Which 500W Power Supply

Hey everybody. I'm looking to build my computer, on a fair budget, performance and value are key for me. I pretty much have everything nailed down except for my power supply.

My video card manufacturer is demanding a minimum of 500W and two 75W six-pin PCI Express power connectors. If you have any other questions on some of my other specs to help in your understanding, just ask and I will provide I do live in Canada so if possible, when referring use canadian sites. I am currently using newegg.ca, tigerdirect.ca, and ncix.com. Remember people, value and performance.

P.S. I did just find a great deal on newegg.ca. It is an 'A-Top Super Charge ATP-AP550B" 550W PSU for 32.99. In terms of value, this is an unparalleled deal, but I had never heard of this brand. Here is the link [url=http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817184008][/url], as for the PCI connectors it says '1 x 6-pin, 1 x 6 + 2-pin' check the specs and please give advice on this because I am really not sure what to do. Also, I tend to prefer quiet components.

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Message edited by ckaz on 08-13-2009 at 05:47:40 AM

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What's great about that? It's a crappy PSU. See the brand? See the comments? Done.

Get a quality one for your system. Don't save money on PSU. Check this out. http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6817139004

Reply to masterjaw

This OCZ Modstream 600w Pro (due to deals it's actually cheaper then their 500w one.)
http://www.canadacomputers.com/ind [...] 815.PS.830

damn, i have to get used to canadacomputers, it's listed as out of stock for phone orders. I'll second masterjaw as avoiding that A-Top PSU.

Message edited by dirtmountain on 08-13-2009 at 07:44:39 AM

Reply to dirtmountain

I agree with masterjaw as well.

------------------------------ Antec 900, 750w Corsair, Biostar T-force TA790gx 128m, Phenom II 940 @3.6ghz 8gb G-Skill DDR2 1000, 750gb F1 Samasung, 1tb Seagate ES.2, Sapphire 4870 1gb

Reply to logainofhades

If you invest in a shitty PSU. your card can go upto 75% slower. Which card btw.

Get a Corsair, Zalman. They are very good ones.

A Corsair HX620 - 620watt Modular is what i am using.

and i have plugged in 2 of Ati 4850 on a 23" Full HD display while playing crysis at V.High. They work Great.

Corsair will give you 5years warranty. and a silent fan. and its god price

If yopu can afford it go for HX1000 or any 500+ from BFG.

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Reply to thelivingflesh

This would be a far better 500W PSU than the A-Top.
http://www.ncix.com/products/index [...] omoid=1015

thelivingflesh wrote :

If you invest in a shitty PSU. your card can go upto 75% slower.

Really? Link please.

Quote :

Get a Corsair, Zalman. They are very good ones.

Most Zalman are average.

Quote :

A Corsair HX620 - 620watt Modular is what i am using.

I think the OP is looking for something a little more budget oriented.

Quote :

If yopu can afford it go for HX1000 or any 500+ from BFG.

Without knowing his system specs and after he asked about a 500W PSU, you would recommend a 1000W? Why?

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theAnimal wrote :

Without knowing his system specs and after he asked about a 500W PSU, you would recommend a 1000W? Why?

He didn't read the OP question and jumped to his self-acclaimed conclusions immediately. As I follow his posts, he keeps on suggesting all people to go hx1000 even though it would be inappropriate.

First time to hear someone recommending a Zalman PSU. I thought he was talking about fans.

Reply to masterjaw

I am powering an overclocked Q6600, an HD4870, two hard drives, and an optical quite nicely on an old Antec 550 watt TP3 in an Antec 900 case. Exhaust air from PSU is less than 5 C above ambient air temp.

Any good 450 - 550 watt PSU should power what he wants to build. My definition of "good" includes Corsair, PC P&C, Seasonic, and Antec.

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Reply to jsc

ckaz wrote :

It is an 'A-Top Super Charge ATP-AP550B" 550W PSU for 32.99. In terms of value, this is an unparalleled deal,

A good price on garbage still gets you garbage.

------------------------------ q9650 @ 4.050 | Asus Rampage Formula | 2x2 Corsair Dominators | WD Black 640 x2
EVGA GTX260 Core216 @ 686/1479/1103 | Antec TPN 750

Reply to Delluser1

+1 not skimping on your PSU and getting a Corsair, PCP&C, Seasonic, Enermax or Antec Earthwatts PSU.

Please post your system specs and budget so we can help locate the best PSU for you.

------------------------------ If the automobile had followed the same development cycle as the computer, a Rolls-Royce today would cost $100, get a million miles to the gallon, and explode once a year, killing everyone inside.
PSA
Reply to outlw6669

The Animal recommended a great deal with that 500w Seasonic from NCIX.

