AMD Certified PSU - Does it really matter?

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Sancti0n

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Yesterday I saw the deal going on at Newegg for a Seasonic X650 Gold 650W PSU shipped for $96. I'm thinking that's a pretty good deal and I want to get it, but over at AMD's certified PSU page ( http://support.amd.com/us/certified/power-supplies/Pages/listing.aspx ) I don't see that particular model as being listed.

Arriving today is my Asus M4A89GTD and Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition 3.2 Quad, so i'm committed to that particular mobo/cpu. My question is, does "AMD Certification" really matter?

I get the feeling that it doesn't, because I see all kinds of posts about all kinds of PSU/Mobo/CPU combinations, and not in any of them does the poster ever mention or ask about certification. Power-wise, I think this PSU will suffice for what i'm going to put in to it. However I don't want to pull the trigger on this is if "certification" is important (or even required).

So does being "AMD Certified" really matter? Or is it just a marketing gimmick?
 
Several years ago, some of the AMD certified PSUs included products from makers of low quality products, like Leadman (had supplied Powmax and Raidmax) and even the notorious Deer co.
 
maybe in ATX 3.0 this will matter,

but as it is, PSUs are dumb. They regulate power with absolutely no concern for the part asking for said regulated power.

You're fine.
 
That particular PSU is now out of stock (dammit!), but at least I don't have to worry about certification when shopping for another one.

Thanks for the answers guys! Much appreciated!
 
Of every psu in the entire world, I'd pick the X-650 over almost all of them. That in itself says a lot.
 
Although, it could very well be a gimmick. There are specs that need to be followed for matching the PSU to the processor(s) and motherboard. Here is a snip from Intel for an example:

http://www.intel.com/support/processors/corei7/sb/CS-030866.htm#powersupply
Power supply selection

Power supplies must comply with the ATX12V 2.2 design guidelines (see the Form Factors Web site for details) and supply additional current on the 12V power rail through a 2x2 connector. The Intel® Core™ i7 processor requires a minimum of 8 Amps continuous and 13 Amps peak for 10ms on 12V2. All Intel® Core™ i7 processor-based systems require either the standard 2x10, 20-pin ATX power connector or the new 24-pin ATX power connecter as well as the 2x2, 4-pin 12V connector. Each motherboard/platform may have additional requirements based on graphics cards, TV tuners, ADD2+, HDD, ODD, chassis fans, etc. Consult the motherboard and system component documentation to determine additional power supply requirements. Intel tests power supplies to determine a minimum level of electrical compliance. Consult the Tested Power Supply List for more information.
Click to expand...
 
Shikami said:
Although, it could very well be a gimmick. There are specs that need to be followed for matching the PSU to the processor(s) and motherboard.
Click to expand...
That would be the ATX specification, which is required by default for all computer PSUs.
 
That would be the ATX specification, which is required by default for all computer PSUs.
Click to expand...

Careful with the generalization. There is EPS which is a derivative of ATX-meaning not a default for all computers. But to note, there are differences in the specifications of ATX, and according to Intel "must comply." Any recently procured PSU will most likely comply to the recent standards of the time. But some DIY, will carry over the PSU from a previous system that may not.

As I said previously, "There are specs that need to be followed for matching the PSU to the processor(s) and motherboard."
 
Really the important questions are

1: is it actually of reasonable quality and fit for it's advertised purpose and power output (sadly many PSUs are not)
2: does it have sufficient current on the right rails (mostly the 12V rails in a modern system)
3: does it have the right connectors and if it's a multi-rail PSU are they on the right rails to spread the 12V load appropriately.

This is other stuff like voltage tolerance/ripple etc but I don't think that has changed in some time.
 
Shikami said:
Careful with the generalization. There is EPS which is a derivative of ATX-meaning not a default for all computers. But to note, there are differences in the specifications of ATX, and according to Intel "must comply." Any recently procured PSU will most likely comply to the recent standards of the time. But some DIY, will carry over the PSU from a previous system that may not.

As I said previously, "There are specs that need to be followed for matching the PSU to the processor(s) and motherboard."
Click to expand...

You are making much ado about nothing. The ATX design guide has not be updated since 2005. Even before then ATX12v1.3 power supplies function just fine with newer motherboards and processors. The part you quoted about the P4/AUX connector has been part of that specification and the requirement for P4/AUX connector on 12v2 has been essentially dropped.

The EPS design guide for SSI has had no significant changes since v2.8, which was almost 4 years ago as well.
 
things like "AMD certified" or "SLI ready" are all pretty much non-sense. You gotta check the actual specs and the reviews for yourself
 
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