hondaguy asks: "I'm thinking of purchasing a Lian Li case. Very nice case, but doesn't come with a power supply. Which after-market power supplies are the best for the ATX format, in terms of noise, output (lots of accessories) and longevity. Please post links if possible."
Ars Technica OpenForum has, IMHO,the best tech forum around. In the Case and Cooling Fetichism forum, this question is being answered almost daily. In particuliar, this thread seem pretty good.
Or more accurately, it doesn't really matter. Buy a power supply based on the wattage that you think you need, and of course make sure the fan is pointing outwards (Who the hell makes fans pointing inward through the bottom of a power supply? There's no exhaust!). When all is said and done, it's the same company making all those power supplies, anyways.
...and of course make sure the fan is pointing outwards (Who the hell makes fans pointing inward through the bottom of a power supply? There's no exhaust!).
Some systems (like low-end Compaqs, IIRC) skimp on a fan and direct the power supply exhaust onto the CPU instead. I'm not endorsing this practice but someone thought it was a good idea.
Re:CompUSA brand
by
Anonymous Coward
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· Score: 0
Wake up! Pull the power supply apart, and they're made by the SAME COMPANY in Taiwan.
I seem to recall reading somewhere that when the whole ATX form factor was dreamed up, putting the CPU near the power supply and having the power supply fan move air (I forget in which direction) over the CPU for added cooling was an intentional part of the design.
Of course I'm convinced that the real reason for introducing a replacement for the AT form factor was to make those bulletproof old cases and power supplies obsolete in order to force people to buy entire new computers instead of upgrading piece by piece.
As someone without an unlimited supply of funds who has a desire to avoid feeding landfills any more than absolutely necessary as well as an affection for old hardware (but precious little room available for adopting any more), I feel perfectly justified in assuming that they did it just to annoy me.:-)
Anybody know where I can get a mid to full tower ATX case with power supply for about $20 USD including shipping to coastal NC?
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I see even classic Slashdot is now pretty much unusable on dial up anymore.
PC Power & Cooling!
by
jmaslak
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· Score: 3, Informative
I worked at a coal mine - lots of conductive carbon dust floating around in the air. We lost keyboards, monitors, motherboards, and lots and lots of power supplies.
We always replaced the manufacturer's power supplies with PC Power & Cooling supplies. They use real ball bearings in thier fans (so they last longer), and they tolerate lots of dust. We never had one of these blow up. I can't think of any other brand that we could say the same about.
I'd be interested in who makes the quietest power supply. I have not really noticed any difference in different power supplies they all seem noisy and my newest one is a 300Watt screaming noise maker. I can hardly hear the TV over it.
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Only 'flamers' flame!
Re:Quite suppiles
by
complex
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· Score: 3, Informative
alternatively, i understand it is fairly easy to disassemble a power supply and get really nice quiet sanyo denki or panaflow fan to replace the (most likely) lower quality noisy sleeve bearing fan in there now. check out plycon for fans if taking this route.
If you disassemble a powersupply, be sure that you are careful. The capacitors can still hold a charge even after the ps is unplugged for a few minutes (hours?).
-- A firewall can not protect you from yourself. Turn off what you do not need. Do not use the firewall to do your work.
PC Power & Cooling
by
Roadmaster
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· Score: 0, Redundant
Chances are PC Power and Cooling has solutions to all the problems mentioned here- good-quality, high-power, quiet and non-quiet power supplies.
They're generally recognized to use high-quality components, such as ball-bearing fans (in my experience, the fan is the first thing to die in a power supply - and, in the process leading to its death, it turns from quiet to an annoying failing-engine-like sound). They have a line of ultra-quiet supplies, as well as high-performance ATX power supplies providing up to 600 watts.
Hope this helps:)
PC Power and Cooling
by
sid+crimson
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· Score: 0, Redundant
Check http://www.pcpowercooling.com...they offer their Silencer Power Supplies if your power needs are moderate, and they are extrememely quiet and reliable. If your power needs are more heavy duty, they offer their Turbo-Cool models.
-sid
PC Power & Cooling
by
fznck
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· Score: 0, Redundant
See http://www.pcpowerandcooling.com/. By far the most reliable and quietist power supplies I have ever used, and I have used a lot.
Slashdot Mirror
Ars Technica OpenForum has, IMHO,the best tech forum around. In the Case and Cooling Fetichism forum, this question is being answered almost daily. In particuliar, this thread seem pretty good.
:wq
Or more accurately, it doesn't really matter. Buy a power supply based on the wattage that you think you need, and of course make sure the fan is pointing outwards (Who the hell makes fans pointing inward through the bottom of a power supply? There's no exhaust!). When all is said and done, it's the same company making all those power supplies, anyways.
Interested in open source engine management for your Subaru?
I worked at a coal mine - lots of conductive carbon dust floating around in the air. We lost keyboards, monitors, motherboards, and lots and lots of power supplies.
We always replaced the manufacturer's power supplies with PC Power & Cooling supplies. They use real ball bearings in thier fans (so they last longer), and they tolerate lots of dust. We never had one of these blow up. I can't think of any other brand that we could say the same about.
I'd be interested in who makes the quietest power supply. I have not really noticed any difference in different power supplies they all seem noisy and my newest one is a 300Watt screaming noise maker. I can hardly hear the TV over it.
Only 'flamers' flame!
They're generally recognized to use high-quality components, such as ball-bearing fans (in my experience, the fan is the first thing to die in a power supply - and, in the process leading to its death, it turns from quiet to an annoying failing-engine-like sound). They have a line of ultra-quiet supplies, as well as high-performance ATX power supplies providing up to 600 watts.
Hope this helps
Check http://www.pcpowercooling.com ...they offer their Silencer Power Supplies if your power needs are moderate, and they are extrememely quiet and reliable. If your power needs are more heavy duty, they offer their Turbo-Cool models.
-sid
See http://www.pcpowerandcooling.com/. By far the most reliable and quietist power supplies I have ever used, and I have used a lot.