Can anyone recommend a quiet psu?

EileenH

The 400w power supply unit in my AMD Athlon XP 3200+ computer is very noisy and I would like to replace it with a quieter one. I also think it may be faulty as my computer switches itself off without warning every now and then. I mentioned this problem a few months ago on this Board and had to replace the motherboard after it died. I thought the problem had been resolved but obviously it hasn't and I'm hoping that a new psu will do the trick and also make my pc a lot quieter. Can anyone recommend a good, reasonably priced, very quiet psu please?

dimebag

...I just got myself a Thermaltake 'butterfly' PSU (480 watts), available online at DABS and microdirect for around 50 pounds (plus delivery etc):
e.g.
http://www.microdirect.co.uk/ProductLister.aspx?Stockcode=thermaltake+butterfly

It's VERY quiet, and I recommend it (although I'm sure others will have some suggestions for you too!).

Jim

Mark_LJ

I'd probably go with a Tagan - running the 480w version of this one in my work machine

The Tagans are very good and very quiet. It will come with a 24 pin adapter so will be future proof as well. I've also got an Antec Truepower 550w (other work machine) and an UltraX Connect 500w (home) but pound for pound i'd probably go for the Tagan. How much hardware will you be running from it? The other aspect is looks, if its going in a windowed case I'd definitely go for a modular unit (the reason I bought the Ultra) as they look a lot neater.

Edit: Just seen Dimebags suggestion - I've also had one of those and have to say it was an excellent piece of kit.

It might also be worthwhile using this online calculator to work out the recommended size.

wolfman

Yep, Tagan gets my vote too. I've got 380W and 530W versions and they are both completely stable and very quiet. Shame I can't advertise on here as I'm actually selling the 380W version. You basically have to hold you ear against it to be able to hear anything. Great value and quality.

The Seasonic range are also very good, this would probably be ideal for you:
http://www.microdirect.co.uk/ProductInfo.aspx?ProductID=10264&GroupID=9

Another option, is the Antec Sonata II. It's £80, a whole case and 450W psu. It's a silent case, with silent psu. Excellent build quality and value, although potentially overkill for what you need. If you were considering a quieter case though...

irnbru_2

Bought a Seasonic S12 430W for about 50GBP ex P&P.

You might be surprised at how loud your CPU fan is too.

EileenH

Thanks Dimebag and MarkLJ, I will have a look at your suggestions. I've looked at various PSUs via Google but there are so many to choose from so any recommendations would be helpful. I used the wattage calculator and my minimum recommended power supply is 275 watts so I don't know whether to go for a 400w psu or one slightly less. It doesn't matter about looks either as it won't be seen.

EileenH

wolfman wrote:

Yep, Tagan gets my vote too. I've got 380W and 530W versions and they are both completely stable and very quiet. Shame I can't advertise on here as I'm actually selling the 380W version. You basically have to hold you ear against it to be able to hear anything. Great value and quality.

The Seasonic range are also very good, this would probably be ideal for you:
http://www.microdirect.co.uk/ProductInfo.aspx?ProductID=10264&GroupID=9

Another option, is the Antec Sonata II. It's £80, a whole case and 450W psu. It's a silent case, with silent psu. Excellent build quality and value, although potentially overkill for what you need. If you were considering a quieter case though...

Thanks for the info. Are they all a standard size, so will any fit my case? May be interested in the Tagan but the others are getting a bit pricey.

wolfman

Yeah they will be the same size.

It can get pricey. Have a look on eBay, there's usually half a dozen Tagan's going on there, might get a bargain.

Mark_LJ

Whatever your decision I would stick with a quality brand - Many a decent system has been ruined by an inferior PSU blowing up and taking most of the components with it. Don't go for one that advertises 400+ watts and is extremely cheap as more often than not the figures quoted are peak power and they don't sustain an output anywhere near that.

EileenH

Mark_LJ wrote:

Whatever your decision I would stick with a quality brand - Many a decent system has been ruined by an inferior PSU blowing up and taking most of the components with it. Don't go for one that advertises 400+ watts and is extremely cheap as more often than not the figures quoted are peak power and they don't sustain an output anywhere near that.

Yes I know there are some dirt cheap ones and I'm steering clear of them. My motherboard has already been replaced so I want to make sure I get a decent one but also at a decent price if poss.

greyster

if your aiming for a quiet/silent PC, you must have a good case, good case fans and CPU fan, in addition to a good PSU.

Otherwise should you get a very good PSU, you will still hear everything else! The only difference at the moment is that your PSU is drowning them out I learnt this with the second PC i built.

So just make sure your other components are not nearly as noisey first before you make a big investment. Goods PSUs are in the £55-80 mark i.e. ones which
- power output margins do not fluctuate eratically, lowering the chances of damaging your equipment and
- high quality fans which may adjust speed in accordance with power requirements so they are less noisey.

I recommend Antec Truepower 430W £63. available on ebuyer.com.