Looking for a decently priced, well-known PSU to get! :)

[mbudden2015]

Hi there. I'm looking for options on what PSU to get to replace my seemingly old Antec EarthWatts 650W PSU. I'm not looking for PSU's that are like $200+ or anything. Something that's decently priced, but well known to be a good, efficient PSU. I'd prefer if it was fully modular and is 80 Plus Bronze certified, if possible. If anyone has suggestions to offer then I'm all ears. I live in Canada, so please Canadian prices only! Thanks in advance! Here's my PC build in case it's needed to help make me a suggestion.

Case: Enermax Ostrog GT (soon-to-be a NZXT S340)
Mobo: ASRock Z75 Pro3
CPU: i5-2500K @3.33Ghz (non-OC)
Cooler: CM 212 EVO
RAM: G. Skill NS 8GB @1333Mhz
GPU: MSI GTX 560Ti Hawk 1GB @950Mhz
PSU: Antec EarthWatt 650W
HDD: Western Digital 1TB @7200 RPM
Fans:
-Front: 2x140mm
-Rear: 1x120mm
-Cooler: 1x120mm

 

[BarbaricSoul]

non-modular- http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00HW979AQ/?tag=pcp0f-20

fully modular- http://www.ncix.com/detail/silverstone-strider-500-plus-500w-bb-56220.htm?affiliateid=7474144

 

[mbudden2015]

non-modular- http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00HW979AQ/?tag=pcp0f-20

fully modular- http://www.ncix.com/detail/silverstone-strider-500-plus-500w-bb-56220.htm?affiliateid=7474144

Thanks! Very noobish question, but does it really matter if a PSU is modular or not? I know it basically cuts down on the amount of cables used at one time if it's fully-modular. Also, between the two PSU's you linked, which one would you STRONGLY recommend?

 

[BarbaricSoul]

the only thing modular PSU help is with appearance (less wires in the computer case), and can help with air-flow in the case(less wires to block air-flow). Other than that, modular PSU's serve no purpose that a non-modular PSU can't do.

I'd strongly recommend either one. I have had good experience with Silverstone PSUs in the past, and I have been completely satisfied with my current XFX psu. Both brand are known to produce very good PSUs.

 

[mbudden2015]

the only thing modular PSU help is with appearance (less wires in the computer case), and can help with air-flow in the case(less wires to block air-flow). Other than that, modular PSU's serve no purpose that a non-modular PSU can't do.

I'd strongly recommend either one. I have had good experience with Silverstone PSUs in the past, and I have been completely satisfied with my current XFX psu. Both brand are known to produce very good PSUs.

Oh right on, man! ^_^ Thanks very much! I might get the XFX TS one you linked.

 

[mbudden2015]

the only thing modular PSU help is with appearance (less wires in the computer case), and can help with air-flow in the case(less wires to block air-flow). Other than that, modular PSU's serve no purpose that a non-modular PSU can't do.

I'd strongly recommend either one. I have had good experience with Silverstone PSUs in the past, and I have been completely satisfied with my current XFX psu. Both brand are known to produce very good PSUs.

I forgot to ask what you thought about this one: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438053&_ga=1.156464891.1597303633.1449834486
Sorry for bothering you again. =/ Just another person is suggesting that one to me.

 

[kajson]

One more thing about modular vs non modular is you have all the cables waving in your face all the time during building, and then you ofc have to fold the left overs somewhere in your case.
I like things neat, but also just during building I really felt more at ease the first time I build a system with a modular PSU.
There's also the smallish advantage of being able to connect the cable to the the system first instead of the PSU, sometimes that can save you quite a hassle

For me the financial benefit or quality improvement of non modular must be huge before I go that route again.

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438048&_ga=1.156464891.1597303633.1449834486

Might consider that one, slightly more powerful and silent, at least thats what the marketing says... I noticed the 550w version thats silent costs the same..

and a review to boot

http://www.pcper.com/reviews/Cases-and-Cooling/EVGA-SuperNOVA-550GS-and-650GS-Gold-PSU-Review

Super Silent Super Nova's.. What brilliant marketing superlatives will they come with next.



PS. Since you're staying well under the 200$, maybe treat yourself to a nice 250GB SSD Best performance enhancing investment I ever made

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148945

is a nice budget buy for example.

 

[mbudden2015]

One more thing about modular vs non modular is you have all the cables waving in your face all the time during building, and then you ofc have to fold the left overs somewhere in your case.
I like things neat, but also just during building I really felt more at ease the first time I build a system with a modular PSU.
There's also the smallish advantage of being able to connect the cable to the the system first instead of the PSU, sometimes that can save you quite a hassle

For me the financial benefit or quality improvement of non modular must be huge before I go that route again.

