RECOMMEND: Quiet Power Supply

[rxblitzrx]

Originally posted by: BigShroom

Originally posted by: rxblitzrx
Hot Dang! The Seasonic is a dream come true. Now the loudest thing I can hear is the hard disk accessing. I feel like I'm using a giant laptop.

I'm about to embark on a new build and I was wondering what case your using?

Hopefully I can make mine as silent as your's is. Except I may ruin that if I get a 8800GTX

I'm using an old old case. It's an Antec Solution Series mid tower. I actually couldn't afford to buy a new case so I stuck to the old one. It doesn't have room for a case fan so I just leave the side panel off. This does make a difference, dB wise... but my system is STILL quiet enough that I can't hear it. The only fans I have running are the PS, CPU cooler, and VGA cooler. Idle temp is 38C. Load temp is 54C. Very acceptable in my opinion.

Seasonic is hands down an EXCELLENT power supply. From what I've been told, 380W Seasonic is enough to run any system that isn't using SLI or Crossfire.

 

[RallyMaster]

Originally posted by: JEDIYoda
For best bang for buck when talking about quiet-- you cannot go wrong with a Seasonic PSU.....

Please stay away from anything Antec........thx Bro!!

Agreed with statement in bold.

 

[randomlinh]

so.. to piggy back on this, anyone have a recommendation for something a couple steps below the seasonic?

 

[iscsidude]

Originally posted by: randomlinh
so.. to piggy back on this, anyone have a recommendation for something a couple steps below the seasonic?

A lower wattage Seasonic

Seiously, have you checked out this guide?

Guide to selecting a PSU

 

[RallyMaster]

A Corsair CMPSU-520HX (still made by Seasonic).

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: iscsidude

Originally posted by: randomlinh
so.. to piggy back on this, anyone have a recommendation for something a couple steps below the seasonic?

A lower wattage Seasonic

Seiously, have you checked out this guide?

Guide to selecting a PSU

cool, thanks for the link

 

[NoIdea]

Are these Seasonic PSU avaliable in Canada. It seems the only good online store that is located in or ships to Canada is tigerdirect. Then agian I haven't looked that hard. I always browse the newegg site then see if tigerdirect has it.

 

[RallyMaster]

If TigerDirect doesn't have it, NCIX might.

 

[3NF]

Originally posted by: Jibboom
I'd recommend a Corsair HX, either the 520w or 620w whichever your system needs. I'm currently using the 620w version, it's very quiet and (so far) very reliable.

I second that. I have the 620w version and think it's excellent

 

[coolpurplefan]

Originally posted by: rxblitzrx
I can't stand it! The Ultra power supplies suck (as if you didn't know that already.) As punishment for buying crap I'm making myself wait until the rebates come in before I buy the Seasonic. This has two good points:

1) It might go on sale in the next 6 to 8 weeks.
2) It will turn me into a man who knows patience as a virtue. I blow my wad way too fast.

You learn the same when trading stocks. lol

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: RallyMaster

Originally posted by: JEDIYoda
For best bang for buck when talking about quiet-- you cannot go wrong with a Seasonic PSU.....

Please stay away from anything Antec........thx Bro!!

Agreed with statement in bold.

People are cluing in, finally:thumbsup: I remember 3 years ago after burning two so-called "true powers" to the ground back to back and posting a thread about it I got an ear full from all the antec fans and there was a lot. Not anymore. (That reminds me...I still need to warn about the brand new "True" 430 I just burnt a couple weeks ago inside a white P150 I was building for a friend....very embarrassing for me so I trying to forget about it)

Anyway...

For those still looking or coming in here after a search or merely because the thread title has raised their curiosity..
Here is corsair 520W for only $89 bucks
Same as Seasonic as it's made by them but better feature wise. (modular/5 years warr/more powerful)
http://www.buy.com/prod/Corsair_HX520W_..._Power_Supply/q/loc/101/203270716.html

 

[Cardio]

A Hiper 580P modular is very quite and looks so good you want to leave it out on the coffee table. It is SLI certified.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Originally posted by: Cardio
A Hiper 580P modular is very quite and looks so good you want to leave it out on the coffee table. It is SLI certified.

Review

It's not really that great of a unit though internally.

 

[Desi4Life]

Hey folks,

Needed some guidance and suggestions with regards to my new build. I am getting:

ASUS A8N32-SLI Deluxe Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce SPP 100 ATX AMD Motherboard
AMD Athlon 64 3400+ Venice 2.2GHz 512KB L2 Cache Socket 939 Processor
SAPPHIRE 100186L Radeon X1950XT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 VIVO PCI Express x16 VIVO HDCP Video Card
2x512 MB Corsair VS512MB400
1x160GB Seagate SATA Drive
1x200GB Maxtor PATA Drive
1 - 16x Dual layer DVD Burner
Floppy Drive & rest of the components (Onboard Nic, Sound, USB, IEEE, etc..)

I have an antec sonata case with Antec 380W PSU (one that comes with the case), I was wondering if I can utilize that for the above configuration. If not, what would you suggest/recommend. The criteria is to find something of reasonable price....maybe around 50-60 bucks. Realiablity is the most important thing and then comes price...and lastly it would be nice if its quiet.

