Futureproof PSU for mid-range PCs

[KN_Ikari]

So, my PSU is clearly going to die, and I am looking for a good PSU for a mid-range PC. I've already read some guides and some reviews, but I'm still quite clueless.

 

My actual configuration is rather old (Intel i5 2400, Radeon HD6850, generic WD hard drive, some random ram and soon an SSD), however I want to be able to upgrade it in the future without buying another power supply.

 

Chances are I will never buy top-tier power hungry components (let's say I'll never buy something higher than a GTX970) and I won't overclock anything, so I won't need more than 550-650 watts if I'm correct. However I'd like the PSU to be up to the current standards (i.e. latest CPU power management standards) and power efficient.

 

Last but not least, budget: around 100€, of course a bit less is better. The store must ship to Italy and accept PayPal if possible.

 

Thank you in advance.

[Oshino Shinobu]

EVGA G2/GS 650W should be good for any single GPU setup for quite a while to come. Good quality and a good price. 

[Lays]

750 G2, it'll work for basically every system config and doesn't cost much extra vs 650w psu's.

[Ophidio]

Not sure how much this one is for you but hopefully it's not to much. Great PSU though and will server you well and it's fully modular so why not. 

 

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-power-supply-220gs0650v1

[Superdoge]

For the most part, find a 650/750W psu, preferably 80+ bronze or higher for your sake. Also, make sure that you buy from a well known and reputable company like Corsair or EVGA. Hope I helped!

[Sklo]

I read "waterproof" and was like wth.

However, Any EVGA or Corsair PSU in your price-range.

[Oshino Shinobu]

For the most part, find a 650/750W psu, preferably 80+ bronze or higher for your sake. Also, make sure that you buy from a well known and reputable company like Corsair or EVGA. Hope I helped!

Neither Corsair or EVGA should be recommended as a whole for PSUs. Neither of them make the PSUs they brand, and both have some pretty bad ones in their lineup. 

 

The only companies I'd recommend as a whole are Seasonic, Superflower and Delta (and XFX, but they're Seasonic units). For all other companies, you should do research on the specific model, as normally a brand isn't a reliable measure of the quality (neither is the efficiency rating)

[Oshino Shinobu]

I read "waterproof" and was like wth.

However, Any EVGA or Corsair PSU in your price-range.

No, no. EVGA and Corsair both have bad PSUs in their lineup. The 500W + from EVGA is a terrible unit, for example. 

 

Both are brands that source their units from various OEMs with various levels of quality. Be specific to the individual units.

[SteveGrabowski0]

I would go with EVGA G2 for their ten year warranties.

[Dossium]

I read "waterproof" and was like wth.

 

You made my day.

 

Thank you for misreading it.

[Sklo]

No, no. EVGA and Corsair both have bad PSUs in their lineup. The 500W + from EVGA is a terrible unit, for example. 

 

Both are brands that source their units from various OEMs with various levels of quality. Be specific to the individual units.

a half year ago, they were the sh.. when it came to PSU. Please enlighten me what changed?

[Oshino Shinobu]

a half year ago, they were the sh.. when it came to PSU. Please enlighten me what changed?

Nothing has changed, just more people are actually looking into the PSUs, rather than going off a brand that puts their stickers on various units. Some of their lower end units are cheap CWT OEM units, whereas their higher end (AX, for example) are better Seasonic OEM units. They gained a reputation as being a good PSU manufacturer, even though they don't make any PSUs. 

 

EVGA has now become (wrongly) synonymous with good quality PSUs, just because they have some great ones in their lineup (Seasonic and Superflower OEM). Their NEX series are not great, and their 80+ PSUs are mostly pretty bad. 

 

The only thing that has really changed is knowledge. With the PSU being arguably the most important part of a system, it's good to get a good quality unit, which means that you need to look into the unit specifically, rather than brands. 

[KN_Ikari]

Until now the Supernova GS 650W seems the winner, but it is a bit over my planned budget (110-115€). Are there other similar options with roughly the same characteristics? I think I'll buy this one if there isn't anything similar for this price.

[STRMfrmXMN]

Until now the Supernova GS 650W seems the winner, but it is a bit over my planned budget (110-115€). Are there other similar options with roughly the same characteristics? I think I'll buy this one if there isn't anything similar for this price.

Antec High Current Gamer or perhaps the Corsair RMx or RMi.

[Superdoge]

No, no. EVGA and Corsair both have bad PSUs in their lineup. The 500W + from EVGA is a terrible unit, for example. 

 

Both are brands that source their units from various OEMs with various levels of quality. Be specific to the individual units.

What're some reputable brands?

[Oshino Shinobu]

What're some reputable brands?

Seasonic, SuperFlower, Delta and XFX (Seasonic OEM) are the companies that I'd recommend as a whole, as they don't sell any bad PSUs. 

[KN_Ikari]

The GS 650w is still the best option so far. I managed to find it at 111€ and I'll buy it today or tomorrow. In the meantime I'll still consider other options, if any.

EDIT: I've just ordered it. Thank you everyone!