New PSU for Q6600 and GTX

[chevmaro]

Starting to build my new computer. Its running 2 sata drives, 2 dvd drives, 6 case fans, a DS3R mobo with a Q6600 and 2GB ram. EVGA 8800 GTX. Whats a good psu for this system? I am trying to find one in the sub $100 or so but I will spend more if needed. I currently am looking at these:


OCZ StealthXStream 600W
http://www.buy.com/prod/stealt...loc/101/204665531.html

Antec EA 500
http://www.buy.com/prod/antec-...loc/101/203477216.html

Corsair VX 550
http://www.buy.com/prod/corsai...loc/101/205852646.html


Am I in the right watt range or do I need bigger?

 

[mpilchfamily]

The corsair is your best option in that price range.

 

[MarcVenice]

Yeah I'd have to agree, although AFTER REBATES, it should be possible to get a corsair 520hx, which is modular which for me would be a definite plus. Check this link: http://www.clubit.com/product_...il.cfm?itemno=A6200026

 

[chevmaro]

I like the idea of modular too. Is the HX520 big enough? It has a 5 year warranty and that sounds pretty good to me too. I would spend an extra couple bucks for it. Why not the OCZ 600 watt is that a crappy power supply? Im just thinking because its bigger and in the same price range. Any other suggestions for my setup?

 

[MarcVenice]

Hmz, I think the corsair is more efficient and has better qaulity components. It's rather hard to say what makes one PSU better then another one, because both will most likely power your rig just fine. In tests where PSU's get loaded and checked for ripple I think the corsair will perform better though, delivering 'cleaner' current to your PC. And if it's modular, and the OCZ is not, then it's an easy choice, no ? 520w is definately plenty of power for your rig.

 

[chevmaro]

Ok I think ill get the HX520 then. But the 620HX is only $35 more. Would it be worth it to step up? Or is the 520 plenty for now and some room to grow?

 

[chevmaro]

Second question. WHy do they make all these huge power supplys these days? And why does every wattage calculator I use online estimates my power usage so high? I never thought in a million years anyone would need a 1,000 watt psu. Is it all hype? Is there any sense to it?

 

[MarcVenice]

Hmz, it depends, the 520hx will be enough even if you upgrade your CPU, add in more HD's, casefans and such. I can't say for sure how much watt the next high-gen videocard is going to use though. I'm guessing it won't be much more then the 8800gtx does right now, but I could be wrong of course. So it depends on your behavior, how often do you upgrade. If it's often, then I suppose it's better to spend 35$ extra right now, instead of having to buy a whole new PSU in a year or two.

 

[chevmaro]

Im hoping this build to last me the next 3 years or so without switching out any core components. I usually buy a vid card every 2. Maybe ill get the 620HX just for a piece of mind. THanks and you guys have been a great help.

 

[MarcVenice]

Oh, I have to add, if you buy the 620hx right now, chances are you can reuse it in your new rig in 3 years without any problems whatsoever. That be neat too, no ?

 

[chevmaro]

620hx it is. Do you work for corsair or something? Because im sold lol. jk. Anyone seen any hot deals on this unit?

 

[MarcVenice]

clubit.com might have ... and no I don't, I just think it would be the unit I would buy right now if I needed one. Or well, prolly the 520hx.

Jonnyguru, just suggested this unit:

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...06089&prodlist=froogle

If you like that one better in terms of looks, then you could buy that one as well.

 

[chevmaro]

This is what I hate about buying computer parts. I get the 620hx over the 520 for only $30 more. Then from that price range for about $20 more I could get one of the best power supplys. The etasis, pcpower and cooling or the antec 850. Which are all completely overkill but there only a few dollars more. I like the modular antec quatro 850 and the etasis 850 should I get one of those instead or would that be a complete waste of money?

 

[MarcVenice]

Those are REALLY really overkill. Your money, but you can always buy things bigger and better, has to stop somewhere, doesn't it ? If the Etasis or Antec 850 are only 20$ more then the 620hx, then it wouldn't be really wasted money, but I do have to say that you can prolly get better deals on the 620hx. Or just go with the 520hx for 85$ or so, and be done with it

 

[jmmtn4aj]

Originally posted by: MarcVenice
Oh, I have to add, if you buy the 620hx right now, chances are you can reuse it in your new rig in 3 years without any problems whatsoever. That be neat too, no ?

