The online racing simulator
New Case and Power Supply
(24 posts, started )
#1 - lukelfs
New Case and Power Supply
Hey all,

I'm looking to change my PSU as atm it's a 720w 'branded' from PCworld lol (it was kinda cheap and I needed a PSU quickly)

It's actually been ok for a year or two running my old 8800GT's in SLI, I have now upgraded to GTX 260's SLI and the PSU only has two dedicated GPU plugs, the GFX cards need two each. So atm I have to use those adapter things to make up the extra two.

So i'd rather upgrade the PSU to something that is a proper brand and around £50-60. I've been looking at various 650W Modular PSU's but really not sure which would be the best one.

I'm also looking to upgrade my case as my current one (CM Centurion 5) is really dated and lacks many features that most cases have. Such as a hole on the motherboard area for the CPU cooler's mounting brackets and also the ability to mount the PSU at the bottom.

I've seen on Scan.co.uk that they have,

Coolermaster Elite 360, Black, Minitower Case w/o PSU + 650W PSU,

Coolermaster GX RS650-ACAAE3-UK, 85% Eff', 80 PLUS Bronze, SLI/CrossFire, EPS 12V, Quiet Fan, ATX v2.31

That bundle is £75.59 which isn't bad at all considering most PSU's are £50. However the case looks really small and everything looks tight to fit lol..


So can anyone recommened either a PSU, Case or both in a bundle on any site such as, Scan.co.uk, Novatech.co.uk, Overclockers.co.uk

Not looking to spend a lot, so £60 max on the PSU, and £50 max on the case.

Thanks for any replies!

Edit - Looking at this atm,

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/ ... 1&catid=7&subcat=
#2 - Bose321
Not sure if you can get a 'proper' case and PSU for such little money as those two heaters of you need quite some power to keep working and it obviously has to be reliable.

Any of those cases aren't really (a lot) bigger than your CMC5 (I've owned one). I'd rather look for something that has better cooling options and perhaps a little bigger. IMO a HAF912 would be quite cool and has everything and more that you want.

As for the PSU, just get some good brand like OCZ, Corsair and Bequiet.

Saving money on a case isn't that bad, but when It comes to a PSU you just need to be sure it's a quality product that delivers enough power and keeps doing that in a stable way.
#3 - lukelfs
Quote from Bose321 :Not sure if you can get a 'proper' case and PSU for such little money as those two heaters of you need quite some power to keep working and it obviously has to be reliable.

Any of those cases aren't really (a lot) bigger than your CMC5 (I've owned one). I'd rather look for something that has better cooling options and perhaps a little bigger. IMO a HAF912 would be quite cool and has everything and more that you want.

As for the PSU, just get some good brand like OCZ, Corsair and Bequiet.

Saving money on a case isn't that bad, but when It comes to a PSU you just need to be sure it's a quality product that delivers enough power and keeps doing that in a stable way.

Cheers for the reply Bose. I'm using GTX260's which actually aren't that bad heat wise, alteast compared to my previous 8800GT's which got to 100+ deg cel

With my current case my cards idle at 51 (1st card) 45 (2nd card) and on load around 75 deg cel.

I do have a small fan placed on the side vent which is next to the GPU's so I could turn that on so it sucks the hot air out of the cards?


I mean I could just keep this case and just live with it but I think it's time to change it, or even mod it. (but if I cut some holes and put some fans/vents in it would probably cost around £20+, may aswell just get a case for £40-50)

I was looking at the Fractal Design Core 3000 as it is £50 and looks to be a well designed case and comes with three fans and a controller.

Will have a look at a couple of 650W+ Modular PSU's and just look at reviews then it seems.


Thanks for your reply though
#4 - stan.distortion
I'll second that for the PSU, a failure can wipe out every bit of hardware so its worth getting good quality from a reputable brand, they can last you through several upgrades so really its cheap insurance.

Modular cost quite a bit more than the equivalent quality with a rats nest hanging out the back, you can save money here, cable ties are cheap
#5 - lukelfs
Quote from stan.distortion :I'll second that for the PSU, a failure can wipe out every bit of hardware so its worth getting good quality from a reputable brand, they can last you through several upgrades so really its cheap insurance.

Modular cost quite a bit more than the equivalent quality with a rats nest hanging out the back, you can save money here, cable ties are cheap

Yeah I know, my previous PSU was a 600w grey undbranded thing. It failed and started to smell like burning so I cut the power and suprisingly once I changed it nothing was damaged

I'm sure my current PSU is fine, but I want to change it for something better.

Modular or non-modular the prices are similar, £50-60 for a 600-700w one.

Edit- this is my current power supply. Atrix 720w http://www.amazon.co.uk/Atrix- ... ower-Supply/dp/B000O3ADQE

Looks exactly the same as this one, http://www.scan.co.uk/products ... ossfire-quiet-fan-atx-v22
#6 - lukelfs
#7 - bmwe30m3
XClio is something I personally have never heard of.
On modular PSU's, don't the cables usually go right into the PSU, not a adapter?
I personally would take the Thermaltake one, you will have enough power to last several upgrades, unless you want to get like triple 580 sli or something like that.

