How did you come to find this out?
You're partially correct! I recommend reading these two articles:
On PSU Efficiency
PSU "50% Load" Myth
Not with quality-made units like the AX850. Check out this review at JonnyGuru.com:
Corsair AX850 Review
Yeah, you could have 4 x GTX 460s in your system and still be ahead.
You get widely different PSU requirements using on-line calculators.
Thermaltake Power Supply Calculator 503w
ASUSTeK Computer Inc. -Support- Recommended Power Supply Wattage Calculator 800w
Terminology is different, but I put in as close to identical specs as I could.
Overclocking - I don't - changes it.
Removing a GTS 250, SLI and PhysX on the Thermaltake calculator knocks 503w down to 413w.
That was my original build, and I went with a Corsair 650w.
I'd really think putting a Kill-a-Watt on the power cord and doing a ballpark efficiency adjustment would get closer than these calculators.
I've read that PSU output degrades as they age. Don't know about that either.
It's just my "gut" feel that that going heavy on watts - +25-50% - is good insurance for a new build.
But I appreciate you input about overkill. Makes sense according to the Thermaltake calculator.
BTW, I was initially upset by the Newegg reviews when I did this build. I recall the Corsair being one with top ratings, but they were only 3 stars. Reviewers saying DOA, dying after a month, and bursting into flames.
Real horror stories. Same with the Asus P6T MB I bought. Ended up just forging ahead, as everything else was even worse. Everything has been flawless for 3 years. I wrote Newegg and suggested they put a "units sold" counter on their products. The assumption being that those with no problems don't bother giving bad reviews. Of course they pain no attention to me.
Now try the PSU calculator I linked to. It is more accurate than these online ones. That's why it was created: to be the most accurate calculator available because it was recognized by the PSU experts that we have this problem that you just mentioned: online PSU calculators are not reliable.
The PSU experts who created it are true experts. They're not just amateur people who think they're experts. hehe
Wow. That's inaccurate. Can you do the calculation again, except this time click the calculator's built-in Print button and then post a screenshot of that page it generates? I can show you what's making it inaccurate.
Yeah, it would.
This doesn't affect quality-made units like yours enough to worry about it. The internal components are of high quality and are designed to last several years. It's the lower-quality units that you have to worry about.
It can be if you know that your future requirements will call for it. That's not easy to predict though because each new generation of CPUs and GPUs requires less power than the previous. So the power requirement keeps getting lower and lower.
lol yeah Newegg's reviews are only good as entertainment.
Is there anything wrong with the power supplies recommended? No? Alright then.
There is no guesswork involved, those are top notch power supplies.
FIN
I trust Newegg's reviews. Period. Why you ask, Well I have written about some crappy items and they were published in all their negative glory. I know another member who has done the same.
PSU all have some peak/continuous rating of some sort. Having such a rating doesn't make one a good one though. The 80+ ratings take it all into account. Having a single 12V rail is desirable too.
TwoCables I did it the Layback Bear simple way. Used a couple of those online calculators and a little thinking. If those calculators are off a little and most don't agree with each other. No big deal I got lots of power supply to compensate. If you are asking if I believe my computer draws that much power,no or have I use calculation, charts and graphs, test equipment no I have not. I just keep it simple. Works for me.
That is subjective, he might feel he needs more power in order to prevent problems or to add scalability. There is no guesswork though. I appreciate what you were trying to do and inform people of the technical aspect of choosing a power supply, but it's easier to say hey, several people are running these with no problems and they are built right, at a good price. What are you adding to the mix? I don't remember anybody looking for scientific tests looking to match a system watt-for-watt.
He has my suggestion, and if he needs anymore advice, I'll be glad to help. I'm done with the back and forth with you. Go ahead and reply and get the last word in, you've not helped as much as you think.
Good day.
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