PSU Needed, Spare no money - No overkill

[Cvrk]

Feeling guilty to just opening a new thread about this


After all the homework, still i need advise: new PSU >>> HELP!

My Corsair got old. Looking around for a long time now i have boiled it down to the final contenders:

The mesmerizing, the interactive, the very sexy, and expensive

Corsair HX 750i - https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Corsair/HX750i/

&

Seasonic Focus Plus 850 Gold http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/seasonic-ssr-750fx-focus-plus-750-gold-psu,5206.html

Considering my specs, both psu's are kinda over kill when it comes to the total output power. So i am actually considering lower power to save money . The Seasonic Focus at 650w looks more than capable.

I think 600w is the sweet spot.

When it comes to money, there is no limit, keeping in mind no overkill.
Also keep in mind i will not add any water cooling - but.. i will get a bigger graphics card. Still will only use ONE single graphics card in this build.

Please advise, open my eyes to possibilities that i never took into consideration .

 

[phill]

For me, anything EVGA, Superflower, Seasonic are all the names for me.. I'd stay clear of Corsair personally.. After the original AX range, they've not been the best they could have been I feel...

 

[P4-630]

I'd look at Seasonic Prime series because of the 12 year warranty:

https://seasonic.com/prime/prime-650-w-gold/
https://seasonic.com/prime/prime-750-w-gold/

 

[GorbazTheDragon]

Not sure what your local prices are like, but I'd say the other stuff in this thread is good. The EVGA P2/G2 are still good units, should be quite cheap. I'd say aim for the 750/850w units anyway if you are looking at mid-range stuff.

If you want good, cheap stuff you have to go digging, see what local shops sell, then see if those units are any good. There are some decent xfx and seasonic bronze units in the 600w range that are typically priced close to $60, but they can be hard to find.

 

[FireFox]

For me, anything EVGA

+1

This

 

[dirtyferret]

Evga is currently overpriced, they raised all their prices after keeping cost down for market share. Corsair TXM is currently the price performance king while Seasonic focus is a step up. Anything after that is overkill unless you want specific software, different colors, or fans that light up.

Also buying PSU based on brand is pointless, plenty of mediocre units from superflower, Seasonic, and cwt to go with their good stuff. Plenty of good units from great Wall, fsp, and others to compete with the latter oems. Brands just handle customer service.

 

[Vario]

Get a Platinum or better, it is really nice to have a power supply that generates almost no heat, less heat in the case = win.
I like my Seasonic 660 XP2 a lot but I don't think it is produced anymore. Seems like Seasonic switched to the Prime and Focus series. My father has an EVGA Supernova 650 P2 that is amazing as well. At one point they were selling either of these two units for around $80 A/R on Newegg / Amazon off and on.

 

[Bill_Bright]

My Corsair got old.

Just because a PSU is old, that does not mean it is not capable of doing its job. Is this one still working?

While avoiding overkill can save money on the initial cost, it really is more important to avoid overkill to optimize efficiency (and minimize heat generation) over the long run. Most PSUs are designed to operate at peak efficiency at around 50% load. This is exactly why the 80 PLUS certification ratings require PSUs to have maximum efficient at 50% (as seen by hovering over the various 80 PLUS logos in that link).

Considering my specs
I think 600w is the sweet spot
i will get a bigger graphics card

Considering your current specs, and the fact you are planning on adding a bigger (read: more power hungry) graphics card in the future, I say 650W is your "sweet spot".

With that in mind, I vote for 650W EVGA Gold. And if you shop around, you can get one at a competitive price. Note they also frequently offer mail-in rebates to make them even more competitive.

 

[EarthDog]

"Anything" EVGA is a bit scary.. their B3 series isn't reviewing well so far (when its pushed out of spec anyway).

EVGA 650W G3 is what I would choose. If the Seasonic Prime series is cheaper at the same wattage, get that.

While avoiding overkill can save money on the initial cost, it really is more important to avoid overkill to optimize efficiency (and minimize heat generation) over the long run. Most PSUs are designed to operate at peak efficiency at around 50% load. This is exactly why the 80 PLUS certification ratings require PSUs to have maximum efficient at 50% (as seen by hovering over the various 80 PLUS logos in that link).

I agree with the majority of what you said...

But... not this again... Yes, around 50% load its most efficient, but the difference between that and say 75% load is around 1-2%. Not remotely a big deal. The difference in cost won't be made up by efficiency unless the dude is mining or folding (running the PC at 100% for years).

