Best PSU for Quad core machine?

[altec1000]

Hi there..

I hope someone out there can help me with a PSU question..
Ive recently bought a Medion M8833 system with intel Q6600 quad core
and MSI MS-7502 mainboard..the board has 3 gig on board memory,
nvidia geforce 8600 GT graphics and DVD burner running vista.

While a lot of the componants seem ok, my last computer PSU blew up
taking the main board with it and i dont want to repeat the experience
so im looking to remove the standard 400w PSU and put in a good quality
one into my new rig.

heres a link to a PDF to the MSI mainboard manual
http://www.medionsupport.com/files/8828/manual/7502.pdf

I will be using this computer mainly for photoshop and video editing
and the system will have three internal hard drives maybe four..
im not going to be gaming with it though.

ive looked around and various models have been suggested such as:

Antec Trio Power 650 w
Coolmaster realpower pro 650w
Corsair HX-620 w
seasonic 600 w
Thermaltake tough power 650w
OCZ gamer x stream 700 w

I would like to know which of the above or any other PSU you guys might
suggest is best suited for my needs..

thanks in advance for your help!

 

[DSF]

With an 8600GT you really don't need nearly that much power. A good 430-450W PSU should do you just fine.

The Antec Earthwatts 430W was on sale at Newegg recently and still may be. However, they recently changed OEMs, and there isn't much information on the quality of the new supplies yet. I'm not sure whether Newegg is shipping the old Seasonic version or the new Delta version.

The Corsair 450VX would be another good candidate.

 

[altec1000]

Thanks DSF..

a couple of things spring to mind..
is there any disadvantage to putting in a 600/650w PSU?..to allow future
upgrades?..
and would not a more powerful PSU not be helpful if two or three of the
hard drives are being used at once when rendering photoshop images/video
footage etc
thanks in advance..

 

[Acanthus]

Originally posted by: altec1000
Thanks DSF..

a couple of things spring to mind..
is there any disadvantage to putting in a 600/650w PSU?..to allow future
upgrades?..
and would not a more powerful PSU not be helpful if two or three of the
hard drives are being used at once when rendering photoshop images/video
footage etc
thanks in advance..

HDs draw very little power in comparison to graphics card and cpu. There really is no significant damage to "overshooting the mark" with your PSU for upgrades later, other than paying more now when more powerful supplies will likely be cheaper during your upgrade cycle.

 

[DSF]

Originally posted by: altec1000
Thanks DSF..

a couple of things spring to mind..
is there any disadvantage to putting in a 600/650w PSU?..to allow future
upgrades?..
and would not a more powerful PSU not be helpful if two or three of the
hard drives are being used at once when rendering photoshop images/video
footage etc
thanks in advance..

No, there's no real harm in getting a larger PSU than you need.

 

[altec1000]

Thanks for your helpful info guys..

i have imputted my system information into two web based power supply calculators and was getting results of around 460w moving up to 520w

if i add an age/wattage loss factor of 30%..so im thinking around 500w is the way to go..which do you think is the better options

for my system between:

PC Power & Cooling Silencer PPCS500 500W
Corsair 550vx or
Corsair 520hx


thanks in advance

 

[BassBomb]

HX if you want modular, if you don't care for modular go for the VX

 

[beray]

Originally posted by: altec1000
Thanks for your helpful info guys..

i have imputted my system information into two web based power supply calculators and was getting results of around 460w moving up to 520w

if i add an age/wattage loss factor of 30%..so im thinking around 500w is the way to go..which do you think is the better options

for my system between:

PC Power & Cooling Silencer PPCS500 500W
Corsair 550vx or
Corsair 520hx


thanks in advance

When you look for and compare PSUs, first look at their PSU labels. If you see a PSU label like the below...

http://c1.neweggimages.com/New...mage/17-703-015-08.jpg

That is a corner cutting label, PSU label is the first likely used to cut cost, when you see it you should consider what else got cut in that PSU.

A full complete literate PSU label example below...

http://c1.neweggimages.com/New...mage/17-341-002-04.jpg

As for the 3 PSUs listed, the Corsair 550VX is the best of the lot for reliable output power.

 

[beray]

@altec1000

Toward the bottom of this locked thread below you will find 2 750W PSUs made by the same OEM.

One is a corner cutting PSU and the other not.

