any thoughts on this PSU?

[poohball]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817815003

building a new system with 780i and 2 8800gt ^^b

 

[MarcVenice]

I'd take this over that anytime of the day: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817608007 or this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817139006 or this http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817371009 which seem to come with a rather large rebate, so good value for money. If you shop around more there might even be better deals, like the coolermaster real power pro 750/850w that went for 50-100$ not long ago. For 2 8800gt's you could get away with 650w quite easily btw.

 

[poohball]

the first 2 I don't like it(corsair is good but only 750w), the Antec one looks tempting though, price is really good. Hard to choose, Xigmatek, Antec...mmmmmm

 

[bunnyfubbles]

those are all overkill

http://www.buy.com/prod/corsai...loc/101/206178324.html

now unless you plan on aggressively overclocking a quadcore, and eventually plan on upgrading to be running SLI with 2 cards more inefficient than the 8800GT (or 3 way SLI or more), you won't ever need more than that 650W psu

heck, even if you're pushing a couple hard drives, 4 x 2GB of ram, an extra PCI/PCI-e card or two (sound card or whatever) and a few other components and cooling fans and even if you are aggressively overclocking a dualcore CPU you should be fine with quality 550~600W model

 

[MarcVenice]

Antec for sure, it got favorable reviews, like at jonny's for example: http://www.jonnyguru.com/modul...iews&op=Story4&reid=58

I'd definately take a favorably reviewed PSU from a well known brand like Antec over a not so well known Xigmatek. And the price can't be beat. Why don't you like the first one btw, it's one of the VERY best PSU's you could possibly get, because it's servergrade. And I'd also rather have a 750w Corsair PSU, which we all know is a very high qaulity unit, over the Xigmatek. I'm not saying the Xigmatek sucks btw, it's just that I haven't heard ANY good things about them, which I have about the other PSU's. But if you're doubting between the Xigmatek and the Antec, do yourself a favor, and your wallet too btw, and buy the Antec PSU.

 

[poohball]

I am planning to run 2 8800gt right now, and hopefully I can get something that can run tri cards soon. (thats why I pick the 780i XFX mobo)

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: poohball
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817815003

building a new system with 780i and 2 8800gt ^^b

why would you even consider paying almost $180 on a PSU that most people have never even heard of?
You take this site and Jonny`s site and even Hard forums and I would say that particular brand isn`t even ever mentioned.....

why take a chance on a PSU that nobody has ever hear about......hmmmmmm

 

[ayabe]

I'm not trying to troll around, but guys, please don't recommend the Antec TPQ series to anyone trying to run G92's. The PSU's will not work with these cards, Antec and NVIDIA are working on the problem.

 

[MarcVenice]

Oh damn, you're right, I totaly forget about that. I just hope he isn't going to buy the Xigmatek though. There are psu's much better then that, for 180$.

 

[andlcs]

That Xigmatek looks like a CWT unit (red cap over the coils at the back of the PSU). CWT is OEM for the Corsair TX750 and Thermaltake Toughpower.

 

[AltaEgoGeek]

First post !

I'm in the same position as the original author: I'm going to be purchasing the 780i with a G92 GTS GPU.

I've read thoughts re: the total wattage. Based on the fact that I'd like to expand in the future (whether it be GPUs or HDs, or even a blue ray), I'd personally opt for the higher wattages.

Then there's the whole discussion of single rail vs. multiple; modular vs. not; and finally, always, price.

The brands of PSUs I was looking at (thanks for the tip about the Antec ayabe ):

PCP&C 750 Quad

PCP&C 1000

ThermalTake TP 1000 (JohnnyGuru's review is here.)

I'm only a beginner at this, so there's alot I need to learn about. But doing my own reaserch, I've come up with this.

There are a few other brands that keep coming up in reviews that seem to be excellent performers as well (Silverstone, Zippy, etc.).

If anyone could get into the explanations of single-rail vs. dual and modular vs not I'd appreciate that (or paste a link!).

Thanks!

EDIT: Re: single vs. multiple rails, I found a good/quick explanation here.

So now, what is the issue with modular?

 

[andlcs]

@ AltaEgoGeek, I don't think you need 1kW to feed a single VGA system. Unless you are going to use like 10 hard-drives or plan to buy another VGA later. So, the Silencer 750W should be fine.

