PSU advice please

[blueonblack]

Over the years I have been very slow to learn that I can actually learn from the experience of others. I had to get burned myself before I would believe that the fire was hot (literally and figuratively). I am hoping to hear the voice of experience here.

Building a new system and wondering about the PSU. I will be buying a 750-watt modular Ultra PSU:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...3596&CatId=106


Specifications

AC INPUT 115V/230V - 60/50Hz
DC OUTPUT +3.3V (24A) +5V (28A) +12V (25a) +12V (28A)
-12V (0.8A) -5V (-) +5VSB (2.5A)
750W Max Combined Watts


It has dual 12-volt rails and all the connectors and cables I will need. I will be running an Athlon 64FX processor, three fans, a low-end PCIe video card (but should include the power to upgrade later), several lights (figure ten CCFL's) and a plasma ball. Pretty sure it has the total wattage I need but the amperage is my question. I had originally purchased a 400-watt PSU similar in many ways but:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...p?Sku=ULT33162

Specifications

AC INPUT 115V/230V 10A/6A 60/50Hz
DC OUTPUT +3.3V (30A) +5V (32A) +12V (16A) -12V (0.8A) -5V (0.3A)
+5VSB (2A)
400W Max Combined Watts

I can use both of these if necessary, the lower-wattage PSU for my accessories for example, but would rather use the larger one alone if it will suffice for my needs. I am designing the build around my components so I need to decide how many PSUs it will have before I cut the rear panel.

So, bottom line, will this 750-watt PSU do everything I need it to do, or do I need to add this 400-watt to it to handle some of the load?

[FuzzyPlushroom]

Nnnnnnno.

"Make a note to stay as far away from this flaming hunk of crap as you possibly can. If not, we highly suggest you make sure and have a fire extinguisher handy."

"Yeah, seems just like the original Ultra's of yore, when Tiger Direct was giving them away with $50 cases."

You can't polish a turd.

[Zephik]

You can't polish a turd.

Well you can, but that doesn't change the fact that its a turd.

To figure out if your power supply will be able to supply you with all the wattage you need, here is a calculator! If that one doesn't fit your needs, then you can always try googling for another one.

I'm not entirely sure, but I think its been mentioned that SeaSonic and Sparkle are good Power Supply makers. Most of their stuff is 80 percent efficient as well I believe.

If your not sure about a certain power supply, I would try looking for it at newegg.com so you can check the user reviews. That will usually help you figure out if its a good power supply or not.

[FuzzyPlushroom]

http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/sh...19&postcount=4

That's JonnyGuru's PSU quality chart, by color. Accurate, and based on real, qualified observations.

In short, I'd go for Antec, Enermax, Enhance/Silverstone, Fortron/Sparkle, Seventeam, etc. (I own a 250w "better Wintech", a 250-300w Channel Well, a 420w Enermax, and a 550w Seventeam, and they all do very well at a fairly low cost.)

Many PSUs are rebranded - some Ultra models are excellent, while others (including yours, I'm sorry to say) are downright fire hazards. For example, my ~550w Seventeam is marked as a 650w Cooler Master.

Newegg's reviews are an OK source of information, but your safest bet is just to post a few links here, bounce things off us.

[Spawn-Inc]

go with a corsair 550watt psu, it will be equal to that 750watt one.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139004

[John5247]

750watts will be fine on its own for your load list, but please google "power supply reviews" write down the top four names and buy one of them. Any PSU cheaper than 80 dollars or 40 pounds is pretty suspect. Don't forget its taking high mains AC voltage and turning it into a set of very accurate DC supplies. Its in a sealed steel box to save your life. Don't forget "electricity only kills you once!"
much cheer
John