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...erthread=y&STARTPAGE=2

 

[Quiksilver]

Originally posted by: beray
When you look for and compare PSUs, first look at their PSU labels. If you see a PSU label like the below...

http://c1.neweggimages.com/New...mage/17-703-015-08.jpg

That is a corner cutting label, PSU label is the first likely used to cut cost, when you see it you should consider what else got cut in that PSU.

A full complete literate PSU label example below...

http://c1.neweggimages.com/New...mage/17-341-002-04.jpg

shows otherwise...

...with the ocz psu ripple going over atx specifications.

 

[beray]

Originally posted by: Quiksilver
shows otherwise...

...with the ocz psu ripple going over atx specifications.

I suppose some idiots would be using their PSU in the idiot-proof power margin region they would definitely have problem with 150mV of noise ripples.

But most likely the idiots would kill their hardware and even the PSU before 150mV noise ripples could even cause any problem.

Maybe idiots should buy twice what they actually needed.

 

[Quiksilver]

Originally posted by: beray

Originally posted by: Quiksilver
shows otherwise...

...with the ocz psu ripple going over atx specifications.

I suppose some idiots would be using their PSU in the idiot-proof power margin region they would definitely have problem with 150mV of noise ripples.

But most likely the idiots would kill their hardware and even the PSU before 150mV noise ripples could even cause any problem.

Maybe idiots should buy twice what they actually needed.

One
I think you really should stop calling just about every person in the world who purchase their own computer parts "idiots".

Two
The PSU is rated for 700W and should at least be able to handle that amount and still be withing ATX specifications but it's not.

Three
Even by test three which was just shy of 400W it was already touching 100mv. In summary it's noise was already greater than most of it's competition; granted you don't include some cheap-ass company like Coolmax or Raidmax.

 

[beray]

Originally posted by: Quiksilver

One
I think you really should stop calling just about every person in the world who purchase their own computer parts "idiots".

I can only recognized idiots from their posts, the one not using their brains.

Originally posted by: Quiksilver
Two
The PSU is rated for 700W and should at least be able to handle that amount and still be withing ATX specifications but it's not.

Idiots use 700W PSU at their 700W limit, EEs don't. 75% to 100% power range is the 3dB idiot-proof power margin. Educated non EEs called it the Standard Deviation power margin.

Originally posted by: Quiksilver
Three
Even by test three which was just shy of 400W it was already touching 100mv. In summary it's noise was already greater than most of it's competition; granted you don't include some cheap-ass company like Coolmax or Raidmax.

It's irrelevant when the noise ripple level is well within spec in all normal operating power range.

 

[Quiksilver]

Originally posted by: beray

Originally posted by: Quiksilver

One
I think you really should stop calling just about every person in the world who purchase their own computer parts "idiots".

I can only recognized idiots from their posts, the one not using their brains.

Originally posted by: Quiksilver
Two
The PSU is rated for 700W and should at least be able to handle that amount and still be withing ATX specifications but it's not.

Idiots use 700W PSU at their 700W limit, EEs don't. 75% to 100% power range is the 3dB idiot-proof power margin. Educated non EEs called it the Standard Deviation power margin.

Originally posted by: Quiksilver
Three
Even by test three which was just shy of 400W it was already touching 100mv. In summary it's noise was already greater than most of it's competition; granted you don't include some cheap-ass company like Coolmax or Raidmax.

It's irrelevant when the noise ripple level is well within spec in all normal operating power range.

One:
Not gonna comment.

Two:
...and what about those who don't and their machines whatever the reason take a slight power usage spike? Also what does the decibel rating have anything to do with PSU's other than fan noise?

Three:
...but you were complaining about the corsair PSU's in another thread claiming poor cross-load testing between independently and group regulated PSU's yet this PSU does worse than either...

 

[beray]

Originally posted by: Quiksilver

Two:
...and what about those who don't and their machines whatever the reason take a slight power usage spike? Also what does the decibel rating have anything to do with PSU's other than fan noise?

Those who don't would have problem with the spikes. If you don't know what its for - it drops the possible failure rate to ZERO. For military grade PSUs, it's even higher as less than ZERO failure rate is a must.

Originally posted by: Quiksilver
Three:
...but you were complaining about the corsair PSU's in another thread claiming poor cross-load testing between independently and group regulated PSU's yet this PSU does worse than either...

Noise ripples in the top of 3dB idiot-proof power range would not cause cross regulation failure, or any failure period.

Idiots with no clue can test "Independently regulated" and "crossloading" for the rest of their life would find nothing when the power rails are "Independently regulated".

"Independently regulated" don't crossload.