As for the multiple vs. single +12V rail, it depends on the wattage of the PSU. For lower wattage units it won't make much difference. I prefer single rails because you don't have to worry about one of the rails exceeding the maximum current.
On the other hand good higher wattage units (~1kW+) have two independent circuits. So they naturally have true independent rails that allows them to reach that kind of power. Here's a good article about that: http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/403/6

Modular PSU have detachable cables, you plug only the connectors you are going to use. It helps keeping the case organized specially if you are into case modding.

 

[AltaEgoGeek]

Thanks andlcs! Appreciate the article.

My plans are:

two hard drives (just to see what a raid setup is like);
two optical drives, one of which will (eventually) be a blu-ray;
two GPUs (right now I'm looking to buy the G92, but when the dual-CPU GPUs hit the market, I would like to have the option to SLI them - assuming they'll be SLI-able)

I went ahead and purchased the PCP&C 750 Quad (red) from New Egg for $150.00 - I think it was a good deal.

Let's see what the future holds for me . . . .

 

[MarcVenice]

You mean dual GPU videocards Anyways, qaud SLI might be an option although I reckon it will scale horribly and not many games will support it. Those 9800gx2's will be SERIOUS powerhogs. If you can afford 2 of those, assuming they go for at least 450-500$, you can also afford a 200$ PSU, that can push 1000w. 750w will probably still be sufficient btw, but I would NOT have recommended the PCP&C Qaud, because it's LOUD. Better options, and if you decide to return it, ask again.

 

[AltaEgoGeek]

I always have misgivings after a purchase like this.

1000W
single rail
modular

any suggestions?

 

[Mr Fox]

Originally posted by: AltaEgoGeek
I always have misgivings after a purchase like this.

1000W
single rail
modular

any suggestions?

Only PCP&C and Silverstone will fill that bill but they are all Hard wired.

Silverstone Olympia

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817256010


PCP&C Turbocool 1Kw

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817703007





The Only Modular Unit that is close is the 2-Rail Silverstone Strider 1000w


http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817256020

Everyone else has 4+ Rails.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: andlcs
That Xigmatek looks like a CWT unit (red cap over the coils at the back of the PSU). CWT is OEM for the Corsair TX750 and Thermaltake Toughpower.

which still does not adress the quality issue.......not all PSU from the same OEM are created equal...

 

[andlcs]

Originally posted by: JEDIYoda

Originally posted by: andlcs
That Xigmatek looks like a CWT unit (red cap over the coils at the back of the PSU). CWT is OEM for the Corsair TX750 and Thermaltake Toughpower.

which still does not adress the quality issue.......not all PSU from the same OEM are created equal...

Yes, you're right. But usually newer Channel Well high-end PSU are very good. I'm not saying it's worth buying the Xigmatek 850W though.

Inside pics:
http://www.techpowerup.com/rev...matek/NRP-MC851/3.html

Compare with this one:
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articl...atx-psu7_21.html#sect0

They look the same, the only difference I spotted was that Tt has Hitachi primary capacitor while Xigmatek has Matsushita/Panasonic both rated at 85C.

 

[MarcVenice]

AltaEgo, why are you so hell bend on a single rail ? On 600w units it might be a good idea to hav a single rail, but on 1000w units it barely matters anymore. Check this review, of 10 1k watt PSU's: http://www.xbitlabs.com/articl...-roundup_17.html#sect0 Especially the last sentence is important: "but I want to note that none of them has proved to be better overall than the Cooler Master Real Power Pro (tested in my previous review) that boasted stable operation at a surprisingly low (for such a high wattage) level of noise." We're talking 300$ at newegg.com though, should look for yourself if there are better deals to be had.

Antec TruePower Quattro 1000w, if it's anything like the 850w unit reviewed here http://www.jonnyguru.com/modul...iews&op=Story4&reid=58 might also be a good deal, and can be had for 250$. The Silverstone ST1000 as suggested above should do the trick too, but a similar unit got reviewed here: http://www.jonnyguru.com/modul...iews&op=Story5&reid=40 and it did pretty good, but wasn't outstanding, which is what you want when paying 250$. Perhaps the 1000w unit is different though, but you'd have to look for a review yourself.

 

[AltaEgoGeek]

Originally posted by: MarcVenice AltaEgo, why are you so hell bend on a single rail ?

Heh, because of ignorance.

I was able to stop my order from newegg before it left the warehouse.

