PSU Wattage (1050 vs. 1250) for Gaming Build

Jonathon Thorpe

Honorable
Mar 11, 2013
40
0
10,530
Hello All,

I believe I have put together my final gaming build and I had one question on which PSU wattage I should go with. My choice is 1050 watts vs. 1250 watts.

One note on usage, I will be using this build for the next 4-5 years, at about 15-17 hrs a day, of heavy gaming.

I have gone to PSU calculator sites, and I think that I can go with a 1050 watt, but when it comes to aging, it shows that I would need more power later on.

Here is the link to my build: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1mld2

I do plan on in the future adding an additional SSD ( Samsung 840 EVO) and a sound card.

On the two Corsair SP120 2-packs, those are for the H100i in a push/pull configuration.

On the GPU’s, those are a place holder for the EVGA GTX 780 Classifieds (http://www.evga.com/Products/Product.aspx?pn=03G-P4-3788-KR )

Thank you in advance for the advice.
 

Jonathon Thorpe

Honorable
Mar 11, 2013
40
0
10,530

Ok, so 1050w should be the wattage I should go with, and 1250w would be too much then, even though my build will be running for the next 5 years?

Should I go with Platinum (is it worth the extra cost), or should I go Gold?
 


The reason to pick Platinum (& pay the premium) is it's top of the line
for the brands and would be consistent with the rest of your build.
The increase in efficiency would take years not months to recoup,
so not enough by itself to justify the higher cost.

I would do it, to have the absolute best and with the PC being on 15-17hrs a day,
you might recoup the extra cost a little quicker due to lower electr bills
the platinum units offer.

Personally, I would opt for Platinum if my budget allowed.
 


Since it is heat that degrades the electrolytic capacitors in a PSU, then less heat should lead to longer capacitor life.

An 80 PLUS Platinum efficiency PSU produces less heat than an 80 PLUS Gold efficiency PSU so in theory it should have a longer service life. It should also lead to less thermal load being contributed to the inside of the computer case.