Need help deciding: HX620 or ST70F

[SparksNelec]

First, here's the system I plan to build:
Intel i7 - 920 (will OC)
Asus P6T Deluxe
Patriot Viper 6GB (3x2GB)
EVGA GTX 280
3 - 3.5" hard drives
1 - optical drive
4 to 5 120mm fans connected through a fan controller
CPU and GPU watercooled using a Eheim HPPS 12V pump

I'd plan to add an additional 6GB of RAM and a Blu-Ray drive sometime in the future. I'd think about doing SLI with a second GTX 280 if I found another card for cheap. It would be nice if the power supply could handle that as well but if not, I'd just wait until I could do two lower powered cards or another single card monster later that would outperform this card.

Now, which power supply should I get? I definitely want a modular PS. I've been a fan of the Corsair one and have been using the HX520 in another build. I'm pretty sure the HX620 would be able to handle this but probably not a second GTX 280? I also like the fact the Silverstone ST70F is fully modular and might be a bit more efficient. Will the extra 80W from the Silverstone gain me anything?

Can anyone give me info or experience that would steer me to one or the other or maybe a completely different power supply? Price doesn't seem to be one right now since it looks like ZZF has the Corsair PS within a few dollars of the Silverstone at Newegg after rebates.

 

[Zero82z]

The HX620 has the same amount of power on the +12V rails as the ST70F, and is a better PSU overall. Forget about the Silverstone, and either go with the Corsair or get something better than the Silverstone such as the 750W Thermaltake Toughpower.

 

[SixtyWattMan]

My vote goes tot he 620HX.

 

[EnderW]

HX620W

 

[stateofjermaine]

The HX620 has the same amount of power on the +12V rails as the ST70F, and is a better PSU overall. Forget about the Silverstone, and either go with the Corsair or get something better than the Silverstone such as the 750W Thermaltake Toughpower.

Just FYI for anyone still making a similar decision. A nice review of the 650W Toughpower included there, also.

Also, a pretty thorough write-up on B3D. I wouldn't dismiss the Silverstone so quickly.

Just my $.02.

 

[Zero82z]

Just FYI for anyone still making a similar decision. A nice review of the 650W Toughpower included there, also.

Also, a pretty thorough write-up on B3D. I wouldn't dismiss the Silverstone so quickly.

Just my $.02.

Those are both awful reviews. Tom's Hardware didn't test the DC output quality, and they also don't list their methodology so they probably use a power meter similar to a Kill-A-Watt meaning that their efficiency readings could be inaccurate. Bjorn3D did all of those things, but in addition they used a test system instead of a proper load tester, so their results are meaningless as well. See this review of the 750W version of the Silverstone to get an idea of its real performance: http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=27

As you can see, it didn't do too bad, but it didn't do that well either. It's a decent PSU, but the Corsair is certainly better. And I don't see why it was worth reviving a thread that's been dead for nearly eight months just to post a pair of improperly-performed reviews.

 

[stateofjermaine]

Those are both awful reviews. Tom's Hardware didn't test the DC output quality, and they also don't list their methodology so they probably use a power meter similar to a Kill-A-Watt meaning that their efficiency readings could be inaccurate. Bjorn3D did all of those things, but in addition they used a test system instead of a proper load tester, so their results are meaningless as well. See this review of the 750W version of the Silverstone to get an idea of its real performance: http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=27

As you can see, it didn't do too bad, but it didn't do that well either. It's a decent PSU, but the Corsair is certainly better. And I don't see why it was worth reviving a thread that's been dead for nearly eight months just to post a pair of improperly-performed reviews.

Heh, I guess posting an opinion other than the popular one is verboten, eh? I posted the reviews, from fairly reputable sources, because I felt they were worthwhile perspectives. And this thread is no less useful now than when it was originally posted, so I don't see it as a big deal to "revive" it. Honestly, why take the time to discredit a post that you obviously deem pointless? Just some alternate viewpoints, nothing more.

And for what it's worth I had a look at some Toughpower supplies (I am looking for a PSU at the moment), and they seem quite good (if a little ugly). A few reviewers (including the [H]) mentioned problems with high temperatures under load, tho. If you have any other modular recommendations (Corsair is DULY noted!) in the 600W - 800W range, I would appreciate it.