You probably can't take my post serious since my avatar.
#8 - lukelfs
Quote from bmwe30m3 :XClio is something I personally have never heard of.
On modular PSU's, don't the cables usually go right into the PSU, not a adapter?
I personally would take the Thermaltake one, you will have enough power to last several upgrades, unless you want to get like triple 580 sli or something like that.

Yeah I'm a bit unsure of XClio too, I'l look at some reviews for the Thermaltake though


Still gotta decide on a case, I really like the Fractal Core 3000. Unless someone can show me a better case for near enough the same price?

Edit- can't find any reviews for the Thermaltake..?
#9 - stan.distortion
Coolermaster have had very good reviews in the past but its been about 5 years since I bought a PSU. Using an enermax, very quiet and stable but expensive compared to other brands. Toms hardware is the best I can recommend for unbiased hardware reviews.
#10 - Bose321
Quote from lukelfs :I do have a small fan placed on the side vent which is next to the GPU's so I could turn that on so it sucks the hot air out of the cards?

No, the front and side are the intakes. Top and rear are the exhaust/outtake.
Quote from lukelfs :
I mean I could just keep this case and just live with it but I think it's time to change it, or even mod it. (but if I cut some holes and put some fans/vents in it would probably cost around £20+, may aswell just get a case for £40-50)

That will work fine. I cut a big hole in the side (around the existing mesh hole) where the GPU's are located and put a nice 120MM fan on the inside of the case sucking air in.

Quote from lukelfs :What would you guys choose from,

Thermaltake 700W

http://www.scan.co.uk/products ... eps-12v-quiet-fan-atx-v23

Coolermaster 650W
http://www.scan.co.uk/products ... e-eps-12v-quiet-fan-atx-v

XClio 650W Modular
http://www.scan.co.uk/products ... ire-eps-12v-quiet-fan-atx

I'd say either pick the Coolermaster or the Thermaltake. They're both fine PSU's with a single 12V rail which is preffered for overclocking and/or dual GPU's. XClio too is a good brand, even though it doesn't have a big name in the market. If you want to go modular, pick that one. You basicly can't go wrong on any of these.
Quote from lukelfs :Still gotta decide on a case, I really like the Fractal Core 3000. Unless someone can show me a better case for near enough the same price?

Try this one: https://www.overclockers.co.uk ... duct.php?prodid=CA-220-CM

The design of the case you either love or hate. I think it's kinda nice and the performance is great of these cases. They're easy to build with and even greater to quickly change/swap components. If you like the looks of it, you got a hell of a case there.
#11 - lukelfs
Quote from Bose321 :No, the front and side are the intakes. Top and rear are the exhaust/outtake.

That will work fine. I cut a big hole in the side (around the existing mesh hole) where the GPU's are located and put a nice 120MM fan on the inside of the case sucking air in.


I'd say either pick the Coolermaster or the Thermaltake. They're both fine PSU's with a single 12V rail which is preffered for overclocking and/or dual GPU's. XClio too is a good brand, even though it doesn't have a big name in the market. If you want to go modular, pick that one. You basicly can't go wrong on any of these.

Try this one: https://www.overclockers.co.uk ... duct.php?prodid=CA-220-CM

The design of the case you either love or hate. I think it's kinda nice and the performance is great of these cases. They're easy to build with and even greater to quickly change/swap components. If you like the looks of it, you got a hell of a case there.

Thanks a lot Bose

Ok well depends, as If I go for the XClio modular I will need a new case as it has that little box with all the plugs, there is not much space in this Centurion 5 (it could maybe sit at the bottom but then it's kinda blocking the bottom GPU.

Seems which ever will be fine then, would rather get a modular one so I can have less cables hanging around lol..


Case wise I'm stuck between that case you showed, and the Fractal.

It seems the Fractal has one extra fan area at the bottom of the case?

They both have 7 fan areas though, and I like the look of the Fractal more as it looks simple
#12 - E.Reiljans
Don't take that Thermaltake, TR2 is horrible old design that doesn't even fully conforms to modern ATX12V spec.
That Cooler Master is horrible as well.

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modul ... eviews&op=All_Reviews
Go here for your PSU buying guidelines.

Overclockers.co.uk don't seem to have any great choice of power supplies.. only decent thing I could find is http://www.overclockers.co.uk/ ... amp;catid=123&subcat= (based on SeaSonic S12II)
Quote :They're both fine PSU's with a single 12V rail which is preffered for overclocking and/or dual GPU's.

Sorry but that's pure bullshit.
#13 - lukelfs
Quote from E.Reiljans :Don't take that Thermaltake, TR2 is horrible old design that doesn't even fully conforms to modern ATX12V spec.
That Cooler Master is horrible as well.

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modul ... eviews&op=All_Reviews
Go here for your PSU buying guidelines.

Overclockers.co.uk don't seem to have any great choice of power supplies.. only decent thing I could find is http://www.overclockers.co.uk/ ... amp;catid=123&subcat= (based on SeaSonic S12II)Sorry but that's pure bullshit.

