PSU recommendation

[beefalo]

So I picked up one of the sapphire 7970s to crossfire in the sale last week and wasn't sure if my power supply was capable.  Turns out I have too many hard drives and no power left for the GPU.  I was planning to upgrade before water cooling later this year so I guess I might as well now.  So what do you guys recommend for my system?  I'd like to keep the price close to $150 and efficiency won't really matter to me since I'm at a university.

 

[fishymamba]

Can't go wrong with Silverstone: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256058

Lower wattage, but higher efficiency: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256079  

Better(but more expensive) option is Seasonic: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151087 

Personally I would go with Seasonic, because they manufacture their own PSUs.

[quan289]

The Coolermaster V850 may be a very good option. It's a Seasonic X KM3 internally that is rocking a higher quality FDB fan than the 2BB fan that the SS has.

 

On Newegg, there's a promo for it that lowers the price to $157.25. There's also a MIR that you can take advantage of that effectively lower the price to $127.25 if you get it.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171079

[joelthezombie15]

This is a bit over budget BUT its platinum efficiency, modular,and seasonic

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151120

[Nit3Rid3R]

Can't go wrong with Silverstone: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256058

Lower wattage, but higher efficiency: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256079  

Better(but more expensive) option is Seasonic: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151087 

Personally I would go with Seasonic, because they manufacture their own PSUs.

All very great options. +1

 

You can also look into the Corsair AX750: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139016&Tpk=Corsair%20AX750&IsVirtualParent=1

[beefalo]

Can't go wrong with Silverstone: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256058

Lower wattage, but higher efficiency: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256079  

Better(but more expensive) option is Seasonic: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151087 

Personally I would go with Seasonic, because they manufacture their own PSUs.

 

 

This is a bit over budget BUT its platinum efficiency, modular,and seasonic

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151120

Those seasonics do look nice.  Probaby going with those.  Neither are much more wattage than my current psu but have way more connnectors.  Is that just because of their effieciency?

 

Also I plan on getting an 8350 if i can find one on the cheap sometime and watercooling later so would I be better off with an 850+ watt for overclocking or would these 750w psus be fine?

[joelthezombie15]

Those seasonics do look nice.  Probaby going with those.  Neither are much more wattage than my current psu but have way more connnectors.  Is that just because of their effieciency?

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story5&reid=235

Amazing reviews to.

[fishymamba]

Those seasonics do look nice.  Probaby going with those.  Neither are much more wattage than my current psu but have way more connnectors.  Is that just because of their effieciency?

The efficiency for PSUs does not change the wattage rating. For example an 850W PSU with a 80% efficincy will actually draw ~1020Watts from the wall.

What PSU are you currently using?

[fishymamba]

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story5&reid=235

Amazing reviews to.

BTW anything over an 8.5 on johnny guru is a 10 everywhere else. He is pretty harsh on ratings. 

[quan289]

Those seasonics do look nice.  Probaby going with those.  Neither are much more wattage than my current psu but have way more connnectors.  Is that just because of their effieciency?

 

Efficiency doesn't have to do with that. Assuming that it's a proper, quality unit, it just mean that your current power supply has poor connectivity. A good example of this is the Corsair TX650v2. It's based on the same Seasonic SS-650AT platform as the XFX Core Edition 650w; however the Corsair only has 2 PCIe cables whereas the XFX has 4.

 

TBH, I would with the Coolermaster V850. It's a Seasonic unit as well, build on the same platform at a very good price.

 

If you want further verification, then here's a conversation regarding CM v1000 vs SS Platinum 1000w: http://www.jonnyguru.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10275

 

Here's a review on the 1000w version of that CM. http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/CoolerMaster/V1000/

[beefalo]

The efficiency for PSUs does not change the wattage rating. For example an 850W PSU with a 80% efficincy will actually draw ~1020Watts from the wall.

What PSU are you currently using?

 

 

BTW anything over an 8.5 on johnny guru is a 10 everywhere else. He is pretty harsh on ratings. 

Currently I have an ocz modxtream pro 700w.  Those reviews are pretty impressive.  I've read a few of his reviews and  he's insane.  What do you guys think of this psu http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341044?

(I'm a sucker for free games :) )

[ANIMAL_ORIGIN]

SEASONIC! SEASONIC! SEASONIC! :)

[quan289]

I feel like I'm being ignored...Well, whatever.

 

Currently I have an ocz modxtream pro 700w.  Those reviews are pretty impressive.  I've read a few of his reviews and  he's insane.  What do you guys think of this psu http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341044?

