What PSU?

[Michael_10]

Hi,
I need a good quality PSU for my PC that I am upgrading, noise level is very important and I need to know which PSU i should get.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-014-CS

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-043-OC

These PSU's are very similar in price, so what would be people's preferences?

 

[lixxus]

what will you be powering ? what are the specs of your pc

 

[Grimley]

I'd go for the Corsair.

All the reviews on it speak for themselves.

http://www.corsair.com/products/vx/default.aspx

HX520 owner here. I cant hear it above the rest of my PC.

 

[Michael_10]

So you don't think the extra efficiency of the OCZ would be benefical?

I'll be powering a HD 5850, Unlocked Phenom II x2 550, 1 HDD

 

[pat_c]

I had a Corsair HX520, btw HX are the modular build versions, its nicer to have a cleaner build without excessive amount of cables.

If your unsure what wattage you need - Antec's website has a rough calculator guide
http://www.antec.outervision.com/
Also pay attention to the max load on the 12V rail.

VX has 41A for total 492W, okay for any overclocked cpu + single vga card.

 

[Michael_10]

And there're not noisey? Wuld the OCZ Z series be quieter?

 

[Lemin]

For only £7 more id get,

This Week Only Offer

Corsair TX 650W ATX SLi Compliant Power Supply (CMPSU-650TXUK) [CMPSU-650TXUK

£72.99 inc VAT

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-008-CS&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=

 

[NoNameNoNumber]

corsair is next to silent cant complain with it at all

 

[Anth]

With regards to PSU efficiency, this recent article on TomsHardware is a little bit of an eye opener.

Modular Power Supplies Less Efficient Say Makers

Therefore personally I would second this suggestion.

For only £7 more id get,

This Week Only Offer

Corsair TX 650W ATX SLi Compliant Power Supply (CMPSU-650TXUK) [CMPSU-650TXUK

£72.99 inc VAT

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-008-CS&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=

 

[kidscruff]

The difference may be measurable, but there's no quantitive explanation. 0.001 milliohms is measurable.

I think the difference is negligable, it's not like the efficiency ratings of the Corsair modular PSUs are taken from different hardware! An efficient PSU is an efficient PSU, modular or not!

I would say the biggest factor is your ability to hide all the extra cables away on a non-modular PSU.

 

[Michael_10]

I've got quite a large case, it is an old MESH computer from years ago, but there is loads of room inside. I can't get the PSU this week, so I won't be able to take advantage of the TX 650W deal, so it looks like it'll have to be the VX 550W. I'll probably wait until it is on special offer though.

 

[pat_c]

I would say the biggest factor is your ability to hide all the extra cables away on a non-modular PSU.

Biggest factor was the ease in putting in a modular PSU, followed by the fact that unused, excessive cabling were not obstructing airflow.

 

[Michael_10]

Would a VX450w PSU power a hd 5850?

 

[EsaT]

With regards to PSU efficiency, this recent article on TomsHardware is a little bit of an eye opener.

Few years ago some site tested voltage loss between start of the cable on PCB and connectors with something like half dozen various PSUs. Results were that there wasn't any correlation between voltage loss and modularity but results were entirely mixed.