Reply to dirtmountain

He did at that!
+1 for the Seasonic

------------------------------ If the automobile had followed the same development cycle as the computer, a Rolls-Royce today would cost $100, get a million miles to the gallon, and explode once a year, killing everyone inside.
PSA
Reply to outlw6669

Try to see if you can find this Corsair HX 450W.
http://www.corsair.com/products/hx450/default.aspx

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------------------------------ Intel i7 920, Gigabyte X58-DS4, 3x1 Corsair DDR3 1333, XFX 260 GTX
Samsung 750Gb F1,Samsung DVD-rw, Hiper Type-M 880W, Coolermaster HAF 932, Logitech Z-5500
Reply to hefox

jsc wrote :

I am powering an overclocked Q6600, an HD4870, two hard drives, and an optical quite nicely on an old Antec 550 watt TP3 in an Antec 900 case. Exhaust air from PSU is less than 5 C above ambient air temp.

Any good 450 - 550 watt PSU should power what he wants to build. My definition of "good" includes Corsair, PC P&C, Seasonic, and Antec.

+1. OCZ is also pretty decent. Take a look at the 400CX : http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] &Tpk=400CX
$50 after MIR

Message edited by Shadow703793 on 08-13-2009 at 06:20:12 PM

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Reply to Shadow703793

hefox wrote :

Try to see if you can find this Corsair HX 450W.
http://www.corsair.com/products/hx450/default.aspx

That would be a fruitless search since it's not sold in North America.

^lol. Never even knew that had a modular 450W Corsair. Any one know why it's not sole in US/Canada?

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Reply to Shadow703793

Ok guys this all very useful. Someone mentioned me being budget oriented which is correct. When I was saying value I meant decent price, decent quality.
As of now, these are my potential system specs.

Case: Cooler Master RC-690
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400
Vid Card: ADI Radeon HD 4870, but a bit of an upgraded version. Here is the link [url=http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161265][/url] .
Hard Drive: WD Caviar Black 640GB
RAM: G.Skill 4GB (2 x 2GB) PC2 6400
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R
Monitor: Viewsonic 1940w 19"

The whole reason I started this thread was because the system requirements of my vid card, did not meet what my PSU could supply. The manufacturer of the vid card said in the specs that I need a minimum voltage of 500W, plus two 6-pin PCI express power connectors. Its been hard to find a good PSU that has two 6-pin PCI conectors. I have been running into this alot, and I'm not sure what it means, '1 x 6-pin, 1 x 6+2-pin. What does this mean?! I have recently heard that these 'minimum requirements' are not always true, and that usually you can get away with alot lower. Maybe now that I've put up my specs you will be able to recommend one that will meet my real component requirements.

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Reply to ckaz

The 400CX won't work because it only has 1, 6-pin connector

Reply to ckaz

+1 to everyone who recommended good brands..

Seasonic, Corsair, OCZ/PC Power & Cooling, Antec...

If you need roughly 500watts, 2x6 pins, and you want it on a budget then you could look at....

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817341017
49.99 after MIR

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139004
79.99 after MIR

The PSU is really one area you don't want to skimp on. I don't know about thelivingflesh's comment about 75% slower.... but if your board or GPU isn't getting enough power it will have an affect. Also, when you buy a quality PSU you are paying to keep good, CLEAN, constant energy to your parts. You don't want to risk all your hardware because you saved a couple bucks on the PSU.

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Reply to Kithzaru

ckaz wrote :

'1 x 6-pin, 1 x 6+2-pin. What does this mean?!

It means that the second PCIE connector can be used for either a 6 or 8 pin connection.

------------------------------ q9650 @ 4.050 | Asus Rampage Formula | 2x2 Corsair Dominators | WD Black 640 x2
EVGA GTX260 Core216 @ 686/1479/1103 | Antec TPN 750

Reply to Delluser1

Sorry i forgot to comment... if you have the choice, a modular PSU is a really nice thing to have. I'm sure you're used to standard PSU's having all the wires there, whether you need them or not. With modular, you only attach the ones you need, so the extras don't get in your way.

Good choice on that case btw, had mine about a month and i absolutely love it.

@ the 1x6+2, that means that there is a small 2 pin click which can attach to that 6pin plug. Some video cards require an 8 pin instead of a 6 (or a 6 and an 8).

Reply to Kithzaru

Kithzaru wrote :

+1 to everyone who recommended good brands..

Seasonic, Corsair, OCZ/PC Power & Cooling, Antec...

If you need roughly 500watts, 2x6 pins, and you want it on a budget then you could look at....

