PSU with switch between single and multi rail

[spectatorx]

Sidenote observation: i see silver rating is not common, in stores are available up to few models, even less than platinum. I wonder why.

 

[EarthDog]

1. The higher the efficiency of the PSU = the less any of that is relevant.
2. If you're going for the least powerful unit that will suffice for your needs, you're probably going to be running it at higher than 50-60% loads frequently. And you'll be losing a bit of efficiency then too. Factoring in that sweet spot for efficiency generally means a significantly more powerful PSU than one might theoretically be able to get away with(like basically 2x as much power as you "need").
3. Not that efficiency should be a primary concern when purchasing a PSU. What you want is enough power to handle the loads you'll be giving it without stressing components to a premature death(as in be able to handle 50-60% or more for the long run). And/or a PSU with high enough quality components to handle being stressed to near max output capacity for extended periods without resulting in premature death(if you insist on going the "barely enough" route).
4. The price of PSUs seems to be coming down lately. Making you far better off to get a spendy one that has excellent efficiency and a very high power output capacity with a 10 year warranty. Buy 1 and done!!!

1. Why?
2. You will be... and yep, ~1% difference give or take.
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story4&reid=392
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story4&reid=553

from 50% to 100% is 3% difference in the first place. So it has to be less than that. 80 Plus spec Bronze, silver, gold, all 3% max.

Its not worth it to spend that much more cash (to almost 2x your PSU wattage) for that small % increase, agreed!!

One should expect that a quality unit should be able to output its label rating(s) over the course of the warrantied period. Ideally we do not want to run it like that for more than one reason (noise to name another).

If it came down to it, my advice for the OP is to get whichever one is cheaper. Since that 850W is cheaper than even a 650W unit (which would be plenty), it couldn't even hurt the wallet this time around. DO IT.

Sidenote observation: i see silver rating is not common, in stores are available up to few models, even less than platinum. I wonder why.

That is a good question. There are several around, but it doesn't seem as common as bronze or gold... especially these days.

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

I took the Silver rating as marketing hype. There is not enough wiggle room between Bronze and Gold given their price differences to add another tier of PSU efficiency rating with single digit percentage performance for less than $5?$10?. It would have cost more to replace the stickers on a Bronze PSU and call it Silver.

 

[spectatorx]

Purchased hx850 and all i can say it is pure quality, really amazing psu.

 

[EarthDog]

all i can say it is pure quality, really amazing psu

Because turning on your PC and running tells you that...

Regardless, glad it works!

 

[spectatorx]

Because turning on your PC and running tells you that...

Regardless, glad it works!

I mean psu as a whole, packaging and bundled items too. Not just that it is running and running well.

 

[EarthDog]

Packaging and accessories don't make it run well either.

You don't have the testing equipment. All you know is that it is working and your system is running fine. A potato can do that for a while. Now, I get it, we know its a quality PSU because people who know how to and have the proper equipment to test it showed us this. Again, just because you turned it on and it is working doesn't give you the wherewithal to claim its quality.

You will now be returned to your non hair splitting production.