Need a new PSU

Dark Light · 7 Apr 2012 at 14:43

I am looking for a new PSU that will be able to last me for a good few years, since my current PSU doesn't seem to be working and has taken out 4 HDDs. I am looking for a PSU with high reliability, one that is quiet and one that will be able to power any reasonable system in the future, and of course fully modular.

I want the PSU to be able to power multiple systems, but my next system might be a Ivy Bridge 2700k, decent motherboard, GTX 680 4GB, 1 HDD and maybe 2 SDDs. In addition I want the PSU to be able to power higher end hardware such as Haswell-E.

And of course everything will be overclocked possibly by liquid cooling, so the PSU must be quiet.

My budget is upto £200 for a fully modular PSU, I am currently looking at the AX850, XFX 1000W and the Platimax PSUs, any suggestions?

beejjacobs · 7 Apr 2012 at 14:52

Does it have to be fully modular? Most cables attached with a semi-modular one need to be used anyway.

The XFX 850W XXX is a great PSU, and much better value for money than the 1000W:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-000-XF&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=1497

review:

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=165

It'll run two 680s without any problem

Of course, if you want to spend that much the AX850 and XFX 1000W are excellent PSUs.

Reviews:
AX850
XFX 1000W

Dark Light · 7 Apr 2012 at 14:54

beejjacobs said:
Does it have to be fully modular? Most cables attached with a semi-modular one need to be used anyway.

The XFX 850W XXX is a great PSU, and much better value for money than the 1000W:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-000-XF&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=1497

It'll run two 680s without any problem

Of course, if you want to spend that much the AX850 and XFX 1000W are excellent PSUs.

If it doesn't cost any more then fully modular would be great, but semi-modular would be fine.

beejjacobs · 7 Apr 2012 at 15:04

Dark Light said:
If it doesn't cost any more then fully modular would be great, but semi-modular would be fine.

It depends really. IF you're going to be into 3/4-way SLI/crossfire you might need 1000W+ but even SLI 680s are comfortably run off a 850W PSU.

Dark Light · 7 Apr 2012 at 16:24

beejjacobs said:
It depends really. IF you're going to be into 3/4-way SLI/crossfire you might need 1000W+ but even SLI 680s are comfortably run off a 850W PSU.

But what if I got SLI GTX 680s OCed 33% and a SB-E OCed 50%.

beejjacobs · 7 Apr 2012 at 16:30

http://www.guru3d.com/article/geforce-gtx-680-review/9

GeForce GTX 680 SLI - On your average system the cards require you to have a 750 Watt power supply unit as minimum

Even OC'd 850W will be plenty

Dark Light · 7 Apr 2012 at 18:11

beejjacobs said:
http://www.guru3d.com/article/geforce-gtx-680-review/9

Even OC'd 850W will be plenty

What if the next Geforce uses 250W, two of those in SLI OCed could easily use 750W.

beejjacobs · 7 Apr 2012 at 18:16

Dark Light said:
What if the next Geforce uses 250W, two of those in SLI OCed could easily use 750W.

Fair enough. I'm not saying you'd never need 1000W, just that 850W is better value for money and plenty for most set ups.

hondo · 7 Apr 2012 at 18:19

A question I've frequently asked myself but never thought to go public with it before.

Can you go OTT with wattage of a PSU?

EG will will a 1000w PSU draw more from the plug on a similar system when only a 650w is required. :confused:

If not, wouldn't it pay to go 1000 now, to leave headroom for future major upgrades?

RJC · 7 Apr 2012 at 18:21

hondo said:
A question I've frequently asked myself but never thought to go public with it before.

Can you go OTT with wattage of a PSU?

EG will will a 1000w PSU draw more from the plug on a similar system when only a 650w is required.

If not, wouldn't it pay to go 1000 now, to leave headroom for future major upgrades?

The PSU will only draw the amount needed to run the system, if the system pulls 500w then then if all things being equal a 1000w PSU would only draw 500w.

1000W can be overboard unless you want to run triple cards ect, 750w to 850w is enough for most dual setup systems.

beejjacobs · 7 Apr 2012 at 18:22

hondo said:
A question I've frequently asked myself but never thought to go public with it before.

