How Important Is Gold/Platinum Series in a Power Supply?

soccrguy3

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Jun 12, 2013
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Here is my current build:
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/15OER

The estimated wattage needed (after checking many calculators) is 200-300W. My question is this: Is it worth it to buy a Corsair HX750 solely because it is Gold Standard, or would I be better off in the long run with a Bronze Standard Corsair 400-500W power supply?

Keep in mind the cost of the power bill, if this would change at all between the two. I really don't need the 750W, but the Gold Standard sounds like it might pay off in the long run (due to a lower power bill). What do you think?

Important Details:
- The price of the HX750 is $105, while the price of a lower wattage Corsair product would be around $50-60.
- I pay the power bill, keep this in mind.
- I plan on over clocking the system.


If you do not recommend spending the extra $50 on the HX750, which power supply do you recommend?

Thanks!
 
You won't draw more with the 750 W like SR-71 says. If you're referring to 80 PLUS gold/bronze certification, this is a measure of efficiency. There is always some loss in the PSU as heat; more efficient PSUs lose less power as heat and for the same power use inside the PC pull less from the wall outlet.

Either way, you don't need a 750 W PSU for a basic PC.
 


Hi - Both Schiz & Blackbird are correct, you don't need a 750w unit for your system.

You didn't mention which 400-500w Corsair's were the alternatives, so I'll assume
they are the CX series which are budget/opening price point series PSU's.

Gold efficiency models will use less electricity from the wall than Bronze rated units,
but it would take years not month's to recoup a $50 difference.

IMO, with a system like you are putting together (per partpicker), I would opt for
a PSU above budget level,
with Corsair that would be TX, HX, AX series.
Enthusiast and Professional series PSU's provide better quality, (usually Japanese
capacitors vs Chinese for example), and most likely a longer warranty.

Check possibly some 550w/650w units from Seasonic,XFX, Antec, PC Pwr & Cooling,
Corsair TX,HX, Rosewill Capstone/Fortress, Silverstone, and maybe close the
$50 gap you now have.

Here is a nice alternative for $25 less than the HX750:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151119
or a Corsair TX650 for $60net:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005
or a modular Rosewill Fortress for $90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182083