Questions and PSU Suggestions for build

[cd1]

Looking for advice and recommendations on PSUs. Modular is a plus, but not worth it to me if the price difference is too large.


Here are my soon-to-be-built system specs:

Core i5-2500k
Asus P8P67 Pro Motherboard
Either GTX 560Ti or GTX 570
Samsung Spinpoint F3 1 TB
G. Skill Ripjaws X DDR3 1600 2 x 4GB
Asus Sata DVD Drive
SSD in the future


I do plan on overclocking, and I don't really like the idea of going SLI. The idea of simply upgrading the single GPU seems more logical to me than dual cards (especially since they dont produce 200% results), though I may be missing something.



What are the main benefits of keeping the wattage of one's PSU as close to their actual consumption as possible? Only energy savings? Also, what are the primary the benefits of efficiency? (eg 80+, etc)

 

[TheTrueGamer]

This area is not my forte, but I can answer your last question.

1.) Less heat, as less heat generated as waste is produced.

2.) Quieter, your fan doesn't have to work as hard as less heat is present.

and ultimately,

3.) Longer lasting PSU. Should be self explanitory.

 

[rwpritchett]

TTG is correct on everything. I just wanted to add that PSU's are most efficient around 50% load.

There are certain brands of PSU's that pretty much guarantee a quality unit. They are:

Corsair
Antec
Enermax
Seasonic
PC Power & Cooling

There are a few others, but I though I'd give you the short list.

I suggest you go for one of the Corsair VX/TX/HX units. Very good quality there

 

[davcon]

Yep! the Corsair HX and Antec TP series( modular) can often be found on sale.
A 650W unit would be more then adequate.

 

[cd1]

Thank you for the replies.

TTG is correct on everything. I just wanted to add that PSU's are most efficient around 50% load.

There are certain brands of PSU's that pretty much guarantee a quality unit. They are:

Corsair
Antec
Enermax
Seasonic
PC Power & Cooling

There are a few others, but I though I'd give you the short list.

I suggest you go for one of the Corsair VX/TX/HX units. Very good quality there

When you say that PSU's are most efficient around 50% load, this means half of the PSU capacity is being utilized? (eg 300/600W?) Would it not be most ideal to purchase a PSU with a capacity 50% higher than what you average usage was, if this were the case?

Yep! the Corsair HX and Antec TP series( modular) can often be found on sale.
A 650W unit would be more then adequate.

Out of curiousity, what would I be looking at if I did want the potential to SLI, 800w?



Also, could any of you suggest some specific units based upon my needs and a budget of around $100? This would be pretty useful in giving me a concrete guideline upon which to base my search.

 

[davcon]

Thank you for the replies.





When you say that PSU's are most efficient around 50% load, this means half of the PSU capacity is being utilized? (eg 300/600W?) Would it not be most ideal to purchase a PSU with a capacity 50% higher than what you average usage was, if this were the case?





Out of curiousity, what would I be looking at if I did want the potential to SLI, 800w?



Also, could any of you suggest some specific units based upon my needs and a budget of around $100? This would be pretty useful in giving me a concrete guideline upon which to base my search.

Unfortunately Nvidia cards use a considerable amount of power when compared to their Radeon counterparts.
The 560 is a little more efficient then the 570 but both units use roughly 320- 360w on full load depending on the game.
I would be looking at the HX850 and the XFX 850 both units can put out roughly 1000W but cost more then $100.
I'm currently using a HX750 and i've noticed a $30 dollar drop in it's price since i bought mine.
Personally i would buy the best single gpu you can afford and choose your psu based on that.
To me it doesn't make sense to sli or x-fire on a brand new build when gpu prices are initially high.
Your build looks great so far from what you've listed and either gpu will play any game thrown at it.
Corsair HX and XFX units are being discounted pretty much anywhere here in Canada and the U.S.
Hard to go wrong with either brand.

http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=683&Itemid=72&limit=1&limitstart=15

 

[hunter315]

No reference PCI-E card pulls over 300W, the only ones i know of are like the ASUS ARES card which strapped two full 5870s together at full speed, so a good 750W unit is plenty for almost all setups, you only really need an 850W unit for 2 5970s or 580s, a good 750W unit from Seasonic, XFX, Corsair, or Antec will handle two 570s in SLI without a problem.

 

[davcon]

No reference PCI-E card pulls over 300W, the only ones i know of are like the ASUS ARES card which strapped two full 5870s together at full speed, so a good 750W unit is plenty for almost all setups, you only really need an 850W unit for 2 5970s or 580s, a good 750W unit from Seasonic, XFX, Corsair, or Antec will handle two 570s in SLI without a problem.

Thanks hunter315 ! for clearing up power consumption.

 

[dirtmountain]

Here's a few PSUs that i would suggest would be fine for a single card system. Cheapest is @$70 (non-modular)and the highest (modular)is under $100. Also a link to a review and about what your system would actually use in terms of power.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/nvidia-geforce-gtx-560-ti-gf114,2845-15.html

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151096

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151095

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207002

a review of one of those those power supplies. (i'd give other reviews, but jonnyguru is down)



http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/XFX-650-W-XXX-Edition-Power-Supply-Review/899