I'm learning way too much too fast -

in other words, finding out a lot of info I didn't know
existed, and of course that I have bought into some
junk - meaning a generic power supply incl in a case.

From what I've recently learned, I need a PS in the
500W range that has a thermal monitoring feature and
a 2 pin thermal sensor cable to connect to the board to
activate, as well as one that varies fan rpm pursuant to
board-monitored cooling requirements.

Also, my ASUS P4C800E-Deluxe board has what the
manual calls a PWR Fan connection - ?? The manual
doesn't really elaborate on that issue. Is that for
the PS fan, or ??? Confusing as from what I know
the PS internal fan(s) are powered from within as opposed
to external connections to the board.

Anyway - the sticky post suggests an Enermax as good
quality at a reasonable price. I'll look them up - but for
now would anyone have a recommendation so I don't miss
something? Both as to particular model and a good source.
Also, are they electrically stable enough that I could dispense
with a stabilizing capacitor between the PS and the board?

As always, thanks!!

Well, I THOUGHT I knew what I needed.

Went to a site that handles Enermax PSs, and there
are so many variations and so much jargon and so
many terms I've never heard before, that I'm still
pretty much at a loss.

Here's my system

ASUS P4C800E-Deluxe board
P4 2.8 CPU
2 SATA drives
1 IDE drive
DVD+RW drive
ASUS N6600GT graphics card
1g RAM (for starters anyway)

Some of the different features I
have SOME idea about are delayed
fan shutoff to cool down components
after the system is shutdown, sounds
like a good thing, SATA drive connectivity
(the power plugs on the SATA and IDE
drives look the same - ??), something
called smart fan - does that refer to
internal or "chassis" fans?.

I'm looking for a 450w supply.

The board has a 2 pin connector for
"PWR FAN" (the manual doesn't explain
what that actually does or is for)
and does have a 2 pin power supply
thermal connector (I guess that's the
thermal monitor feature?).

And the board manual talks about a PS
having the ability to vary (case?) fan speed
depending on temp conditions. If the PS
has the Thermal Monitoring feature, does this
mean the system will be able to vary the
case fan speeds to meet thermal requirements?

Now - if the PS does the varying on (case?)
fan speed, where does the 3 pin "CHA FAN"
connector on the board come in?

OR - is the variable fan speed referring to the
internal PS fan(s)? and then does the 3 pin
CHA FAN connector on the board actually
power and run/control the fans?

Frustrating - the more I learn, the more I find
I don't know. One mystery solved just seems to
lead to 3 more mysteries!

I want to buy a PS that will do what I need it to do
and have plenty power capacity as well as good
power stability to preclude damage to the system,
but some of the $150+ PSs talk more about the next
step up in processors, etc etc, that I wouldn't seem
to need.

Could anybody make a recommendation for a good
supply with all needed features and wattage without
features for newer systems that I don't need that drive
the price up?

Thanks Thanks Thanks

This superb Antec NeoPower 480 meets all your requirements
http://www.compusa.com/products/prod...036&pfp=BROWSE
See a price-comparison here:
http://geek.pricegrabber.com/search_...sterid=3284140

PWR fan: extra fan for cooling the powersupply
CHA fan: connect a chassis fan (e.g. in the front- or rearpanel of the PC) to this

Since posting this inquiry, I've cont'd to study
this situation and some other fine folks have also
helped me figure out what all this means, so I'm
getting closer to understanding it.

Looking at the links for NeoPower, now I at least
can somewhat understand the jargon and terms,
so agree that sure looks like a spot-on recommendation.

REALLY appreciate all the help with this!

I've found my existing PS would get the basic job
done, but since the board supports all these little
extras, I'd like to take advantage of them.

I guess I'm somewhat of a gadget freak - I always
like to make all the bells & whistles work :-)

Again, thanks much!

I'd suggest that you go to the PC Power and Cooling site and review there. They have done a pretty good job of discussing system power needs and PSU myths. Yes they push their own product but it is pretty much generic info. ALso, take a look at the Fortron Blue Storm 500 watt PSU. It is $91 at Newegg and has dual 12v rails at 15amps each (30 amps 12v total) and is quiet. Also has sheathed cables. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104934
Really nice unit at a reasonable price