Picking a PSU Gold vs. Bronze Certified

eggroll69 · Mar 23, 2013

Hi everybody I have recently finished finding the parts to my Gaming PC build. I am still deciding whether I should get the Corsair TX 650 Bronze certified ($79.99) or the Corsair HX650 Gold Certified ($109.99). I mean is it necessary/how much will it benefit me to get the gold certified for $30 more? If you have any suggestions between these or any other PSU's please let me know.

If you have any suggestions on my build please let me know!

Link to Build: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/LkRH

Kjwinden · Mar 23, 2013

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/80_Plus

Here is a great page explaining what the different levels of certification mean. It is essentially their efficiency under different loads and such.

For your build with the 7970 I would say go with the Gold certified. Though I am very paranoid and many will say that the bronze will be just fine.

Azn Cracker · Mar 23, 2013

Bronze is fine. The extra money for gold is a waste.

Kjwinden · Mar 23, 2013

Azn Cracker :

See eggroll? What'd I say.

woodflute · Mar 23, 2013

It's not that the extra money is a waste, exactly, because the power supply is more efficient, you will save a bit on power. However, I do question whether the difference in the price of power would actually make up the difference in the price of the power supplies over the normal life span of a computer power supply.

Kjwinden · Mar 23, 2013

woodflute :

This is a very good point wood, however, my paranoia comes from the PSU blowing out components on the rest of the computer.

Deleted member 217926 · Mar 23, 2013

The Corsair TX650 is, like most of Corsair's lineup these days made by CWT. It is a very solid unit.

The HX650 on the other hand is one of 3 Corsair models still made for Corsair by Seasonic. It is based on the Seasonic G series and is a clear step up in quality from the TX series. Seasonic makes the best power supplies on the market.

What are you needing 650 watts for? 550 watts will run a system with any single GPU except maybe Titan. The Seasonic G series 550w model is only $89 at newegg.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151119

The actual 650w G series is the same price as the Corsair. I would just get the Seasonic myself.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151118

List of power a system needs with just about every graphics card combination you can have.

http://www.realhardtechx.com/index_archivos/Page362.htm

Deleted member 217926 · Mar 23, 2013

Just saw your build list. The 550w unit is fine for an HD 7970.

9.6/10 + Recommended buy from jonnyguru. The unit easily pulled 630 watts in testing.

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story6&reid=323

toyftw · Mar 23, 2013

eggroll69 :

Hi - anort covered it pretty well & I agree. Only chirping in my .02 in because
if your $$ budget allows, I'd always recommend stepping up in quality. In this
case the HX series is a step up from the TX series. It almost always means superior
internal parts, tighter mfg tolerances, more rigid QC, etc. Usually a longer warranty as well.
And yes, I'd opt for a Seasonic built unit, other things being equal.

ko888 · Mar 23, 2013

The higher price also gives you semi-modular output connectors on the HX650.

Azn Cracker · Mar 23, 2013

The higher efficiency will not save you money. You will save a few bucks a year, but the pc will become obsolete before you make your money back. Also, Kjwinden there is, as he admitted, paranoid. A Bronze psu will not not blow up. The ratings are for efficiency, not reliability. So a Platinum rated psu can be less reliable than a bronze one (unlikely).

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Picking a PSU Gold vs. Bronze Certified

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