Budget PSU for Haswell

Otakon7 · Sep 25, 2013

Hello,

I am building a desktop centered around the i5 4670k but I'm stuck at picking the right PSU.

This is the rig:

------------------------------
CPU: i5 4670k
GPU: N/A
MOBO: AsRock z87 Pro4
RAM: DDR3 4GB (1x4GB) Kingston, 1600MHz, CL9, Hyper X, KHX1600C9D3B1/4G
PSU: *pending*
HDD: Toshiba sata3 3,5 500gb
Cooler: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO
Case: COOLERMASTER K280, MIDI
-----------------------------

It's currently on 740US$ and the reason why I'm keeping it low budget is due to the new wave of GPUs that will come in a few months (specifically, the GTX 750 Ti, if it turns out real) so I can have about 200$ to spare. The Intel HD 4600 will do until then.

Mind you, I have little knowledge with the actual components so any help is welcomed but, as mentioned the main issue is the PSU.

I kinda narrowed my choices to these units:

Sea Sonic S12II-620Bronze, SS-620GB, 620W (100$)
Sea Sonic S12II-520Bronze, SS-520GB, 520W (90$)
XFX Core Edition 80 Bronze 550W (90$)
FSP Raider S PSU 550W,80 SILVER (75$)

The FSP one seems a bit too good to be true; a Silver at that price? (the fact the image at the shop webpage has a "bronze" next to it doesn't help). Still, it is my best choice atm, it will help me get that extra 4gb RAM.

The choices are only based on my opinion, if you know a better option, don't be shy

P.S. I'm from Europe

Thanks.

DiaSin · Sep 25, 2013

Where are you getting those prices? The 620W S12II is the best on that list, hell, its the psu that is on the parts list for my own upcoming build, but it is a $65 PSU, nowhere near the $120 you list.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151096

However.. If you actually have the $120 to spend on a PSU, just go a little higher to $130 and get this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139055&Tpk=Corsair%20RM%20750

Also.. do yourself a favor and look at 8GB RAM as a minimum, 4gb is no longer enough. I have 6gb in my current system and at times that really is not enough.

Edit: Just noticed the part about europe.. I saw all the $ signs you were using and assumed US.. Anyway.. even on amazon.co.uk the 620W S12II is £75.47 I know that is technically not europe.. but I can't read any of the actual european amazon sites.

ddbtkd456 · Sep 25, 2013

Otakon7 :

Fact: Never go outside these 3 brands for psu:
Corsair
XFX
Seasonic
or Rosewill (my opinion)

That said the Seasonic 620 watt is the best bang for your buck. But if your serious about it then here:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

Power Supply: XFX 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply (£83.56 @ Amazon UK)
Total: £83.56
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-25 07:27 BST+0100)

It's a little bit more expenisve (I think) but it is a 750, so if you plan to sli 2 gtx 750's you'll have the power to do it, plus its a semi-modular power supply (case will be cleaner).

Otakon7 · Sep 25, 2013

@DiaSin: Well, our prices are comparable to the UK so that Corsair one is roughly 160$, which is way over budget (125$ is kinda the limit, I didn't plan on going over 100$ but alas, such are the prices)

@ddbtkd456: Well, I'm not really sure I will SLI (especially with that MOBO) so 550W seems enough (I might look out for special deals around new year if I delay building it until then).

Thanks for the input

ddbtkd456 · Sep 25, 2013

Otakon7 :

I have one more choice for you i didn't know if you were going to SLI or not. Here's one more option for you:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($22.50 @ Newegg)
Total: $22.50
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-25 02:58 EDT-0400)

Otakon7 · Sep 25, 2013

ddbtkd456 :

Ah, sorry, it didn't cross my mind to mention it.

Though, isn't that unit underpowered? (all things included, not just the wattage), I do plan to OC a bit (and keep the unit for at least 2 years if it lives that long).