(I'm a sucker for free games :) )

 

Your current PSU was actually a rather poor group-regulated design, that fail to power up to 700w on [H]ardOCP. So any of the unit listed here, including the one you had link would by far be a superior choice, and since it was more of a budget-oriented unit, it could be the reason for the lack of connectivity. The OCZ ZX is indeed a solid performing unit. The Seasonic KM3 line and the unit that are based off of it does offer better electrical performance, DC quality output, components, etc. It's also within the same price point.

[beefalo]

I feel like I'm being ignored...Well, whatever.

 

 

Your current PSU was actually a rather poor group-regulated design, that fail to power up to 700w on [H]ardOCP. So any of the unit listed here, including the one you had link would by far be a superior choice, and since it was more of a budget-oriented unit, it could be the reason for the lack of connectivity. The OCZ ZX is indeed a solid performing unit. The Seasonic KM3 line and the unit that are based off of it does offer better electrical performance, DC quality output, components, etc. It's also within the same price point.

Thanks for the help.  I know the one I have sucks.  I was planning to replace it soon anyway.  What other units are based on the km3?

[quan289]

Thanks for the help.  I know the one I have sucks.  I was planning to replace it soon anyway.  What other units are based on the km3?

 

Ah, yes. I was just answering the one of the reason why that it doesn't offer a lot of cables/connectivity, is all. It's good that your are replacing it for your CFX 7970 setup.

 

Coolermaster V, XFX ProSeries Black Edition (uses lower quality ADDA 2BB fans than the ones in the Seasonic), The AX760/860 is identical to that platform (as the same 2BB fan as the Seasonic).

 

Just an FYI, unless they have updated it and Newegg didn't updated their images, the first AX750/850 is based on the older KM2 design.

[beefalo]

Coolermaster V, XFX ProSeries Black Edition (uses lower quality ADDA 2BB fans than the ones in the Seasonic), The AX760/860 is identical to that platform (as the same 2BB fan as the Seasonic).

 

Just an FYI, unless they have updated it and Newegg didn't updated their images, the first AX750/850 is based on the older KM2 design.

You've been really helpful.  i think I'm probably going with either the ocz zx or coolermaster v series.  Those cables on the cooler master look pretty cool, are they very functional or would I be better off custom sleeving anyway?  Last question, psu with better fan and cables or far cry 3? :)

[quan289]

You've been really helpful.  i think I'm probably going with either the ocz zx or coolermaster v series.  Those cables on the cooler master look pretty cool, are they very functional or would I be better off custom sleeving anyway?  Last question, psu with better fan and cables or far cry 3? :)

 

While FC3 was a good game (IMO), definitely the PSU with the better fan. lol Especially since the game you can get at any time later on, but the PSU isn't something that you would want to replace (which you probably wouldn't either way). There also the point the fact that the CM uses higher quality capacitor from NCC rather than the CapXon on the OCZ.

 

As for the cables, I personally like the flat cables has I could lay it flatly on the back of the mobo tray without having to worry about having difficulties with closing the side panel. As for custom sleeving. You mean individually sleeving? I don't do sleeving, so I can't really say much about it, but personally, I find it kind of cheesy... XD

 

Anyways, I have to go. Good luck with your build.

[beefalo]

Thanks for all of your help! 

 

[joelthezombie15]

BTW anything over an 8.5 on johnny guru is a 10 everywhere else. He is pretty harsh on ratings. 

Yes, i am aware but i like making sure im getting a good PSU so i like to get anything 9 and above on johnnyguru :p 

[quan289]

TBH, you shouldn't just go off of score to determine which PSU is better/good. There are three reviewers on JG - Tazz, Oklahoma Wolf, and Jonny (which doesn't do that much reviews anymore which may has to do with that he now work at Corsair), and each of them may score them differently from how they see fit.

 

Also, there's a matter of time period. The standard a two years ago may different from now, where it may have score a 9/10 rating then but if it had been retested now, it may have drop to 8.5 or so. There's also the problem with the pricing at the time of the review that can negatively affect the scoring overall. There are times I see OW give the value of a unit a 8/10, and another comparable unit a year later scored a 9.5 or so. The funny thing about that is the price of the two units are now the same.

 

Plus, there may be different standard in review regarding different segments. If it's a budget oriented power supply, I would not used the same grading methodology as a high-end unit. There will be some leniency with certain units.

 

IMHO, ignore the scores and actually read the review. That would give you a more accurate idea in respect how good a power supply really is, especially between reviewers of different testing methodology. Provided that you understand it, of course.