But you wouldn't really want to. Components degrade, even high quality ones.

 

[MarcVenice]

Huh, you kidding me ? The Corsair has a 5 year warranty, even if it dies, you'll get a replacement unit. Besides, degrading will be minor, since he won't really be using more then 50% of the total PSU's capacity ..

 

[AntecCSR]

When we made the EarthWatts and TruePower Quattro lines, all of them were designed to pass the tough 80PLUS certification. You can check http://www.80plus.org/manu/psu/manu_psu.htm to see what PSUs are 80PLUS certified. That'll save you money over time, and it's also an indicator of quality. It takes quality components and elegant designs to pass 80PLUS.

Also, the online power calculator at http://www.extreme.outervision.com/powercalc.jsp is the one that I use, and it matches pretty close to what I read on my Watt meter when I actually measure the system.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Originally posted by: AntecCSR
When we made the EarthWatts and TruePower Quattro lines, all of them were designed to pass the tough 80PLUS certification. You can check http://www.80plus.org/manu/psu/manu_psu.htm to see what PSUs are 80PLUS certified. That'll save you money over time, and it's also an indicator of quality. It takes quality components and elegant designs to pass 80PLUS.

Also, the online power calculator at http://www.extreme.outervision.com/powercalc.jsp is the one that I use, and it matches pretty close to what I read on my Watt meter when I actually measure the system.

The TP Trio has excellent volage regulation. However, is it possible to trim the +12V rail to obtain 12.25V? My unit is locked at 12.06V.

 

[AntecCSR]

I'm not allowed to give out advice on things that void the warranty. Sorry.

I can assure you, however, that as long as the voltage is stable (and the TruePower's are the tightest supply we make) that your current needs are being met. If a PSU can't provide the Amps you need, the Voltages will drop. That's Ohm's Law. I'm pretty sure that you already knew that, but I'm sure not every reader did.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Originally posted by: AntecCSR


I'm not allowed to give out advice on things that void the warranty. Sorry.

I can assure you, however, that as long as the voltage is stable (and the TruePower's are the tightest supply we make) that your current needs are being met. If a PSU can't provide the Amps you need, the Voltages will drop. That's Ohm's Law. I'm pretty sure that you already knew that, but I'm sure not every reader did.

Warranty was voided by me last week. I'm not disputing the quality or the stabilility of the +12VDC rail. Output looks good on my ancient HP analog scope. I want to run a few tests to check voltage drop since I have access to a very sophisticated power tester. Feel free to PM me if you have logic diagram of this PSU.

 

[Cloudium]

Sorry for bumping the topic, but regarding future proofing. I'm going wit the HD3870, and will most likely reupgrade in two years to a another great value-price-performance card. The question is, do you think the Corsair 520W would be enough? You guys were talking about this earlier, but this is a midrange one, not a high end.

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: Cloudium
Sorry for bumping the topic, but regarding future proofing. I'm going wit the HD3870, and will most likely reupgrade in two years to a anotehr great value-price-performance card. The question is, do you think teh Corsair 520W would be enough? You guys were talking about this earlier, but this is a midrange one, not a high end.

If you read AT's reviews, about 200W is used, and a good 300W PSU is plenty for Q6600 / 8800GTX / and similarly loaded systems, so anything over that will be generally be (much, much, much) more than enough.

 

[MarcVenice]

As much as I may like anandtech, these readings are quite different, or actually disprove your statement. Perhaps running 3dmark06 and 2 instances of orthos give unrealistic figures, it be nice to see the power consumption when they run Crysis for example, but still, I doubt it will be that far off.

http://www.extremetech.com/art.../0,1697,2217143,00.asp

For all I care people use crappy PSU's which come with some crappy cases, but if they want advice, I would feel bad if they followed my advice, and had their PSU die on them. Wouldn't you ?

 

[dclive]

So per that measurement (which could be a kill-a-watt readout from the wall - what do you actually get with a 3850/3870? Any Radeon owners out there?) you'd need a 350W PSU for the newest Radeons.

fyi, http://www.extremetech.com/art.../0,1697,2219910,00.asp

 

[chevmaro]

Is this piece of junk good enough to power my rig until I can get a decent psu? Maybe for a month or two or three? This is the one I currently have.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817148001

I have all the parts now and I want to put it together. I dont want to wait for a psu if I dont have to