 

[Zero82z]

Heh, I guess posting an opinion other than the popular one is verboten, eh? I posted the reviews, from fairly reputable sources, because I felt they were worthwhile perspectives. And this thread is no less useful now than when it was originally posted, so I don't see it as a big deal to "revive" it. Honestly, why take the time to discredit a post that you obviously deem pointless? Just some alternate viewpoints, nothing more.

Well, I'm sorry if I offended you, but the reviews you posted are not from reputable sources. I already explained why in my previous post. And opinions have nothing to do with this. The facts are what matter, and as I showed, the facts are that the ST70F is an inferior PSU compared to the HX620. That much isn't really arguable.

And for what it's worth I had a look at some Toughpower supplies (I am looking for a PSU at the moment), and they seem quite good (if a little ugly). A few reviewers (including the [H]) mentioned problems with high temperatures under load, tho. If you have any other modular recommendations (Corsair is DULY noted!) in the 600W - 800W range, I would appreciate it.

The Toughpowers are decent, if a bit noisy. For a PSU in that range, I recommend this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371025

There aren't any better deals right now.

 

[stateofjermaine]

Well, I'm sorry if I offended you, but the reviews you posted are not from reputable sources. I already explained why in my previous post. And opinions have nothing to do with this. The facts are what matter, and as I showed, the facts are that the ST70F is an inferior PSU compared to the HX620. That much isn't really arguable.

Oh, no hard feelings. My mistake, then. I understood Tom's to be a trusted source (alongside Anand, Driver Heaven, [H], Frostytech, etc.), albeit biased at times. As far as B3D, I have only read a few articles there, but they always seem to be thorough. Anyway, I am a new builder, so what the heck do I know?

The Toughpowers are decent, if a bit noisy. For a PSU in that range, I recommend this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371025

There aren't any better deals right now.

Thanks, that PSU looks very good (heh, it even matches my case!). I will do some homework on it. Do you know what the cable length is like? For proper cable management in the Mini P180, I'm told the cables should be on the long side.

On a slightly unrelated note, I have noticed many modular PSU's have a bundle of power connectors that are still hardwired to the unit. Could you shed some light on what these cables are for? Will they be used on all motherboards? I know what the 20/24-pin connector is, but I often see an 8-pin or other size . . . again, I do appreciate the help.

 

[Zero82z]

Thanks, that PSU looks very good (heh, it even matches my case!). I will do some homework on it. Do you know what the cable length is like? For proper cable management in the Mini P180, I'm told the cables should be on the long side.

Cable lengths are listed at the bottom of this page: http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=140

On a slightly unrelated note, I have noticed many modular PSU's have a bundle of power connectors that are still hardwired to the unit. Could you shed some light on what these cables are for? Will they be used on all motherboards? I know what the 20/24-pin connector is, but I often see an 8-pin or other size . . . again, I do appreciate the help.

The 8-pin and 4-pin connectors are for supplementary CPU power. Consumer motherboards use one or the other, and depending on the PSU, it will either have a 4-pin connector and an 8-pin, or just an 8-pin that can split in two for use with a board that only has a 4-pin socket.

 

[stateofjermaine]

The 8-pin and 4-pin connectors are for supplementary CPU power. Consumer motherboards use one or the other, and depending on the PSU, it will either have a 4-pin connector and an 8-pin, or just an 8-pin that can split in two for use with a board that only has a 4-pin socket.

Thanks for your help!

 

[stateofjermaine]

The Antec TP New 750 looks absolutely great, performance-wise. Aside from the Corsair 750HX, I can't find (or think of) a more well-received unit. My only concern now is the cable management. I've heard many cases of builders lamenting their choice of a non-modular PSU, and how messy it made the case (and the install).

I know this unit is "modular", but by all accounts it has pretty much all of the necessary cables hardwired, and even a few that will certainly go unused. But maybe this is the ideal combination? Is this something to be concerned about in a Mini P180?

 

[Zero82z]

I don't think you'll have any cabling issues with the Truepower New. In any case, a good fully modular 750W PSU will cost you a lot more, and I personally don't think it would be worth it.