Silent PSU Advice

Sniper Ash6

Sniper Ash6

Sniper Ash6

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24 Aug 2009
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156
My system (as per sig) has a 500W Arctic Power PSU in it and even when idle the PSU is fairly noisy - case fans and CPU/GPU fans are silent due to a fan controller

When i run prime95 and RTHDRIBL (or any GPU stress testing program) to load the 12V rails, the PSU becomes extremely noisy so much so that it can be heard across the house
I would like a new PSU that joins the rest of my computer in being silent.

I would prefer it to be modular as there is a window on the side of my case as well as liking it to be high powered and from a reputable company with a decent warranty so that its safe for future upgrades to components such as a Phenom II and a 4890

The Corsair HX620 looks good but i was wondering if there was anything else i should be looking at

Cheers
SA6
 
I have an HX620, and cannot hear it over other components such as case fans and HDD's of which mine are quiet anyway (HDD's mounted on rubber gromets, and 120mm fans all round..)

Im sure there may be some quiter PSU's but you certainly wont be dissapointed with the HX620, I would recomend it to anyone.
 
Thanks, the reason theHX620 was recommended to me was a friend of mine runs a very high specced rig off of one and has no problem at all
I just wondered if there were any other brands that were reputable and made silent modular PSUs that i had maybe overlooked

There are the OCZ ones i see on the OCuk site but from some of the reviews i have read they fail tests at their rated power eg the 700W failing a test to output 700W etc.
and its hard to gauge how silent they are from someone reviewing it briefly and not having lived with it
 
The HX620 and the cheaper HX520 are made by Seasonic, probably the manufacturer of quiet power supplies.

Anything from Seasonic will be good and quiet.
 
Ducky Spud said:
Im also intrested in what people say for this as Im after a quieter power supply too. From looking around Ive found lots of people recommending the Be Quiet! Dark Power Pro 650W. Im tempted to get that but like I said, be intrested to hear other opinions on whats nice and quiet :)
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That Be Quiet is a bit pricey when put aside the likes of the HX620 though

For about a tenner more than the Be Quiet you can get the HX750
 
Sniper Ash6 said:
They are re badged and slightly edited seasonic designs arent they?
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They are manufactured by Seasonic. That's about as much as anyone really knows. Be careful of some of the other HX series as they are not Seasonic and are quite noisy - the HX1000 is very loud in comparison, although still very quiet. I think that's made by Channel Well?
 
WJA96 said:
They are manufactured by Seasonic. That's about as much as anyone really knows. Be careful of some of the other HX series as they are not Seasonic and are quite noisy - the HX1000 is very loud in comparison, although still very quiet. I think that's made by Channel Well?
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I wasnt looking at going that expensive anyway but thanks for the warning

I did consider the TX series but they are meant to only be quiet not silent and think its probably worth it to spend more money and get a modular PSU (is it?)
 
Modular PSUs are less reliable and less efficient.

If it was me, I'd buy the Corsair HX520 as it's the best compromise between cost and power. If you're going CrossFireX at any point, then the HX620 is probably worth the extra.

Most PCs only actually use about 400W tops.

You want a PSU that will run 80%+ loaded. Anything less and it's seriously inefficient and they can get quite noisy because they dump the inefficiency as heat and the fans run.
 
WJA96 said:
Modular PSUs are less reliable and less efficient.

If it was me, I'd buy the Corsair HX520 as it's the best compromise between cost and power. If you're going CrossFireX at any point, then the HX620 is probably worth the extra.

Most PCs only actually use about 400W tops.

You want a PSU that will run 80%+ loaded. Anything less and it's seriously inefficient and they can get quite noisy because they dump the inefficiency as heat and the fans run.
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Is there much of a price gap between the HX520 and the HX620?

Although my current spec will not require more than 520W i would like to leave room to upgrade as in the future would like to go AM3 with a 955 (or whatever is out at the time) and a DX11 card (dependant on pricing) or a 4890

And i guess there is no noise difference between the two?
 
Only fanless psu are silent - BUT don't get one - 12v rail will have low amps so not for gaming pc's.

Do not confuse inauable (in relation to a standard air cooled pc) with silent - they are about 30db different!

mini rant over - I'd also recomend the cosair or the 82+ enermax's and echo WJA96 (but it's only high spec gaming pc that avg 400w at the plug load. - Most use 150 max)
 
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I dont want a fanless PSU

My use of the term "Silent" is based on it being in a case and me being about 1m away from it. Fanless PSUs probably have cap squeal and other noticeable noises though

I havent seen many Enermax's will have a look now cheers
 
@ tuppers: Google for some reviews and see what lab tests show

@ Shadow: I just looked at the Enermax Modu82+ 625W and it looks to be the quietest PSU that review sites have had the chance to review!
Its the same price as the Corsair HX620 so im torn. Are there are other options i should be looking at?
 
Fanless psu are made (at great expense) for ultra quiet pc's - cap squeal is not acceptable. - my G7 makes more noise than my yesico :D

I understand what you mean, and I'm not trying to trash the thread - your just using the wrong terminology that's all, something we all do (due to advertising).
Silent = 0db, it's a finite term.

As too alturnative, seasonic M12 - look at spcr - linky
they also have a very good artical on why you shouldn't use the word silent :)
 
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I used to have a blue storm 500w which i could never hear any noise from. it looked good as well, i think you can get them in 500w or 600w, but they are a bit old & might not have all the connectors you need (depending on your rig)
 
Technically that may be (well it is and i know that) be what silence means but as happens a lot and will continue to happen probably for ever the industry makes the word to mean something else

Do OCuk sell the enermax PSUs as ive only had a look at reviews so far?

EDIT: The HX52 and HX620 have disappeared from OCuk now as well
 
Row_Bot said:
I used to have a blue storm 500w which i could never hear any noise from. it looked good as well, i think you can get them in 500w or 600w, but they are a bit old & might not have all the connectors you need (depending on your rig)
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Cheers but im afraid its not powerful enough, apparently the 500W version is 15A max on the 12V rail
 
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