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817341017
49.99 after MIR

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139004
79.99 after MIR

The PSU is really one area you don't want to skimp on. I don't know about thelivingflesh's comment about 75% slower.... but if your board or GPU isn't getting enough power it will have an affect. Also, when you buy a quality PSU you are paying to keep good, CLEAN, constant energy to your parts. You don't want to risk all your hardware because you saved a couple bucks on the PSU.

Good recommendations but OP's Canadian so you'll need to use newegg.ca.

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Reply to Shadow703793

Ok that sounds good. Is it a problem to have to much wattage? like lets say no matter what I will only ever end up sing..500w's, but the 600W PSU is cheaper. Will I end up damaging anything buy getting one with more wattage than I need? And yes, I will appreciate canadian links

Reply to ckaz

and, this thing about the modular psu sounds really great. If you see any that fit the criteria, please say so

Reply to ckaz

oh noes Canadaland! humm...

Here is the corsair from newegg.ca
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6817139004
98.49 minus a 20$ MIR

And here is the OCZ PSU
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6817341017
88.99 minus 25 for a MIR

I don't know if the Corsair is modular, i didn't see anything that said it was so i would have to assume it's not.

Now, the OCZ one is modular yes, but it also has 2 rails, so if you decided to get it (or anything with multiple rails) try to not overload one while leaving the other clear.

Also, there is no issues with having a 600 or 1000 watt PSU with a system that only needs say 400. Assuming the PSU is of good quality and is capable of delivering clean power, it should not overload the system with too much power.

and, lastly i apologize for listing USA newegg, i didn't mean to get your hopes up on prices and what not. My mistake, i should have read that you were in Canadaland.

I would also hold off on ordering something until someone else has taken a look at these recommendations here, though Sniper said they were good, and Sniper knows his stuff so .. =D

Good luck

Reply to Kithzaru

for the corsair, it doesn't have the tw pci connectors, so that won't be an option. Its also pretty expensive. For my PSU I don't want to end up spending more than $80

Reply to ckaz

The corsair has a 1x6 and a 1x6+2, just like the other. It's under the specifications area.

The corsair is better, but yeah i can understand the cost difference. Again, it would be nice to get some more input but i think that OCZ would suit your needs as well as help reduce clutter.

Reply to Kithzaru

The corsair has all the required connectors, and is among the best of all of the above options. It is expensive though. This one would work well too: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6817139003. It would need an adapter for one of the PCI-E connectors, but it has more than enough power.

Message edited by cjl on 08-14-2009 at 12:52:37 AM

------------------------------ Asus P6T deluxe
i7 965 @ 4.2GHz (200*21), 1.384V
12GB Corsair Dominator DDR3-1600 CAS 7
Reply to cjl

My suggestion would be this 400w PSU from Corsair. Has 30amps on the 12v rail. It only has one PCI-e connector but you can use a 2 molex to PCI-e adapter just fine.

http://forums.ncix.com/forums/inde [...] msg2003907

Side Note : NCIX.com is probably the best Canadian Website for this stuff. Excellent deals and customer service. Plus they do price matching. I got my Corsair HX850 for 184.99 before tax

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Reply to Lucuis

I'm just wondering whether this price match thing on nxic.com is actually legit. Right now I am putting everything that I have in my newegg.ca shopping cart, into my nxic.com shopping cart. I will calculate the shipping and if its cheaper than il go with it. I filed a price match on a couple things, but it seems almost to good to be true. Has anyone ever had any experiences with their price match? if so, how did it go?

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Reply to ckaz

theAnimal's suggestion is awesome. Here's another good pick imo:

http://www.directcanada.com/produc [...] acture=OCZ

don't know what is wrong with the picture, but the product is this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817703015

All the connectors you need, and a single 12V rail.

BTW, Directcanada won't charge you the PST if you live outside BC, and their shipping is free for order above $300.

Reply to KBits

A quick note on Corsair's PSU naming/line up:

The TX line is "heavy duty".
The CX/VX line is for "good performance for the price
The HX line up is modular. Smiler design to TX.

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Reply to Shadow703793

ckaz wrote :

I'm just wondering whether this price match thing on nxic.com is actually legit. Right now I am putting everything that I have in my newegg.ca shopping cart, into my nxic.com shopping cart. I will calculate the shipping and if its cheaper than il go with it. I filed a price match on a couple things, but it seems almost to good to be true. Has anyone ever had any experiences with their price match? if so, how did it go?

Yeah it's legit. Like i said earlier i price matched my PSU from 229.99 down to 184.99. I pulled the price off of Directcanada.com. Reason i still chose NCIX.com is because i prefer there service.

One thing to note is you can't price match prices after MIR, or Sale Prices. However if the sale price is only like 5 bucks off you might get away with it.

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Reply to Lucuis

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