Best PSU

[tomtomhoch]

Hi there,

I am doing a budget gaming build around £400-£430 at the moment I at £427.93 but the PSU I hav chosen apparently isn't very good. It's the Coolermaster Elite Power 500W at £28.50 from Micro Direct. Is it true that it isn't very good. If so what is a good one at a similar price?


Thanks
Thomas

 

[slcmike]

Antec PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371044

Look for PSU's with 80+ Bronze rating too, these are typically your most well build units.

 

[x Heavy]

I agree. Stay with PSU's that are Bronze, Silver or Gold rated. Yes they are pricey.

I should know, I tried a cheap PSU thinking I will get ahead but it burned out quickly enough. It is not fun to cheap out. It will cost you more in the long run.

To put your PSU into perspective, 500 watts is barely enough "To light off" my video cards and maybe keep them spooled up. But nothing else for the CPU, cooler, fans etc etc etc etc.

 

[tomtomhoch]

Thanks guys! Does this look fine then and is the shop good? http://www.crescentelectronics.co.uk/product/ultra-quiet-120mm-fan-delivers-excellent-airflow-exceptionally-low-noise-level-varying-fan

 

[beenthere]

As far as PSUs are concerned, be informed. Before you buy any PSU read accurate, objective PSU reviews at reputable sites such as www.jonnyguru.com or www.hardwaresecrets.com on the EXACT model PSU that you are interested in as some brands have good and poor quality PSUs.

You can also get an accurate rating of how much PSU power is required for your current or future system at the PSU calculator link below. Once you know the total PSU watts required then you need to confirm that the 12v rail has enough amps. to support your Vid card(s) and the rest of the PC system.

There are several websites that show the Vid card power consumption in watts. Divide the watts by 12 to determine the amps. required on the 12v rail(s). Add 15 amps for the rest of the PC on the 12v rail and you now know the Minimum total 12v rail amps required under full load. It's best to have at least 5-10 amps. reserve on the 12v rail available under full load so the PSU is not loaded to 100%.
It's also worth noting that people often misunderstand the 80% power rating. This is a rating of the PSU's energy efficiency not it's output. 80% plus PSUs use less grid power to produce the same PC power. If it's 80% Bronze, Silver or Gold the cost savings on electricity is pretty small between Bronze, Silver and Gold unless you are paying very high rates for electricity so any 80% rated quality PSU is fine even if not Gold. For those who leave their PC on 24/7 a quality 80% PSU is a good investment.


http://extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp

http://www.guru3d.com/article/geforce-gtx-560-ti-sli-review/14

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/NVIDIA/GeForce_GTX_560_Ti/25.html


It's better to teach a person how to fish than to give them a fish for dinner!

 

[obsidian86]

this

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/550w-psu-xfx-core-edition-p1-550s-xxb9-85-eff-80-plus-bronze-sli-crossfire-eps-12v-quiet-fan-atx

or

http://www.overclock.co.uk/product/OCZ-ZS-Series-550Watt-80-Power-Supply-Active-PFC-Retail-Boxed_41401.html

best options for the price

 

[aftcomet]

Any PSU made by Seasonic USA.