Thanks for the reply,

Oh right

Can you have a look at, novatech.co.uk, scan.co.uk, ebuyer.co.uk?

Thanks


Edit - this any good?

http://www.ebuyer.com/267881-c ... gx-550w-psu-rc-550-kka550
#14 - E.Reiljans
#15 - lukelfs
Quote from E.Reiljans :Novatech: doesn't loads from here :S

Scan.co.uk:
http://www.scan.co.uk/products ... -crossfire-eps-12v-fan-at - best choice
http://www.scan.co.uk/products ... eps-12v-quiet-fan-atx-v23 - 2nd best
http://www.scan.co.uk/products ... sfire-eps-12v-quiet-fan-a - 3rd best, same as the EBuyer one.


EBuyer:
http://www.ebuyer.com/257232-c ... certified-cmpsu-650txv2uk - only decent one on that site, lol.

Cheers, a bit more than what I wanted to pay. Will have a think about it, just wondering is that XClio one I posted any good? I've seen some reviews which said it's quite a good PSU.
#16 - Jakg
Most "reviews" of PSU's are things like "i've had it 5 minutes and it hasn't exploded so it's AWESOME".

XClio are a budget make... wouldn't recommend one tbh
#17 - E.Reiljans
Quote from Jakg :XClio are a budget make... wouldn't recommend one tbh

You do realize that neither XClio, Corsair, OCZ or anyone else makes power supplies themselves, so quality doesn't depends on budget-ness of them?
Quote from Jakg :Most "reviews" of PSU's are things like "i've had it 5 minutes and it hasn't exploded so it's AWESOME".

You obviously have never read any JG's review. He tests basically everything - including ripple, voltage regulation, efficiency, power factor etc.
#18 - Jakg
Quote from E.Reiljans :You obviously have never read any JG's review. He tests basically everything - including ripple, voltage regulation, efficiency, power factor etc.

Like I said... MOST - especially the "product reviews" you find on eTailers websites.
#19 - lukelfs
Well as expected my crappy PC world PSU decided to start failing..

My pc shut off randomly while playing BF3, I thought I accidently hit the power button so I booted it up into BIOS and checked the voltages. They looked ok so I went and played again, then it shut off again so I believe it's the power supply?

Looking on ebuyer there's a 750w Corsair which is £63, cheapest I've seen so far, ill keep looking though..

Am I right in thinking it is the Power Supply?
#20 - stan.distortion
Power supply is the likely, lots of other things could be causing it too though. Processor heatsink blocked up is a common one, as is failing ram. There should be something in system logs, if not there should be logging software to see the reason for the shutdowns.

Not trying to tell you where to shop but PC world is on a lot of folks blacklist after they refused warranty on an ASUS laptop with a broken hinge a few years ago. They refused because the owner had installed a different operating system. ASUS where exchanging the model even outside warranty because it was a known problem and wrote to the owner saying it would be honoured but PC world still refused. Sorry for going off topic.

EDIT It might be worth running memtest to check for RAM errors.
http://www.memtest.org/#downiso
#21 - bmwe30m3
May also be the Graphics card overheating, maybe not enough room between the 2 of them, if you put them in SLI.
#22 - lukelfs
Quote from stan.distortion :Power supply is the likely, lots of other things could be causing it too though. Processor heatsink blocked up is a common one, as is failing ram. There should be something in system logs, if not there should be logging software to see the reason for the shutdowns.

Not trying to tell you where to shop but PC world is on a lot of folks blacklist after they refused warranty on an ASUS laptop with a broken hinge a few years ago. They refused because the owner had installed a different operating system. ASUS where exchanging the model even outside warranty because it was a known problem and wrote to the owner saying it would be honoured but PC world still refused. Sorry for going off topic.

EDIT It might be worth running memtest to check for RAM errors.
http://www.memtest.org/#downiso

Yeah I only bought it from PC World as I needed a PSU quickly and it was a reasonable price for a decent looking PSU.

I'll give that RAM test ago though.

Quote from bmwe30m3 :May also be the Graphics card overheating, maybe not enough room between the 2 of them, if you put them in SLI.

I don't think they are overheating as they only reach 65 degrees while playing, the fans don't even go to 100%.

They are quite close but I don't think it's the problem.

Thanks though guys.


Edit - Done the Memtest, no errors.

Just bought a OCZ 750W PSU, so will change it over and see if I get any more crashes.
#23 - DejaVu
Had an OCZ 700W for nearly 3 years, 3 weeks of playing bf3 and it popped Luckily nothing went with it and thankfully im in the last 2 months of the 3 yr warranty

Thank fcuk for RMA
#24 - lukelfs
Quote from DejaVu :Had an OCZ 700W for nearly 3 years, 3 weeks of playing bf3 and it popped Luckily nothing went with it and thankfully im in the last 2 months of the 3 yr warranty

Thank fcuk for RMA

Lool eeekk..

Just fitted mine, OCZ ZS Series 750 W

Will be playing BF3 a lot so we'll see how long it lasts haha.. 3 years warranty to go

New Case and Power Supply
(24 posts, started )
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