Thermaltake 480W Power Butterfly & pci-express

[Marklar_PoON]

Hi all,
I'm looking at buying a Thermaltake 480W Power Butterfly becuase it is far cheaper than an Antec 500W NeoHe. Does anyone know if this is a very good psu?

Secondly, what is the deal with pci-express connectors? I am going to buy an XFX Geforce 6800GS (pci-express) and wondering whether or not I need the pci-express connection from the PSU. What does it do for it (ie would I loose performance without it?) and does the Thermaltake PSU mentioned above have the pci-express connection?

Thanks heaps to anyone who replies or at least reads

 

[Rugger]

What's your budget and what are the system specs?

 

[Marklar_PoON]

I dont want to spend alot on a PSU (as in AU$200 for an OCZ 450W) because I expect with BTX coming i will need a new PSU next upgrade anyway. Yet, I dont want to underdo it or risk damaging any components with a cheaper PSU. But I could get an Antec 500W NeoHe for AU $165 or a Thermaltake 480W Power Butterfly for AU$125. I am very confused with the whole pci express connectors situation and need someone to explain it to me.


Almost definitely upgrading to (when i get new PSU);
ASUS A8N-E
XFX Geforce 6800GS 256mb XXX edition

To go with my;
AMD 3200 64 bit CPU
2GB (4x 512) GeiL PC3200 Dual Channel DDR (with the blue heatspreaders)
Seagate 120GB 7200RPM
Seagate 80GB 7200RPM
Coolermaster Wavemaster Blue Edition Case
LG DVD Burner
Pioneer DVD ROM
Netgear pci wireless card
Samsung 172X LCD

 

[Rugger]

Take a look at Fortron Source or Sparkle Power PSUs - good quality and typically less expensive. Something like this FSP 450W or this FSP 400W

 

[Marklar_PoON]

Hey thx for the tip.
Found a fortron FSP-AX500 Blue Storm 500W PSU for AU$149

http://www.scorptec.com.au/index.php?prdid=17395

This doesnt have disconnectable cables though unfortunately and the Antec and Thermaltake ones do.

Do you know anything about the 6 pin pci-express connector?

I just found a OCZ Modstream 450W PSU for AU$160. These are BTX compatible apparently but I dont think it is SLI compatible (just thinking for the future)

In summary these are the options;

AU$125 - Thermaltake 480W Power Butterfly (unsure if has pci-x con., has disconnectable cables and fan controller)

AU$149 - Fortron FSP-AX500 Blue Storm 500W PSU (unsure if has pci-x con., NOT disconnectable cables)

AU$160 - OCZ Modstream 450W PSU (disconnectable cables, pci-x con., BTX compatible)

AU$165 - Antec 550W NeoHe (pci-x con., SLI ready)

 

[Rugger]

That FSP AX500 is a great PSU. According the mfrs website it does have the PCIe connection. FYI, PCIx is a workstation slot standard and PCIe is the correct abbreviation.