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Modular PSU question and recommendations needed

M

massadoobie

n00b
Joined
Oct 27, 2012
Messages
16
Hi all,

I'm super close to finalizing an mATX build. I've purchased much of the below pcpartpicker list, just haven't decided which case, PSU, and video card. My biggest question at this point is the power supply. I know I want a modular supply since the cases I'm considering aren't exactly known for their cable management (InWin Dragon Slayer, Fractal Design Arc Mini, Silverstone TJ-08). The below build is estimated at ~380W (I put in the 7950 since I'm pretty sure it draws more than the GTX660ti and GTX670 I'm considering... worst case scenario):

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($181.03 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($26.82 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro4-M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Samsung 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.00 @ B&H)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($78.24 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Kingston HyperX 3K 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($309.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Fractal Design Arc Mini MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($99.98 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $971.03
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

(ignore the prices, my build will come in ~$80 less :))

So my two questions are:

1) I'm looking in the 500-600W range... is there ANY reason I would regret not getting something with more power if I never plan on adding a second video card?

2) I've pretty much narrowed the PSU choice down to these four, would love to hear opinions on best value for the money:

Antec BP550 Plus ($56)
SeaSonic M12II 520 Bronze ($75)
Rosewill Capstone 550-M ($80)
Antec HCG-620M ($80)

Any help is appreciated!
 
massadoobie said:
Hi all,

I'm super close to finalizing an mATX build. I've purchased much of the below pcpartpicker list, just haven't decided which case, PSU, and video card. My biggest question at this point is the power supply. I know I want a modular supply since the cases I'm considering aren't exactly known for their cable management (InWin Dragon Slayer, Fractal Design Arc Mini, Silverstone TJ-08). The below build is estimated at ~380W (I put in the 7950 since I'm pretty sure it draws more than the GTX660ti and GTX670 I'm considering... worst case scenario):

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($181.03 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($26.82 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro4-M Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Samsung 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.00 @ B&H)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($78.24 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Kingston HyperX 3K 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($309.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Fractal Design Arc Mini MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($99.98 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $971.03
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

(ignore the prices, my build will come in ~$80 less :))

So my two questions are:

1) I'm looking in the 500-600W range... is there ANY reason I would regret not getting something with more power if I never plan on adding a second video card?

2) I've pretty much narrowed the PSU choice down to these four, would love to hear opinions on best value for the money:

Antec BP550 Plus ($56)
SeaSonic M12II 520 Bronze ($75)
Rosewill Capstone 550-M ($80)
Antec HCG-620M ($80)

Any help is appreciated!
Click to expand...

I would personally get a 256gb SSD as minimum. Not sure about the brand as I hear most about M4 or 830/840.
 
Hagrid, the SSD is one of the components that's already been purchased. I hear ya on 256gb but the 120gb was $60 when I bought it... tough to compete with $.50/gb on an SSD!

Any opinion on the power supply question? :)
 
Isn't there a $50 motherboard bundle discount at Microcenter with the i5 3570k?

PC Power and Cooling Silencer MKIII 500w at $60 AR at Newegg. The 400w will also work if you're just doing mild overclocks or no overclocking, and it comes in at $50 AR. These are high quality Seasonic units.

Another option is the FSP Group Aurum Gold 500w, which is $80 AR. High quality with high efficiency.

The Capstone is a good choice. I wouldn't consider the BP550 with the other options out there. Likewise, I wouldn't consider the HCG-620.
 
Tsumi, thanks for the recos. I"m leaning towards the Capstone, although I'll take a look at the Silence MKIII

And yes, I took advantage of the 3570k deal at microcenter... $170 for the CPU and $60 ($50 off) for the motherboard. Hence "ignore the prices" :)
 
The TJ08-E (and PS07) has a compartment next to the PSU that is designed to accommodate a huge amount of excess cables. So you don't actually need to get a modular PSU for it!
 
The Silencer MKIII is pretty nice, pretty much a clone of the Seasonic M12II.

It can be pretty quiet too; however they say the fan starts to chirp @ >50% load. I use the 400W in my NAS though and pull under 100W most of the time so I can't say from experience.
 
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