PSU suggestions

[UnknownReverent]

I'm planning on upgrading my computer. I already know everything I'm getting, but I'm not sure what wattage would be a nice sweet spot with enough to upgrade.

I'm planning on switching out my fans for non-led, getting a fan controller, and the NZXT RGB Hue. I was also going to get a new graphics card and possibly SLI (which I haven't decided on just yet).

At the moment I have a 630W. I may even get an i7 a little down the road.

Just curious if I should go with around 800-850 or if lower would work as well.

Price is kind of big for me since I can't afford a super expensive power supply.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

I would stick with what you have and save till you can pop for a premium properly sized modular or semi modular PSU. Brands I like are Corsair, Seasonic, Thermaltake, Antec, Coolermaster. I would highly consider a 800-1000 watt depending on affordability and just remember the system draws only what it needs but it's the reserve of clean power that keeps the rig alive and even running cooler and quiet. If you see yourself using top flight components, SLI'g or Crossfiring or Overclocking then the extra capacity is well worth the added cost and remember that each year the PSU will lose roughly 2-5% output and this I think is where people can spec their PSU to close to actual need and have issues later. Also get a high efficiency unit in a Silver, Gold or Platinum rating.

 

[UnknownReverent]

There is an 850 I can afford right now. It's an XFX and I heard they are built by Seasonic. It's 80 Plus Gold and also modular.

 

[paulpicks21]

I would say 850 will be more than enough even if you plan to SLI, I run everything in my system specs on my Antec 750, I would have needed more if I was to SLI the card in my system specs but that was a pretty high end card. I sold it recently and will be replacing with a new gen card soon.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

I'm very impressed with my XFX graphics card and from the looks of things the XFX line of PSU's are real nice. Maybe post a link to the PSU in question and we'll have a look.

 

[UnknownReverent]

It's on both Newegg and Tiger Direct. I'll probably get it from Tiger Direct to save 4 dollars, but I'll give you the Newegg link.

XFX P1-850B-BEFX 850W ATX12V 2.2 & ESP12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Full Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Newegg.com

 

[paulpicks21]

I fitted one of these to my Father in laws rig a year or so back, it has been rock solid and looks real nice too.

Review: XFX 850W ProSeries XXX Semi-Modular Bronze PSU - PSU - HEXUS.net

 

[paulpicks21]

It's on both Newegg and Tiger Direct. I'll probably get it from Tiger Direct to save 4 dollars, but I'll give you the Newegg link.

XFX P1-850B-BEFX 850W ATX12V 2.2 & ESP12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Full Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Newegg.com

That looks nice.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Yep XFX is a quality brand and you can also look at the new EVGA line of PSU's. Still I love Seasonic:

EVGA SuperNOVA 1000W G2 Power Supply - 80+ Gold, Fully Modular, Single 12V Rails, Quiet Auto Fan, Highest Quality Japanese Nippon Chemi-Con Solid State Capacitors (120-G2-1000-XR) at TigerDirect.com

SeaSonic X Series X-850 (SS-850KM3 Active PFC F3) 850W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS 12V v2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Full Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Newegg.com

 

[UnknownReverent]

Yep XFX is a quality brand and you can also look at the new EVGA line of PSU's. Still I love Seasonic:

EVGA SuperNOVA 1000W G2 Power Supply - 80+ Gold, Fully Modular, Single 12V Rails, Quiet Auto Fan, Highest Quality Japanese Nippon Chemi-Con Solid State Capacitors (120-G2-1000-XR) at TigerDirect.com

SeaSonic X Series X-850 (SS-850KM3 Active PFC F3) 850W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS 12V v2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Full Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Newegg.com

Those are a bit out of my range though.

 

[essenbe]

I pretty much agree with everyone else's suggestions. But, I would decide on which Graphics cards I'm going to SLI/CFX before deciding on the PSU. Some of the high end GPU's can pull a lot of power. But, rule #1 is never skimp on the PSU. It's the life blood of every component in your system. A bad one and you could be buying a whole new rig. Get the biggest and best you can afford. Also notice that most of the top quality brands mentioned above were made by Seasonic.

 

[essenbe]

Yep XFX is a quality brand and you can also look at the new EVGA line of PSU's. Still I love Seasonic:

EVGA SuperNOVA 1000W G2 Power Supply - 80+ Gold, Fully Modular, Single 12V Rails, Quiet Auto Fan, Highest Quality Japanese Nippon Chemi-Con Solid State Capacitors (120-G2-1000-XR) at TigerDirect.com

SeaSonic X Series X-850 (SS-850KM3 Active PFC F3) 850W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS 12V v2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Full Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Newegg.com

Those are a bit out of my range though.

Actually, the seasonic X-850 is a pretty decent price for a top quality PSU. But, the XFX is good quality too, they are made by Seasonic, I'm pretty sure.

EDIT: here are 2 good references when deciding on what PSU to buy. The second one is very good.

http://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/psu_manufacturers
http://www.realhardtechx.com/index_archivos/Page5471.htm

 

[UnknownReverent]

Actually, the seasonic X-850 is a pretty decent price for a top quality PSU. But, the XFX is good quality too, they are made by Seasonic, I'm pretty sure.

EDIT: here are 2 good references when deciding on what PSU to buy. The second one is very good.

http://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/psu_manufacturers
3R SYSTEM - PSU Review Database

I've looked through ones in my price range and have also looked for reviews and so forth. That's one reason I settled on the XFX.

I'm not even sure if I'm going to do SLI or not yet, which is why I want a decent sized one, but in my price range. If anything, I'll probably do an SLI with either my current or a GTX 6xx series. I don't want to break my bank.

 

[essenbe]

Don't worry about breaking your bank, they have plenty of money.

 

[UnknownReverent]

Don't worry about breaking your bank, they have plenty of money.

They do, I don't. I don't have a very good job. Lol

 

[kbrady1979]

You can get the SeaSonic X-750/850 Gold for a little less/more than the XFX. The 750 would be enough to SLI any 2 video cards out there.

SeaSonic X 750 Gold

Under the price, you can select other models in that series as well.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Yep XFX is a quality brand and you can also look at the new EVGA line of PSU's. Still I love Seasonic:

EVGA SuperNOVA 1000W G2 Power Supply - 80+ Gold, Fully Modular, Single 12V Rails, Quiet Auto Fan, Highest Quality Japanese Nippon Chemi-Con Solid State Capacitors (120-G2-1000-XR) at TigerDirect.com

SeaSonic X Series X-850 (SS-850KM3 Active PFC F3) 850W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS 12V v2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Full Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Newegg.com

Those are a bit out of my range though.

Well this will be in your range and then some !
EVGA SuperNova 120-PG-0750-GR 750W Power Supply - 80+ Gold, 100-240 vac, 50/60 Hz, Modular, SLI Ready, 10 Year Warranty at TigerDirect.com

 

[UnknownReverent]

An 850w is sufficient to SLI two of either of these, correct?

Newegg.com - EVGA 02G-P4-3657-KR GeForce GTX 650 Ti BOOST 2GB 192-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 SLI Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130910

 

[kbrady1979]

I wouldn't SLI 2 of those in the first place. Get one of those, or get one much higher end card. And as I mentioned above, the SeaSonic 750w PSU will be plenty for 2 cards.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Yes these newer high end cards use much more efficient GDDR5 still you can really never have too much clean power but a lower power higher quality PSU is better than a higher power but lesser rated/quality.