PSU Guide
note: As this is a forum posting vs a news posting I just ripped everything - if I ripped to much just edit it down to whatever is appropriate.
computerpro3 over at Extremesystems has posted a PSU guide on quality PSUs - Low End to Ultra high end.
computerpro3 over at Extremesystems has posted a PSU guide on quality PSUs - Low End to Ultra high end.
Hello everyone. This thread is meant to be an informative guideline about the purchase of your power supply, more specifically, what are some good companies to give your business to, and perhaps more importantly, which ones to avoid. It will be updated regularly. This is still under construction, and I will be remodeling it in the coming days, so if there is a broken link, or a psu that is now off the market, or something of the like, PLEASE bring it to my attention via a pm.
Now, for the companies that it would be wise to avoid, I want to make it clear that not every single one of their supplies will fail. It's more like every 8 out of 10. There are two types of company on this list. The first one is the type of company that for the most part are known to manufactur very low quality psu's that often have not met basic UL spec or compliances (or perhaps the bare minumim to allow them for sale). Some of the psu's manufactured by the following companies have even been outlawed in various countries for their tendency to cause fires. The other type is the company that buys those psu's and rebadges them as their own. Often these psu's are offered along with computer cases, or sold for amazingly low prices. If there is a company on there that you do not think should be, don't skin me alive, just pm me with your evidence and I will take a look at it.
You may see a power supply that has great specs on paper, for a good price. I am sorry, but that just doesn't happen. While there are some very good vaules in the industry, such as those manufactured by the FSP group, you are not going to get a 600w psu with 35 amps on the 12v line, chrome case, windowed, with modular cables for $75. It's just not happening. I am hard pressed to think of another industry where the axiom "you get what you pay for" rings more true.
The bottom line, is that it can be tricky to tell a good psu from a bad one by looking at the specs sometimes, as the VAST majority of psu manufacturers (there are only 2 or 3 exceptions that I can think of off the top of my head) flat out lie, or practice some other form of disinformation. For example, there is no industry standard for psu rating temperature; so the vast majority of manufacturers take the liberty of assuming 20C internal operating temperature under full load. How many of you out there even have room temperature as cool as 20C? The real internal operating temperature of the psu is close to 40C or 50C during peak load. And since the output of the psu goes down te hotter it gets, these "600w" psu's can only really put out around 200w if it's generic, and around 300w if it's a better brand like an antec or enermax. So when looking at the specs of a psu, apply a "de-rating" curve to it, and deduct about 30% off of amps and wattage. In most cases it will be more, but you won't be running at peak load 24/7, so 30% is a good compromise. The only manufacturers at present that you don't need to do this to is Zippy/Emacs, Pc Power and Cooling, and Fortron (in Fortron's case, add 30% because they underrate themselves).
So I am NOT joking around when I ask you to stay away from the psu's listed on the Do Not Buy list below, as the best case scenerio will have you lucky and it will work, but the likely case is having an underpowered rig with instability problems, while the worst case scenario is it blowing up, and burning down computer as well as your house.
I can not stress this enough: your computer is an investment, protect it. You spent thousands on your computers, some of you, and you want to put a $60 power supply in it. Don't let a $60 supply kill your $3000 computer. You wouldn't want your investment to go by something you were warned about and could have prevented by shelling out another $60.
So without Further ado, I present to you the list of Un-reccomended and Unscrupulous Power Supply Companies
Achieve
Aerocool
Allied
Aspire
Codegen
Coolmax
Demon
Deer
Devanni.
Dynapower
Eagle
E-power (except Tagan series)
InWin
JustPC
Kingwin
L&C
Linkworld
MGE,
PCMICS
Power-Man
Powmax
Power-Up
Raidmax
Thermaltakes (low end ones, butterflies are fine, and some enlight models, the TT category depends)
Turbo
Ultra-X (yes, the pretty looking ones, they are made by a low-quality Chinese company that starts with "Young". Can't get much more generic than that!!!)
X-superalien
X-treme
While you REALLY should think twice before buying from those companies, the list below are some alternatives that have been proven time and time again to be solid, reliable alternatives, at all price ranges, performance levels, and noise levels.
Also please check out the Ultra-Quiet and Fanless section at the end for some more GREAT supplies in all price ranges. Please note that by adding that section, I am not saying that the other psu's are not quiet, just that the particular ones I have listed are particularly endeared to silent computer enthusiats (who demand levels of quiet that are total overkill for the lot of us).
Super-Budget Range = Under $30
While I wouldn't put one of these psu's in a high end rig, those of you looking int this category won't have one . These are solid, reliable, mostly quiet psu's that will run most machines very stably. No, they're not flash, no they don't light up UV colors, but at least they won't catch on fire.
