Power Supply - (I7 860/P55)

[Vyndicator]

Hi all,

Considering upgrading my current PC. I also happen to be saving for a wedding, so things are a little tighter than normal. My current PSU is the :

PC Power & Cooling 510 SLI-PFC ATX12V 510W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817703001

I'm not looking to do SLI/Crossfire at the start, at least not under this PSU. The basic components I'm swapping out are:

Intel I7 860
EVGA P55 or P55 FTW
8 Gb (4x2) DDR3

Probably disable turbo boost and clock it at 3.4. Waiting to see what Nvidia's response to ATI will be, otherwise I'll probably swap out my GeForce 7800 GT for ATI's 5870.

Other case components I'll transfer are:

Plextor SATA DVD burner
Creative X-Fi
WD Velociraptor

In reference I'm upgrading from a dinosaur:

AMD Athlon 64 4000+ / 2x 1 Gb PC 3200 / Asus A8N32-SLI Deluxe

If anyone is running a similar build I'd appreciate specs on the total power draw. I'm pretty sure it'll handle it under load, but I may be running to high of a load on my PSU. Also, won't the pins be different on the new motherboard?

I know the easy answer is just to upgrade, but with the economy and the wedding I'd rather save $200 if I can for a while.

 

[gwarren007]

You don't have to spend 200 for a quality PS, and I Would move to larger PSU unless you stick with the 7600gt or use another passive card (non external power).

Have you bought anything?

 

[Vyndicator]

You don't have to spend 200 for a quality PS, and I Would move to larger PSU unless you stick with the 7600gt or use another passive card (non external power).

Have you bought anything?

Frankly I've had bad luck with cheaper power supplies, which is why I bought he PC Power & Cooling model last time.

I have not ordered anything. Still debating which parts I want and letting some of the prices drop & availability rise. My current system is running fine, but I'm starting to feel it's age.

So as long as I don't upgrade the GPU without upgrading the PSU as well, you think it'll be fine. What about compatibility pin wise? Didn't they switch to an 8 pin connector?

 

[lathode]

That thing has a lot of amps on 3.3v & 5v, seems like it was meant for older systems.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371022

$105 and it will handle whatever you throw at it. I bought the non LED version for $90 a couple of weeks ago. Otherwise I'd go with Corsair.

 

[Mav451]

Yeah I took a look at the spec sheet for your PSU. Don't see an 80plus Cert, 8pin ATX connector, and the 5v rail is over-sized while the 12v rail is undersized. I'd recommend any of the Corsair PSUs.
I'd probably go with a 650TX.

 

[OmegaSupreme]

You power supply should be just fine as long as you don't change your GPU. If you do upgrade your GPU,depending on what it is, I'd suggest getting a new PSU.

Also, the older PCP&C PSU's were just re-branded Seasonic units anyway. Which are good high quality PSUs'.

If you do want to upgrade, over @ zipzoomfly they have a PCP&C 750 quad (RED) for $99. shipped.
I'm currently using the black version in my sig rig and it is one solid PSU, and it's super quiet (quite possibly why they named it silencer, eh). Probably the quietest actively cooled component in my case.

 

[Zero82z]

Also, the older PCP&C PSU's were just re-branded Seasonic units anyway. Which are good high quality PSUs'.

If you do want to upgrade, over @ zipzoomfly they have a PCP&C 750 quad (RED) for $99. shipped.
I'm currently using the black version in my sig rig and it is one solid PSU, and it's super quiet (quite possibly why they named it silencer, eh). Probably the quietest actively cooled component in my case.

The Turbo-cool line was made by Win-tact, not Seasonic. And that Silencer is a good PSU, but a worse deal than the Antec Truepower New linked to in the post I quoted below.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371022

$105 and it will handle whatever you throw at it. I bought the non LED version for $90 a couple of weeks ago. Otherwise I'd go with Corsair.

This.

 

[OmegaSupreme]

The Turbo-cool line was made by Win-tact, not Seasonic.

Good to know, thanks for that tid bit.

And that Silencer is a good PSU, but a worse deal than the Antec Truepower New linked to in the post I quoted below.

I think that is a matter of preference. If I had the choice between the 2, I'd still go with the PCP&C (haven't had good luck with Antec). I don't like the fact that Antec doesn't list its efficiency. The only real difference between the 2 (other than the obvious layout) is the Antec has 2 more amps on the +12v. Quite honestly, they're both really good deals, and I don't see one being better than the other.

 

[Zero82z]

I think that is a matter of preference.

