PSU Help Needed!!

[Cyberman222]

Hi!
I need some help with what PSU to use for my custom PC build...
I am looking at not spending too much, but definitely not getting a Coolmaster ( don't even bother suggesting )
Heres the current specs:
Sharkoon T9 Value Gaming Case Black with Green LED Fans - (No PSU)
AMD Black Edition - AMD Phenom II X4 3.4 GHz Processor
Arctic Cooling Freezer A30 Processor cooler
Corsair XMS3 4gb DDR3 1333mhz PC3-10660 PC Memory
ATI Radeon HD 7770
ASUS M5A78L LE - motherboard - ATX - Socket AM3+ - AMD 760G - Socket AM3+
But what for a PSU?
People suggested a 430w PSU but I am not sure, what I really want is someone to tell me a good, cheap and reliable PSU that I can use.
Also someone please tell me how you actually work out what PSU you need?

Thanks in advance
Dan.

 

[zooted]

The corsair cx430w would be plenty for a 965/7770. If you want the extra headroom you could go for the 500w for future upgrades.

 

[Cyberman222]

The corsair cx430w would be plenty for a 965/7770. If you want the extra headroom you could go for the 500w for future upgrades.

Thanks for the lightning fast reply
I might go for 430w, most likely go with a 500w for likely upgrades later, do you know any cheap 500w PSU's?

 

[zooted]

corsair cx500- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027&Tpk=corsair%20cx500
xfx core 550w http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207013&Tpk=xfx%20core%20550 ($15 off promo code)

Other brands to look out for would be Antec, Seasonic, and Pc power and cooling along with a few others.

 

[geofelt]

The typical components of a pc, excluding the graphics card will run on a 150-200w psu.

A pci-e x16 slot can deliver 75w to power a graphics card. If the card is more power hungry than that, each 6-pin pci-e power connector can deliver 75w more(a 8-pin pci-e can deliver 150W)
A simpleminded way to size a psu is to just buy one with enough 6 or 8 pin power leads to fit your graphics card/s.
It is not wrong to overprovision the psu, it will only use the wattage demanded of it. A bit of reserve will also keep the fans from spinning up for cooling.
Here are the amd suggestions for the current 7770GHZ:
http://www.amd.com/us/products/desktop/graphics/7000/7770/Pages/radeon-7770.aspx#3

Whatever you do, do NOT buy a cheap psu.
It will not deliver it's advertised power, and may damage anything it is attached to if it fails.
You can use this tiered list to assess psu quality:
http://www.eggxpert.com/forums/thread/323050.aspx

I suggest the Corsair CX500 unit as a good quality value psu for your needs.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027

 

[zooted]

I like that tiered list. Pretty convenient.

 

[Cyberman222]

I like that tiered list. Pretty convenient.

Hey, I didn't see this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Power-supply-Tagan-Super-Rock-TG500-U3311-500w-High-end-Gamers-BRAND-NEW-BOXED-/320956411555#ht_919wt_1186 on the list so do you know whether this is compatible and good?

 

[geofelt]

Hey, I didn't see this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Power-supply-Tagan-Super-Rock-TG500-U3311-500w-High-end-Gamers-BRAND-NEW-BOXED-/320956411555#ht_919wt_1186 on the list so do you know whether this is compatible and good?

I have no idea. Considering that the tagan units that are on the list are tier 2b, it might be ok.
But why not buy a known quality unit and not take a chance?

 

[Cyberman222]

I have no idea. Considering that the tagan units that are on the list are tier 2b, it might be ok.
But why not buy a known quality unit and not take a chance?

Alright, well I'll stick with that Corsair Builder Series CX500 V2 500W Power Supply Unit 80 PLUS Certified but I was a bit phased that it was tier 3, but I'm sure it'll be fine
All togther, the grand total is £349, not bad, not bad
Thanks for everyones help!!!

 

[evamvid]

Here are a few wattage calculators

http://images10.newegg.com/BizIntell/tool/psucalc/index.html

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

http://www.thermaltake.outervision.com/

http://www.coolermaster.outervision.com/

http://support.asus.com/powersupply.aspx

 

[delluser1]

I like that tiered list. Pretty convenient.

There's so much wrong with it, it would take all day to point out why it's only good for it's "Not reccomended" section
Few examples
Tier1
PCP&C Silencer greater than 610 watts, refers to the original, discontinued Silencer line up

Tier2
Antec High Current Gamer Series
Antec EarthWatts greater than 700 watt, there was only one, the 750
Antec TruePower Trio
Antec TruePower New -- 750w
Corsair HX, again refers to the original discontinued line

The TPT and EA don't belong in the same category, these were/are budget grade units
The TPN is a better unit than the oringinal Silencer ever was
The HCG is also a better grade unit than the Silencer
The Corsair HX was as good or better than the Silencer

It started off well, years ago, but seriously do we need to know that the BFG800 was decent, they went out of business a few years ago
How about the EliteXstream ? , it had a market life of like 9 months before it was realized that there were problems and it was discontinued


Tom's member JohnnyLucky has a reccomended psu list, no tiers involved
http://www.johnnylucky.org/power-supplies/psu-recommendations.html