New PSU suggestions..

[YounGMessiah]

Hey all,

 

Well it is finally that time where I can invest into a nicer PSU now and im trying to decide..  I would prefer to get it from Micro Center in Denver, as it would allow me to get it in person :D.  Long story short I had to RMA my OCZ PSU and the one they sent is still messed up and makes other sounds....  This time I want to invest into a 80 Plus Platinum PSU that is 'full modular', not semi-modular lol.

 

My budget is no more than $230 USD

 

These are the only ones available at Micro Center:

http://microcenter.com/search/search_results.aspx?N=4294966654+4294962099+4294957307+4294937141&cat=0004%3C%3E%3C%3E80-PLUS-Platinum-Certified-%3a-Yes-%3a-ATX-%3a-Power-Supplies-%3a-Computer-Parts-%3a-Micro-Center

 

I was looking at this and like this one, but what do you think??

http://microcenter.com/product/404946/Professional_Series_AX860i_860_Watt_Digital_ATX-EPS_Modular_Power_Supply

 

Its ten bucks more than the 760i, so that is why im looking at 860i.  Also ends up being the same price either or after rebate.

 

I also really like the Antec one, but its $260 and 1000W seems like major overkill lol..

http://microcenter.com/product/408672/HCP-1000_1000W_Fully_Modular_ATX_Power_Supply

 

Im NOT limited to Micro Center, just a preference, but I do not mind shopping on Amazon, Ebay, TigerDirect or Newegg.

 

 

Thanks all! 

[Crisp]

Which OCz PSU was it?

[YounGMessiah]

750W Fatal1ty

[Astra.Xtreme]

Unless you are running a power hungry SLI/Crossfire or a ton of HDDs, there's no reason to get a PSU over 800W.

Also, there's really no reason to get that expensive Professional series unless you are super concerned about getting the absolute most efficiency out of it.

 

If you must have something with lots of power, this will do fine:

http://microcenter.com/product/399156/HX_Series_HX850_850_Watt_ATX_12V_Modular_Power_Supply

 

My recommendation would be to get this:

http://microcenter.com/product/406089/CX_Series_CX750M_750_Watt_ATX_Modular_Power_Supply

OR

http://microcenter.com/product/399155/HX_Series_HX750_750_Watt_ATX_12V_Modular_Power_Supply

 

Spend the extra money on something that will give performance benefits such as a SSD, CPU, or GPU.

[primexx]

Yup, Corsair HX is great.

[YounGMessiah]

Unless you are running a power hungry SLI/Crossfire or a ton of HDDs, there's no reason to get a PSU over 800W.

Also, there's really no reason to get that expensive Professional series unless you are super concerned about getting the absolute most efficiency out of it.

 

If you must have something with lots of power, this will do fine:

http://microcenter.com/product/399156/HX_Series_HX850_850_Watt_ATX_12V_Modular_Power_Supply

 

My recommendation would be to get this:

http://microcenter.com/product/406089/CX_Series_CX750M_750_Watt_ATX_Modular_Power_Supply

OR

http://microcenter.com/product/399155/HX_Series_HX750_750_Watt_ATX_12V_Modular_Power_Supply

 

Spend the extra money on something that will give performance benefits such as a SSD, CPU, or GPU.

Not anytime soon and im sure even then I wont need as much power, but im going to get two 780s most likely (ill start off with one).  Currently I run three drives and going to add two-three more.  Its not that I want more power, its just the only PSUs with a full modular option seem to be only the higher wattage ones, thats why I posted the 800+ one, even though I would never need that much..

 

I really do like the HX750 you posted, but I really want a full modular PSU =/

And if I can find one then I will take your suggestion in putting the other money towards a SSD as I wanted to get one..  Actually found a 256GB for 180 I believe which is a good deal in my opinion..

 

Yup, Corsair HX is great.

Yeah I do like it, wish it was full modular >.<

[Astra.Xtreme]

Not anytime soon and im sure even then I wont need as much power, but im going to get two 780s most likely (ill start off with one).  Currently I run three drives and going to add two-three more.  Its not that I want more power, its just the only PSUs with a full modular option seem to be only the higher wattage ones, thats why I posted the 800+ one, even though I would never need that much..

