Need PSU Advice!

[dinotso]

Hi All,

 

I am about to build my first PC and the only component I can't pick on my own is the PSU, mostly because I don't understand differences between them well. Looking for the cheapest safe option. Unfortunately, there is a bit of a shortage as far as I can tell, so the following are my current options:

 

$70: Powerspec Bronze 650w Semi-modular (https://www.microcenter.com/product/485312/powerspec-650-watt-80-plus-bronze-atx-semi-modular-power-supply)

$88: Powerspec Gold 650w Semi-modular (https://www.microcenter.com/product/502044/650_Watt_80_Plus_Gold_ATX_Semi-Modular_Power_Supply)

$60: Thermaltake Smart 700w White non-modular (https://www.bestbuy.com/site/thermaltake-smart-700w-atx-80-plus-power-supply-black/6339087.p?skuId=6339087)

 

My build is:

CPU: AMD Ryzen 3 3200g

GPU: GTX 960 2gb (requires 2x 6 pin PCI)

SSD: Adata 240gb

HDD: Seagate 2TB

MOBO: Gigabyte b450m

 

Thanks so much!

Edited May 15, 2020 by dinotso
typo

[SavageNeo]

psu tier list, get atleast something from tier B or above: 

 

Those psus are fire hazard.

[r2724r16]

8 minutes ago, SavageNeo said:

Those psus are fire hazard.

No, not necessarily. Many people (including myself) have used "fire hazard" PSUs for a long time without any problems.

 

I'm not saying the PSUs that the OP selected are good. I'm just pointing out that you don't need to say "those PSUs are fire hazards", because all PSUs are fire hazards to some extent.

[SavageNeo]

1 minute ago, r2724r16 said:

No, not necessarily. Many people (including myself) have used "fire hazard" PSUs for a long time without any problems.

 

I'm not saying the PSUs that the OP selected are good. I'm just pointing out that you don't need to say "those PSUs are fire hazards", because all PSUs are fire hazards to some extent.

well yes, but they lack any protections. So if something happens, BOOM!

[dinotso]

Thanks for the replies so far. @SavageNeo I had looked over the PSU list, but am struggling to find any of them for under $90 (my stretch budget)... I thought the Powerspec Gold was in the B tier? At least, it's what the link goes to on that page.

 

Also... ultra noob question but when people say "fire hazard" is that literal (ie: burn your house down) or metaphorical (ie: fry your parts)

[nox_]

35 minutes ago, SavageNeo said:

Those psus are fire hazard.

Aren't you exaggerating a bit in this instance? One of them is tier b. Not great but not a fire hazard.

 

21 minutes ago, dinotso said:

when people say "fire hazard" is that literal

Literal, rarely house though Other components mostly.

[dinotso]

Here's another thought... I was able to find the Corsair CX450 (2017 version) in stock, which is B+ from the tier list. The problem is, it only has 1 8pin (6+2) PCI cable. What about using a 2x molex to 1x 6 pin adapter to bridge the gap? The card actually comes with a Molex adapter, which makes me think this is okay.

[nox_]

1 hour ago, dinotso said:

GTX 960 2gb (requires 2x 6 pin PCI)

Are you sure about 2 x 6 pins? https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/geforce-gtx-960.c2637

You didn't specify which 960 it is though.

[dinotso]

1 minute ago, nox_ said:

Are you sure about 2 x 6 pins? https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/geforce-gtx-960.c2637

Unfortunately, it seems I bought one of the few models that has 2 x 6 pins, but comes with a molex adapter.

[Tautedorus]

21 hours ago, dinotso said:

What about using a 2x molex to 1x 6 pin adapter to bridge the gap?

It's a pretty bad idea. The thing is, two Molex cables have fewer wires that output 12V than one 6-pin PCIe cable.

[nox_]

3 minutes ago, dinotso said:

Unfortunately, it seems I bought one of the few models that has 2 x 6 pins, but comes with a molex adapter.

Again, which one? You have the card that you're so sure about that?

[dinotso]

1 minute ago, nox_ said:

Again, which one? You have the card that you're so sure about that?

Still waiting for the card to arrive, but it's this specific one:

https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/gigabyte-gtx-960-windforce-2x.b3307

 

and the photos show 2x 6 pins

[nox_]

2 minutes ago, dinotso said:

Still waiting for the card to arrive, but it's this specific one:

https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/gigabyte-gtx-960-windforce-2x.b3307

 

and the photos show 2x 6 pins

Yeah, needs 2. i wouldn't do the molex thing if it was me.

[dinotso]

55 minutes ago, nox_ said:

Yeah, needs 2. i wouldn't do the molex thing if it was me.

Thanks for all the advice! As a final hail mary thought for getting this to work (sadly, it seems this is the best PSU available to me ATM so if I can make it work I want to), could I use an 8 pin to 2x 6 pin splitter? My hope for this working is that the 8 pin from the PSU should be able to handle 150w, and each 6 pin would only take 75w... Does that make sense or I am just getting too desperate?

