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Thread ID: 137916 2014-09-08 04:40:00 Help choosing a new PSU smithinator (15240) Press F1
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1383428 2014-09-08 04:40:00 Hi

I'm building a new PC (sort of, I'm re-using my SSD, HDD and my GPUs from my current PC) and I need help choosing a PSU. So far I like the Corsair AX860 (the non-i version) for $313 however I'm not sure it will provide enough power. I checked using the eXtreme Power Supply Calculator (www.extreme.outervision.com) and I get 825w using the following settings:

Motherboard: regular desktop (haven't decided which yet, probably either ASUS VII Hero or Z97 Pro/Deluxe)
CPU: Intel 4790 (I will be getting the k version and overclocking but the list didn't have it)
RAM: 4x DDR3 1866 1.5v
GPU: 2x HD 7970 GHZ
SSD: 1x Samsung 840 Pro 256GB (I will add more in future)
HDD: 2x 7200RPM WD Black 500GB
Optical: 1x DVD RW
Cooling: Corsair H105
USB devices: 5+
Fans: 6-7 high performance (incl water cooling fans), some with LEDs
Load: 100% (I used this setting just to be safe even though the system won't often be at 100% load, at 90% load the usage was 740w with no overclocking)
Capacitor aging: 20% (I will be keeping this PC for awhile and in the notes it says to use 10-20% in this case)

With the above it seems to be getting pretty close to 860w without overclocking and I would like room to upgrade in the future (Probably won't ever go for more GPUs or anything like that just more storage, blu-ray drive etc.)

My question is will a Corsair 860w platinum rated PSU likely be enough or should I spend more to get something like the Seasonic SS-1000XP (1000w)?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
smithinator (15240)
1383429 2014-09-08 05:22:00 I'd expect it to be fine, I've run extremely close to the recommendations from that calculator a few times without problems (currently have an i5, GTX 760, & 2 HDDs off a 300W SFF PSU :)).

However if you are happy with spending that amount and want to be safe just drop down do the RM gold rated series and get the 1000W for the same price (ish) www.computerlounge.co.nz

Still a very nice PSU and I'd be more concerned with the headroom than the efficiency personally.
dugimodo (138)
1383430 2014-09-08 08:01:00 I'd expect it to be fine, I've run extremely close to the recommendations from that calculator a few times without problems (currently have an i5, GTX 760, & 2 HDDs off a 300W SFF PSU :)).

However if you are happy with spending that amount and want to be safe just drop down do the RM gold rated series and get the 1000W for the same price (ish) www.computerlounge.co.nz

Still a very nice PSU and I'd be more concerned with the headroom than the efficiency personally.

I was thinking about the RM series but I got put off them when I read this post: why you might not want to buy a corsair rm psu (www.overclock.net)

I also really like the idea of the 7 vs 5 year warranty as I usually keep a build for a long time and re-use the psu when I can.
smithinator (15240)
1383431 2014-09-08 19:54:00 I'm liking Antec more these days. pctek (84)
1383432 2014-09-08 22:08:00 The problem is that most PSU brands dont make the PSU's, they just rebrand someone elses product.

So you really dont know what brand you are actually buying, the name on the box doesnt mean that much.
So this means, for example Corsair sell some very good product, they also sell some not so good product.
1101 (13337)
1383433 2014-09-09 01:44:00 The problem is that most PSU brands dont make the PSU's, they just rebrand someone elses product.

So you really dont know what brand you are actually buying, the name on the box doesnt mean that much.
So this means, for example Corsair sell some very good product, they also sell some not so good product.

I've been looking into who actually makes the PSU vs who has rebranded it. The AX860 (non-i) is Seasonic made and I've only ever read good things about them. Otherwise I was looking at the Cooler Master V Series 1000 W which is also Seasonic made however it is using the KM3 platform so it is Gold vs Platinum rated and comes in around $370. I could spend $30 more ($400) to get the Seasonic Platinum Series 1000W but its more than I wanted to spend and it has ugly cables (I know thats me being picky but the full stealth black cables look so much better)

From what I've been reading 1000w is overkill for most systems (especially if only using 2 GPUs) so If I can get away with it I would like to go for a higher efficiency 850/860w PSU if my system won't have any problems running on it (even with overclocking).


I'm liking Antec more these days.

Thanks for the suggestion I'll check out their PSUs now :)
smithinator (15240)
1383434 2014-09-09 02:27:00 The problem is that most PSU brands dont make the PSU's, they just rebrand someone elses product.



True in a lot of cases, however you can use sites like this to check the model you are thinking of:

www.silentpcreview.com
pctek (84)
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