New BFG ES 800 PSU

[tomoyo]

I shall quickly assume this is what jonny was mentioning as in the pipeline for bfg
Very interesting design indeed. I hope there's some other models in the 500-600w range as it certainly looks like it could compete with seasonic/corsair for silence with the low speed 138mm fan.

http://enthusiast.hardocp.com/...wxLCxoZW50aHVzaWFzdA==

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: tomoyo
I hope there's some other models in the 500-600w range as it certainly looks like it could compete with seasonic/corsair for silence with the low speed 138mm fan.

x2

My systems tend to eat up 250-350W at load (if you believe the Kill-a-Watt/Power Angel readings). I'm running systems on a 320W Enermax, Antec EarthWatts 380W and Seasonic S12 380W. Soon I'll be messing with a Seasonic S12-II 380W.

I like that Corsair offers a quality 450W, though it could be cheaper. Now all we need are more quality offerings in the under-500W range. Oh yeah, and make that the under $60 range too, as long as I'm airing my wishlist.

Oh yeah, and some company needs to make a good quality and powerful SFX PSU. I've been sorely disappointed that good SFX PSUs are still "stuck" in the 300-350W range.

Anyways, I digress. This BFG PSU looks really nice, just that it costs too much and has too much power for my needs. However, for those running dual high-end graphics, this sounds like a great alternative for those wanting a bit more wattage than Corsair offers.

 

[MrOblivious]

Given the units efficiency curve and noise profile there is no reason for its wattage to be an issue.

 

[tomoyo]

Wattage in general is never a major issue imho, however price is a major issue for psu's. It's hard to convince someone to spend $100 on a psu and it's many times harder to convince someone to spend $175-200 on a psu. Hell I don't feel comfortable paying more than $100 myself. If BFG is seriously after some marketshare, they'll need to drop downmarket with some similarly designed psus that are a lot cheaper.

I totally agree with you Zap, we definitely need more 350-450w range psus with high quality components..unforunately it seems like many psu sellers want the high end, high margin areas. I thought the Seasonic Eco Power 300 would be enough for the sfx market personally, it's hard to imagine a need for more than 300w in a tiny system in most circumstances.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: tomoyo
it's hard to imagine a need for more than 300w in a tiny system in most circumstances.

My old gaming rig has an Enermax 320W SFX unit that is rated for 24A on +12v. Current specs are overclocked A64 4000+ at 3.12GHz and a stock clocked 7900GTO. I tried putting a 320MB 8800GTS in there and while it ran and was stable, the power supply fan ramped up to amazing speeds, indicating that it was being stressed. Now, if only there was a quality 400W SFX unit that put out closer to 30A on +12v, then I'd be building an overclocked C2D system with an 8800 series card in that case. BTW that little system weighed around 15 pounds and measured 5.5"x13.5"x14.5".

I'm considering tearing apart an Antec EarthWatts 500W unit and shoehorning it into the case. The guts of the EarthWatts seem pretty small so it'll fit, if I don't end up frying myself.

 

[jonnyGURU]

Hey... I'm not going to disagree with you guys (well... I wouldn't ordinarily disagree with you guys anyways). Lower wattage would be cool, but right now the design and components used are FAR TOO cost prohibitive to make this thing in anything less than a 700~800W unit.

It simply wouldn't be cost competitive, so if you can do a 800W for the price of your typical(decent) 800W, why not? If you can only do a 500W for the cost of a decent 800W... why bother?

That's also why the Frequency Conversion was so important to me though. About my only complaint about higher wattage units (other than cost) was the fact that they weren't as efficient at lower loads. But since this thing is efficient at all loads, that's a moot point.

 

[tomoyo]

Originally posted by: jonnyGURU
Hey... I'm not going to disagree with you guys (well... I wouldn't ordinarily disagree with you guys anyways). Lower wattage would be cool, but right now the design and components used are FAR TOO cost prohibitive to make this thing in anything less than a 700~800W unit.

