Help me get a new PSU before I fry my system

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Warl0rd

Limp Gawd
Joined
May 28, 2007
Messages
170
[H]i!

Since upgrading my PSU wouldn't increase my FPS, like a true gaming addict I decided to upgrade the graphics card first, so right now I have the [H]ardware on my signature running on a (how should I put it) low quality PSU (its a LC Power 550W)

I decided to risk it since it could supply my old card (8800GTS 320Mb) and the TDP difference to my new 460GTX wasn't that much.

Anyway, everything works fine while gaming, but I do get unexpected reboot during OCCT GPU test, so that tells me I must switch PSU as soon as possible or I might end up blowing everything away :(

-I don't plan to buy another PSU anytime soon, so I want something that should keep me running for the next couple of years (probably until ATX3.0 is invented)
-I don't plan on running SLI (when I'll need more FPS there should be a new GPU thats much more efficient then todays), but no problem in getting something that supports it.
-I plan upgrading CPU (to i7 or something better in one year)
-I plan upgrading GPU (perhaps in 2y from now)
-I don't want to spend alot of money (prefer to save it for the CPU haha), so I shouldn't ask for modular PSUs.

I've been looking for the OCZ 600W StealthXStream, Corsair 550VX or 650TX.

The ocz is cheaper, but has 4 rails at 18A, but since both their PCI-E come from the same rail, I don't know if its good enough...
Should I pay the extra price for the Corsair? 550 or 650?

Thanks for your time.
 
Single rail is better. Corsair has the better warranty. Go for corsair 650. More power = more upgradability also PSU are more efficient when not at 100% load. Also build quality is better for higher w models. Usually.
 
Don't go for the OCZ PSU: It's crap.
Don't go frot the Corsair 500VX: It costs way too much money
Go for the Corsair 650TX as it's the better bang for the buck PSU
 
A quality 650W can handle even the most powerful graphic card you can get on the market nowadays.

The best of those three PSUs is the Corsair TX650 without any doubt.
Reviews: http://www.realhardtechx.com/index_archivos/Page447.htm

Keep in mind that nowadays you can find two different models of that PSU on the market:
- CMPSU-650TX: This one has been made by Seasonic and it's on the market since 2008. It has been tested many times by qualified reviewers. It performs very well.
- CMPSU-650TX-C: This is the new model and it has been made by CWT. There is not any qualified review yet. Anyway, Corsair claims that the -C versions are slightly better than the original ones in just about every way - efficiency, ripple/noise, etc.
 
Thanks for all the replies.

Unfortunately here in Portugal we don't have as much choice as in US, i.e. its very hard to find brands like Seasonic, Antec, XFX

I can get the Corsair 650W for $130, 550W for $105 and the OCZ 600W for $80
 
Hmm, in that case the Corsair 550VX would be enough
 
Warl0rd said:
Thanks for all the replies.

Unfortunately here in Portugal we don't have as much choice as in US, i.e. its very hard to find brands like Seasonic, Antec, XFX

I can get the Corsair 650W for $130, 550W for $105 and the OCZ 600W for $80
Click to expand...

You can buy the PSU here, in Spain.

PC componentes, for example, can send products to Portugal without any problem.

Here you have some good options:

XFX XXX Edition 650W (modular and made by Seasonic)...70€ + (7,83€ shipping)(nowadays it is not in stock)
http://www.pccomponentes.com/xfx_650w_xxx_edition_modular.html
Reviews: http://www.realhardtechx.com/index_archivos/Page625.htm

ANTEC EarthWatts 650W (by Delta Electronics)...70€+ (7,83€ shipping)
http://www.pccomponentes.com/antec_earthwatts_650w.html
Reviews: http://www.realhardtechx.com/index_archivos/Page673.htm

Another good sites for buying are the following ones:
Izarmicro: http://www.izarmicro.net/index2.php?id_secciones=30
Alternate: http://www.alternate.es/html/catego...=Fuentes+de+alimentación&l3=Hasta+500+vatios&
Coolmod: http://www.coolmod.com/list/1494/4/2/1/FUENTES-ALIMENTACION.htm

All of them will send you what you want to Portugal.
 
Thanks for the links Henry Chinaski

The shipping cost aren't that high, the only pronlem is in case of DOA/RMA that will double that amount (not to mention the extra time).

I got a offer for a used Thermaltake Toughpower Cable Management 750W for $83, but from what I read both their PCI-E come from the same 18A rail, and I'm not sure if that would be good, since nvidia recommends 24A for the 460GTX. So its kinda like the StealthXStream :(

The advantage of corsair is having everything on the same rail..

What do you guys thing?
 
Get TX-650 and call it a day.

