Why a Good, Quality PSU - This is Why

[flexy]

It was at least 7 or 8 years ago when I got a ThermalTake Toughpower 750W PSU.

(I used it on a OC Q6600 system with a variety of Nvidia GPUs in between)

Now, 8 years later I am using the same PSU on a Haswell System. I did order a new XFX PRO 750W simply because I need a second one once I give my old machine to my wife

But I am entirely amazed that this old Thermaltake supports Haswell C6 and C7 power states (not all modern PSUs do that actually)...and of course the insanely stable voltages I see when I am testing my Haswell now, 4.4Ghz no sweat, not the slightest fluctuation with any voltage lines.

Since I got this 750W PSU way back, it is still MORE than adequate even for a recent system and modern GPU(s).

However I have to note there was an annoying thing with the Thermaltake: A bad, bulged CAP on the +5SVB line one or so years back which made the PSU stop working. I replaced the cap and the PSU was like new again. I am aware this sort-of contradicts "quality PSU" tho....

Interesting is that on the old Q6600 system, running whatever stress test like OCCT etc. would spin up the fan on the PSU and this thing got really, really loud. On the Z87 board now, even stress testing Haswell at 4.4G, this is NOT happening. Which I think is interesting, as if the Haswell or the entire system would draw less power from the PSU. (How is that possible?)

TLDR: Invest into a GOOD brand PSU - It is something which can pay off for...well a LONG, LONG time.

Edit: I MADE A IGNORANT STATEMENT...

Well duh, a Q6600 has a TDP of 105W and a i4770 has 84 W.

In addition to that, my Q6600 was 43% oced. (Haswells don't normally OC that high over stock, that would be 5ghz!)

So yes, a massively OCed Q6600 would draw more power, which explains why the PSU is quiter now!

 

[jacktesterson]

I like apple pie on Christmas morning

 

[TemjinGold]

There's no such thing as a Thermalright Toughpower...

 

[jacktesterson]

He did say it blew a cap

 

[Ketchup]

There's no such thing as a Thermalright Toughpower...

I think he meant Thermaltake. And I am surprised because a lot of their power supplies are not the best quality. Of course, most people do not have the ability to replace faulty capacitors, so flexy, I salute you for that!

 

[Puffnstuff]

I think that we're all fairly certain that the op meant thermaltake. With that said all decent ps's with dc to dc power will support the haswell low power states but check with your manufacturer to be sure.

 

[flexy]

I think that we're all fairly certain that the op meant thermaltake. With that said all decent ps's with dc to dc power will support the haswell low power states but check with your manufacturer to be sure.

MOST in fact do, but for example some of XFX more recent but weaker PSUs, like the 550W supposedly don't.

 

[flexy]

I think he meant Thermaltake. And I am surprised because a lot of their power supplies are not the best quality. Of course, most people do not have the ability to replace faulty capacitors, so flexy, I salute you for that!

Absolutely aware of that and an "amateur" should definitely not touch the insides of a PSU.

I was of course extremely happy when I found a thread some time back about exactly my model PSU and someone posting a pic of the very same, bulged cap. Without this picture of the bulged cap I would have never known what was wrong with my system, for the longest I didn't know whether my board, my CPU or my PSU crapped out. I was more than happy after soldering the new cap seeing the system come to life again It saved me getting a new board etc. just to see that the system still wouldn't work.

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

For nostalgia's sake, I'm still keeping my four BFG PSUs humming along (2x modded EX1000 (added cap for 12V2 and 12V3), 2x ES800)
jonnyguru approved

 

[Blastman]

I had an Enermax 350W psu that I bought in 2002 to power a Celeron-T 1.1@1.54 system. Used that system for 8 years and when I built my current i3-530 computer in early 2010, I used the same Enermax 350W for 2 another years before I replaced it and bought my current Enermax 500W psu. 10 years use and that old 350W Enermax was still running perfect when I threw it away.

The only thing I didn't like about that old Enermax 350W was the exhaust fan was a somewhat noisy 80mm fan (even though it had a speed control and was speed controlled by temperature.). It had 2 fans, 90mm intake and 80mm exhaust. It was a little more expensive at the time for a 350W psu, but it served well.

 

[Acidicheartburn]

I have had a similar experience. I believe we may have the same PSU. I bought a Thermaltake Toughpower XT 750 watt. It's fully modular (hard to find a fully modular PSU for the price I paid, these days), and I've used it since when I first installed it in my system with a Q9550 and an 8800 GT back in either late 2007 or early 2008. It's run like a champ ever since, and I'm currently using it with my 4770k and 7870.

I've not checked any voltages or outputs, but so far I've had nothing but good experiences with this guy. Runs silent and works flawlessly. It really does pay to buy a good PSU. You don't have to spend a fortune, but buying a good PSU goes a long way.

 

[flexy]

Let me add to this very old thread, but in context it fits.

