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Power Supply Question?

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ozcot   10-05-2008 at 02:23:47 PM

I know 120MM make less noise but would a PSU with 2 80MM fans distribute more air flow than one with a bigger 120mm Fan. I am between two power supplies the Sigma Shark SP-635W 635Watts ATX Power Supply and the Corsair CMPSU-650TX, I can save a few bucks with the Sigma but want a good power supply that is the back bone of the system. Thanks for any info..

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homerdog   10-05-2008 at 03:14:26 PM
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Those are both high quality power supplies. The Sigma is built by FSP and the Corsair is built by CWT, so you're getting good build quality either way. I lean towards the Corsair 'cause there are lots of great reviews out there for it. Most of the reviews for the Sigma are grossly uninformative. Honestly though you can't go wrong with either model.

As for your specific question about which fan configuration is best, it varies on a case by case basis. Both of those PSUs appear to have adequate airflow and don't make too much noise.

Reply to homerdog
dozer63   10-05-2008 at 03:16:59 PM
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Go with the corsair, Just overall better quality!

Reply to dozer63
Bronze Home Brew badge Proximon   10-05-2008 at 03:19:27 PM
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I congratulate you on at least thinking about a quality power supply.

Sigma SP is considered a tier 3 PSU, meaning it's not as good as the Corsair. All Corsairs are considered tier 2.
http://www.eggxpert.com/forums/thread/323050.aspx

If you need to watch the budget we could certainly recommend others, depending on your system.

There are other things to consider beyond the fans in the PSU. Voltage sag under load, voltage ripple, heat, actual wattage, efficiency at idle and at max load, as well as when very hot.

Many website reviews are poor. I recommend this one for good PSU reviews:
http://www.jonnyguru.com/

Reply to Proximon
homerdog   10-05-2008 at 10:03:46 PM
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Lumping all Sigma PSUs into "tier 3" is not helpful at all. The model in question is manufactured by FSP and despite being group regulated is very high quality. Not as good as the Corsair but not "tier 3".

That list is helpful to get a feel for the overall quality of a manufacturer, but so many manufacturers these days use different OEMs for different models that it's hard to lump them into a single tier.

Reply to homerdog
lunyone   10-05-2008 at 10:18:25 PM
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+1 ^^^
It's starting to get a little complicated with all of the different vendors that manufacturers supply these days. In general the Corsair is a solid build and has a 5 yr. warranty, not sure what the Sigma has. The other things you need to consider is what power connectors do the PSU's have that your going to need now and in the future. The Corsair has 2 x 6+2pin PCI-e power connectors, so it'll power any single GPU out on the market. If you were to get the 750w version it has 4 x 6+2pin PCI-e power connectors and will power any SLI configuration out on the market right now. I'm not sure where your ordering from, but I'd buy the Corsair's at Buy.com, if your ordering within the U.S., since they are cheaper right now than newegg.com.
$93 - $20 MIR = $73!!! hard to beat at that price!
Corsair TX CMPSU-650TX ATX12V & EPS12V Power Supply
$104 - $20 MIR = $84!! Only $11 more than the 650 and has much more to offer!!
Corsair TX CMPSU-750TX ATX12V & EPS12V Power Supply

Newegg's link for the 650tx, which has more details than Buy.com's site.
Newegg's link of the Corsair 750tx, which has more information than Buy.com's website.

------------------------------ PSU Tiers
GPU Power
8800gtx w/e6600 OC'd will run on Antec 380w w/27A on 12v rail, PSU!!
 Reply to lunyone
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