cooler, seasonic, ultra? good for my new rig?

[rox1co]

i'm putting together an

AMD X2 4200+
Connect3D X1800XL
Perhaps 3 HD when i'm completed
19" Rosewill monitor

TIA for input

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817171001

Model
Brand COOLER MASTER
Model RS-450-ACLY
Series Real Power
SPEC
Type ATX12V
Maximum Power 450W
Fans 1
PFC Active
Main Connector 24-Pin
Dual +12V Yes
SLI Support No
Modular Cabling Support No
Hold-up Time 17ms min.
Efficiency > 75%
Input Voltage 115/230 V
Input Frequency Range 50/60Hz
Input Current 8A @ 115V, 4A @ 230V
Output +3.3V@30A, +5V@35A, +12V1@18A, +12V2@16A, -12V@1.0A, +5VSB@2.5A
MTBF > 400,000 Hours
Approvals Nemko / TUV / cUL / CE / CNS
Features
Connectors 1 x Main connector (24 pin)
1 x 12V (P4)
7 x peripheral
2 x SATA
2 x Floppy

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817151023

Model
Brand SeaSonic
Model S12-430
SPEC
Type ATX12V
Maximum Power 430W
Fans 1
PFC Active
Main Connector 24-Pin
Dual +12V Yes
Efficiency Up to 80%
Input Voltage 100 - 240V
Input Frequency Range 50/60Hz
Output +3.3V@30A, +5V@30A, +12V1@14A, +12V2@15A, -12V@0.8A, +5VSB@2A
MTBF >100,000 Hours

i also got this Seasonic offer
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817151024

http://shop2.outpost.com/product/4548657

Total Output Power:
500W (Full Load, Nominal Input Voltage)
Efficiency:
70% Typical at Full Load and Nominal Input Voltage

Input

AC Input Voltage: 115V/230V
AC Input Frequency: 50-60Hz
AC Input Currents:
· 8.5A (RMS) for 115VAC input
· 5.5A (RMS) for 230VAC input


Additional Features

* Supports AMD and Intel Motherboards
* NVIDIA® SLI™ Ready
* Low Acoustic Noise
* 120mm Fan
* Meets ATX Version 2.2, v1.3, and
ATX 12V Version 2.2 Specifications
* Short Circuit Protection
* In-Rush Current Protection
* Thermal Overload Cutoff Protection
* MTBF > 100,000 Hours at Full Load,
110VAC and 25°C Ambient Condition
* FCC and UL Recognized

[jonnyGURU]

The Coolermaster is a great PSU. Quiet, efficient, APFC, but only 450W.

The Seasonic is also quiet, efficient and has APFC, but it's even less wattage (12V@14A/15A) then the Coolermaster (12V@16A/18A) but for MORE MONEY.

So between the two I'd do the Coolermaster.

The other Seasonic, the 500W, has more power (12V@16A/17A) but still not as much as the Coolermaster and for even more money.

Still, the Coolermaster wins.

The Ultra in there is a bit of a black sheep in your shopping list. It's not as efficient as the Coolermaster and Seasonic and doesn't have active PFC, but it's quiet and has as much power as the Coolermaster (12V@16A/18A) and has the FlexForce cables which are pretty damn nice IMHO.

Tough decision you have there. I don't know how you feel about the looks of the X-Finity and how important that is to you, so I can't make a decision for you.

One thing I can say, the Seasonic is overpriced. Maybe someone else has it at a better price. Try using Froogle. But for the same efficiency and power factor you can get the Coolermaster for less. That knocks the Seasonic right off of my list. And the quality control issues of Seasonic units vs. Acbel units is a consideration as well.

Good luck. ;)

[jonnyGURU]

LOL... I'm looking at how all three list efficiency and it's rather funny how the marketing works here.

The Coolermaster is "> 75%". At what load? Not full load. ;)

The Seasonic is "up to 80%." Pick a number between 0 and 79?

The Ultra is 70%, but at full load (worst case scenario.)

So technically, the efficiency could be between 75 and 78% at a very typical 200W load on all three, but you'd never know it from the specs. :p

[rox1co]

i was offered the cooler master for $45

seasonic 430 for $80 shipped
seasonic 500 for $100 shipped

and only reason i looked into the ultra is bc i could get it locally at Frys (and i heard it was black shipped as well)

such a hard decision :(

[Ominous Gamer]

LOL... I'm looking at how all three list efficiency and it's rather funny how the marketing works here.

The Coolermaster is "> 75%". At what load? Not full load. ;)

The Seasonic is "up to 80%." Pick a number between 0 and 79?

