Which psu to get

[DEATHMASTER]

Well I just got a new pc and I want to get a better psu for any graphics upgrades I will make in the future. I want atleast a 450 W. My pc came with a 300 W but thats apparently not enough for high end graphics cards (even some medium range!). So my question is what kind should I get? I see a whole bunch of numbers and stuff when I look on newegg and I have no idea which one is best for my pc! Requirements for cards like the 7900gtx say stuff like minimum 450 W with 12v and 18 amp rating- whats that mean? It doesnt say those kind of specs on the power supply specs on the site! Help is appreciated.

my pc specs -
Athlon™ 64 X2 3800+ processor
2GB of DDR memory
250gb and a 160 gb HD
double-layer DVD+/-RW drive
Nvidia® nForce 4 graphics
free pci-express x16 slot (plan to get better graphics card)
Windows XP Media center edition

 

[nofx]

dont cheap out on psu get the one you can afford
fortron source
antec

both these companies make really good psus that wont fail if you get the right wattage for your system avoid any other psus as if they fail theyll take your system with it also


the 12v 18amp rating means on the 12v rail it can handle 18 amps
kind of complicated but if you look at your psu now youll see like 12v 6v and 18v? rails im not sure and each have there own Amp that when addded together equate to the amount of voltage
im not sure but ill try to explain
so 12v rail has 10 amps (VERY LOW lol)
6 volt rail has 10 amps
then 18 v rail has 10 amps
this means 120v + 60v + 180v = 360wattage psu
i may not be right but close

 

[Qonfused]

I suggest Antec. What you're going to need will be $90 or more which is right for a quality PSU. I suggest these two:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103931
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103937

The latter one I have.

 

[Redbluefire]

I suggest you read this thread over at xtremesystems.

Computerpro3 is pretty much an expert on PSUs, and when I was choosing mine, he was more than happy to help me, and although I cant speak for him, I say drop him a line over AIM and he (probably) will be more than happy to help you.

 

[JNightshade]

I have an Ultra 500w PSU, and it's simply awesome.

 

[BabyHeadCrab]

http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/power_management/ocz_powerstream_power_supply

OCZ = great psu's

 

[Glirk Dient]

Stick with antec or enermax as your PSUs. Those are the 2 largest PSU brands and they have been proven to be among the best and are very durable.

 

[DEATHMASTER]

Well I've decided to stick with the 300w for now, maybe upgrade later when I see a better deal roll around. Basically because I dont need the extra power RIGHT NOW, I just ordered a 6800 256 mb from newegg and it should work on the psu I have right now, when I upgrade from that to something latest or whatever I will upgrade the psu as needed.
Anyways thanks for the tips and stuff guys/girls.