Truth be told, the OP can run on a quality 550W unit and have plenty of headroom for overclocking and quiet operation.

 

[phill]

"Anything" EVGA is a bit scary.. their B3 series isn't reviewing well so far. Anyway, EVGA 650W G3 is what I would choose.

That's my bad, but I'd only really look at Gold units and up, so G2/G3 at a little higher wattage than you need is always were I'd start looking I've found going to something cheap because it'll do can cause more issues than it's worth sometimes....

 

[dirtyferret]

The OPs profile says home is Romania so any US prices and MiR are pointless.

And there is no way that system oh his even breaks 300w while gaming. A 550w unit would do the job with ease.

 

[Cvrk]

Corsair TXM is currently the price performance king while Seasonic focus is a step up. Anything after that is overkill unless you want specific software, different colors, or fans that light up..

You are reffering too Seasonic as a better choice ?

If the Seasonic Prime series is cheaper at the same wattage, get that.
.

Yes EVGA is more expensive where i am right now.
But the difference is not that much .
Thing is Seasonic is very brave. They offer for the PSU mentioned by me above a 10 year warranty. That only leads me to believe they trust in what they make.

The Evga Super Nova G3 650 is 10$ more expensive than Seasonic.


Also, very important:
Will a more total power psu be able to take on more load... but will that mean it can generate less heat if it's under loaded ? I need 550w ....so i will get 850w just so the psu run more lighter ? Does that make any sense ?

 

[dirtyferret]

You are reffering too Seasonic as a better choice ?



Yes EVGA is more expensive where i am right now.
But the difference is not that much .
Thing is Seasonic is very brave. They offer for the PSU mentioned by me above a 10 year warranty. That only leads me to believe they trust in what they make.

The Evga Super Nova G3 650 is 10$ more expensive than Seasonic.

Better depends on budget. I've owned plenty of Seasonic PSU over the years and had to RMA two of them, never had an issue with Delta or CWT units. Currently I have a Seasonic going on eight years and two CWTs going on seven and four. Antec and Corsair brands.

if you want recommendations of popular PSU based on US prices (and by no means is it limited to just these PSU but we would be here all day to mention every single one)

Corsair new CX / vengeance - very good PSU for the money, a good starting point
Corsair TX-M - good step up from the CX/vengeance series
Seasonic G series (and all the other brands that sell it) / Corsair RMx - step up from the TX-M
Seasonic Focus Series - Step up from the G & RMx series and probably the point where spending more money gets you diminished returns.

 

[Cvrk]

@EarthDog My Corsair is going on 8 years, and for the past 1 year or so,started having coil noise . Does the noise bother me ? yes.
My concern is to not fail....while taking /killing my computer in the process.

Reason i have not oc'ed my cpu. I am afraid.

 

[dirtyferret]

Also, very important:
Will a more total power psu be able to take on more load... but will that mean it can generate less heat if it's under loaded ? I need 550w ....so i will get 850w just so the psu run more lighter ? Does that make any sense ?

Yes it makes sense and it can create more heat but you would need to seriously draw more power. If you are gaming (i believe you have a 1700x CPU and AMD 480) then most likely you are around 250-275w max. The heat difference generated by a 550w, 650w, 850w would be marginal at best. If you were pushing 500w then you would see a heat difference among the PSU. Also remember PSU are at their most efficient near 50% load. With a 850w unit you would be around 25% load while gaming and below that for most other activities making that 850w PSU less efficient.

 

[dirtyferret]

@EarthDog My Corsair is going on 8 years, and for the past 1 year or so,started having coil noise . Does the noise bother me ? yes.
My concern is to not fail....while taking /killing my computer in the process.

Reason i have not oc'ed my cpu. I am afraid.

It happens, I had seasonics that suffered from coil whine although much earlier.

 

[FireFox]

Also buying PSU based on brand is pointless,

If that works for you then a big Amen for you Bro.

Get a Platinum or better

+1
That's a reasonable advice.

I'd only really look at Gold units and up

I don't even know anymore what Gold units are, Platinum or better as @Vario mentioned above or nothing.

 

[cadaveca]

I'm now using the Seasonic PRIME TITANIUM 1000W in my review testing; I think it's worth your consideration, or perhaps, a lower-spec'd unit of the same line. Being used in a review rig, and the multiple installations with cables swaps and such puts a PSU under far harsher use than it would be under a traditional install, and this product is holding up very well.

