Seasonic PSUs - build quality of the different lines

[chrisr34000]

Hello,

are you aware of any source where the build quality of the Seasonic series were compared?

I am not so interested in efficiency, rather in stability and longevity. Considering this, is there much of a difference between a Seasonic Focus GX, Focus PX, Prime GX and Prime PX? Are there different components in those PSUs in terms of quality?
Why would one choose Platinum over Gold? Only for that tiny bit increase in efficiency?

Thank you for your help!

 

[dgianstefani]

Just look at a psu tier guide.

 

[P4-630]

[EOL] PSU Tier List rev. 14.8

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[Bill_Bright]

Why would one choose Platinum over Gold? Only for that tiny bit increase in efficiency?

I agree with your sentiment here. I would never choose Platinum (and especially Titanium) over Gold unless the retailer had the Platinum deeply discounted on the day I was ready to buy (assuming the Gold was not similarly discounted too).

If you actually sit down, measure, do the math, and calculate your actual power consumption per day, it typically would take years to make up the extra cost of the Platinum in energy savings.

If you were mining, searching for ET, or "Folding" to cure cancer, and your machine was running near capacity 24/7/365, then the extra cost may be worth as it would be recovered sooner. Plus, with a little less heat being pumped back into the room's environment, you might see some savings in air conditioning costs too. But most users, even heavy gamers, rarely tax to the max their systems at all, except for a few seconds here and there, let alone for hours on end.

That said, unless on a very tight budget, I always go with Gold over Bronze. And nothing less than Bronze.

Another reason you might choose Platinum is for what's in the box. You will often see more goodies in the box like more cables, a fancy bag for your unused cables, maybe a quieter fan.

As for fan noise, I hate fan noise. I mean I really hate fan noise. But I am also a practical man - and one pushing 70 years old. I know my hearing is not what it used to be. I also buy quality cases that help suppress noise. So I am not going to spend extra for a couple dBA I will never notice - especially since those specs are at maximum RPMs. And if the PSU was sized properly when purchasing, maximum RPMs should rarely, if ever, be reached.

If my PSU fan is spinning at maximum RPM, odds are Led Zeppelin or Tom Petty in full surround sound will drown it out anyway!

I am not so interested in efficiency, rather in stability and longevity.

One last thing to remember. 80-PLUS certifications ONLY indicates efficiency. There is nothing in the certification criterial that requires or suggests an 80 PLUS certified PSU is more reliable, more stable, have better ripple suppression, better regulation, or will last longer than an uncertified PSU. Nor is there anything that requires or suggests a Platinum (or Titanium) PSU is more reliable, more stable, have better ripple suppression, better regulation, or will last longer than a Gold.

 

[freeagent]

I went with the Prime GX. It looks to be nearly as efficient as a Focus PX with a longer warranty.

Edit:

Mine was on sale, I didn't pay the Prime price.. I saved about 50 bucks.

 

[Deleted member 205776]

Pick up a Focus/Prime GX (or PX if you really want Platinum) and you're good to go.

 

[freeagent]

I originally was going to go with a Focus GM-750 or GM-850.. I still think I should have sometimes.. oh well..

The full modularity doesnt do much for me because I have one open port left. OTOH no in cable caps, etc.. and it is nice to work with

I spent 2 weeks looking at PSU's, wasn't an easy decision.. especially because I have never used Seasonic before.

When I was shopping there was not much available to me at all..

 

[dirtyferret]

Hello,

are you aware of any source where the build quality of the Seasonic series were compared?

Build quality should be the same across those lines (Seasonic is not as big as some of the larger OEMS) but realize workers are human and "sloppy jobs" do happen that may not actually impact the ability of the PSU. SMT is done off site via another party.

I am not so interested in efficiency, rather in stability and longevity. Considering this, is there much of a difference between a Seasonic Focus GX, Focus PX, Prime GX and Prime PX? Are there different components in those PSUs in terms of quality?

If you look at the warranty offered for each line that should give you an idea of what Seasonic thinks of the stability (I assume you mean within ATX spec) and longevity of their units.

Why would one choose Platinum over Gold? Only for that tiny bit increase in efficiency?

Thank you for your help!

I think Bill said it best so I will just repeat what he said;

"I would never choose Platinum (and especially Titanium) over Gold unless the retailer had the Platinum deeply discounted on the day I was ready to buy" for my own individual needs as the price - performance difference is rarely there for me but "If you were mining, searching for ET, or "Folding" to cure cancer, and your machine was running near capacity 24/7/365, then the extra cost may be worth".

I will also state a lot of people get carried away with Seasonic as if they have some special juice, mojo, road map, exclusive parts list, etc., for building PSU. There are many capable OEMs out there that build PSU as good (if not better sometimes ) as Seasonic and have larger facilities. Just because one company builds units specifically to get those orgasmic voltage ratings that reviewers love does now mean the unit itself will operate or last any more than another unit with a slightly lower score (or vice versa). That said I've owned more Seasonic built units than any other OEM (CWT is a close second) so I'm not knocking them but they are hardly the only game in town.

Just look at a psu tier guide.

Most of them are just fan opinions which they base solely on the OEM's reputation and a few key marketing terms on the box.

 

[Deleted member 205776]

I ordered a PX 750, really hope the cables are good. And that turning on the PSU won't trip my breaker when it's connected to my UPS, like the Ion+ 860P did...

 

[freeagent]

I ordered a PX 750, really hope the cables are good. And that turning on the PSU won't trip my breaker when it's connected to my UPS, like the Ion+ 860P did...

I was looking at the Ion 760p, 860p wasn't available..

Edit:

I also looked at PX750 but was scared off by reports of EMI.. and when I went to buy it it was gone, shipping from the states is 30 bucks and tax..

 

[SL2]

Unrelated to quality, but remember that many Seasonic Gold PSU's usually are shorter than the higher rated counterparts. It's not important for everyone, but there are situations when you need a shorter model.

 

[Deleted member 205776]

I was looking at the Ion 760p, 860p wasn't available..

Edit:

I also looked at PX750 but was scared off by reports of EMI.. and when I went to buy it it was gone, shipping from the states is 30 bucks and tax..

EMI? yay more anxiety

Unrelated to quality, but remember that many Seasonic Gold PSU's usually are shorter than the higher rated counterparts. It's not important for everyone, but there are situations when you need a shorter model.

Yeah the PX 750 is the exact same dimensions as my CX 650 so that's good

 

[Bill_Bright]

Unrelated to quality, but remember that many Seasonic Gold PSU's usually are shorter than the higher rated counterparts.

Ummm, I note several makers do this. For example, the EVGA G3 series PSUs are shorter than the G2. That's intentional so users have the option - in particular, when being installed in smaller mid-tower and some mini-tower cases.

But you are right - that is not related to quality. However, these smaller case PSUs often come with smaller fans too. They typically are more than capable at keeping the PSU adequately cooled, but may need to spin faster to move more air. And typically higher RPMs means louder fan noise. Did I mention I really hate fan noise?