How powerful a PSU and how many fans will I need to cool this system?

[Thadius Dean]

Motherboard: A8N-SLI Deluxe
Processor: AMD Athlon 64 4000+
RAM: MWAVE 2GB DDR400 (1GBx2)
Harddrive 1: 74GB 10,000RPM SATA
Harddrive 2: 160GB 7200RPM SATA
DVD Drive: 16X DVD±RW Drive
Video Card: ATI RADEON X850XT 256MB DDR3 PCI EXPRESS

The case that I'm going to get with this stuff comes with a 380W PSU and one 120mm Fan... I'm thinking that will definately not cool and power it well.

What do you guys think will cool and power this thing well?

 

[J_Tweedy]

go for at least a 400W power supply.
A vantec stealth 120 at the back, and a couple of 80's at the front and side (if your case supports it)

This is assuming that that beast's components come with their stock fans- you won't be needing to overclock any time soon, so the stock component fans will be fine.

 

[Shamrock]

At least 500 Watt. I would recommend a 550 Watt PSU though.

Also, Try to get at least 5 fans in there. Even though they could be very useless.

 

[Thadius Dean]

what about two 120mm fans, one at front and one at back?
That's all my case will support

 

[oldagerocker]

120mm fans are better than 80mm ones, much less noise and lots of air flow. 5 fans is rediculous. 2 120mm will be fine for your specs.

ofcourse if you have the sort of money that them specs say you have, get water cooling.

 

[Asus]

A 380watt would be min. I'd recommend higher (450watt) and buy from a good brand (example:Antec). Check the power chart on the PSU and make sure the +12v is 20Amps or higher.

Just need 1 fan on the front of the case and one at the rear, thats all you need really. You could add an intake fan though.

RAM: MWAVE 2GB DDR400 (1GBx2)

woot, glad you are going with the 2x1gb setup instead of a 4x512mb.

 

[Thadius Dean]

ok, well I think I might be able to squeeze in a 500-550W PSU, and I'll be sure to see that powerchart thing you are talking about.

About the RAM... is MWAVE a good brand? or are they just putting their name on it?

And I wouldn't want to get watercooling for two reasons. A) I really don't have that kind of money, I've just been saving for about 5 years and B) It seems very complicated and I don't want to mess THAT up! (to tell you the truth this is my first computer and I have a feeling that I'm going to mess the system up real bad anyway

 

[oldagerocker]

For your first build, I recommend (if this is your pc you're posting from) take this one apart and stick it back together again... just for practice. I as really worried i'd screw mine up (one before this lovely, gorgeous, sexy shuttle), and i didnt in the end, even though the heatsink was a bastard to get on. You should be okay.

 

[Thadius Dean]

thats good advice, I might do that.

Although I might not have to, I'm going to a camp to get my A+ certification in hardware, they might teach me all that stuff there...

If not though, I'll probably do what you suggested.

 

[Ikerous]

Pffh, dont waste your money on fans
They're really rather unecessary.

 

[J_Tweedy]

I agree with ikerous actually, just blow on it, or keep a waterhose handy if things get outta hand.

 

[duffers20]

i would go with 1x12cm at the front and back, see how quiet / cool you can get it. A first build is always an exciting event! I loved building my first system, was a complete noobie at it though, but you just gain experience first hand or from what you read, this is a good place to pick up tips for any upgrades, althought looking at your spec, shouldnt be any time soon!