PSU: midrange options?

[Equilibrix]

I have to replace my PSU.

Looking at upgrading in the near future, I'd like the new PSU to be able to comfortably deal with Phenom II x4, ATI 5770, single DVD-writer, 1 (maybe 2) HD's. No overclocking.

I think 500W will be more than enough!?

The following link shows you the vendor of my choice. It's dutch, but I guess it's not that hard to make do :

http://www.alternate.nl/html/catego...=1&&tn=HARDWARE&l1=Voedingen&l2=tot+600+Watt&

Target price range is around €75, since I do want a bit of quality so I don't have to replace it again anytime soon.

There's a couple of drop-down menu's at the top that speak for itself.

What's the best value-for-money?

 

[dave0305]

Hi, and welcome.

This PSU has enough power and is high quality branded. And it should last you long time if you not planning on adding another GPU or somethink.
http://www.alternate.nl/html/product/Voedingen_tot_600_Watt/Corsair/CMPSU-500CX/476035/?tn=HARDWARE&l1=Voedingen&l2=tot+600+Watt

If you want somethink more future proof, with enough power for crossfire.
Then this is the one:
http://www.alternate.nl/html/product/Voedingen_meer_dan_600_Watt/Corsair/CMPSU-650TX/233913/?tn=HARDWARE&l1=Voedingen&l2=meer+dan+600+Watt

or

http://www.alternate.nl/html/product/Voedingen_meer_dan_600_Watt/Antec/TruePower_New_Series_TP-650/337222/?tn=HARDWARE&l1=Voedingen&l2=meer+dan+600+Watt

Hope this helps

Dave

 

[Twoboxer]

Dave gave yiou good choices. You could also choose any Antec, except the "Basiq" or BP versions.

You could also step down to 430W since a 5770 PC draws only 262W from the wall under Furmark:

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/172

That means it requires no more than 235W from the psu. Add 65W for full cpu use and round numbers, and provide a 20% buffer for comfort and psu aging . . . and you are still under 400W desired.

Corsair, Antec (not BP), Seasonic are all quality, reliable, safe psus. Please choose one of them.

 

[dave0305]

Dave gave yiou good choices. You could also choose any Antec, except the "Basiq" or BP versions.

You could also step down to 430W since a 5770 PC draws only 262W from the wall under Furmark:

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/172

That means it requires no more than 235W from the psu. Add 65W for full cpu use and round numbers, and provide a 20% buffer for comfort and psu aging . . . and you are still under 400W desired.

Corsair, Antec (not BP), Seasonic are all quality, reliable, safe psus. Please choose one of them.

^+1

 

[Equilibrix]

thanks for the replys!

I'd like to throw one more option into the mix. My local computer store recommended it, and they have it in stock. Is there any reason not to pick the OCZ Stealth XStream II 500W?

http://www.alternate.nl/html/product/Voedingen_tot_600_Watt/OCZ/StealthXStream_2_500W/461117/?tn=HARDWARE&l1=Voedingen&l2=tot+600+Watt

 

[Silvune]

The new Corsair CX range isn't that good, they are said to be 'up to 80Plus efficiency', meaning that they aren't very efficient. Apparently aren't rated to deal with higher temperatures either and they are under rated on their 12V rails by as much as 100 watts.

Nothing wrong with the older CX430 tho.

The OCZ StealthXStream II 500W is quite good in having very low ripple and noise, good voltage regulation, 80Plus efficiency and I believe reasonable cable lengths and configurations. The 600W version reviewed well at hardwaresecrets: http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/OCZ-StealthXStream-2-600-W-Power-Supply-Review/1058
The 600W version was just a tweak of the previous model and I believe the same is true for the 500W version.
I have heard complaints that the OEM (FSP) is likely to use cheap chinese capacitors. The person making these complaints apparently had a bad experience with a power supply made by FSP, I don't think he stated much more than that, altho it didn't damage his whole system. So I've been taking his comments with a pinch of salt, he is definitely very bitter about it.

Personally I would throw the Antec High Current Gamer 520W into the mix. Unfortunately it hasn't been tested yet, but is built by Seasonic, has 80Plus Bronze efficiency, unfortunately isn't modular, but the only one that is that has been mentioned is the Antec Truepower New TP650.
http://www.alternate.nl/html/product/Voedingen_tot_600_Watt/Antec/High_Current_Gamer_HCG-520/488696/?tn=HARDWARE&l1=Voedingen&l2=tot+600+Watt
Considering the price of the Antec Truepower New and the fact that it is modular, highly efficient and is a known quality, I think that really is the one to go for.

 

[Equilibrix]

Thanks for your contribution Silvune. Based on it's price, the Truepower New is out of the question. €75 really is the max for me. I have time to wait for a high current gamer review, who knows

 

[boiler1990]

My Antec 650W Earthwatts PSU is pretty good. While it doesn't have anything but a basic 80+ Certification (not even bronze), it is a 650W continuous power PSU and has supported my OCed SLI GTX 460s and now my SLIed GTX 470s very well (it's about 2 years old now). It's pretty cheap in the states; I don't know about in Europe.