 

[phill]

I don't even know anymore what Gold units are, Platinum or better as @Vario mentioned above or nothing.

Anything above a certain rating for the efficiency I think up to 92% and Platinum are over 93% I think?? Or something around that percentage I think Don't quote me lol

 

[EarthDog]

Also, very important:
Will a more total power psu be able to take on more load... but will that mean it can generate less heat if it's under loaded ? I need 550w ....so i will get 850w just so the psu run more lighter ? Does that make any sense ?

First of all, your system doesn't use 550W. Not even close. That system, fully overclocked, will be lucky to break 400W actual use. THis is why earlier I said you could run on a 550W unit and still have plenty of headroom.

As far as the other part. Don't overbuy on the PSU. Any PSU 650W will be fine and still support any single GPU and CPU both overclocked to their ambient cooled limits.

A quality PSU, like the ones you are looking at, are rated to deliver their nameplate power throughout their warranted life. So anything less is better, but there is no need to overbuy. Again, anything over 650W is overbuying, including a 250W+ GPU.

 

[Vario]

If that works for you then a big Amen for you Bro.



+1
That's a reasonable advice.



I don't even know anymore what Gold units are, Platinum or better as @Vario mentioned above or nothing.

I am amazed how much less heat there is in my case after going from a Seasonic 600 Watt M12II bronze to a Seasonic 660W XP2 platinum. Anyone into running a cooler system should get a platinum or better. With the small case I have, any less heat is a good thing, my case is crammed.

 

[Bill_Bright]

Also, very important:
Will a more total power psu be able to take on more load... but will that mean it can generate less heat if it's under loaded ? I need 550w ....so i will get 850w just so the psu run more lighter ? Does that make any sense ?

Yes it makes sense and it can create more heat

Wait! NO. That is not how it works.

A PSU will deliver only what the computer (motherboard, CPU, RAM, drives, graphics) demands regardless if the PSU is a 500W PSU, a 850W PSU or 1000W PSU. And the PSU will pull from the wall only that same amount, plus whatever is lost due to inefficiency.

So if the computer demands 300W, and the 500W supply is 80% efficient at 60% load, the 850W supply is 80% efficient at 35% load, and the 1000W supply is 80% efficient at 30% load, all 3 supplies will pull from the wall the exact same amount of power; 375W! (375 x 80% = 300W)

With each of the three supplies, exactly 75 watts of power is wasted due to being 80% efficient at that 300W load level and that wasted power is lost in the form of heat. 75W of heat is 75W of heat - regardless its source.

So what matters is the rated efficiency of each specific power supply at the specific loads it will encounter - not the total capacity of the PSU.

 

[EarthDog]

Which any 80 plus rated psu does. The rating/tier difference is only what, 2% eaxh from bronze to gold? Platinum+ psus have a rating at 10% so their curve is even more flat.

Look at JGuru reviews and see just how little efficiency varies from ~20%(10% on platinum) to 100% load. Typically a percent of so.

 

[dirtyferret]

I

A PSU will deliver only what the computer (motherboard, CPU, RAM, drives, graphics) demands regardless if the PSU is a 500W PSU, a 850W PSU or 1000W PSU. And the PSU will pull from the wall only that same amount, plus whatever is lost due to inefficiency.

So if the computer demands 300W, and the 500W supply is 80% efficient at 60% load, the 850W supply is 80% efficient at 35% load, and the 1000W supply is 80% efficient at 30% load, all 3 supplies will pull from the wall the exact same amount of power; 375W! (375 x 80% = 300W)

With each of the three supplies, exactly 75 watts of power is wasted due to being 80% efficient at that 300W load level and that wasted power is lost in the form of heat. 75W of heat is 75W of heat - regardless its source.

So what matters is the rated efficiency of each specific power supply at the specific loads it will encounter - not the total capacity of the PSU.

I think you misunderstand what I said and your example is not mine. My point was at 250w draw on a 550w unit you can be at 86% efficiency while at 250w on a 850w you might be at 82% efficiency since you are at the lower end of the curve. Most PS are not at an even efficiency level through their provided power, as I assume you know

 

[EarthDog]

It is a very flat curve... for example..

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story4&reid=500

Clearly at 10% load there is almost 4% difference to peak efficiency...but that goes away at platinum plus. Barely any movement from 20% - 100%..literally less than 1% here throughout the power band. Hardly a need to find 'peak efficiency'