So what would you recommend? To go fully modular, then? Also what do you think of this PSU: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438053&_ga=1.156464891.1597303633.1449834486

 

[BarbaricSoul]

only go modular if you want the advantages it offers, which have been listed by me and @kajson . Everyone will say that XFX model is a very good quality PSU. JonnyGURU.coms review gave it a 9/10 rating- http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story3&reid=225

 

[mbudden2015]

only go modular if you want the advantages it offers, which have been listed by me and @kajson . Everyone will say that XFX model is a very good quality PSU. JonnyGURU.coms review gave it a 9/10 rating- http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story3&reid=225

I didn't even see his whole message. =/ For some reason it wouldn't show me, no matter how many times I refreshed my page. lol! XD Hate when it does that. I replied back to your inbox message, @BarbaricSoul

 

[mbudden2015]

Thanks everyone for your help! I've made my decision! Have a great day everyone!

 

[kajson]

I'm not well read up enough to judge these PSU's. One from the other, better take Barbaric Souls word for it.
I always do shitloads of research when buying this kind of part, but the last PSU i bought was 2 years ago.

 

[mbudden2015]

I'm not well read up enough to judge these PSU's. One from the other, better take Barbaric Souls word for it.
I always do shitloads of research when buying this kind of part, but the last PSU i bought was 2 years ago.

Unfortunately, I suck at researching things because I become conflicted and confused by the many different opinions people have. =/ So I usually ask verified owners or someone with extensive knowledge about stuff.

 

[rhino]

My 10 pence worth:
I was rockin a Silverstone Strider 750 for 10yr, worked perfectly.
Replaced it with an EVGA G2 750 fully modular this year, because the price difference between 550 and 750 (in Europe) is negligible and as I have water cooling, air flow is paramount.

 

[mbudden2015]

My 10 pence worth:
I was rockin a Silverstone Strider 750 for 10yr, served me well.
Replaced it with an EVGA G2 750 fully modular this year, because the price difference between 550 and 750 (in Europe) is negligible and as I have water cooling, air flow is paramount.

Thanks, but already made my decision and am gonna get the XFX TS 550W PSU. Thanks for your input!

 

[Bill_Bright]

There are distinct disadvantages to modular PSUs that are frequently overlooked these days.

(1) Every connector in the path adds resistance, has the potential for more manufacturing defects, the potential to come loose or not be secured tightly during computer assembly, and the potential for damage due to mishandling. Of course, the resistance with a quality connector in perfect repair would be negligible. But there are three additional connections per cable with every modular cable! That presents a lot of potential for defects and mistakes that are not present in wired PSUs.

(2) Sadly, there is no industry standard for the connectors on the PSU side of modular cables. For this reason, cables from Brand A PSU can NOT be assumed to be compatible with cable Brand B PSU. This problem is commonly seen with ATX and Graphics power cables. If you note the reviews, many point out you can insert a graphics cable in the CPU connector. And other PSUs, they are keyed/molded so you cannot. This incompatibility is even a problem between models of the same brand (in particular, between old and new models).

(3) You must safely and securely store the unused cables, potentially for many years, in a place where they cannot be lost. And if you maintain several modular PSUs, you must keep the spare cables properly labeled and separated so they do not get mixed up and you run into problem #2 above. Finding replacements for lost cables years later can be expensive, if possible at all! Because of this, I have had computers come into the shop where the spare cables were stuffed in a zip lock bag and stored in the bottom of the case. That pretty much defeats the purpose of buying modular to keep the interior tidy and air flow optimized.​

That said, because there is a greater demand for modular cables, contrary to logic, modular PSUs are often the same price or even less than similar wired PSUs even though modular PSUs have more parts.

 

[francis511]

Well you know the old rule for buying psus :- you can go Corsair , Corsair or Corsair !

 

[mbudden2015]

Well you know the old rule for buying psus :- you can go Corsair , Corsair or Corsair !

You mean like this one? http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139144

 

[thebluebumblebee]

You mean like this one? http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139144

Those RMx's are getting rave reviews. It's Corsair's response to some of the EVGA PSU's.
Edit: Nevermind:
What's wrong with your current Earthwatts? (Which one is it? There appear to be 3 different ones.) Those Earthwatts are some of Antec's best performing PSU's. I have a 430 watt unit running a i5-3450 and a GTX 560 Ti.

 

[Jetster]

Well you know the old rule for buying psus :- you can go Corsair , Corsair or Corsair !

Not necessarily true. Many companies make Corsair PSUs. There not all good

And OP be careful of making multiple threads on the same topic

 

[mbudden2015]

Not necessarily true. Many companies make Corsair PSUs. There not all good

And OP be careful of making multiple threads on the same topic

Sorry for that. =/ I've made my decision now, anyway. Thanks again for the help, everyone.