No, it's not. You're paying $5 more for a newer Seasonic platform with DC-DC conversion, better efficiency, a semi-modular interface, more power available on the +12V rails, and a larger fan for quieter operation. The Antec is a better PSU, period.

I don't like the fact that Antec doesn't list its efficiency.

The Antec is certified 80Plus Bronze, meaning it is at least 82%, 85%, and 82% efficient at 20%, 50%, and 100% load respectively.

 

[OmegaSupreme]

No, it's not. You're paying $5 more for a newer Seasonic platform with DC-DC conversion, better efficiency, a semi-modular interface, more power available on the +12V rails, and a larger fan for quieter operation. The Antec is a better PSU, period.

The Antec is certified 80Plus Bronze, meaning it is at least 82%, 85%, and 82% efficient at 20%, 50%, and 100% load respectively.

The PCP&C is rated @ 83% efficiency. Modular, thats preference, I don't particularly care for them. And it has a whopping 24w more on the +12v

And how does a larger fan = quieter operation? The Silencer series of PSU's have a unique design to where they don't need a big honkin fan to stay nice and cool. Although it does make them about an inch longer than your regular PSU.

I personally, have not had very good luck with Antec's. Blown caps, squealing, loud operation (it was supposed to be quiet), modular, poor voltage regulation. My PCP&C has considerably better voltage regulation than the antec I had. I was able to increase my 24/7 OC by 200MHz when I switched to it from my Antec.

 

[Zero82z]

The PCP&C is rated @ 83% efficiency. Modular, thats preference, I don't particularly care for them. And it has a whopping 24w more on the +12v

I provided several reasons why the Antec is a superior PSU, and you just blow them all off. Here is some evidence showing that the Silencer is less efficient:
Silencer review: http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story3&reid=63
Silencer review: http://www.hardocp.com/article/2007/08/03/pc_power_cooling_silencer_750_quad_crossfire_edition/
Truepower New review: http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=140

The fact is that the Antec has several advantages over the Silencer, while the Silencer has none over the Antec. So there's no reason not to go for the Antec considering the tiny price difference.

And how does a larger fan = quieter operation? The Silencer series of PSU's have a unique design to where they don't need a big honkin fan to stay nice and cool. Although it does make them about an inch longer than your regular PSU.

You've been here 10 days and you're already spewing the PCP&C nonsense. You should do some research so you actually know what you're talking about before you regurgitate false information.

Larger fans are quieter because they can displace the same amount of air as a smaller fan while running at a lower speed. This means less noise. And the PCP&C "Silencer" series is well known for being rather loud compared to the competition. The 750W model both produces more noise than other competing products in that wattage range, and runs hotter, which reduces the lifetime of the components inside the PSU.

Here is some reading material for your enrichment: http://www.hardocp.com/article/2007/08/03/pc_power_cooling_silencer_750_quad_crossfire_edition/

I personally, have not had very good luck with Antec's. Blown caps, squealing, loud operation (it was supposed to be quiet), modular, poor voltage regulation. My PCP&C has considerably better voltage regulation than the antec I had. I was able to increase my 24/7 OC by 200MHz when I switched to it from my Antec.

And how long ago did you purchase your Antec PSU? Their product line has improved considerably over the past few years, and they currently sell some of the best consumer PSUs you can find anywhere, including the stellar Signature series.

 

[jeremyshaw]

I guess 'silent' means differing things to different people...

I hate even the 'idle' noise of a 70mm fan (only one I can use).

 

[OmegaSupreme]

I provided several reasons why the Antec is a superior PSU, and you just blow them all off. Here is some evidence showing that the Silencer is less efficient:
Silencer review: http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story3&reid=63
Silencer review: http://www.hardocp.com/article/2007/08/03/pc_power_cooling_silencer_750_quad_crossfire_edition/
Truepower New review: http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=140

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Well they both scored a 9. However, he did use a different machine to test each unit. That in and of itself can change everything depending on how sensitive it is.

The fact is that the Antec has several advantages over the Silencer, while the Silencer has none over the Antec. So there's no reason not to go for the Antec considering the tiny price difference.

You've been here 10 days and you're already spewing the PCP&C nonsense. You should do some research so you actually know what you're talking about before you regurgitate false information.

You wouldn't go wrong either way. Both are great units. Thats why I said it's a matter of preference. I've had/have several Antec products and quite honestly I haven't been too pleased with them. So I recommended the PCP&C because that is my preference.
In my experience, Antec VR has been subpar and a limiting factor in my OC's. So I am not spewing any false or misleading information. Just because you prefer the Antec doesn't make my opinion any less valid.