It simply wouldn't be cost competitive, so if you can do a 800W for the price of your typical(decent) 800W, why not? If you can only do a 500W for the cost of a decent 800W... why bother?

That's also why the Frequency Conversion was so important to me though. About my only complaint about higher wattage units (other than cost) was the fact that they weren't as efficient at lower loads. But since this thing is efficient at all loads, that's a moot point.

For a first model this definitely makes sense. My hope is that over time, the components become less expensive and you're able to put out a cheaper model or possibly cut back the features slightly to make it doable. Certainly we won't expect it anytime soon as you guys just came out with the first winner. Congrats btw

 

[tynopik]

Originally posted by: jonnyGURU
It simply wouldn't be cost competitive, so if you can do a 800W for the price of your typical(decent) 800W, why not? If you can only do a 500W for the cost of a decent 800W... why bother?

how about going the other way? if you could make it a 1200 watt unit for say $20 more, i think that would sell far better

if people are going to spend $200, i just think they're going to expect more than 800W (whether they need it or not) . . .


(of course i have no idea how the cost of power supply components work, so maybe this is just crazy talk)

 

[jonnyGURU]

The other way is very feasable, yes.

 

[HOOfan 1]

Originally posted by: tynopik
how about going the other way? if you could make it a 1200 watt unit for say $20 more, i think that would sell far better

if people are going to spend $200, i just think they're going to expect more than 800W (whether they need it or not) . . .

A quality 1200 Watt PSU for $220-$250 would be pretty much unheard of other than for special sales and rebates. I think $200 for an 800 Watt of this quality is impressive.

 

[Rubycon]

Originally posted by: HOOfan 1

Originally posted by: tynopik
how about going the other way? if you could make it a 1200 watt unit for say $20 more, i think that would sell far better

if people are going to spend $200, i just think they're going to expect more than 800W (whether they need it or not) . . .

A quality 1200 Watt PSU for $220-$250 would be pretty much unheard of other than for special sales and rebates. I think $200 for an 800 Watt of this quality is impressive.

How about this which is essentially this power supply here. :Q

The Seasonic M700 cost over $200. It's a good PS but that was rather costly.

 

[HOOfan 1]

Originally posted by: Rubycon
How about this which is essentially this power supply here. :Q

$290....

 

[Rubycon]

Originally posted by: HOOfan 1

Originally posted by: Rubycon
How about this which is essentially this power supply here. :Q

$290....

Yes and it's $100 LESS than the TT product. Is it worth the $90 premium over the 800W? If you need this much power, absolutely. I was using a 700W Seasonic and it was powering the system OK but running way too hot for what I'd consider acceptable for long term use. I've moved it to a lesser system and it seems much happier now. For the typical user the 800W let alone the 1200W is overkill. Not that there is any harm in doing that.

 

[tynopik]

Originally posted by: HOOfan 1
A quality 1200 Watt PSU for $220-$250 would be pretty much unheard of other than for special sales and rebates.

which is precisely why it would be a best-seller

 

[jonnyGURU]

Originally posted by: Rubycon

Originally posted by: HOOfan 1

Originally posted by: Rubycon
How about this which is essentially this power supply here. :Q

$290....

Yes and it's $100 LESS than the TT product. Is it worth the $90 premium over the 800W? If you need this much power, absolutely. I was using a 700W Seasonic and it was powering the system OK but running way too hot for what I'd consider acceptable for long term use. I've moved it to a lesser system and it seems much happier now. For the typical user the 800W let alone the 1200W is overkill. Not that there is any harm in doing that.

Right. The 800W is more than enough for most people. And the 780W capability on the +12V rail almost makes it a contender with some 1000W+ PSU's on the market. But if you REALLY NEED that extra power, like if you're running 3-way SLI on a dual proc board... ok, 1200W it is!

 

[Rubycon]

Originally posted by: jonnyGURU

...And the 780W capability on the +12V rail almost makes it a contender with some 1000W+ PSU's on the market...

Interesting design. I like the |H| reviews they're doing now.