PSU died, Recommendations on one for older system

[Pavel]

My original 350W PSU died tonite. I need one that has a fan on the back, where you plug in the plug.

I know Anitec and Enermax used to be good but I don't know how they are doing now. It seems that all the new PSU now have top and rear fans. This sucks because my case doesn't allow for the top fan.

My original PSU has +12v 16A, so I would need something that meets or exceeds this spec.

Suggestions?

Thanks

[Amourek]

PSUs don't have fans on the top. Dual fan models are usually rear and bottom.

When you say older system, what do you mean exactly? Some newer power supplies do not have a -5V line which some older systems require to startup.

[xwar]

any standard name brand PSU should do.

[snow]

"Dual fan models are usually rear and bottom."

Yeah.
The manufacturer's photos are a bit deceiving.

They show the fan on top. So you get an idea of the size, grill etc.
But when mounted the fan wil be on the bottom.

There's usually nothing to show of the top, just metal.

Take a close look at the mounting holes ( the power supply will only fit one way) and you'll see that the fan is on the bottom.

My Antec Smartpower uses dual fans inline, rather than a single fan on the bottom.

[champ91]

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=20113&vpn=ATX350-PNT&manufacture=FSP%20GROUP%20USA&promoid=1016

[Pavel]

PSUs don't have fans on the top. Dual fan models are usually rear and bottom.

When you say older system, what do you mean exactly? Some newer power supplies do not have a -5V line which some older systems require to startup.


How confusing...they blow warm air onto the CPU instead of to the rear of the computer?

My system is a P4 Celeron 1.8ghz, 700 mb ram. I am running two hard drives, DVD writer, plus an extra fan. All my PCI slots are full. I have a lot of USB devices too. Currently, I have a 350 watt PSU (L&C LC-B350ATX). I was looking at getting a 400 watts with at least 16A (current PSU) or 18 +12V line.

I was looking at this one, but I dont think it has a -5V line. Glad you mentioned about some PSU not having a -5V line.

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=17076&vpn=ATX-400-PN-B&manufacture=FSP%20GROUP%20USA

Any other recommendations?

[Amourek]

The bottom fan doesn't blow air, it sucks it up and out the back. If you're using a Celeron system, the Fortron is probably your best bet for it (P4/Celeron do not require -5V). Get NCIX to pricematch with DirectCanada and get it for $38: http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=11700AC6643&vpn=ATX-400-PN-B&manufacture=FORTRON%20SOURCE

[Warlock]

For some ideas, you can take a look at the following link,
Official XS Tiered PSU Manufacturer Brand Listing Phase III (http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=108088)

[Pavel]

Thanks Amourek, Warlock. Does anyone know if NCIX PM over the net or just instore?

I didn't see that particular Fortron Sparkle model on the list. I wonder if 400W is enough, since I do have two 250G hard drives plus other accessories....one review wrote that one should get a 500W PSU if running more hard drives (maybe that's why mine failed?).