PSU advice please {i5 2500 + ati 6850 basic build}

Basic build, not looking to upgrade ?
Coolermaster GX 450 reviewed well
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Cooler-Master-GX...

http://www.ebuyer.com/268696-coolermaster-450w-gx-psu-r...

Its a great unit, but do not go over 450W, or you will trip the unit. Very tight restrictions, which can be a good thing, but be wary, the unit is what it is, and you will not be able to push it a drop further. I would recommend their 550W if you wanted to go with this company, but i prefer Antec or Corsair.

Thanks guys.

@Delluser1



Yes and no mate. Hope to get everything in there and not worry about upgrading anything for a few years. Well apart from a gpu further down the line. But the cpu+mobo is there to stay. And dont ever plan on Xfire. {dont think my mobo supports it anyhoo}



Cheers man. I would feel more comfortable with a 550w+ i think.

One thing im missing and not understanding. From what ive seen the 500w minimum requirement seems a bit much. Does the card alone really use 500w ?

Here for e.g. http://www.guru3d.com/article/powercolor-radeon-6850-pc...

.. its tested on a power hungry system and still only needs 297w {if im understanding that properly } and further down Guru3d recommends only a 450w. Why does the manufacturer say 500w. Is that just to be on the safe side ?

How about these brands guys. Would one of these be more suitable ?...

http://www.ebuyer.com/124927-arctic-power-700w-psu-4x-s...

http://www.ebuyer.com/191847-powercool-650w-modular-psu...

Thanks for the help.

the 500W minimum is for total system wattage. Like i said, you may get away with this psu for now, but it wont take a good nvidia card or much more extras like fans, fan controllers, extra hdd's, or blue-ray players/cd-roms. for 40e, i think you are stretching your psu too thin. save up some more, and spend roughly 100e on your psu, and you wont be disappointed. this is my advice as the psu, unlike other components in your system, can damage itself and every other piece of hardware you have.

the reason they say 500W minimum is because manufacturers want you to have enough headroom for spikes and system upgrades. It protects them in the "just in case" realm that either someone made a mistake, or something happened they aren't replacing their equipment too often.

The 450W will suffice for now, but seriously take a second thought to upgrading it later on, or just saving a little more for a larger unit.

No, it doesn't.
Those 2 psu's you linked to are crap

http://www.ebuyer.com/264509-ocz-zs-series-550w-80-bron...

Thanks mate.

^ Thats the one. Il go for that.

Cheers.

Back again ! In need of more wisdom please.

Sorry casual builder, didnt even notice your reply yesterday mate, was in a hurry leaving for work when i checked last and only noticed dellusers post.
Thanks for the advice mate. Decided to put a little more into my ever expanding 'budget' and go for at least a 600w.



Dont like the sound of that  

Would one of these be more up to the job or ....


OCZ 600W StealthXStream 2
http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/ocz-600w-stealthxstream-2-...

CORSAIR Gaming Series GS600 600W
http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/corsair-gaming-series-gs60...

The site 'ebuyer' ive been linking to and from is really cheap for parts, well only some parts it seems, as the corsair one ive linked from currys there is actually £71 on ebuyer, and only £50 from currys.

But the first one {OCZ} says 'bronze' certified and the corsair one just says 80+ certified. Does this matter ?

Thanks once again guys.

cert to bronze cert is not a big enough difference to buy. if prices are the same, and the features are the same with cabling and other things that are more buyer preference, then its really a coin toss. BOTH those companies are good quality controlled companies. Either unit should be good, but i would like to see you look at this OCZ first:

http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/ocz-600w-modxstream-pro-at...

http://www.ebuyer.com/264511-ocz-zs-series-650w-80-bron...

best for the price

the 550 should be a bit cheaper

5e price difference there on the 600W. just my opinion, but thats worth an extra 50W.

Thanks for the help guys. Went for the Zseries 650. Cheers Obsidian.

Thats my system complete and all ordered.