More help needed in picking a PSU

I'm still plagued over what PSU to buy. I'm trying to make my system as powerful as I can while still keeping the noise down. That being said I understand that I may have to pay a premium for a so called "Silent" PSU but so be it.

I was gong to buy the Cooler Master Silent Pro M600 PSU as I found several good reviews of the product (i.e. http://www.ocia.net/reviews/cmsile [...] ge4.shtml) saying that it was a very quiet unit. Also compelling was that Amazon.com just dropped the price on this unit from 113.14 to $110.28. Problem is that every forum I visit regarding PSU's suggest that I use something else. UNfortunately, when I Google "Quiet Power Supply" I don't find any of those brands/models (except 1 PSU so far - see below) recommened on any sites dealing with "quiet PC's" that is in my price range.

Someone over the last 24 hours has recommended the SeaSonic M12 SS-600HM 600W PSU as an alternative and I did find this PSU mentioned on several sites (www.acousticpc.com and wwe.endpcnoise.com) as being a quiet PSU. A check on cost shows it being available for $114.99 at NewEgg (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151030) which is almost the same price as the cooler Master.

So......What I'm hoping for is to get a few more comments that I can weigh before making a decision.

Any insight would be appreciated.

If you really want that PSU then buy it and be happy. It would be fine as long as it could handle your load. If your really are an acoustic person, try to read SPCR forums. They might have a good idea on what you want.

The PSU is a very big deal; it it the most important component in your system. Buy a good quality unit that has been well (professionally & competently) reviewed. Don't buy based on price or brand.

I took your advice and visited the SPCR site and received a lot of insight. Based on the components I'm putting in my system, the members of their forum said that a 600w PSU was overkill. This confirms what two PSU configuration sites which showed that I only needed a 384w PSU.

After reading their recommendations, which was the first site I found that offered a point ranking system for quality and noise, I think I may be leaning toward the Enermax MODU 82+ 525W PSU instead. This unit is also listed on several web sites that involve quiet PC configurations. The cost of this unit is about the same as the SeaSonic and the Cooler Master but I'm getting a better feel that what I'll be putting in my rig will make the system as quiet as it can be.

If anyone has any comments regarding this unit I'd appreciate your feedback as well.

Pros: -Extremely Quiet
-LOTS of connections
-SLI/Crossfire
-Long Cables

Cons: -Not Modular
-Mail in rebate

Other Thoughts: I hate mail in rebates. There was nothing on the box that directly indicated a 'UPC' number...so I cut out the only barcode on it and sent it in. Here is to hoping I get my check.

This is just one of the reviews on the front page...

All the Antec PSUs I've bought have been quiet, mostly Earthwatts models (380, 430, and 500). Corsair, PC Power & Cooling, Seasonic, and Enermax also make good PSUs. I've got an Enermax Liberty 500W PSU sitting on a shelf right now as a backup that was quiet while operating.

The various new Enermax power supplies have gotten good reviews. This particular one is singled out at jonnyguru as being very quiet. Enermax Eco80+ 620w.

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.p [...] y&reid=152

jonnyguru.com gave that particular mediocre CM a 9/10.