by Slotback » Thu Dec 03, 2009 4:46 am
1. Remember that different components in a computer run a different voltages. Most modern computers (and power supplies) run mostly at 12 volts. Therefore the most important specification is the +12v power (or current) rating not the combined power (aka wattage). For example, if you had a power supply that was 100000 watt but only outputted that at 3.3 volts, then you are doomed because a modern PC runs mostly at 12 volts.
2. It also depends on the power supply manufacturer. Different power supplies are rated in different conditions. For example, some manufacturers use peak output as their wattage rating, rather than continuous. Thermaltake, for example, rate their power supplies at peak rating, which is the peak it can deliver - if you ran it at that rating continuously it would overheat. Different power supplies are also rated at different temperatures, some at an unrealistic 20 degrees, others at 40 or even 50 degrees. We have a brand in Australia known as SHAW. They go up in smoke (literally) when pushed to about 50% of the rated "power".
3. Power supplies also vary in power distribution, efficiency, power quality, build quality, safety features, modularness and noise.
Point is, don't buy generic crap. A 650 watt SHAW will probably catch on fire and take out your system. While a 450 watt CORSAIR might be able to power both of your systems at once.
If you only give me wattage then OK, 400 watt is probably enough. However, I cannot guarantee if it will work.
Here are the only brands I would ever spend my money on:
Seasonic
Corsair
PC POWER & COOLING
Antec (SOME units - read reviews)
Coolermaster (SOME units - read reviews)
Thermaltake (SOME units - read reviews)
OCZ (SOME units - read reviews
Silverstone
Get one with a SINGLE fan, preferably 120mm.
If you want a cheap power supply that's also decent look into the above and also the Coolermaster eXtreme Power Plus 460W (WITH 120mm fan, some are 80mm and apparently sound like jet engines).
Never heard of "TRUST" before, and it has two fans instead of one. Unless you can find a (positive review) on a (well-known) hardware website, then I'm going to have to say that it's generic crap. Go for the OCZ Fatality 550 watt for like 2$ more.
As an example, the higher end Seasonic units are rated continuous at 50 degrees, are extremely efficient, are extremely quiet (silent at some loads), supply very high quality power (for stability), and are modular. They don't slap these high price tags on for nothing.
Last edited by Slotback on Thu Dec 03, 2009 5:19 am, edited 1 time in total.
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