So I need a PSU...

YeloSno · 05-13-2013, 07:04 PM

So I need a PSU, right?

After days of research, I've concluded that the Corsair 650W Platinum would be a prime reference point for a PSU that I need.

Reasons being:

Relatively quiet-ish? (can't wholly guarantee that)
Reliable (Corsair)
Power efficient
Modular as ****.

I need something with those features (plus as quiet and cool as can be) for under $150 (give any sticker price a 15% price variation window... I can find my way to the discounted sources well.)

My question for you guys:

What could you suggest that fits in that criteria?

I currently run:

16GB Corsair Vengeance Low Profile RAM @ 1333mhz (what? it was free. I wanted 1600)
****ty bottom of the line Gigabyte Mobo
********steak PSU with those janky *** brolex connectors
MSI 660 ti power edition
i5 3570K
HT|Omega Striker 7.1
Seagate 7.2krpm 6gb/s hdd
Blu Ray player, **** if I know who by.

I know some of these seem pointless to list, but everything takes its power from something, right?

The 650 is to be sure that I don't have to reupgrade when I move onto other parts.

(Still need to buy more Noctua case fans. The thing says it fits 9 fans, so it's ****ing getting 9 fans... 8 of which are 120mm and 1 being a 92. Anywho, the stock fans aren't total ****, but they're really ****ing loud. I sleep in a different room whenever my computer's on unless I'm really ****ed up or out.)

Thanks!

BenderBR · 05-13-2013, 09:10 PM

Frraksurred · 05-13-2013, 10:38 PM

Personally I wouldn't bother with anything smaller than a 750, but I'm an avid gamer. So long as you're not planning to step up to an i7, multiple HDD's or a larger graphics card, the 650 will probably due.

If you do want some more headroom, than I'd look at a 750 - 850. Corsair, Cooler Master, Silverstone and PC&C all make solid, reliable PSU's. Some of them, like CM, have a "silent" series if sound is really an issue. Generally, if it has a 120mm fan, most are fairly quiet already.

YeloSno · 05-14-2013, 04:14 PM

Nah, i7 is a waste of my time and money. The difference is close to nil for anything I do and play, and yes I even play witcher 2 and battlefield (sometimes, fun when you're ****ed up).

My PC draws just under 400 right now, and when I'm done, it should draw around 570. My rule of thumb is keep 100W leeway, but since the end result will be around 570 and not just a waypoint, I don't see in going over 650.

That and the pricepoint is at my limit for a 650, so it works pretty decent.

Totally forgot about CM.

Tt any good?

remember that I need modularity.

That said, only upgrades I will make are this:

higher speed RAM (waaaay later on)
better mobo (from MSi or ASUS, about $200.)

The 660ti PE from MSI is pretty ****ing solid already. I can play at high for all my games, which I wasn't even able to play on medium-low with my last computer, so I'm content. I game a lot, but I also need to spend money on a house, car, paintball, life, business, so forth, so this will do.

Frraksurred · 05-14-2013, 06:10 PM

I personally have no experience with Thermaltake's PSU's, they seem to review "okay" (mixed reviews, especially on their 600).

I did a little digging around Overclockers.net, Hardforums.com and Anandtech.com, some tech sites I frequent, and the most referred 650's were as follows:

Seasonic X 650: $109 on Newegg - 80+ Gold Certified, full modular, excellent reviews.

Rosewell Hive 650: $80 on Newegg, 80+ Bronze certified, also very well reviewed.

I've no experience with these either (been awhile since I've had a single monitor / GPU setup), but some guys that know a hellofalot more about computers than I do recommend them. Worth looking into at the least.

YeloSno · 05-15-2013, 03:28 AM

Looks like Coolermaster and the Corsair have consistent problems on a grand scale and ****ty CS (can attest), so I've began to veer from them.

EVGA's 650W supply sounds ridiculously promising, surprisingly, and frankly it is going to stay as my go to choice if this drags on without a winner. Especially at $90.

I've always been sketched about rosewill and seasonic and I don't know why. I'll look into them.

YeloSno · 05-15-2013, 03:31 AM

Oooh ****, those DO look good. Reading more.

SKI008 · 05-15-2013, 03:54 AM

Seasonic is great I have a 650 watt in my rig right now. Fully modular and great reviews, have had no problems with it at all. Would recommend.

Think it might even be the same one Frraksurred posted actually, don't remember the exact model number offhand but it's ran great thus far.

Frraksurred · 05-15-2013, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YeloSno

Oooh ****, those DO look good. Reading more.

Yeah I was surprised too, lol. I would have never looked twice at Rosewell, thought that name was junk. Seasonic I've read good things about, but still thought they were a startup. This is why I research. Money comes to hard not to spend it wisely.

toolbandfan · 05-15-2013, 12:00 PM

I think Seasonic makes their own PSU's and of course others, but all the other brands are simply made by one of the big PSU manufacturers and plastered with marketing.