Can you go OTT with wattage of a PSU?

EG will will a 1000w PSU draw more from the plug on a similar system when only a 650w is required.

If not, wouldn't it pay to go 1000 now, to leave headroom for future major upgrades?

If the efficiency was the equal, a 450W PSU and 1000W would use the same amount of power when running the same system.

However, in reality you'd have to compare the exact PSUs being used, as they have different efficiencies at different loads. Though usually the difference is not important/significant.

moogle · 7 Apr 2012 at 18:25

Dark Light said:
What if the next Geforce uses 250W, two of those in SLI OCed could easily use 750W.

Then buy a better PSU if and when you get those cards.

If you're buying a PSU now in anticipation of possibly getting high power next generation cards (due when who knows) then you're going to be wasting your money as you wouldn't be using the extra capacity on the PSU.

By the time you do get those cards the PSU efficiency and technology will have improved a bit and that PSU you got for £200 will have a better version for possibly less.

beejjacobs said:
If the efficiency was the equal, a 450W PSU and 1000W would use the same amount of power when running the same system.

However, in reality you'd have to compare the exact PSUs being used, as they have different efficiencies at different loads. Though usually the difference is not important/significant.

Only if the efficiency was equal at the same load. PSU's efficiencies usually peak at 50% load and then drop slightly or badly depending on the quality. If you have a system that draws 250w from the wall idle and 400w at load then at idle the 450w would be more efficient than the 1000w and the opposite when under load.

All depends on what sort of things you'll be connecting to it.

hondo · 7 Apr 2012 at 18:25

Thanks, that about what I thought myself, but wasn't 100% sure.

liamcrane · 7 Apr 2012 at 18:44

How about the nzxt hale90 80+ gold efficancy looks fab and is modular apart from the 24 pin and 4/8 pin cpu plug. Im looking at getting the 650w myself for my new i5 and 7850 setup

moogle · 7 Apr 2012 at 18:53

liamcrane said:
How about the nzxt hale90 80+ gold efficancy looks fab and is modular apart from the 24 pin and 4/8 pin cpu plug. Im looking at getting the 650w myself for my new i5 and 7850 setup

Have a think, when does a PC setup (decent build) ever not use those two cables?

The fully modular ones are a waste if that's all it offers above a modular one. Unless you plan on braiding the cables.

liamcrane · 7 Apr 2012 at 19:11

moogle said:
Have a think, when does a PC setup (decent build) ever not use those two cables?

The fully modular ones are a waste if that's all it offers above a modular one. Unless you plan on braiding the cables.

I know exactly what you mean

but my point was that you dont have to worry about hiding all unused molex cables etc that normally come hard wired on PSU's. Its a nice looking psu with a decent 80+ gold rating thats the main reason why i suggested it

moogle · 7 Apr 2012 at 19:20

liamcrane said:
I know exactly what you mean but my point was that you dont have to worry about hiding all unused molex cables etc that normally come hard wired on PSU's. Its a nice looking psu with a decent 80+ gold rating thats the main reason why i suggested it

Oh right I thought you were talking about it as if the hardwired 24 and 8 pin cables were a bad thing

liamcrane · 7 Apr 2012 at 19:49

No No lol like you say kinda pointless really why some PSU's are completly modular when you always need the 24 pin plug and cpu plug

.

Hearing good things about XFX PSU's as well, not owned one myself but anything made by seasonic is of good quality

Dark Light · 7 Apr 2012 at 21:18

Starting to think that the 1000W XFX would be a bit overkill, but on the other hand the XFX is quitter, has a higher rating and is more efficient, but is it worth the extra money?

beejjacobs · 7 Apr 2012 at 21:22

Dark Light said:
Starting to think that the 1000W XFX would be a bit overkill, but on the other hand the XFX is quitter, has a higher rating and is more efficient, but is it worth the extra money?

Well, that depends! If you honestly think you need 1000W or will do, then perhaps that one. But it seems unlikely to me! I'd go with the 850W if it was me.