Knappenberger · September 19th, 2003, 08:16 PM

Go with the 400 watter, a 350 would probably cut it, but go 400 if you want to. The 550 wouldn't hurt either, it's your choice, heh.

Yeah, my computer sounds like a jet with all of them on, they are 60CFM 92mm's.... 15 of em, heh. The only reason is because they were at this local wholesale computer place for like $0.99 each, with grills, so I just bought 20 of them, and used a 92mm whole saw and put holes all over my case and screwed them in, heh...

Rob Wilson · September 19th, 2003, 10:02 PM

Charles,

I would also suggest that the Power Supply you get have a variable speed fan. Supplies now can plug into the motherboard to monitor heat readings and adjust fan (both the ps and system/case fans) speeds accordingly. Makes a big difference since the majority of the time your computer probably isn't working all that hard. You'll know when it is working (rendering) when you hear the fans start to spool up.

Charles King · September 19th, 2003, 10:40 PM

Thanks guys. That variable speed issue sounds good too.

Curt Kay · September 20th, 2003, 02:14 AM

Theres 2 things that I definetely put money into when I build computers, memory and powersupplies. Sure you can buy a cheap one from Frys or any electronic store, but they usually have a HUGE power flux rate and are no where close to the 12v rail that you would want on your computer. Having a power supply with "clean" power and power distribution closest to specified volts is critical. here are some good power supplies that I would invest in:

Enermax
Antec TruePower
Raidmax
Thermaltake
Sparkle Power Inc

These are all top notch but I would only put Enermax or Antec power supplies in my computers. They can be found here: http://www.newegg.com/app/manufactory.asp?catalog=58&DEPA=1

350watts is fine for a standard computer, but if you have more fans, and a proccessor over 2.8ghz, i'd go with a 400watt P/S. 550watt is only needed if your running dual pentiums or dual xeons or have 6 hard drives.

any more questions feel free to ask. I'm in the IT business so I'll pretty knowledgeable about this stuff

-Kay

Charles King · September 20th, 2003, 02:25 AM

Thanks Curt. I'll make a note of that.

Mike Rehmus · September 20th, 2003, 07:28 PM

I"ve got 11 drives in my main editing computer. 550 watt Antec TruePower seems adequate. It will operate another 3 fans with variable speed beside the 2 built into the unit itself.

What you really want in a power supply is 'fold-back.' That means if one of the voltages goes down the others go down right along with it. Sort of like turning the power off. Otherwise, some components can be damaged if one of their power sources disappears.

Hard to get that info out of the PS manufacturers though.

Bogdan Vaglarov · September 21st, 2003, 12:12 AM

Now I have question in this line adding a new spesific. What's combined power?

I'm getting nice space saving box with outboard power block. It's rated 350W and I thought it would be enough for my needs (2 HD, DVD-RW, P4 2.8C GHz, nVidia 5600FX video card with remote, 2 fans).

Then I saw another number - 180W combined power. When I checked the internal power supplyes at the shop they usually are 350 W with 220W combined.

Somebody can clear this issue for me? Would it be enough for my set up?

Charles King · September 21st, 2003, 06:04 AM

Good point. I'm curious to know as well.

Yi Fong Yu · September 21st, 2003, 03:59 PM

get the TTGI 520w. more than enough =D. good price too.

Charles King · September 21st, 2003, 04:27 PM

Is this because it's a good buy or because the more power the better?

Curt Kay · September 21st, 2003, 05:30 PM

More power is not always the best thing. I would definetely put my money into a power supply that suits what I need it to do, not buy a more powerful one because its cheap.

-Kay

Mike Rehmus · September 21st, 2003, 08:44 PM

All things being equal, a good big supply is only better than a good adequate supply because it allow future expansion.

I cannot tell you how many times I've had to battle engineering because someone decided that 'nobody would ever want to exceed this number," or some other artificial constraint. The ultimate cost can be high as people with year 2000 problems found out.

September 19th, 2003, 07:19 PM	#1
Charles King Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: sweden Posts: 795	computer power supply I'm wondering what is an ample amount for a computer used for video editing? There are 350, 400 and 550 watts power supply. I was thinking of getting the 550w but wonder if it will be an overkill. When would I need 550watts in the first place? __________________ Charles 'What we perceive to be may not be what we believe to be.'

September 19th, 2003, 08:09 PM	#3
Charles King Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: sweden Posts: 795	Let see. 3 Hard drives, one DVD, one CD writer. the 550 and 400watts power supply I saw have dual fans and are low in terms of noise reduction. I don't know the name but it feels beefy enough. 15 Fans Alex. Man, that's alot. __________________ Charles 'What we perceive to be may not be what we believe to be.'

September 19th, 2003, 10:40 PM	#6
Charles King Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: sweden Posts: 795	Thanks guys. That variable speed issue sounds good too. __________________ Charles 'What we perceive to be may not be what we believe to be.'