Fortron 300w PSU w/120mm fan = $26
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-104-979&depa=0
Sparkle 300w PSU (18amps on 12v line, not bad at all for this price point) = $28
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-103-485&depa=0
Budget = Under $65
Now we are beginning to get into the range where the real psu's start. If you are looking at the super-budget range, I would advise you to skip lunch or something for a couple of days and get something from this category.
***
Quote:
Originally Posted by Larva, OCforums psu forum moderator
It's an all Fortron show at the $65 and under level
***
something to keep in mind
Coolermaster Real Power 450w (this does not have APFC, it won't blow up your rig but I would spring for the one that does have it) = $59.99
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-171-005&depa=0
Fortron 350w PSU w/ 120mm fan = $39
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-104-966&depa=0
Sparkle 350w ATXv2.0 psu = $51
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-103-499&depa=0
Fortron 400w PSU w/120mm fan = $65
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-104-962&depa=0
Antec Tru380 single fan version (hard pressed on 12v line) = $45 shipped
http://www.endpcnoise.com/cgi-bin/e...tml?id=zkvooazm
Antec Tru380 (hard pressed on 12v line NOT ANYMORE: they updated it to 24amps. Great deal now.) = $59
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-103-907&depa=0
Antec Tru430 = $65
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-103-908&depa=0
Enermax 350w PSU (26amps 12line ) = $53
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-103-439&depa=0
Enermax Noistaker 320w PSU = $65
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-103-450&depa=0
Enermax Noisetaker 370w psu = $61
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-103-444&depa=0
Zalman 3002 Noise Free psu = $62
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-103-212&depa=0
Tagan 380w = $45
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-101-508&depa=0
Mid-High End = Under$100
These are generally the minumum PSU's that I reccomend to people. You are very unlikely to need more than this to power your rig.
Zippy/Emacs 300w psu = $76 (22@ on 12v line for 300w psu is astounding, performance is comparable if not better than pcp&c. Prohibitivley expensive however)
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-103-704&depa=0
Enermax Noisetaker 420w ATX12v 2.1 = $75
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-103-459&depa=1
Coolermaster Real Power 450w with APFC = $79.99
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-171-001&depa=0
Fortron 350w ATX12v2.0 psu = $62
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-104-936&depa=0
Zippy/Emacs 350w psu = $83 (26@ on 12v line is better than antec 550, performance is comparable if not better than pcp&c. Prohibitivley expensive however)
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-103-705&depa=0
Zippy/Emacs 400w psu = $95 (30amps 12v line )
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-103-706&depa=0
Sparkle 530w PSU = $74
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-103-489&depa=0
Fortron 530w PSU = $75
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-104-968&depa=0
Enermax Noisetaker 420w PSU = $78
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-103-445&depa=0
Vantec 420w psu = $81
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-103-471&depa=0
Fortron Blue Storm ATX12v2.0 500w psu = $92
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-104-934&depa=0
Zalman Noise Free 400w psu APFC = $95
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-103-213&depa=0
Tagan 480w PSU = $79
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-101-509&depa=0
Vantec 520w psu = $99
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-103-473&depa=0
Enermax 460w PSU (33amps on 12v line )= $85
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-103-443&depa=0
Pc Power and Cooling 410 Silencer = $85
http://pcpowerandcooling.com/produc...ncers/index.htm
OCZ Powerstream 420w PSU = $85
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-104-150&depa=0
Seasonic 400w PSU = $86
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-151-018&depa=0
Antec Tru480 = $87
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-103-909&depa=0
OCZ Modstream 450w = $90
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-104-154&depa=0
High End = $100-$199
I do feel obligated to say that although I listed the Zippy series, Fortron 530 and Sparkle 530w PSU's (same ones) in the last category, I did that soley because of price. They will outperform almost every psu in this category despite their price tags. UPDATE: With the addition of the Zippy/Emacs psu's, they don't outperform almost every single psu in this category, but they are still excellent, excellent psu's.
