[bratboy]

Okay I'm hopeing for some feedback on this. I have been draging my feet on putting together my new computer and am wondering if I need to change the PSU I picked/have.

I used the PSU calculator at:
eXtreme Outer Vision - eXtreme tools for computer enthusiasts
and think I'll be okay, at least the calculator says I would be but would appreciate others opinions

New System:
Enermax 650 PSU ( one of the recommended ATI site for crossfire)
MSI P6N Diamond MB
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 cpu (2.4 Ghz)
1 additional PCI-e x 1 card ( Hauppage HD DVR card, its PCI-e 1 but am using it in a x8 slot because of space but assume it still will only draw PCI-e 1 pwr
2 sticks of DDR2 SDram (4 gig total)
ATI Readon HD 4870x2 (800/3600)
Fans 3x 120, 1x 120 and 1 x 240 ( I exagerated on the fans)
1 SATA2 HD
2x DVD-RW drives ( ones ATA and the other is SATA blu ray)
1 Floppy

Here are the PSU recommendations
If I set things at 1 DVD-rw & 1 Bluray Drives = 518 watt
If set it to 2 DVD-RW drives = 516 watts
If I set it 1 dvd-RW and count the Bluray SATA as a 2nd HD = 514 w

Think I'll be okay? The Enermax PSU I have is brand new so should be in good condition

[blibbax]

This should be ok, but just be careful with your distribution of the devices between the 12v rails. It should be roughly even.

Check out the enermax website for details on what plugs are on what rails.

Each connector to the graphics card (including the pci-e socket) draws about 75W, and you can calculate the draw of your motherboard (including processor) using that eXtreme tools gadget.

[kris23]

i wouldnt run a PSU at close to maximum since it puts tons of stress on a PSU and you never know if you got a faulty one or not.

also the efficiency goes down at after 60% or so...

and to blibbax, remember one of the PCI-E connectors is an 8-pin so it will consume a good deal more than a regular 6-pin

bratboy, does this PSU have at least 1 8-pin PCI-E?

[bratboy]

Yes, it has one 6+2 pin connector specifically for pci-e graphics and then an additional cable is pluged in to a special outlet all by itself. Its one of those Modular types where you have diffrent cables you can use/connect to it. I have the Fans on one cable then the Sata drives on a cable by themselves and the Floppy/IDE drive on a seprate cable.Its an Enermax Infinity PSU and it actually has 3 x 12V rails 2 at 28A each and one thats 30A

From its manual:
+3.3 V 25A
+5 V 30A Total 160w
----------------------
+12V1 28A
+12V2 28A
+12V3 30A Total 624W (52A)
-----------------------
-12V 0.6A
+5Vsb 3A Total 22.2W
-----------------------
Total Pwr 650W

If that info helps

[blibbax]

Put the Motherboard on the first rail, preferably the 30A one, with nothing else. Put one pci-e connector on the second rail, and one on the third. Split everything else evenly between the second and third.

To the best of my knowledge, this should be the least stressful solution.

(Woot 100th post!)

[kris23]

you do realize that you cant really decide what rails can go where.... right blibbax?

and to bratboy, since you have the PSU, id give it a shot and see how well it copes with the system.

if it shows any sign of failing though, resets, graphic problems..... change it before it becomes an issue

[OldBuzzard]

After reading a review or two, I'd say that it would work with no problem. It's a quality PSU with enough AMPS to do what you want.

AnandTech: Enermax Infiniti 650W


JonnyGURU also tested it's "bigger brother'. One interesting thing in that review is that they think it may be ONE BIG 12v rail, rather than 3 rails.
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php...p=Story&reid=2

... While testing the PSU, I found that the rail distribution as described in the manual is incorrect. The manual states that all six of the modular peripheral connectors are on +12V1. The so-called "slave" PCI-e is on +12V3. Nowhere in the manual does it state what rail the fixed cables are on, but the fixed PCI-e cable does have a blue stripe on the +12V lead while the others are solid yellow.

I slipped on the Magnum PI short shorts and did some detective work. It turns out that the modular interface is actually split into two. The connectors on the row farthest from the PSU fan are on one +12V rail, while the connectors on the other row are on a second +12V rail. This rail also supplies power to the 4/8-pin CPU power connector. A third rail supplies power to the fixed PCI-e connector and the two +12V leads on the ATX 24-pin.

Of course, that's assuming that this PSU has split up +12V rails in the first place. Given the ambiguity of the description of the rail distribution and the fact that I was able to put a 36A load on a single connector, it is very possible that this PSU does not have a split +12V at all and actually has just one big +12V rail. Don't crack on me for not having the most definitive answers. ...

Now this was the 720W, but I'll bet you will find that the 650 uses the same basic design. This wouldn't be the first PSU that does that, and it's not a bad thing. It may well be better, and the thinking now is that a BIG 12v rails is superior to multiple 12v rails.

[blibbax]

Originally Posted by kris23

you do realize that you cant really decide what rails can go where.... right blibbax?

and to bratboy, since you have the PSU, id give it a shot and see how well it copes with the system.

if it shows any sign of failing though, resets, graphic problems..... change it before it becomes an issue

Normally, yes. But Bratboy seemed to be saying that he could choose what connectors could be placed on what rail. Perhaps that's a misunderstanding on my part.

[bratboy]

Some cable, like the main connectors for MB pwr and such are hard wired to the unit. Then there are a bunch of extra modlar connections for stuff like 4 pin molexes and such so you can customize what connectors you actual want/need. This link that oldbuzzard posted might make things clearer than my description does:
[COLOR=#93a5d8]http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php...p=Story&reid=2[/COLOR]

[H3X4D3C1M4L]

If its an Enermax, its going to take a hell of alot more than that to kill it