The Ultra is 70%, but at full load (worst case scenario.)

So technically, the efficiency could be between 75 and 78% at a very typical 200W load on all three, but you'd never know it from the specs. :p

I think you are reading to much into the Seasonic rating. Its the only PSU maker listed thats a member of 80plus.org. From what I've seen the efficiency rating is up to 80% for below normal loads, passing 80% with heavier loads. You can find the pcper.com review if you wish.
Or you could have simply emailed the company if its that big of an issue instead of bitching about it.

--------------
I'd go Seasonic S12 500 or S12 600. No reason to go penny-pitching on a PSU.

[jonnyGURU]

Well, I use the 500W X-Finity myself. I like it. If you have to have the instant gratification of walking into a store and buying a power supply off the shelf, you sure as hell can do a lot worse. ;)

But for $45 I'd be all over that Coolermaster like stink on poop! Dead serious.

But if that's a one time price for one unit that's used and without a warranty, I'd pass. My father taught me to never pay more than half of what something cost brand new if it's used... or is new on eBay. ;)

[jonnyGURU]

I think you are reading to much into the Seasonic rating. Its the only PSU maker listed thats a member of 80plus.org. From what I've seen the efficiency rating is up to 80% for below normal loads, passing 80% with heavier loads. You can find the pcper.com review if you wish.
Or you could have simply emailed the company if its that big of an issue instead of bitching about it.

--------------
I'd go Seasonic S12 500 or S12 600. No reason to go penny-pitching on a PSU.

Welcome to Hard|OCP. If I were a Smurf, I'd be Sarcastic Smurf. :)

It's not a "big issue." I just thought the different ways they listed efficiency was funny, that's all.

I'm well aware of Lee's review, PCPer, Seasonic, the 80 Plus club, why the sky is blue, blah blah blah. But the fact of the matter is, 80% is only a number. And it's only a number that comes up at a specific load range. The Acbel built Coolermaster unit is actually more efficient within the same load range, and actually more efficient than the Seasonic at lower loads.

And in the grand scheme of things, 2% efficiency difference even at the highest loads (something 99% of the people here aren't even going to come close to achieving for any sustained period of time) between any power supply isn't going to break the bank when the power bill comes.

[wonkman]

The x-finity cables are very nice. They're flexable and pretty much stay where you put them. I have the 600w and the only problem is it's a bit loud with 2 80mm fans. The 500w should be more quiet.

[Ice Czar]

1. definately get active PFC, if your ever going to be placing a supply on a UPS, it will substantially reduce nonlinear loading

2. its difficult to compare ratings of supplies, the Seaonics have been attributed to be rated at 40C,
whereas the Coolermaster maybe rated at substantially lower temperature
thus direct comparisions of amps per rail could be difficult,
the comparative derating curves being unknown

as an example one FSP Im aware of drops 2W for each degree above 25C
so at 40C thats 30Watts less, and what that works out to in a reduction of amps available per rail....
there is also the way in which some supplies get rated for peak amp draw
(which is only sustained for milliseconds),
when others get rated for continuous draw (which is what you want to figure up your config)

3. jonnyGURU may have direct experience testing the Coolermaster and can shed some light on the relative values of the supplies,
he did review the S-12 430 (http://www.slcentral.com/dual-12v-psu-shootout/)
Id recommend hitting his website for some more info http://www.psuinquisitor.com/

PS jonny, I'll bill you some time next month for the Ideation & Trademark fees :p
and if I was a smurf Id be a Smartassed Smurf :eek:

[rox1co]

i decided to go with the Antec TP2 550w

read some pretty good reviews

[Steeeeve]

I got the X-finity 500w (blue) and I like it. Lifetime warrenty is nice. I will note that I had a Seasonic that died and that is why I got the Ultra. I am not saying Seasonic is bad but I believe in full disclosure :).

They wre both very quiet...the Seasonic is kinda "messy" with the cables but overall it had pretty rock solid number smuch like the Ultra. The two are the same in my opinion with the Seasonic probably considered "better quality" eventhough mine blew up. The Ultra is by fair more "pretty" and the cables are nice.

My recommendation is to get the instant gratifier...Ultra X-Finity.

[Steeeeve]

i decided to go with the Antec TP2 550w

read some pretty good reviews

Wait what? Thats lame :)...I just typed out a nice response and you go ahead and switch up on me...I shoulda read the whole thread first.

[tvdang7]

rig in the sig and x-finity works great!

EDIT omg co