[nox_]

1 minute ago, dinotso said:

Thanks for all the advice! As a final hail mary thought for getting this to work (sadly, it seems this is the best PSU available to me ATM so if I can make it work I want to), could I use an 8 pin to 2x 6 pin splitter? My hope for this working is that the 8 pin from the PSU should be able to handle 150w, and each 6 pin would only take 75w... Does that make sense or I am just getting too desperate?

i wouldn't do it. Get a psu that has all the connectors you need. @LukeSavenije Maybe you could help? Is Powerspec Gold that bad that it's worth to try and make Corsair one work?

[Juular]

3 hours ago, SavageNeo said:

Those psus are fire hazard.

Not necessarily but we have absolutely no idea what they are.

3 hours ago, dinotso said:

 I thought the Powerspec Gold was in the B tier?

 

2 hours ago, nox_ said:

One of them is tier b.

Nope. Only Powerspec PSX-GFM is in tier B ...

Look at these :

Antec Neo Eco Zen Gold, 70$ - no reviews but it should be relatively good

Gigabyte G750H, 85$ - somewhat better option, mainly because there are more reviews on it but it has better fan too (out of stock ...)

Corsair CX, 86$ - a good option too (back order ...)

Well, or Corsair TX-m, Jon have linked.

[Guest]

58 minutes ago, dinotso said:

Thanks for all the advice! As a final hail mary thought for getting this to work (sadly, it seems this is the best PSU available to me ATM so if I can make it work I want to), could I use an 8 pin to 2x 6 pin splitter? My hope for this working is that the 8 pin from the PSU should be able to handle 150w, and each 6 pin would only take 75w... Does that make sense or I am just getting too desperate?

Splitters and adapters are a bad idea.  If you're buying a new PSU, you buy one that's suitable for the job.

 

This is in stock at Newegg:  https://www.newegg.com/corsair-tx-m-series-tx550m-550w/p/N82E16817139210?Item=N82E16817139210&quicklink=true

 

 

[Guest]

3 hours ago, dinotso said:

 

$70: Powerspec Bronze 650w Semi-modular (https://www.microcenter.com/product/485312/powerspec-650-watt-80-plus-bronze-atx-semi-modular-power-supply)

$88: Powerspec Gold 650w Semi-modular (https://www.microcenter.com/product/502044/650_Watt_80_Plus_Gold_ATX_Semi-Modular_Power_Supply)

$60: Thermaltake Smart 700w White non-modular (https://www.bestbuy.com/site/thermaltake-smart-700w-atx-80-plus-power-supply-black/6339087.p?skuId=6339087)

 

 

The Thermaltake is complete garbage.

 

The two Powerspecs are decent.  Based on the High Power HPM-650GD "Astro GD".  Same as the Silverstone SST-ST65F-G.

 

It doesn't have LLC.  It's a double forward.  But it has DC to DC for the +3.3V and +5V.  But since you're only trying to power a GTX 960, it shouldn't be problematic.

 

Of course, you probably don't know what any of that means.  So you should read some PSU reviews.  The best ones are done by "Aris" at TechPowerUp and Tom's Hardware.

 

The Corsair TX-M is better.. but more expensive.  It has LLC and a better fan.

 

For reference:

 

Link:  https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/be-quiet-straight-power-11-650w-platinum-power-supply-review

 

Link:  https://www.techpowerup.com/review/chieftec-polaris-psu-750-w/

 

He also runs this site:  https://www.cybenetics.com/

[dinotso]

30 minutes ago, Juular said:

Not necessarily but we have absolutely no idea what they are.

 

Nope. Only Powerspec PSX-GFM is in tier B ...

Look at these :

Antec Neo Eco Zen Gold, 70$ - no reviews but it should be relatively good

Gigabyte G750H, 85$ - somewhat better option, mainly because there are more reviews on it but it has better fan too (out of stock ...)

Corsair CX, 86$ - a good option too (back order ...)

Well, or Corsair TX-m, Jon have linked.

Honestly, I cannot say thank you enough. The corsair CX650 you linked was available on Amazon to be delivered within the timeframe I needed it (couple of weeks), and for lower price than the CX450...

[dinotso]

19 minutes ago, jonnyGURU said:

The Thermaltake is complete garbage.

 

The two Powerspecs are decent.  Based on the High Power HPM-650GD "Astro GD".  Same as the Silverstone SST-ST65F-G.

 

It doesn't have LLC.  It's a double forward.  But it has DC to DC for the +3.3V and +5V.  But since you're only trying to power a GTX 960, it shouldn't be problematic.

 

Of course, you probably don't know what any of that means.  So you should read some PSU reviews.  The best ones are done by "Aris" at TechPowerUp and Tom's Hardware.

 

The Corsair TX-M is better.. but more expensive.  It has LLC and a better fan.

 

For reference:

 

Link:  https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/be-quiet-straight-power-11-650w-platinum-power-supply-review

 

Link:  https://www.techpowerup.com/review/chieftec-polaris-psu-750-w/

 

He also runs this site:  https://www.cybenetics.com/

Thanks for the advice, and for those reviews, I really appreciate getting some links to educate myself since I currently know almost nothing!