OCZ Modstream 520w = $120 (note that these are not as powerful as the powerstreams; I would think their performance is more in line with the previous category, but their features keeps the price up)
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-104-155&depa=0
Antec EPS12v 550w PSU = $130
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-103-918&depa=0
Enermax Noisetaker 485w = $115
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-103-457&depa=0
Enermax Noisetaker 470w = $115
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-103-451&depa=0
OCZ Powerstream 470w = $136
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-104-151&depa=0
Enermax Coolergiant 480w = $142
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-103-495&depa=0
Enermax Noisetaker 600w psu = $192
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-103-497&depa=0
Sparkle 550w = $106
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-103-478&depa=0
OCZ Powerstream 520w PSU = $125
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-104-152&depa=0
Pc Power and Cooling 425w Deluxe = $150
http://pcpowerandcooling.com/produc...s/425/index.htm
Zippy/Emacs 460w Psu = $106
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-103-707&depa=0
Zippy/Emacs 500w psu = $122
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-103-708&depa=0
Zippy/Emacs 550w psu = $180
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-103-709&depa=0
Antec TruControl 550w PSU = $103
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-103-922&depa=0
Antec Tru550w PSU = $107
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-103-910&depa=0
Antec NeoPower 480w PSU with APFC = $126
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-103-924&depa=0
Enermax 550w PSU = $162
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-103-437&depa=0
Enermax 550w PSU with APFC = $192
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-103-447&depa=0
Ultra Budget Be Damned Best PSU Out There
Pc Power and Cooling Turbocool 510 Deluxe (and SLI edition) = $219 Base Price, if you get any options you're probably looking @ $270-320ish
http://pcpowerandcooling.com/produc...s/510/index.htm
Zippy/Emacs 600w psu = $256
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-103-711&depa=0
Zippy/Emacs 650w psu = $271 (this one's comparable to the pcp&c 510 deluxe guys, its a serious psu)
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-103-712&depa=0
Zippy/Emacs 700w psu = $281
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-103-713&depa=0
Zippy/Emacs 700w psu (45 amps on 12v line, yes thats almost twice the antec 550!!!) = $306
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-103-714&depa=0
Enermax 660w psu = $257
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-103-438&depa=0
OCZ 600w Powerstream = $210 (I'll include it now that the recall issues seem to be fixed)
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProdu...-104-153&depa=0
Ultra-Quiet and Fanless Supplies
Antec 350w Phantom fanless psu (0db list)= $172
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-103-925&depa=0
Silenx Luxare 340w Fanless PSU (0db list) = $199
http://www.silenx.com/productcart/p...p?idCategory=20
Silenx Luxare 400w Fanless PSU (0db list) = $239
http://www.silenx.com/productcart/p...p?idCategory=20
Silenx Luxare 460w Fanless PSU (0db list) = $279
http://www.silenx.com/productcart/p...p?idCategory=20
Seasonic Super Silencer 300w PSU (22db list) = $59
http://www.siliconacoustics.com/sea...-ss-300agx.html
Seasonic Super Silencer 400w PSU (22db list) = $99
http://www.siliconacoustics.com/sea...cer400watt.html
Zalman ZM300B-APS 300w PSU with APFC (20-25db when under 55C) = $59
http://www.siliconacoustics.com/zalman-zm300b-aps.html
Zalman ZM400B-APS 400w PSU with APFC (20-25db when under 55C) = $89
http://www.siliconacoustics.com/zalman-zm400b-aps.html
Seasonic Super Silencer 460w PSU (22db list) = $119
http://www.siliconacoustics.com/sea...-ss-460agx.html
Seasonic S12 Series ATX12V 2.0 430W (12b list) = $99
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-151-023&depa=0
Seasonic S12 Series ATX12V 2.0 500W Power Supply, PCI Express Ready (12db list) = $139
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProdu...-151-024&depa=0
For ALL the SilenX Iextrema's, which are all excellent, excellent psu's,
http://www.silenx.com/productcart/p...p?idCategory=18
PSU's That I Would Trust With SLI
I quite simply wouldn't dream of putting anything else in my machine. Keep in mind, this section is for 2x 6800 models, not the 6600's which most any good psu will handle (like Antec Neopower, ocz 520, etc). I'm also assuming you have 2x hard drives, 1GB ram, and something like an AMD 3200 or an intel 3.2ghz at least (since SLI is so expensive, you should be running that).
1. Pc Power and Cooling 510 Deluxe SLI edition (refer to list)
2. Zippy/Emacs 550-700w models
3. OCZ 600w (personally I would get the pcp&c for the price, but it's been proven here, so I'll be fair...)
4. Possibly a 600w Silenx iExtrema, but since it would be in SLI the fan would spin up all the time, and because it is geared for the silent crowd, you probably wouldn't like that very much. Silent and SLI is difficult to achieve.
That's about it. Something to keep in mind also; the Pc Power and Cooling is the ONLY SLI certified power supply by Nvidia. Also keep in mind that the PCP&C is the only one that has 2x PCI-e connectors I THINK; I could be wrong on this. Please let me know if I am. If that is true, you will have to use a 2x molex adapter. The OCZ might; but the pics I was looking at weren't really clear.
Hope that helps some of you
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