Is it worth the extra money for a Gold certified PSU?

Sirwalrus · Mar 31, 2013

I'm in the process of ordering PC components for my first build, and if I order from Newegg.com right now I can get the Corsair AX850 for $160, or the TX850 for $140, so I'm definately leaning to get Gold for only an extra $20.

Also, if you've ever ordered from Newegg: Are their sales usually at the end of the month, or mainly holiday sales? I'm worried if I don't order right now the sales will go away and I'll have to wait for the next holiday to get the best deal.

atomicWAR · Mar 31, 2013

no not really....and 80plus certified is fine. the gold won't save you that much on your power bill from what i have read.

Traciatim · Mar 31, 2013

For one, why do you need an 850 watt power supply, are you doing Tri or Quad SLI/Crossfire? The difference in power savings is probably not worth the thought over. Say your machine actually uses 300 watts. An 85% efficient PSU will use 353 watts, where a 90% efficient will use 333 watts. 20 watts for 24 hours is 0.48kWh, and at 12 cents per kWh is about 6 cents a day . . . so 20 bucks would take a year to pay off. Plus, that's only if your machine is going full bore, 24/7 . . . which is highly unlikely. My own machine idles at under 100 watts.

If you are doing SLI and never planning on going to tri or quad you probably want a nice quality 650Watt rather than the 850 anyway. If you are doing just a single video card then you probably want a 500 or so.

Sirwalrus · Mar 31, 2013

Traciatim :

I plan on running dual SLI GTX 670 4GBs. I will most likely use 850 watts eventually. It's not that much more for an 850 watt either.

atomicWAR · Mar 31, 2013

still gold rated is a waste...just get a good a bronze or silver...

Sirwalrus · Mar 31, 2013

atomicWAR :

Not really worried about the power bill, that won't really be a big problem. I'm more worried about durability and life of the PSU than I am actual power usage.

atomicWAR · Mar 31, 2013

with the wattage you picked you left plenty of room for capacitor wear...i would not worry

Sirwalrus · Mar 31, 2013

atomicWAR :

Well, as of right now it's cheaper to get gold than a silver, that's why I'm asking about bronze or gold.

atomicWAR · Mar 31, 2013

i run bronze with 3 cards...2 gtx 670 OCd sli'd, 1 gtx650ti OCd physx...overclocked cpu..though i have a 1600w psu.....but i also have a bunch of pumps 11 fans and a disco ball etc..well maybe not the disco ball...

knightdog56 · Mar 31, 2013

That would be a good buy, snap it up pronto.

atomicWAR · Mar 31, 2013

if the gold is a sweet deal why pass it up unless the bronze is a fairly higher wattage for the same price.

Greatatlantic · Mar 31, 2013

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/80%2B

Chart breaks down the different standard, but in general the money savings aren't there.

The real waste will be using a higher wattage PSU (which may be needed to power your configuration), since pretty much all PSU's have terrible efficiency when less than 20% of their max draw is being used.

Sirwalrus · Mar 31, 2013

atomicWAR :

You just gave me an amazing idea for my PC with that disco ball thing...

Sirwalrus · Mar 31, 2013

atomicWAR :

Alright, I may go deposite the money later and get it ordered.

geofelt · Mar 31, 2013

Sign up with newegg for their specials. Power supplies often show up.
One advantage of gold rated is that the fan will rarely spin up making it quieter.
I can recommend this Seasonic X850w unit for $140:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151102
It is a tier 1 quality unit on this list:
http://www.eggxpert.com/forums/thread/323050.aspx

atomicWAR · Mar 31, 2013

hope i was a help. enjoy your PSU!

Traciatim · Mar 31, 2013

Sirwalrus :

Just as an FYI my 3570k@4.1, 670 OC, 8GB, 2x7200 and 1xssd doesn't break 300 watts at the wall side (measured with a Watts up Pro), and I'm using an 85% efficient power supply, so that's actually pushing out about 255 watts to the machine assuming I'm at it's peak efficiency, which is pretty unlikely.

Adding another 670 would probably not go above 450 or maybe 500, which is why I recommended the 650 instead, unless you are going with a tri or quad setup.

Sirwalrus · Mar 31, 2013

geofelt :

I actually might think about that. Seansonic is a brand I was considering.

atomicWAR · Mar 31, 2013

seasonic is best!

Sirwalrus · Mar 31, 2013

atomicWAR :

Do you recommend Seansonic? I've heard lots of good things, but I want a reliable, long lasting PSU.

atomicWAR · Mar 31, 2013

aboslutely....first choice in psu

random stalker · Mar 31, 2013

Well, both Corsair AX850 and Seasonic X-series 850 W count among the best of the best

So one might as well as toss a coin to see which is better.

As for the Corsair TX850 - the only drawback is that it is not modular, so you'll end with having a lot of loose cables inside your case. Other than that it is a great PSU, but I wouldn't buy it /especially considering the fully modular two PSUs above and only a 20 USD difference/.

Sirwalrus · Mar 31, 2013

atomicWAR :

Cool, thanks. Plus it fits on major requirment: It's a combination of black and gold. Which will work perfectly with my Kington HyperX Black and ASRock Z77 Extreme4.

atomicWAR · Mar 31, 2013

be sure to pass on the solution love to someone....

Sirwalrus · Mar 31, 2013

atomicWAR :

I will. I appreciate your help, and everyone else's. It'll probably go to the one who suggested the Seansonic to me though, but I'll leave this open for discussion a little while longer.

Is it worth the extra money for a Gold certified PSU?

Honorable

Glorious

Distinguished

Honorable

Glorious

Honorable

Glorious

Honorable

Glorious

Distinguished

Glorious

Honorable

Honorable

Honorable

Titan

Glorious

Distinguished

Honorable

Glorious

Honorable

Glorious

Honorable

Honorable

Glorious

Honorable

Share this page