Vantec ION 400w or Allied 400w?

[ArcticFox]

I'm thinking it's time for me to get a new power supply for my case, to replace the 300w Enermax I'm using to power:

AthlonXP 3200+
3 hard drives (10GB, 40GB, 80GB)
DVD drive
Overclocked 128MB Ti 4200
Audigy
512MB RAM
Asus A7N8X-Deluxe

I plan on getting one 36.7GB Raptor HD with another in the future, and running them in RAID 0 alonside my Maxtor. And plus, once I order my case in comes two cold cathode lights and dual-120mm fans. So the choices have come down to this:

Allied 400w

or

Vantec ION 400w

I'm leaning more towards the Vantec, but didn't know if anyone else thought differently. My mother has the Allied powering a Duron 700/single 20GB drive bare bones machine and I've noticed that it's not only super quiet, but the voltages are very good, which can't be said about my current PS (IE, my -12v is at -12.45v)

[PresterJohn]

i have that same allied PS in a duallie box (and have been extremely happy with it considering the price) but for the config you'll be running, i'd go with the Vantec. it's got a bit more power in the rails.

i'm not a big fan of the dual-fan power supplies though. i find that the underside fan to be a problem since it redirects some of the hot air back onto the cpu!

[ArcticFox]

Well your concern is valid, but I have another one. I plan on getting this as soon as possible:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...118-108&depa=0

and I'm not entirely sure that it will fit in the Super LANBoy without grinding a little chunk off the power supply. I don't mind it, but will the fan prove another sticking point?

[ArcticFox]

Hmm, another topic created, another topic where I can't get anyone to respond to. I'm wondering if it's just me.

[tgxiii]

I've had cases where Allied power supplies sparked up and burnt entire systems. I don't trust that brand.

Read this thread. It has a lot of nice info.

[rrcn]

I had an Allied 350w powering a P4 2.4b GHz, 32MB TNT2, 80gb HDD, floppy drive, 56k modem, burner, 512mb pc133, an ECS p4vxasd2+, with 7 80mm fans. I had it blow out about a month ago, not sure why but it could've been because it was overloaded. I didn't like it from the begining because the voltages were never stable.

[ArcticFox]

They do seem a little cheap, but some people swear by them. The power supply is one of those things that I don't need right now, but it's better sooner rather than later.

[Xtreeme]

Vantec ION hands down. I love mine. Have a allied in antoher rig here now cause TIMO members liked that unit. ITs o.k. Its not nearly as heavy as Vantec's (good HS unit). NOR does it supply thermal overlaod protection or auto fan speed (totally quiet) with manual over-ride. Fact is that vantec unit is one of the most feature packed psu's for home pc's today! Other thing I like. Has EVERY single test and spec they did + how to test it yourself for stability. No BS-they even give you charts in the manual. ALSO note its really a 400watter. Not 400MAX. most brand lable the watts, they mean max load for under 5 sec. Check it out-Im serious. Vantec thinks thats crap and I agree. You buy 400watts psu that cant deliver 400watts constitent? Why? So vantec can take 500watts for 5 secs (boot time surge) and supply 400watts constintly. Mine is about 5 months old now. vantec Ion 400BB.
Running
Asus A7n8X deluxe
Radeon 9800
2500+ oclocked
512mb samsung mem cas 2.5 ddr400
modem
dvd-burner
pioneer slot drive
80gig WD 8mb cache

Rails are nice and steady. Oh and if you do draw too much amps-it powers off auto, wait 5 secs with unit unplugged and it resets. Better then frying you pc and or perihps eh? GO vantec I say.

[someone16]

IMO I would try to use the raid 0 with the enermax 300. They are known to have a very high 12V rating, might just be able to power an extra raid.

[ArcticFox]

Xtreeme - Sounds like a good one, I'll add it to my list. (evil eyes)

Someone16: Yesh, but....better be safe than sorry, it's not just a RAID arrray that I plan on setting up.

BTW - looks like just 1-2 Raptors and my single 80GB drive, I can't find this model of Maxtor anywhere so I'll just stick with it single.