And you know what they say about opinions, they're like assholes everybody has one and they all stink.

Larger fans are quieter because they can displace the same amount of air as a smaller fan while running at a lower speed. This means less noise. And the PCP&C "Silencer" series is well known for being rather loud compared to the competition. The 750W model both produces more noise than other competing products in that wattage range, and runs hotter, which reduces the lifetime of the components inside the PSU.

I have 2 of the Silencer series and noise is never an issue with them. Aside from that who sits in a 30*C room anyway? I sure as hell don't.

Aside from that, if you're putting on enough load for the PSU to get that hot to where the fan needs to spin up that high, more than likely. all of your other actively cooled peripherals would be spinning @ 100% making what negligible noise that the PSU might make rather insignificant.

And how long ago did you purchase your Antec PSU? Their product line has improved considerably over the past few years, and they currently sell some of the best consumer PSUs you can find anywhere, including the stellar Signature series.

'06? I'd say. It squeals and VR is absolutely horrible. Motherboards can only smooth out so much crappy input.

 

[Zero82z]

I'm not going to argue with you about this. I've already provided evidence to show that your claims are incorrect and that the Truepower New is indeed a better PSU than the Silencer. They are both very good, but the Antec is better. You're free to have your preferences, but that doesn't change the facts.

 

[lollerskater69]

The Antec is a superior unit. Zero82z has provided all the evidence and information to show the OP and everyone else that.

 

[vjcsmoke]

Hi all,

Considering upgrading my current PC. I also happen to be saving for a wedding, so things are a little tighter than normal. My current PSU is the :

PC Power & Cooling 510 SLI-PFC ATX12V 510W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817703001

I'm not looking to do SLI/Crossfire at the start, at least not under this PSU. The basic components I'm swapping out are:

Intel I7 860
EVGA P55 or P55 FTW
8 Gb (4x2) DDR3

Probably disable turbo boost and clock it at 3.4. Waiting to see what Nvidia's response to ATI will be, otherwise I'll probably swap out my GeForce 7800 GT for ATI's 5870.

Other case components I'll transfer are:

Plextor SATA DVD burner
Creative X-Fi
WD Velociraptor

In reference I'm upgrading from a dinosaur:

AMD Athlon 64 4000+ / 2x 1 Gb PC 3200 / Asus A8N32-SLI Deluxe

If anyone is running a similar build I'd appreciate specs on the total power draw. I'm pretty sure it'll handle it under load, but I may be running to high of a load on my PSU. Also, won't the pins be different on the new motherboard?

I know the easy answer is just to upgrade, but with the economy and the wedding I'd rather save $200 if I can for a while.

If you're only running a single GPU with those components, then you don't need to upgrade your power supply. PCP&C 510 is high quality and should get the job done.

What about compatibility pin wise? Didn't they switch to an 8 pin connector?

Yours doesn't have an 8 pin connector?? Huh? Isn't it an ATX PSU?

This picture indicates to me that it does have an 8 pin mobo connector.

http://www.pcpower.com/power-supply/turbo-cool-510-sli.html

 

[lathode]

If you're only running a single GPU with those components, then you don't need to upgrade your power supply. PCP&C 510 is high quality and should get the job done.



Yours doesn't have an 8 pin connector?? Huh? Isn't it an ATX PSU?

This picture indicates to me that it does have an 8 pin mobo connector.

http://www.pcpower.com/images/products/b/TurboCool_Silver_3831.jpg
http://www.pcpower.com/power-supply/turbo-cool-510-sli.html

Look at the spec sheet on the page you linked to, only ATX12v, not EPS12v and no 8 pin listed. Picture is kinda odd though.

 

[lathode]

And you know what they say about opinions, they're like assholes everybody has one and they all stink.

How are facts an opinion? The Antec is better hands down, not my opinion but based off of facts. Curious if you had an Antec 500w modular in the past. I had issues with one squeeling, apparently they used bad caps or something. This one is solid however. The Silencer is an old Seasonic design, the Antec is the new Seasonic shizzle. Hell, even Corsair is discontinuing the HX620/550 based off an older Seasonic design for something updated. PCP&C needs to do the same to stay relevant, hopefully OCZ isn't holding them back.

edit: I'm not saying the Silencer is bad, but I wouldn't pay more than $60 for it. It used to go on sale quite a bit for 50-60, so it may again. I paid $150 for one in a system I built 2-3 years ago