I recently upgraded my ancient HTPC box which before had an Athlon 3500+ and a NForce board from 2000 B.C. (I finally got around to put a recent board in with an i3470S and 8GB of mem. This one is only used as a media server and for watching movies.)

This PC still has an old Enermax EG465-P PSU, which I bought back then when I still lived in the US ca. 2001, from newegg. (And i still have the beige case as well, lol)

It was the old version of the PSU which only had a 20P connector, but it was at a time when 20P on boards were phased out and newer boards all had 24P connectors. So back then, I added/modded an extra +4 connector to the PSU from one of the molex lines. (I don't even remember why I did this mod, I think I got a 20P-24P adapter but then found out it's less optimal if not dangerous). And the one line with the molex was directly connected to the PSU, so I considered this a much better solution than the adapter).
The PSU still works on my HTPC today, after what, 16-17 years. Back then I remember this PSU was sorta top of the line (80 Plus certified even) and it has a nice pot on the back so you can adjust the fan speed. One of my proudest ghetto mods That the PSU only has a 1x 4 pin ATX CPU connector doesn't matter (even if I have an adapter for that as well), the board runs fine with only the 1x4 pin plugged in.

** In the time where that old Enermax must have seen 3-4 generations of boards and CPUs, I already blew a OCZ PSU during stress testing (that one lasted exactly one day, I guess it was just too weak for my overclocking) and almost tossed a XFX 750W which developed a bad fan just 2 months in. The Enermax still works like on day 1.

 

[Puffnstuff]

** In the time where that old Enermax must have seen 3-4 generations of boards and CPUs, I already blew a OCZ PSU during stress testing (that one lasted exactly one day, I guess it was just too weak for my overclocking) and almost tossed a XFX 750W which developed a bad fan just 2 months in. The Enermax still works like on day 1.

I'm running an enermax platimax 1350w on my system which is overkill right now and while its been good to me when I replace it I will go back to Corsair. Years ago I had an enermax liberty 620 go awry under warranty taking out the entire motherboard. I spoke with their VP about it and while they did replace the PS I had to eat the hardware it destroyed. Overall Corsair has been a much better experience for me and their warranty service is first rate.

 

[sandorski]

I have been using the same 500watt Seasonic PS for over 10 years now. 3 different systems, still going strong, but planning on replacing it for my soon new build.

 

[Capt Caveman]

I've had been using my 10 year old Antec 750w psu but after playing PubG and having constant crashing and no matter the troubleshooting, I couldn't figure out what the issue was. Well, a friend recommend a new psu, so I purchased an EVGA SuperNova G3 850w. Installed it last night to only realize that the Antec 750w had 4 12v rails with each one only 25A. I did notice that there was a crackling weird sound whenever PubG kicked up but always thought it was the fan on my 1080 Ti. But guess what with the new psu, no crackling sound and no more crashing when playing PubG.

 

[AMD64Blondie]

Same here..Using a PC Power & Cooling Turbo-Cool 1200(the old non-modular kind with a 80mm fan) from 2013.
Nearly 5 years on,and it's still going strong.

Still working flawlessly..currently powering a Core i7 7700,16GB of DDR4,a Gigabyte GTX1080,and 6 hard drives + a 1TB SSD...
(wrapped up in a Cooler Master Storm Trooper full-tower case) to this day.

Love my power supply.

 

[whm1974]

I have a Seasonic G550 Gold PSU I brought five years ago and nary any issues with it. It pays well to get the best PSUs you can afford.

 

[Torn Mind]

I personally see no point in buying new PSUs IF the computer is going to be in your hands and you will be operating it. Buy used Seasonics and the like off the Ebay scrapheap. They will last anyway.

The new PSUs are distinctly forbidding from a servicing perspective. Anyone who can solder and do wiring can restore an old half-bridge PSU. You might as well forget such an endeavor with these new ones.

 

[killster1]

I personally see no point in buying new PSUs IF the computer is going to be in your hands and you will be operating it. Buy used Seasonics and the like off the Ebay scrapheap. They will last anyway.

The new PSUs are distinctly forbidding from a servicing perspective. Anyone who can solder and do wiring can restore an old half-bridge PSU. You might as well forget such an endeavor with these new ones.

Sounds good for retired people, children with lots of time. but if it takes more than 1 hour id rather just buy a new one less headache and solder smoke inhaled. I wish i had unlimited free time tho

 

[Torn Mind]

Sounds good for retired people, children with lots of time. but if it takes more than 1 hour id rather just buy a new one less headache and solder smoke inhaled. I wish i had unlimited free time tho

I am basically set for life with the load of both new and old PSUs laying around. It's great getting Seasonic S12II rebrands for under 30 bucks and not worry about infant mortality.
I have never needed to solder a PSU. They are just plug and play. After all, there comes point where material difference starts to disappear and people are just blowing away money for minute, insignificant upgrades that they will never benefit from. It's like buying Snap-on tools but then disposing of them like they're Harbor Freoght tools.