 

I really do like the HX750 you posted, but I really want a full modular PSU =/

And if I can find one then I will take your suggestion in putting the other money towards a SSD as I wanted to get one..  Actually found a 256GB for 180 I believe which is a good deal in my opinion..

 

Yeah I do like it, wish it was full modular >.<

 

Fully modular is pretty much a gimmick, imo.

The two connectors that aren't modular are ones that will be required anyway, so you aren't gaining anything with fully modular.

 

If you want a solid SSD, I'd recommend this one:

http://microcenter.com/product/364547/m4_CT256M4SSD2_256GB_SATA_60Gb-s_25_Internal_Solid_State_Drive_(SSD)_with_Marvell_Controller

 

You can get a Samsung 840 for $180, but I'd stay away from it since it's slow and uses components that won't last as long.

 

If you want the top most quality, go with the Samsung 840 Pro, OCZ Vector, or OCZ Vertex 4.

I personally have the 256GB Vertex 4, and it's definitely the best and fastest SSD I've ever had.  Samsung has a slightly higher reliability rep though.

[YounGMessiah]

The two main connectors at least with the current PSU along with my case is really tight and im thinking the full modular would have more length; I have no experience with the full modular, so not even sure if the two main connectors length would be the longer or shorter...  Thats my reasoning in why I would want the full modular, but if you tell me the lengths are really no different, then there is no point.

 

Thanks for the suggestions for the SSDs :), I really want to get a 500GB or more, but cant afford $400 for that lol

[tsupersonic]

Yeah, full modular is not really worth it. Like Astra said, the two connectors from the semi-modular are connectors you would need. Save the money, and get the SSD, even if it's a lower capacity one - they make for excellent boot drives. I have the Samsung 840 Pro 128 GB and 256 GB models, and they are both fantastic. 

[Astra.Xtreme]

The two main connectors at least with the current PSU along with my case is really tight and im thinking the full modular would have more length; I have no experience with the full modular, so not even sure if the two main connectors length would be the longer or shorter...  Thats my reasoning in why I would want the full modular, but if you tell me the lengths are really no different, then there is no point.

 

Thanks for the suggestions for the SSDs :), I really want to get a 500GB or more, but cant afford $400 for that lol

 

That's a good question.  I don't think they generally say how long the connectors are, but I don't think a fully modular one would be any longer than the semi-modular one.  You could probably email Corsair and ask for those measurements.  I've only had one instance where a cable was too short, and it was a beastly server case, in which I just cut the wires and soldered in some extensions. It was a bit crude, but it worked. :)  Unless you have a gigantic case, I don't think you'll need to worry about it.

[YounGMessiah]

OCZ is offering me a ZX850 to compensate for the troubles, should I go for this??  All I have to do is pay for shipping back to them which is like 10 bucks and im getting a better unit pretty much for free...

[Phouchg]

ZX850 is generally a very capable unit, but it, rather strangely, lacks the varistor component to remove sudden power surges. If you haven't invested in a decent surge arrestor or have frequent really bad weather (a very close lightning strike may create a spike even after an arrestor due to induction), you might want to avoid units with such otherwise miniscule oversights.

[Astra.Xtreme]

ZX850 is generally a very capable unit, but it, rather strangely, lacks the varistor component to remove sudden power surges. If you haven't invested in a decent surge arrestor or have frequent really bad weather (a very close lightning strike may create a spike even after an arrestor due to induction), you might want to avoid units with such otherwise miniscule oversights.

 

That is a little strange.  Good catch on that.

Personally I'd request a different model that isn't missing the MOV.

[YounGMessiah]

You talking about those diode type things?

[Astra.Xtreme]

You talking about those diode type things?

 

Kinda. An MOV (metal-oxide varistor) is a simple and effective component used to filter out surges.

 

http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/everyday-tech/surge-protector1.htm

[-Deleted-]

I'd always recommend Corsair PSU's, I've got a HX in this system and it's quiet, efficient and amazingly well built.

 

Corsair are always my pick in the PSU and memory game :)

[YounGMessiah]

Update:

 

They actually ended up sending me a ZX1250 unit!!  The RMA and the notes said ZX850, but yeah.

[Phouchg]

Same platform (and therefore the problem) as with ZX850, but dammit :woot:

[YounGMessiah]

Yeah true, but I have a decent power strip I believe, so no worries!  I threw a few tests at it already that normally my older PSU would make weird noises and it doesnt!