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Best Modular PSU 650W++ ?

M

MJZ

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Oct 25, 2009
Messages
1,200
I'm looking to run something like the following:

i7 or Phenom Quad @ 4ghz
6GB RAM
2x 5970s (just to be sure it runs, but I will probably not be spending this much)
An XFi card or similar
3x 3.5" HDs
2x 2.5" HDs
1x 5.25" Optical
A couple of fans
Maybe some random small stuff (LEDs, card readers etc)?

Must be a modular PSU...

I am looking at something reasonably priced, the cheaper the better, but really good quality.

Would the Corsair HX650 satisfy the above?
 
The Corsair HX650 would not be enough for two 5970s and a CPU overclocked to 4GHz. If you run only a single card, it would be fine. For two, I recommend a 1000W PSU at least.
 
Zero82z said:
The Corsair HX650 would not be enough for two 5970s and a CPU overclocked to 4GHz. If you run only a single card, it would be fine. For two, I recommend a 1000W PSU at least.
Click to expand...

That big of a jump eh?
 
Just didn't think that it would jump 350w for just adding another video card.
 
It would be fine with a 900W or 950W PSU as well, except those aren't too common so I generally just say 1000W.
 
How about the HX750? The HX1000 is about $100 more expensive (and $100 more than I would like to spend).
 
Not for two 5970s. If you have the money to spend on a pair of 5970s, I would think that another $100 for a PSU capable of running them isn't too much of a stretch. Anyway, you can find other PSUs for under $200 that will do the job, like the Corsair TX950, Silverstone ST1000-P, etc.
 
MJZ said:
How about the HX750? The HX1000 is about $100 more expensive (and $100 more than I would like to spend).
Click to expand...

so you're going to be spending 3 grand on the rest of the computer but can't scrounge up 100 more so you can actually use all of your components?
 
Daemas said:
so you're going to be spending 3 grand on the rest of the computer but can't scrounge up 100 more so you can actually use all of your components?
Click to expand...

I don't intend to start with 2x 5970s, but I would like that option down the road (when they cost a quarter of what they do now) without having to replace the PSU... just FYI for everyone else. :)

So for my initial budget, $100 here and there really adds up, so I would rather not....

I will look into some other 850+ PSUs but because they must be modular, I don't have the full gamut of options.

Edit: Edit: I can't find the Silverstone at a reputable store for less than $200, the TX is not an option as it isn't modular. I would heavily prefer to purchase from Corsair and other reputable companies that provide good support (EVGA, XFX, Corsair etc).
 
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I could be wrong, but I think I remember reading that the 5970 can draw OVER 300W when overclocked (they come from the factory under 300W to meet spec, but are "intended" to be overclocked). So based on that you'd need at least 600W just for your video cards.

If it were me I'd consider something at least in the 800W range. Also, power supplies are 1) critical to system stability and 2) a longer term investment. If you buy a high-wattage supply it can last a few upgrade cycles.
 
I'm also looking at the Seasonic M12D, which is a modular 850W @ $150 at Newegg.

Unfortunately, Newegg has been really scaring me lately with their customer order complaints of open box, mishandled shipping, and poor RMA support.

This particular model also seems to be DOA a lot based on Newegg reviews.
 
Thanks for all the good suggestions... it seems my build is constantly changing by the day.
 
Seasonic X750. Gold rating, full modular, most efficient PSU on American soil right now, and dead silent. Seasonic >> Corsair, and that says a lot! By the time you're ready for the second 5970, the new generation will be out, and will likely achieve 5970 performance in a single, lower-powered card.
 
If you're running a single 5970 and overclocking, then a quality 750/850w unit will do just fine.

If you want to add a SECOND 5970, that's when you need to jump to the 1KW+ territory.
 
vjcsmoke said:
If you're running a single 5970 and overclocking, then a quality 750/850w unit will do just fine.

If you want to add a SECOND 5970, that's when you need to jump to the 1KW+ territory.
Click to expand...

Initially just one 5970 at most, but I'd like the option of running 2x down the road.

I will probably go for the Seasonic M12D as a good $150 choice and hope the 850W is sufficient.... Or splurge on the HX1000.
 
Well, the Silverstone is out.. too many horror stories for support and poor reviews on their other Striders (though no reviews yet for this Strider Plus).

The M12D is also out, it is not fully modular.

The HX1000 is probably out too, it is too large to fit in "Da Box".
 
MJZ said:
Jonnyguru.com.
Click to expand...
Aside from a few minor performance hiccups with running the older units at full load, the Strider series is in no way poor according to those reviews. Since you won't be loading any PSU you buy all the way up to its full capacity, that's not an issue. Also, the 1500W Strider was just reviewed and had an excellent showing.

In any case, I think you should get a clearer idea of exactly what components you'll end up with before you go and choose a PSU, since it wouldn't be very good if you ended up picking a PSU that isn't powerful enough for your needs, and you probably wouldn't be happy if you end up spending extra money on a larger PSU that you don't end up taking advantage of.
 
Zero82z said:
Aside from a few minor performance hiccups with running the older units at full load, the Strider series is in no way poor according to those reviews. Since you won't be loading any PSU you buy all the way up to its full capacity, that's not an issue. Also, the 1500W Strider was just reviewed and had an excellent showing.

In any case, I think you should get a clearer idea of exactly what components you'll end up with before you go and choose a PSU, since it wouldn't be very good if you ended up picking a PSU that isn't powerful enough for your needs, and you probably wouldn't be happy if you end up spending extra money on a larger PSU that you don't end up taking advantage of.
Click to expand...

Yup, aside from the 1500W, the Silverstones were either average or poor (one shut down @ 40C I think).

Since they aren't outstanding units, I definitely would not be supporting a company without standout customer service.

The idea here is to get the most Watts I can (highest quality ones that is), full-modular is a must, and obviously the cheaper the better. Also, because I will be using an SFF case (Da Box), long PSUs is not recommended... 6.7" is the max I can go I think, and all of the Corsair HX's I mentioned are longer than 7". I would love to purchase Corsair, but I don't think this is an option any longer.
 
You intend to use two 5970s in a small form factor case? How will you fit those in considering the lengths of the cards?
 
Corsair does not have any fully modular PSUs.

As I posted in another thread, the only fully modular PSUs that are worth having that I know of available in the US, are the Silverstone Striders/Decathalons/Zeus, the Ultra X3/X4 and the Topower Power Bird...also the Seaonic X series..but the largest they come in is 750W, which isn't enough for your needs.

Also said...beggars can't be choosers...eventually you will have to compromise.
 
MJZ said:
I'm looking to run something like the following:

i7 or Phenom Quad @ 4ghz
6GB RAM
2x 5970s (just to be sure it runs, but I will probably not be spending this much)
An XFi card or similar
3x 3.5" HDs
2x 2.5" HDs
1x 5.25" Optical
A couple of fans
Maybe some random small stuff (LEDs, card readers etc)?

Must be a modular PSU...

I am looking at something reasonably priced, the cheaper the better, but really good quality.

Would the Corsair HX650 satisfy the above?
Click to expand...

What will you be using the comp mainly for?
 
vincewchan said:
What will you be using the comp mainly for?
Click to expand...

Games, general, photoshop, movies. Nothing heavy like encoding or decoding, programming etc.

Edit: I ended up buying the Seasonic X750. THanks all.
 
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