GOOD quality 400-500watt PSU?

pwrusr

2[H]4U
Joined
Jul 30, 2009
Messages
3,115
Ok I'm looking around and I really can't find much in the way of a decent 400-500watter

It will be powering a system similar to the rig in my sig (NO video card).

This will be for a office environment so quiet is good :)

This computer will also need to last 5-10 years (They don't upgrade often). So quality is more impotent then price.
 
Antec Earthwatts. I have had an Earthwatts 500 watt running since 2007 flawlessly.

Here are a few choices:

http://ncix.com/products/?sku=63991&vpn=EA430D Green&manufacture=Antec&promoid=1387

Or:

http://ncix.com/products/?sku=66082&vpn=EA-450 Platinum&manufacture=Antec&promoid=1305

The first one is a fine choice and a good value. The second one is three "80 plus" levels higher, and one of the most efficient PSUs on the market. The more efficient something is, the less heat is produced, the longer it should live. You pay a premium though. Either would be a fine choice.
 
Antec Earthwatts. I have had an Earthwatts 500 watt running since 2007 flawlessly.

Here are a few choices:

http://ncix.com/products/?sku=63991&vpn=EA430D Green&manufacture=Antec&promoid=1387

Or:

http://ncix.com/products/?sku=66082&vpn=EA-450 Platinum&manufacture=Antec&promoid=1305

The first one is a fine choice and a good value. The second one is three "80 plus" levels higher, and one of the most efficient PSUs on the market. The more efficient something is, the less heat is produced, the longer it should live. You pay a premium though. Either would be a fine choice.
That second one looks nice, but I'd really like to see a in depth review of it before making a final decision. I've seen a couple reviews on it so far, however nothing like what [H], JonnyGuru or hardware secrets does.


If you want a quality, inexpensive PSU, the Antec Neo Eco 400C is a Seasonic platform. It often goes for $30 after rebate. At the moment it is $45.48 after you factor in a promo code listed on the webpage and $2.99 shipping.

Just make sure that it has enough connectors for your specific application.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371029
Again, quality comes first. I don't care much about price.
That said... that does indeed look like a great PSU as well.

I'm still leaning in the direction of this one though:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151097

reviews:
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2010/08/13/seasonic_xseries_x400fl_silent_power_supply_review/

www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Seasonic-X-400-Fanless-Power-Supply-Review/1073
 
Kingwin LZP-550 is another good choice. Or the Kingwin Stryker.
 
Kingwin LZP-550 is another good choice. Or the Kingwin Stryker.
lzp 550 does look pretty cool :cool:
The Stryker looks even better.

Kingwin does indeed appear to be making some improvements in the way of quality power supplies.
 
That second one looks nice, but I'd really like to see a in depth review of it before making a final decision. I've seen a couple reviews on it so far, however nothing like what [H], JonnyGuru or hardware secrets does.



Again, quality comes first. I don't care much about price.
That said... that does indeed look like a great PSU as well.

I'm still leaning in the direction of this one though:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151097

reviews:
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2010/08/13/seasonic_xseries_x400fl_silent_power_supply_review/


www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Seasonic-X-400-Fanless-Power-Supply-Review/1073


If you don't care what the price is, your options are wide open...lots of great PSUs when price isn't a limiting factor. That Seasonic fanless you lined is excellent. Any of the PSUs built on Super Flower's new platform are top performers, like the Kingwin Absolute Platinum or Lazer Platinum lines.

JonnyGuru Kingwin Lazer Platinum 550W review
[H] review of the same PSU
 
I'm still leaning in the direction of this one though:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151097


I'm a huge fan of Seasonic power supplies and it doesn't get much better than their X series (I actually use the X750), but I would have trouble parting with $130 for a 400 watt version when the X750 regularly goes on sale for $110. I understand the 400 watt is fanless, but any high quality power supply under that light of a load is going to be inaudible over any fan in the case.

As ugly as it is I would suggest a PC Power and Cooling Silencer MK III 500W -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703035 - Which is going for about $70 right now.

Review - http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story5&reid=263


If you really liked the efficiency of the of the gold rated X series, then I would suggest maybe looking at the new Antec EarthWatts platinum line - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371054 and http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371055 - going for $85 for the 450 watt and $95 for the 550 watt version.

If money is really no object at all, by all means go with the Seasonic X series (if you had a little time to wait for it to go on sale, that would be another option) or the new Kingwin platinum series mentioned above. I can pretty much guarantee you would be more than satisfied with either.

P.S.
Props for not scimping on the power supply (personal pet peeve, lol).
 
Last edited:
I'm partial to the Rosewill capstone series.

Their 450watt located here.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182066

Rated pretty well, one single rail: +3.3V@20A,+5V@20A,+12V@37A,[email protected],+5VSB@3A

Also gold certified.

I have the 650W model and it is completely silent. It is after all a superflower PSU rebadged. Seasonic makes a great one too, but I found you had to spend a lot more to get a single rail/gold standard and they are having issues with coil whines. I've had zero issues with my unit.
 
I'm partial to the Rosewill capstone series.

Their 450watt located here.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182066

Rated pretty well, one single rail: +3.3V@20A,+5V@20A,+12V@37A,[email protected],+5VSB@3A

Also gold certified.

I have the 650W model and it is completely silent. It is after all a superflower PSU rebadged. Seasonic makes a great one too, but I found you had to spend a lot more to get a single rail/gold standard and they are having issues with coil whines. I've had zero issues with my unit.


If you're not concerned about having a modular PSU, like Skeeder said, the Capstone line in excellent and has many positive reviews (including the coveted jonnyguru recommended). Hope you find what you're looking for! Let us know what you decide on. :)
 

Like I said, if you have the money... You won't at all be disappointed with the Seasonic X series. :) I doubt that the fan will ever even actually turn on with what the PSU is going to be used for. The X750 I'm using right now is powering my 2600k @ 4.5Ghz and my 580 Classy Ultra @ 1Ghz and I haven't had the fan turn on once yet. On another note the X series use a Sanyo Denki San Ace for their fan, which as far as I'm concerned is the best fan on the market. In fact I had five of those fans up until a couple weeks ago.
 
Last edited:
Like I said, if you have the money... You won't at all be disappointed with the Seasonic X series. :) I doubt that the fan will ever even actually turn on with what the PSU is going to be used for. The X750 I'm using right now is powering my 2600k @ 4.5Ghz right and My Classy Ultra @ 1Ghz and I haven't had the fan turn on once yet. On another note the X series use a Sanyo Denki San Ace for their fan, which as far as I'm concerned is the best fan on the market. In fact I had five of those fans up until a couple weeks ago.

Thanks for the feedback. I think I'll flip a coin and choose between the 400 and 560 watt x series :cool:
 
Back
Top