I did some more reading last night and came up with this:

I do want a PSU with 750 - 1000 W. This will suit my needs and allow for further expansion in the future (whether it be dual graphic cards, another HD, and another optical drive).

I do want a modular PSU - it's neater. I don't buy the "extra resistance" argument, but would want to be careful that the connects are proper and not cheap.

Multiple rails is not a problem as long as I know how the rails are split. It seems that 4 rails should do the trick:
1 for the MB
2 for the Graphic Cards
1 for the other peripherals (HD, Optical Drive).

I don't plan on having a floppy drive.

So, back to the search.

My original choice was the ultra x3 1000W, maybe I'll revisit it. The Thermaltake 1000W (toughpower) was also on the radar.

I can't believe that something as "simple" as the PSU (certainly simple when compared to other components of the computer) has so much controversy and variability.

I mean, this is electrical power supply for the computer user/gamer. You need steady clean power supplied to a minimum of MB, Graphics (1-3), HD (1-2) and optical drive (1-2). That should be the basic PSU. Higher wattage models would allow for additional graphic cards, drives, etc.

Weird and frustrating for the newcomer.

 

[MarcVenice]

X3 looks sweet, toughpower is also a very good unit, and so will the antec truepower qauttro be, and the Silverstone ST1000. Plenty of choice, not sure if all these are modular though. And I wouldn't worry about the extra resistance, just make sure you plug them in correctly, and just double check on them once in a while to see if they are still plugged in good enough. And well PSU's are the heart of your rig, so they have to be good. They get overlooked very often though, but it's a good thing to read up on them. And btw, 1000w is somewhat overkill, unless you are going to SLI 2 9800GX2's, but even then 750w will probably do the trick. I mean, a rig with 2 crossfired HD 3870 X2's won't pull more then 500w.

 

[AltaEgoGeek]

I agree, 1000W does seem like overkill - especially considering I've never overclocked any components.

However, 1) I am planning on having 2 graphic cards eventually; and 2) I will likely try my hand at a modest overclock of the CPU. Perhaps even the GPU. I'm not at all certain about the RAM.

I'm sure a 750W or even 850W will do.

Another question I have is about "Zippy" PSUs. I've heard the name alot, and I see this brand rated as Class I Power Supply. I see quotes like "But it's not a Zippy . . . "

What is the big deal about Zippy? I looked at their 850W PSU. The specs from the testing don't jump out at me as some sort of "perfect" PSU . . .

Can anyone explain?

 

[MarcVenice]

Zippy are server grade PSU's, they don't sell in Holland so I'm not to familiar with them. Here's a summary of a rather OLD zippy review: http://www.jonnyguru.com/modul...views&op=Story3&reid=4

"Zippy Emacs is known for rock solid server power supplies and has put out some of the best product on the market for over 13 years. But server power supplies aren't always appropriate for home machines as they tend to be loud and lack the connectors necessary to power high end PCI-e video cards and sometimes SATA drives with 15-pin connectors. It seems to me that the addition of a "gaming" series is going to be quite lucrative for Zippy."

Long story short, highly regarded PSU manufacturer, and I think all PSU's you can buy from them are ROCKsolid. Another highly regarded SERVER grade PSU manufacturer is Etasis, looks like newegg is out of stock of them, but 140$ for this PSU is VERY good value for money, http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817608006 or you can get the 850w version for 160$.

 

[krispy1]

BUY THE ETASIS!
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modul...views&op=Story&reid=34

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: MarcVenice
Zippy are server grade PSU's, they don't sell in Holland so I'm not to familiar with them. Here's a summary of a rather OLD zippy review: http://www.jonnyguru.com/modul...views&op=Story3&reid=4

"Zippy Emacs is known for rock solid server power supplies and has put out some of the best product on the market for over 13 years. But server power supplies aren't always appropriate for home machines as they tend to be loud and lack the connectors necessary to power high end PCI-e video cards and sometimes SATA drives with 15-pin connectors. It seems to me that the addition of a "gaming" series is going to be quite lucrative for Zippy."

Long story short, highly regarded PSU manufacturer, and I think all PSU's you can buy from them are ROCKsolid. Another highly regarded SERVER grade PSU manufacturer is Etasis, looks like newegg is out of stock of them, but 140$ for this PSU is VERY good value for money, http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817608006 or you can get the 850w version for 160$.

actually Zippy had a foray into the consumer grade PSU market that was not too well recieved!!

Jonny`s site might have reviewed it...