[Juular]

58 minutes ago, jonnyGURU said:

The two Powerspecs are decent.  Based on the High Power HPM-650GD "Astro GD".

Hmm, that's a good piece of information. You have anything to back this with or we can just trust you ?

Edit: Also you probably meant Silverstone ST65F-GS since ST65F-G is made by Enhance (it's SFX).

Edit 2: And High Power HPM / Astro GD V2 is LLC, so i'm not even sure what you're talking about now ...

Edit 3: And older Astro GD HPA is LLC too ...

[Guest]

23 minutes ago, Juular said:

Hmm, that's a good piece of information. You have anything to back this with or we can just trust you ?

Edit: Also you probably meant Silverstone ST65F-GS since ST65F-G is made by Enhance (it's SFX).

Edit 2: And High Power HPM / Astro GD V2 is LLC, so i'm not even sure what you're talking about now ...

Edit 3: And older Astro GD HPA is LLC too ...

At a very high level, you can just look at the 80 PLUS reports and see they leveraged the same report.

 

RE Edit:  You're correct.  I typoed.  I hate Silverstone part number.

RE Edit 2:  Yes.  But the Astro GD is not the HPM and not the GD V2.  The original Astro GD is very old.... yet Microcenter still uses it (read:  Cheap).

RE Edit 3:  Astro GD HPA is also not the Astro GD.  You're calling off completely different models.   High Power always uses the "Astro" model name.  "GD" is just "Gold".  The original Astro GD is what the Powerspec is based off of, even though there are newer versions of 80 PLUS Gold Astro products.

[Juular]

39 minutes ago, jonnyGURU said:

At a very high level, you can just look at the 80 PLUS reports and see they leveraged the same report.

 

RE Edit:  You're correct.  I typoed.  I hate Silverstone part number.

RE Edit 2:  Yes.  But the Astro GD is not the HPM and not the GD V2.  The original Astro GD is very old.... yet Microcenter still uses it (read:  Cheap).

RE Edit 3:  Astro GD HPA is also not the Astro GD.  You're calling off completely different models.   High Power always uses the "Astro" model name.  "GD" is just "Gold".  The original Astro GD is what the Powerspec is based off of, even though there are newer versions of 80 PLUS Gold Astro products.

This ... didn't really clear anything.

As far as i know there were original Astro GD HPA, it's LLC, also used by SPC Supremo M1 Platinum. Then Astro GD-F HPB which is double-forward DC-DC (perhaps you mean that Powerspec uses this one?). And then Astro GD-F V2 which has HPM suffix you mentioned and which Silverstone ST65F-GS v2 and actually ST65F-G too use. It's actually me who mixed Silverstone part numbers, they have ST-65SF-G v2 also (i hate Silverstone).

 

Edit: Okay, i get it, i see that report for ST-65F-G from 2011 and for Powerspec PS650GSM are identical, and since ST-65F-G V2 uses HPM platform and this is older report i guess this one must be V1 then which i can't find any reviews for, do you know any other units using it or maybe have an internal shot of it ? Also, like, i see that these reports are identical after i've specifically looked at them, is there a way to look for identical reports without skimming through all reports they have ? Maybe an index sorted by ID / test date ?

Edit: I see, i can export all reports to excel spreadsheet, no report ID but at least there are dates.

[Guest]

22 minutes ago, Juular said:

This ... didn't really clear anything.

As far as i know there were original Astro GD HPA, it's LLC, also used by SPC Supremo M1 Platinum. Then Astro GD-F HPB which is double-forward DC-DC (perhaps you mean that Powerspec uses this one?). And then Astro GD-F V2 which has HPM suffix you mentioned and which Silverstone ST65F-GS v2 and actually ST65F-G too use. It's actually me who mixed Silverstone part numbers, they have ST-65SF-G v2 also (i hate Silverstone).

 

Edit: Okay, i get it, i see that report for ST-65F-G from 2011 and for Powerspec PS650GSM are identical, and since ST-65F-G V2 uses HPM platform and this is older report i guess this one must be V1 then which i can't find any reviews for, do you know any other units using it or maybe have an internal shot of it ? Also, like, i see that these reports are identical after i've specifically looked at them, is there a way to look for identical reports without skimming through all reports they have ? Maybe an index sorted by ID / test date ?

Edit: I see, i can export all reports to excel spreadsheet, no report ID but at least there are dates.

Yep. Use the XLS.  And you don't even need to look at the dates.  You'll see the 20%, 50% and 100% efficiencies are all exactly the same.  That's because 80 PLUS doesn't test them.  You just tell that that you're leveraging an existing platform and pay a smaller fee and they put your name on the report. 

 

[Juular]

@jonnyGURU Okay, i hate Silverstone even more now, it's a complete mess ... But i see that Chieftec GPM-650S uses the same platform and it's indeed High Power HPM so Powerspec PS-GSM and PS-GFM, at least 650W versions are indeed LLC.

Edit: new Cougar GX-S on the same platform is reviewed by Aris and looks good.