September 20th, 2003, 02:14 AM	#7
Curt Kay Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: San Jose, Ca Posts: 50	Theres 2 things that I definetely put money into when I build computers, memory and powersupplies. Sure you can buy a cheap one from Frys or any electronic store, but they usually have a HUGE power flux rate and are no where close to the 12v rail that you would want on your computer. Having a power supply with "clean" power and power distribution closest to specified volts is critical. here are some good power supplies that I would invest in: Enermax Antec TruePower Raidmax Thermaltake Sparkle Power Inc These are all top notch but I would only put Enermax or Antec power supplies in my computers. They can be found here: http://www.newegg.com/app/manufactory.asp?catalog=58&DEPA=1 350watts is fine for a standard computer, but if you have more fans, and a proccessor over 2.8ghz, i'd go with a 400watt P/S. 550watt is only needed if your running dual pentiums or dual xeons or have 6 hard drives. any more questions feel free to ask. I'm in the IT business so I'll pretty knowledgeable about this stuff -Kay __________________ Fight the power. http://www.curtkay.com I WILL not be held down.

September 20th, 2003, 02:25 AM	#8
Charles King Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: sweden Posts: 795	Thanks Curt. I'll make a note of that. __________________ Charles 'What we perceive to be may not be what we believe to be.'

September 19th, 2003, 07:29 PM	#2
Alex Knappenberger High School Student Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Canton, Ohio, USA Posts: 609	How many HDD's are you using, and how many CDrom's and stuff? You going to be running a bunch of fans or anything? If your running 1-2HDD's, and 1-2CDRom's, and all the other normal stuff, then a 350 watter is more then enough. HOWEVER! The quality of the powersupply is often more important then the wattage it can output. Enermax make's the best ones hands down, but they are expensive. Get a Allied one from newegg.com, if your on a budget, they are good and very affordable. You can tell the quality of the powersupply by simply holding it, the better ones feel "beefy" or heavier, then the cheap ones. In my computer, I have a decent 300w running all my basic computer stuff, but I modifed another CHEAP 300w powersupply that I had laying around inside my case (empty 5.25" bays) to run my 15 or so fans. You can tell the difference of quality between the 2 in my computer pretty easally by just holding them. Good luck.

September 19th, 2003, 08:16 PM	#4
Alex Knappenberger High School Student Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Canton, Ohio, USA Posts: 609	Go with the 400 watter, a 350 would probably cut it, but go 400 if you want to. The 550 wouldn't hurt either, it's your choice, heh. Yeah, my computer sounds like a jet with all of them on, they are 60CFM 92mm's.... 15 of em, heh. The only reason is because they were at this local wholesale computer place for like $0.99 each, with grills, so I just bought 20 of them, and used a 92mm whole saw and put holes all over my case and screwed them in, heh...

September 19th, 2003, 10:02 PM	#5
Rob Wilson Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Flagstaff, AZ Posts: 473	Charles, I would also suggest that the Power Supply you get have a variable speed fan. Supplies now can plug into the motherboard to monitor heat readings and adjust fan (both the ps and system/case fans) speeds accordingly. Makes a big difference since the majority of the time your computer probably isn't working all that hard. You'll know when it is working (rendering) when you hear the fans start to spool up.

September 20th, 2003, 07:28 PM	#9
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	I"ve got 11 drives in my main editing computer. 550 watt Antec TruePower seems adequate. It will operate another 3 fans with variable speed beside the 2 built into the unit itself. What you really want in a power supply is 'fold-back.' That means if one of the voltages goes down the others go down right along with it. Sort of like turning the power off. Otherwise, some components can be damaged if one of their power sources disappears. Hard to get that info out of the PS manufacturers though. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

September 21st, 2003, 12:12 AM	#10
Bogdan Vaglarov Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Yokohama, Japan Posts: 366	Now I have question in this line adding a new spesific. What's combined power? I'm getting nice space saving box with outboard power block. It's rated 350W and I thought it would be enough for my needs (2 HD, DVD-RW, P4 2.8C GHz, nVidia 5600FX video card with remote, 2 fans). Then I saw another number - 180W combined power. When I checked the internal power supplyes at the shop they usually are 350 W with 220W combined. Somebody can clear this issue for me? Would it be enough for my set up?

September 21st, 2003, 06:04 AM	#11
Charles King Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: sweden Posts: 795	Good point. I'm curious to know as well. __________________ Charles 'What we perceive to be may not be what we believe to be.'

September 21st, 2003, 03:59 PM	#12
Yi Fong Yu Trustee Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Vulcan Posts: 1,564	get the TTGI 520w. more than enough =D. good price too. __________________ bow wow wow

September 21st, 2003, 04:27 PM	#13
Charles King Major Player Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: sweden Posts: 795	Is this because it's a good buy or because the more power the better? __________________ Charles 'What we perceive to be may not be what we believe to be.'

September 21st, 2003, 05:30 PM	#14
Curt Kay Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: San Jose, Ca Posts: 50	More power is not always the best thing. I would definetely put my money into a power supply that suits what I need it to do, not buy a more powerful one because its cheap. -Kay __________________ Fight the power. http://www.curtkay.com I WILL not be held down.

September 21st, 2003, 08:44 PM	#15
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	All things being equal, a good big supply is only better than a good adequate supply because it allow future expansion. I cannot tell you how many times I've had to battle engineering because someone decided that 'nobody would ever want to exceed this number," or some other artificial constraint. The ultimate cost can be high as people with year 2000 problems found out. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!