Thanks!

 

[mgutz]

this is handy tool:

http://extreme.outervision.com/psucalculator.jsp

 

[mgutz]

Corsair 520W - OEM Seasonic with higher rated capacitors and if i remember correctly slightly better modular cabling. ranked higher and as quiet as Seasonic's own models in several reviews. 5yr warranty.

 

[goingmerry]

i am trying to decide between a seasonic and the ocz gamerxtreme 700w that is on sale here. any input? thaks.

 

[Tennoh]

Another personal recommendation for Corsair HX series PSUs. It is the choice of SilentPCReview.com and you know they are anal for quietness of components..

 

[SaII]

Originally posted by: Jibboom
I'd recommend a Corsair HX, either the 520w or 620w whichever your system needs. I'm currently using the 620w version, it's very quiet and (so far) very reliable.

Yes those are really quiet.

how ever, do not get OCZ power supplies, they are really loud

 

[herbiehancock]

I'll chime in on another recommendation for a Corsair HX620. Love the modular cables and you cannot hear it running at all!

But, the previously mentioned Enhance power supplies, the ENP-5140GH and the ENP-5150GH, are also very nice for their price.....if you can live without modular or sleeved cables. Got the 5150 in my wife's C2D system and it, too, is inaudible while running. And for those who don't know about Enhance, they are excellent, esp. for the price...very little ripple even at heavy loads, and very stable. They are also the OEM supplier for some of the Silverstone power supplies.


Here's a link to JonnyGuru's torture test of an Enhance ENP-5140GH power supply.

As the Guru said, "Having a < $100 budget is really tough when shopping for a power supply. You RARELY get enough power, almost never get active PFC, don't see 80% and up efficiency.. Enhance is breaking that cycle with this unit. It offers so much in a small package, it's a hard one to pass up."

The unit, a 400W ps, when loaded to 407W output, produced only 30mV of ripple on the +12V rail and only sagged its +12V output by .09V, running from +12.13V at 98W output to +12.04V at a 407W output. Now that's impressive! And this in a power supply costing only $57!!!!

Oh, and did I mention it had an efficiency of over 80% throughout all testing?


It's found at eWiz.com........the 500W, the ENP-5150GH , is only $69. Both are incredible bargains, as long as you don't mind the non-sleeved cables or the lack of modular cables.

 

[RallyMaster]

Ehhhhhhh.....ENP-5150GH may be $69...but after shipping, it was ~$76 for me. I ended up going for the $79.99 AR & $10GC for Corsair HX520W a while ago on buy.com.

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: herbiehancock
I'll chime in on another recommendation for a Corsair HX620. Love the modular cables and you cannot hear it running at all!

But, the previously mentioned Enhance power supplies, the ENP-5140GH and the ENP-5150GH, are also very nice for their price.....if you can live without modular or sleeved cables. Got the 5150 in my wife's C2D system and it, too, is inaudible while running. And for those who don't know about Enhance, they are excellent, esp. for the price...very little ripple even at heavy loads, and very stable. They are also the OEM supplier for some of the Silverstone power supplies.


Here's a link to JonnyGuru's torture test of an Enhance ENP-5140GH power supply.

As the Guru said, "Having a < $100 budget is really tough when shopping for a power supply. You RARELY get enough power, almost never get active PFC, don't see 80% and up efficiency.. Enhance is breaking that cycle with this unit. It offers so much in a small package, it's a hard one to pass up."

The unit, a 400W ps, when loaded to 407W output, produced only 30mV of ripple on the +12V rail and only sagged its +12V output by .09V, running from +12.13V at 98W output to +12.04V at a 407W output. Now that's impressive! And this in a power supply costing only $57!!!!

Oh, and did I mention it had an efficiency of over 80% throughout all testing?


It's found at eWiz.com........the 500W, the ENP-5150GH , is only $69. Both are incredible bargains, as long as you don't mind the non-sleeved cables or the lack of modular cables.

Unfortunately, much of the power is unusable.

 

[Erydin]

I am also looking for a quiet PSU, however the Seasonic and Corsair ones primarily suggested only appear to go up to 620W. According to that calculater posted (and thanks for posting that, I already have it bookmarked) I am going to need just shy of 700W. So does anyone have any suggestions for a 750W+ quiet PSU? (this WC PSU looks neat but of course is not in my budget for a PSU, maybe next time)

Erydin

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: Erydin
I am also looking for a quiet PSU, however the Seasonic and Corsair ones primarily suggested only appear to go up to 620W. According to that calculater posted (and thanks for posting that, I already have it bookmarked) I am going to need just shy of 700W. So does anyone have any suggestions for a 750W+ quiet PSU? (this WC PSU looks neat but of course is not in my budget for a PSU, maybe next time)

Erydin

Those calculators all of them are grossly inaccurate!!

 

[mgutz]

Originally posted by: JEDIYoda

Those calculators all of them are grossly inaccurate!!

Grossly inccurate is a strong statement. You'd have to know every manufacturer's spec if you wanted accuracy. Again, it's only an estimation but a decent enough tool to size your power requirements. The link I posted stresses the importance of amperage on the rails over the calculated wattage.