PSU for build

[Aussiekid]

I am trying to decide what PSU would be appropriate for this build which will continue to grow in the future. I have a max budget of $190 for the PSU but would prefer something a little cheaper.

CPU: i7-920
MOBO:EVGA E758-A1 3-Way SLI
GPU:2x SAPPHIRE 100297L Radeon HD 5830 1GG
RAM:G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600

I was looking for something in the 750-850W range and saw some nice looking Corsair PSU's. The modular ones are quite a bit more money however, so could anyone tell me if for my build going modular would actually eliminate any cables?

Thanks

EDIT: I have 2x HD 5830's sorry.

 

[moody89]

Although your motherboard supports 3-way SLi are you actually going to run a SLi configuration or are you planning to in the future? I only ask because you have only listed the one graphics card

 

[JohnnyLucky]

The answer to your question is yes. With a modular power supply you only use necessary power cables. Unlike a hardwired power supplies you will not have a bunch of unused power cables. The modular power supplies are convenient for cable management. No need to hide a bunch of unusued cables.

BTW - If you are positive your are only going to install one ATI Radeon HD 5830 video card, then a 750 or 850 watt power supply is total overkill.

Here are the official ATI power recommendations for the Radeon HD 5830 video card:

500 Watt or greater power supply with two, 75 watt, 6-pin PCI Express® power connectors

600 Watt or greater power supply with four, 75 watt, 6-pin PCI Express® power connectors for ATI CrossFireX™ technology in dual mode

The recommendations are for an entire pc system.

Corsair and Seasonic are two brands that have a reputation for high quality power supplies that consistently earn high marks in technical reviews. They are reliable, stable, and come with a 5 year warranty. Some of the newer models come with a 7 year warranty. Lately we've been seeing a few other brands offering some high quality units.

 

[Aussiekid]

I read the ATI recommendations but would like a PSU that could last me for many years and that will work with newer GPU's/CPU's etc..

 

[moody89]

I'm assuming that you're only planning on using a single GPU? If you want to be safe, then go for a good 600-650W unit, following JohnnyLucky's recommendations. I'd say that the current-trend is that PC power consumption will be decreasing rather than increasing in the future. There's an awful lot of emphasis on things being 'green' and efficient and this seems to be the way things are going. You should be fine for a long time with a PSU of this output.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

The CP-850 ha by far the best price / performance ratio in the 850 watt category but it only fits in 5 Antec Cases. The 1200, P182, P193 and the two upcoming cases in the Dark Fleet Series. If you don't yet have a case, there are some nice newegg combos for this PSU:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductCombos.aspx?Item=N82E16817371024&SubCategory=58&SortField=0&PageSize=10&page=1

Note that the newegg lists the Mini P180 as being compatible which to this point I was not aware of and haven't confirmed.

To make the Editor's Choice List / Recommended List on this site, the PSU needs to have great electrical as well as acoustical performance

http://www.silentpcreview.com/Recommended_PSUs

For comparison purposes , the list below contains performance ratings (10 scale) at jonnyguru.com / prices as per newegg on 02/21/2010 and ones w/ double asterisks (**) made it onto silentpcreview.com's Editor's Choice List meaning they excelled at both electronic and acoustic performance:

Antec SG-850 - 10.0 ($220) **
Antec CP-850 - 10.0 ($110) **
XFX 850W Black Edition 10.0 ($185)
Corsair HX850 850W - 10.0 ($180)

Antec TruePower Quattro (TPQ-850) - 9.5 ($150)
Corsair TX850 - 9.5 ($140)
Seasonic M12D 850W - 9.5 (NLA) **
NorthQ Giant Connector 850W - 9.5 (NFS)
Etasis ET850 - 9.5 (NLA)
Silverstone Zeus ST85ZF - 9.5 (NLA)

Enermax Revolution 85+ 850W - 9.0 ($250)

Thrmaltake Toughpower XT 850W - 8.5 ($216)
OCZ Z Series 850W - 8.5 ($200)

NorthQ Black Magic Flex 850W - 8.0 (NFS)
Coolmax CTG-850 - 8.0 (NFS)

SilverStone Decathlon DA850 - 7.5 ($230)
Enermax Galaxy DXX 850W EGX850EWL - 7.5 (NFS)

SilverStone Strider ST85F - 7.0

Silverstone Element ST85EF 850W - 6.0

NFS - Not For Sale / NLA = No Longer Available


As to the modular thing, not having extra cables is a wonderful thing but it's often over played. 100% modular does nothing for you. What's the point of having the 24 pin MoBo connector, 8 pin EPS cable modular ? Can you possible have a build that doesn't use the 24 pin. All that is accomplished by having the 24 pin cable modular is the addition of a minor amount of electrical resistance and another failure point due to it coming loose or bending pins. 100% modular is kinda like providing a Jeep with 5 spare tire mounts on the back ....I get the idea for the spare tire, but won't you be using the other 4 tires every time you drive the car ?

Most hi end PSU's today are what's called "hybrid modular" whereby the necessary cables are hardwired and the optional cables. To garner that lately important 80 plus certifications, manufacturers are paying more attention to the teeny bit of resistance that the connector adds.

http://www.tomshardware.com/news/power-supplies-psu,8016.html

Enermax, Seasonic, and Corsair all told us that if you're looking to maximize efficiency, go for a non-modular PSU.

Hybrid modular gives you the best of both worlds, hard wiring the necessary cables and leaving the "optional" cables modular.