Nice local warranty is better than saving 10 euros on importing stuff and eventual headaches besides most of psus at 80-100 euros level will be similar to it.
 
Warl0rd said:
I got a offer for a used Thermaltake Toughpower Cable Management 750W for $83, but from what I read both their PCI-E come from the same 18A rail, and I'm not sure if that would be good, since nvidia recommends 24A for the 460GTX. So its kinda like the StealthXStream :(
Click to expand...
The 750W Toughpowers are single-rail PSUs.
 
So I'm safe with 18A on a PCI-E rail for the 460GTX? With OCCT running GPU test, it uses 380W before my current PSU reboots... (and CPU isn't used on that test). While gaming it get as high as 350W, measured from the socket. System idles at 135W

Won't it be an issue in future GFX generations?

Well I guess I could use some molex to PCI-E to drain power from diferent rails, it would be better right?
 
According to the JonnyGURU review, the Thermaltake PSU has three 6-pin PCI-E connectors. Each one is capable of supplying 75W in spec, for a total of 225W. That corresponds to 18.75A of current. The OCP set point (if there is one) will be a few amps higher than the rating, so the PSU shouldn't have any trouble supplying all three connectors fully.
 
Both the fixed ATX main power connector and PCI-e connector are on the same rail. There are two PCI-e connectors on the Toughpower 750W other than this fixed one, and these two connectors are on their own 12V rail.
Click to expand...

Dunno if its a good idea to power the GPU with the same rail of the overclocked CPU...

The spec for PCI-E says it should power up to 75W? (I'm still learning about PSUs...)
 
Yes i've read those FAQs, I'm in the process of joinning the pieces in my mind. Its alot of info to absorv in a few days...

I wish the rail distribution were more clear in all brands... i.e. what cables add in each rail.

Does this make sense for this PSU:

1 rail for 2x PCI-E 6pin
1 rail for 1x PCI-E 8pin + ATX
1 rail for 12V cpu?
1 rail for molex+sata?

My current PSU has 18A + 16A, but 380W max on 12v, so ~31A total. I have no idea how they split it up, I just know that PSU goes down when I push the GFX too much :p
 
You're basically worrying about nothing. If you get a quality PSU like the Thermaltake, you don't really have to worry about the rail stuff.

Also, the reason why your PSU goes down is because that LC Power 550W is a piece of shit. More than likely it cannot provide the full 550W of power. The Thermaltake can.
 
Danny Bui said:
You're basically worrying about nothing. If you get a quality PSU like the Thermaltake, you don't really have to worry about the rail stuff.

Also, the reason why your PSU goes down is because that LC Power 550W is a piece of shit. More than likely it cannot provide the full 550W of power. The Thermaltake can.
Click to expand...

QFT. The biggest problem with LC Power (not to be confused with L&C/Deer, which we all know is a steaming pile of poo) is that LC Power always rates its PSUs at peak power and at an unrealistically low 25°C regardless of which OEM it gets its PSUs from. And even LC Power's "best" PSUs are made by mediocre-quality companies such as Andyson. So in other words, that LC Power "550W" unit is at best a 400W unit in realistic conditions.
 
Yeah i'm probably worrying too much about it...

But like I said in the 1st post, this time I want to buy something "worth it", one thing is picking a 30€ PSU "that just works", other is investing more on the long run. So I want to learn and understand how this PSU stuff works (never worried about it previouslly) as much as I can, so once again thanks for your time guys.

I'm a bit more relaxed now that I know that 18A in one rail is enough to power any of the more demanding VGA cards.

I don't plan to go SLI, so this PSU is more then enough, and maybe it will even have enough juice to power SLI if i change my mind, depending on the next generation cards consumption. But you guys are right, I can't figure that now, I'll see when that day arrives.

Just one final question, since I found a deal of a used one, a +2y old PSU still has plenty to offer, right?


PS: Yeah I know my current PSU sucks, I want a better one for the sake of my [H]ardware this time.
 
Warl0rd said:
I think not:

Now we're going to look at the rails of the Toughpower 750W. All four 12V rails are capable of 18A each
Click to expand...

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=7
Click to expand...

I would be wary of purchasing a Thermaltake Toughpower Grand soon. There was a very large batch of these PSU that have had a manufactuer oversight. I believe that batch has been recalled, even newegg doesn't have them right now. 9-6-2010

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...ESTMATCH&Description=toughpower+grand&x=0&y=0
 
I ended up getting the Thermaltake Toughpower, it works just fine except the NOISE that it makes on heavy load. I never had anything that made so much noise, it seems like something inside it vibrating, I don't think its the fan because I hit the case several times and pitch doesn't change (that usually change fan noises) :(
 
It's most likely coil whine. If that's the case then there's nothing you can really do about it.
 
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