Does a better PSU = less heat output into case?

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BORIS1349

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Dec 2, 2014
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I'm using a Seasonic M12II 620w PSU that outputs a ton of heat in my Bitfenix Pandora case. It's so bad that it almost causes my r9 390 to overheat on idle.

My question is: Would a better PSU (like an EVGA SuperNOVA 850 G2) output less heat into the case?

I'm really broke so I'd rather not have to spend anymore money on my case at the moment, but if it would help significantly I would gladly buy a new power supply. Also, I do realize my PSU is barely enough to power my 390 and watercooled 8320.

Thank you for your time and input,
Boris

My PC:
Chassis: Bitfenix Pandora
CPU: FX-8320 watercooled
GPU: 390
MOBO: Gigabyte 78LMT-USB3
PSU: Seasonic M12II 620w
RAM: ADATA 2x4gb sticks
Storage: 2x WD Green 4TB HDD, Kingston HyperX 3K 240GB SSD
 
Solution
Mr5oh
You need to take efficiency into account here. A larger PSU won't necessarily run cooler, in fact it may run hotter as it may put you in a less efficient load level. Ideally you have roughly 50% load on a PSU as this will be where it's most efficent. Take the 80 Plus Gold standard:

20% load - 87 %
50% load - 90 %
100% load - 87%

So at 20% load you are losing 13% if the power it's pulling from the wall, to loses inside the PSU which creates heat. At 50% you are only losing 10%, so less heat.

Obviously though if you are loading the PSU near 100% you will be losing efficiency so creating some additional heat, if this is your case a larger PSU would help. Either way a PSU even at 100% load should not cause the PC to overheat, you have...
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toyftw

toyftw

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Jul 29, 2012
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Hi - Surprised the m12 is outputting that much heat. Not necessarily a better PSU, but
a good quality 850 won't be working as hard as a 620w unit. So, you would get less
heat as a resilt of that factor.

Are you sure your 390 isn't at fault?

 
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rhysiam

Splendid
Mar 24, 2013
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Zerk2012 beat me to it. You can see from the pics on Guru3D that they have the intake from the PSU drawing air in from underneath the case and exhausting it out the back: http://www.guru3d.com/articles-pages/bitfenix-pandora-micro-atx-chassis-review,7.html
That's the way most cases are designed. Almost all your PSU heat should be pushed straight out the case by the PSU itself.

Also, for the record, heat output of a PSU is a measure of efficiency, not necessarily the quality of the PSU (though a "good" PSU is often also an efficient one).
 
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Mr5oh

Mr5oh

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Jul 28, 2004
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You need to take efficiency into account here. A larger PSU won't necessarily run cooler, in fact it may run hotter as it may put you in a less efficient load level. Ideally you have roughly 50% load on a PSU as this will be where it's most efficent. Take the 80 Plus Gold standard:

20% load - 87 %
50% load - 90 %
100% load - 87%

So at 20% load you are losing 13% if the power it's pulling from the wall, to loses inside the PSU which creates heat. At 50% you are only losing 10%, so less heat.

Obviously though if you are loading the PSU near 100% you will be losing efficiency so creating some additional heat, if this is your case a larger PSU would help. Either way a PSU even at 100% load should not cause the PC to overheat, you have other cooling problems. First and foremost your PSU should be exhausting heat, not blowing it in the case. Sounds like you need some better cooling or setup in your case.
 
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Solution
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BORIS1349

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Dec 2, 2014
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That case comes with two 120mm fans in the front of the case for air intake. Also, there's openings along the whole front side to allow a fair amount of airflow.
 
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