Not to mention, the price is just 10$ lower from the FSP one (yes, it costs aprox 65$).

ddbtkd456 · Sep 25, 2013

Otakon7 :

My Rig (only runs probably 400 watts at most):

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor (Purchased For $199.99)
CPU Cooler: NZXT Kraken X60 98.3 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler (Purchased For $109.99)
Motherboard: Asus SABERTOOTH 990FX R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard (Purchased For $189.99)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory (Purchased For $164.99)
Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk (Purchased For $79.99)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk (Purchased For $173.85)
Case: NZXT Switch 810 (Black) ATX Full Tower Case (Purchased For $145.56)
Case Fan: NZXT FN-140RB 62.5 CFM 140mm Fan (Purchased For $9.99)
Case Fan: NZXT FN-140RB 62.5 CFM 140mm Fan (Purchased For $9.99)
Case Fan: NZXT FN-140RB 62.5 CFM 140mm Fan (Purchased For $9.99)
Case Fan: NZXT FN-140RB 62.5 CFM 140mm Fan (Purchased For $9.99)
Case Fan: NZXT FN-140RB 62.5 CFM 140mm Fan (Purchased For $9.99)
Power Supply: XFX 850W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply (Purchased For $109.99)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B3ST/BLK/G/AS DVD/CD Writer (Purchased For $22.99)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) (Purchased For $0.00)
Other: NZXT Hue (Purchased For $28.99)
Other: NZXT Sentry 2 Fan Controller LCD Display (Purchased For $23.89)
Other: NZXT Sentry 2 Fan Controller LCD Display (Purchased For $23.89)
Other: Rosewill 45 Piece Tool Set (Purchased For $20.99)
Other: Monoprice 18-Inch SATA III 6.0 Gbps Cable with Locking Latch and 1 x 90-Degree Plug (x6) (Purchased For $16.08)
Other: USB 2.0 Internal Motherboard Extension Cable 20 Inches (Purchased For $4.25)
Other: Genius Hi-Fi Wood Speaker for Computers (SP-HF500A) (Purchased For $44.99)
Other: Anker® Gaming Mouse, 7 Programmable Buttons, up to 4000 DPI, 5 User Profiles (bound to specific games), Omron Micro Switches (Purchased For $21.99)
Other: Perixx PX-1100, Backlit Keyboard - Red/Blue/Purple Illuminated Keys - Gaming Style Sollid 3.5lbs Design - Rubber Painting Surface - 20 Million Key-press Lifecycle - Brightness Control Wheel - 6 Feet Long Cable - Adjustable Palm rest (Purchased For $39.99)
Other: 32" TV (Purchased For $0.00)
Other: NZXT IU01 Internal USB Expansion (Black) (Purchased For $19.44)
Other: Sapphire Radeon Vapor-X HD 7950 OC with Boost 3 GB DDR5 DL-DVI-I/SL-DVI-D/HDMI/DP PCI-Express Graphics Card 11196-09-40G (Purchased For $249.99)
Total: $1741.78
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-25 03:22 EDT-0400)

But i would go over the minimum wattage between those 3 companies i suggested, just to be safe.

Otakon7 · Sep 25, 2013

Wow, all that for 400w max?

Well, in that case, I'll look into it; if it can handle OCing, I'll definitely consider it.

ddbtkd456 · Sep 25, 2013

Yes, a really really high end computer doesn't consume much wattage, until you start adding dual or triple graphics cards, thats when you need the 600+ watt psu.

ddbtkd456 · Sep 25, 2013

Otakon7 :

And actually pc part picker and newegg both said it was about 347 watts to be exact. I wouldn't overclock on something less then 450 though.

Otakon7 · Sep 25, 2013

ddbtkd456 :

Good point; still, it's nice to know things are more efficient then I originally thought.

Guess that means I can go for 500W ones; the CXM500 is roughly 90$, will it do or should I go for the 520-550 ones I listed? I'm kinda leaning towoards the XFX one.

Don't really like paying extra for modular but since it's within budget, I might consider it.

DiaSin · Sep 25, 2013

Otakon7 :

ddbtkd456 :

Good point; still, it's nice to know things are more efficient then I originally thought.

Guess that means I can go for 500W ones; the CXM500 is roughly 90$, will it do or should I go for the 520-550 ones I listed? I'm kinda leaning towoards the XFX one.

Don't really like paying extra for modular but since it's within budget, I might consider it.

The Seasonic 520W would be my choice in that power range.

ddbtkd456 · Sep 25, 2013

Otakon7 :

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

Power Supply: SeaSonic 650W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $89.99
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-25 04:33 EDT-0400)

or

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 750W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $89.99
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-25 04:35 EDT-0400)

Either of these would be an excellent suggestion. I run XFX in mine, and i can tell you now that i wish i would have gotten a modular one instead, but since both of these are modular, there both great prices. Corsair is a brother company to Seasonic, and XFX makes damn good power supplies, so go with which one you may want (plus spending a little more now means when you upgrade later, you don't have to worry about having enough "juice" later on).