Rosewill can buy crap power supplies or they can buy quality power supplies, they chose to sell to both sides. Generally, but not always, the PSU's with the higher efficiency are going to be better units. I wouldn't get anything that's not at least 80+ rated anymore.

My only long term personal experience is with an Antec Earthwatts 500w. It's been outstanding for the 5 years it's been in my computer.

YeloSno · 05-15-2013, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frraksurred

This is why I research. Money comes to hard not to spend it wisely.

Dat Dot.

Big time, though.

I don't understand how people think the picky kids are crazy, but what we buy needs to last, amirite?

But yeah, I'm still uber sketch about seasonic. I don't have the time (Believe me, I have the patience, though.) to have a downed PC for up to 2 months because of a **** PSU.

toolbandfan · 05-15-2013, 07:28 PM

They're one of the best if not greatest PSU manufacturer. They're the ones who make most of the high quality Corsair units you dolt.

DayoftheGreek · 05-15-2013, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YeloSno

But yeah, I'm still uber sketch about seasonic. I don't have the time (Believe me, I have the patience, though.) to have a downed PC for up to 2 months because of a **** PSU.

Sketch and Seasonic shouldn't be in the same sentence. They make some of the highest quality PSU's available. The only drawback is sometimes you can get a better deal on similar quality.

YeloSno · 05-15-2013, 07:31 PM

My **** is that I just can't learn much about them and their history/ethics.

It seems very legit, but there are little things here and there which I'm like "Waitwaitwaitawaitwait.... hmmmmmm" about.

I've been digging hard for **** on the EVGA and I'm having a hard time finding any consistent negatives or iffy features on theirs.

I also like that the power is split between 4 reinforced rails. Like they straight up seem to go out of their way to add cool things that they think will help and not just to add things to the features list. Of course, this is all from reading 10000000000000000000000000000000 reviews on any of the ones of interest.

Again, still digging into SS and RW.

Rebel_816 · 05-15-2013, 07:42 PM

my antec 750 has served me well the past 2 years.

toolbandfan · 05-15-2013, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YeloSno

My **** is that I just can't learn much about them and their history/ethics.

It seems very legit, but there are little things here and there which I'm like "Waitwaitwaitawaitwait.... hmmmmmm" about.

I've been digging hard for **** on the EVGA and I'm having a hard time finding any consistent negatives or iffy features on theirs.

I also like that the power is split between 4 reinforced rails. Like they straight up seem to go out of their way to add cool things that they think will help and not just to add things to the features list. Of course, this is all from reading 10000000000000000000000000000000 reviews on any of the ones of interest.

Again, still digging into SS and RW.

Jesus the stupid is overwhelming. If you actually want to understand power supplies and how they really work, I suggest www.jonnyguru.com. He reviews power supplies deeper than any of us could. He tears each apart to look at how they're put together, etc. I personally much prefer his site more than Hard forum PSU reviews.

YeloSno · 05-16-2013, 12:52 AM

What? I read reviews thoroughly.

Just when I can't get enough educated ones, I look for patterns and information about the company's history to see if they even do anything about the problems they have and if it's model:model, so forth.

Completely forgot about JG's reviews. Thank you for the link

papaintballer15 · 05-19-2013, 10:37 AM

I have a Corsair TX650. got it for a build for my cousin.. outta the box it was dead. Had to pull my antec ATX750 outta my rig for her. Corsair wont replace it, have a corsair TX750 in my rig now... its nice and it works but the fan in it doesnt work at all. Luckily I have 6 fans as it is plus a liquid cooler

Supra_MKIII · 05-19-2013, 10:53 AM

Corsair 650 should be great. They have a great reputation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by papaintballer15

I have a Corsair TX650. got it for a build for my cousin.. outta the box it was dead. Had to pull my antec ATX750 outta my rig for her. Corsair wont replace it, have a corsair TX750 in my rig now... its nice and it works but the fan in it doesnt work at all. Luckily I have 6 fans as it is plus a liquid cooler

Your experience is not typical. Also, the fan in your PSU isn't meant to cool your other parts, so you having a liquid cooling system is completely irrelevant when considering your PSU fan.

digitard · 05-19-2013, 11:20 AM

I have an OCZ ZX Series 850W and it's been sick. I picked it up because when I did my build they had a sale and it was only 90 bucks, but it's been performing solid for about 1.5yrs now w/o an issue.

All the standards, modular, etc. I can't complain.

YeloSno · 05-19-2013, 02:34 PM

I've heard so much **** for Corsair and CoolerMaster, which really disappointed me. I've already resolved that they may help with my cooling and RAM, but they aren't going to be taking the PSU spot.

I'm dialed in between Seasonic and EVGA.

I'm iffy on Enermax, but guru is saying it's so decent. Gah.