What Power Supply is best for me?

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xxdanxs

xxdanxs

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May 30, 2013
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I am searching for a good power supply. I don't want to go overkill. But I also don't want to skimp out and get something that is not good enough. Preferably, I would like to keep the power supply around $50 - $60. My build will be running an i5-3570k (possibly an i7-3770k), 8GB RAM, and either a GTX 660 ti or a Radeon 7950. I was thinking a 500W or 550W should be enough but it does seem kind of low. I don't think I need a 750W because that is way more than enough, I think (if not, let me know). What would be the best choice? Something around 600W or would 500W be sufficient? Also, who makes the best power supplies? I hear Corsair does. Not sure which brand to get.

- Dan
 
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4745454b
I bought a 7950. Total system draw with one of those should be around 325W so a 500W should be fine. If you want good but nothing crazy or over the top then look for an 80bronze rated unit, from the brands Winkay suggested. Antec and Corsair will probably be among the cheapest. Enermax and Seasonic will tend to be the more expensive.

Watch out when you buy your 7950 if you go that route. Some like my Gigabyte WF3 need an 8pin PCIe plug. Most of the current 500W units should have it or a 6+2 plug. Just make sure if you buy a card with an 8pin plug you get a PSU with one as well.
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winkay

winkay

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Jan 17, 2013
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500W is more than enough unless you plan on going crossfire/sli anytime soon.

Corsair
Sesonic
Antec
Enermax
XFX

^ Are all well known brands I suggest any of these
 
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4745454b

4745454b

Titan
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Apr 29, 2006
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I bought a 7950. Total system draw with one of those should be around 325W so a 500W should be fine. If you want good but nothing crazy or over the top then look for an 80bronze rated unit, from the brands Winkay suggested. Antec and Corsair will probably be among the cheapest. Enermax and Seasonic will tend to be the more expensive.

Watch out when you buy your 7950 if you go that route. Some like my Gigabyte WF3 need an 8pin PCIe plug. Most of the current 500W units should have it or a 6+2 plug. Just make sure if you buy a card with an 8pin plug you get a PSU with one as well.
 
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douglasw

douglasw

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Jan 31, 2012
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One thing about power supply's is you get what you pay for and $50 or $60 dollars unit is what you call real cheap it's like buying a expensive car and putting bald tires on lt..Sooner or later a tire will let go and it will screw up the rest of your car same as a computer buy a good name brand unit and spend the money or you will experience down time..
 
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4745454b

4745454b

Titan
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Apr 29, 2006
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I slightly disagree. There are many $50-$60 PSU out there that are quality units. You can't judge just by price alone. I doubt there are any quality 750W+ units for $50, but we aren't talking about those.

For example, here is the Antec 380W Green which is a rather good one, though older now.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371033 $50 counting shipping.

Many people are big fans of the XFX core 550W.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207013 $60 after shipping and rebate.

Want modular? Semi decent CX500M from Corsair.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139050 $63 after shipping and rebate.

And that's just looking at newegg, other sites might have other sales on. You don't HAVE to spend $100+ to get a good PSU. Nothing wrong with spending $50-$60.
 
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douglasw

douglasw

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Least agree if your going to be using a i5 or a i7 CPU with 8 gbs of ram and a radeon 7950 your not going to put in a $60 dollar power supply...your pushing you luck my friend....if you put in a high end game you'll sure max out that unit....for 160 you can get yourself a nice 800 watt unit then you'll have no worries.
 
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4745454b

4745454b

Titan
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Apr 29, 2006
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So the XFX 550W is a bad unit. Did you see on the newegg page where its listed as approved by Jonny and kitguru? I know who they are, who are you again?

a radeon 7950 your not going to put in a $60 dollar power supply...your pushing you luck my friend....if you put in a high end game you'll sure max out that unit....for 160 you can get yourself a nice 800 watt unit then you'll have no worries.
Click to expand...

I bought a 7950. System draw is around 325W. Why would you get an 800W unit? Even at load you'd be using less then half of what it can out, and at idle or just surfing/watching movies it will be down to less then 20%. Have you heard of efficiency? That 550W XFX will power the 7950 just fine.
 
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