DiaSin · Sep 25, 2013

ddbtkd456 :

Otakon7 :

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

Power Supply: SeaSonic 650W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $89.99
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-25 04:33 EDT-0400)

or

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 750W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $89.99
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-25 04:35 EDT-0400)

Either of these would be an excellent suggestion. I run XFX in mine, and i can tell you now that i wish i would have gotten a modular one instead, but since both of these are modular, there both great prices. Corsair is a brother company to Seasonic, and XFX makes damn good power supplies, so go with which one you may want (plus spending a little more now means when you upgrade later, you don't have to worry about having enough "juice" later on).

Keep in mind you need to source eurpean retailers, the prices from newegg are nothing alike with the prices where he is. Not to mention he does not need a 750W PSU..

ddbtkd456 · Sep 25, 2013

DiaSin :

Sorry about that, that was a good point (they were cheaper for a fully modular one)

Fully modular psu:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

Power Supply: SeaSonic X Series 400W 80 PLUS Platinum Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply (£102.48 @ Scan.co.uk)
Total: £102.48
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-25 09:43 BST+0100)

Semi-modular PSU:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

Power Supply: SeaSonic M12II 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply (£88.50 @ Scan.co.uk)
Total: £88.50
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-25 09:44 BST+0100)

or

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply (£85.98 @ Scan.co.uk)
Total: £85.98
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-25 09:44 BST+0100)

Budget Semi-modular PSU:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

Power Supply: SeaSonic G 550W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply (£76.26 @ Scan.co.uk)
Total: £76.26
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-25 09:45 BST+0100)

Gold is a nice feature since they are more energy efficient then silver or bronze, and 550 watts is more then enough (unless you SLI or Crossfire with a high graphics card.

Otakon7 · Sep 25, 2013

@ddbtkd456: That price range is at least about 20$ above my budget though.

Well, technically, I can't go wrong whatever I pick, since all seem to cover the minimum.

SS 520 seems to have dual 12v rails and is semi modular, SS 620 sports 4 amps higher on them (and costs "just" 10$ more), XFX is single rail (with decent amps I believe).

Sigh, it kinda feels like picking an ice cream flavor.

P.S. whoops, noticed an (big) error on my part, the SS 620 costs 100$, not 120$.

ddbtkd456 · Sep 25, 2013

Otakon7 :

Here's the tier list of power supply units, tier one is the best (for your reference):

http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-1804779/tomshardware-power-supply-unit-tier-list.html

Otakon7 · Sep 25, 2013

ddbtkd456 :

Oh? The Seasonic ones are tier one?

Well, guess that good enough proof.
I also noticed I've been looking at the M instead of S, so is there any particular difference between those two performance wise? I see the S is single and M dual rail for example.

I am looking at the S one, since it saves me some money but, thought I'd ask.

ddbtkd456 · Sep 25, 2013

A single rail is always usually better then a dual rail, reason being is if you have 2 parts to do the same thing as 1, there's a greater chance of the 2 parts to do 1 thing failing, since it has twice as many parts. If you are using an ungodly amount of amperage tho i would suggest a dual rail, but for usage like you and me i would suggest a single rail.

Otakon7 · Sep 25, 2013

I see, thanks.

Well, S12II-520 it is then.

ddbtkd456 · Sep 25, 2013

Otakon7 :

No problem, feel free to pm me with anymore questions or concerns you might have in the future (I don't do this for the badges, i do this to give honest people feedback on the products they buy, and to better teach people how things work).

Otakon7 · Sep 25, 2013

ddbtkd456 :

Will do so, thanks again.

ddbtkd456 · Sep 25, 2013

Otakon7 :

One last thing, before i forget i was looking at your setup and i would (sometime in the near future) get 8 gb of ram (4 gb x 2 sticks), as that is going to very soon be the new minimum standard in a computer. As cpus become more powerful and demand more the usage for RAM goes up.

Dark Lord of Tech · Sep 25, 2013

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply (£48.96 @ CCL Computers)
Total: £48.96
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-25 15:03 BST+0100)

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

Power Supply: XFX 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply (£74.42 @ Aria PC)
Total: £74.42
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-25 15:02 BST+0100)

Otakon7 · Sep 25, 2013

I just barely decided to go for the Seasonic one, don't temp me to reconsider lol

Well, the johnyguru site had some nice review for the S12II so I'm content:
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=185

Budget PSU for Haswell

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