BFG LS-550 or BFG GS-550 ?

[Nolf3]

Was trying to get a new PSU and saw that newegg has the LS-550 for $79.99 w/ $20 rebate dropping it to $59.99 or they have the GS-550 for $59.99 no rebate. Is there a big difference in the two that I need to consider to go thru the hassle of rebate for the LS (I know it got a good review here at Anandtech). My system is very basic but my PSU burned out.

C2D 2.4GHz
4GB Memory
PNY 9600GT video
2 SATA drives
1 CD/DVD drive

minimal gaming

Thank you for any help

 

[HOOfan 1]

There is a big difference, but either will run your system

LS-550 Is made by Enhance, rated at 40C, rated at Continuous output. Has 4 20A 12V virtual rails and a total of 500W available for 12V.

GS-550 I believe is made by Huntkey, rated at 25C, rated at Peak output. Has 2 18A 12V virtual rails and is only good for 432W total 12V.

 

[Nolf3]

Thanks H00fan 1

Sorry for the noob questions since I really do not know much at all about PSU's and their specs but so the LS would be better if I had alot more attached devices and/or I did heavy gaming for long periods of time ? Or why would I want/need the LS other than the total W's being higher 500W vs 432W? Thanks again

 

[HOOfan 1]

Well like I said, the GS-550 is rated at 25C (which is about room temperature) your computer will be hotter than that and as temperature goes up the amount of power the PSU can provide goes down. Also it is rated at Peak, which is like a burst power, not something that it can sustain. If it were rated at 40C and Continous like the LS-550 then it would be more like a 400-450W PSU, which would still power your setup.

If you had a more powerful graphics card, that would be the biggest determining factor in getting the LS over the GS. Graphics cards can pull a lot of 12V power, and it is always best not to try pushing a PSU to its very limits. Loading it under 65% of its rated output is advisable.

 

[magreen]

There's also the quality issue. The LS uses higher quality components. Even if your system's power draw is low enough that either the LS or GS could handle it, the LS will provide cleaner power closer to spec with less noise and ripple. It's good for the longevity of your parts and for OCing.

 

[Nolf3]

Thanks again H00fan 1

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Originally posted by: Nolf3
Thanks again H00fan 1

See my recent thread on the GS-550. I got mine from BFG's store direct for $40, and I'm not even going to bother RMA'ing it. If I'd been inside the PSU's case when it went south just after installation, I suspect it would've looked like Frankenstein's la-BOR-atory with all the arcing and Tesla-generated lightening-FX.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: Nolf3
Was trying to get a new PSU and saw that newegg has the LS-550 for $79.99 w/ $20 rebate dropping it to $59.99 or they have the GS-550 for $59.99 no rebate.

The LS is better, hands down. Just do the rebate (remembering to do EVERYTHING it asks for) and you will get it.

Originally posted by: HOOfan 1
LS-550 Is made by Enhance, rated at 40C, rated at Continuous output. Has 4 20A 12V virtual rails and a total of 500W available for 12V.

The "old" LS-550 has quad rails with 480W combined. The "new" LS-550 by Enhance is a single 42A rail with 504W.

Originally posted by: BonzaiDuck
I got mine from BFG's store direct for $40, and I'm not even going to bother RMA'ing it.

You really should. I'd want to "make it right" plus failure analysis might be useful.

 

[HOOfan 1]

Originally posted by: Zap

Originally posted by: HOOfan 1
LS-550 Is made by Enhance, rated at 40C, rated at Continuous output. Has 4 20A 12V virtual rails and a total of 500W available for 12V.

The "old" LS-550 has quad rails with 480W combined. The "new" LS-550 by Enhance is a single 42A rail with 504W.

I think we are both wrong. The label on the old Forepoint unit said 500W for 12V.

I forgot that the new Enhance unit was single rail.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: HOOfan 1

Originally posted by: Zap
The "old" LS-550 has quad rails with 480W combined. The "new" LS-550 by Enhance is a single 42A rail with 504W.

The label on the old Forepoint unit said 500W for 12V.

I was just going off the specs

I'll check with JG tomorrow. Maybe typo on web page?

 

[HOOfan 1]

Paul Johnson pulled 483W out of it, but obviously it could be and probably is underrated at whichever rating is the official one.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Originally posted by: Zap

Originally posted by: Nolf3
Was trying to get a new PSU and saw that newegg has the LS-550 for $79.99 w/ $20 rebate dropping it to $59.99 or they have the GS-550 for $59.99 no rebate.

The LS is better, hands down. Just do the rebate (remembering to do EVERYTHING it asks for) and you will get it.

Originally posted by: HOOfan 1
LS-550 Is made by Enhance, rated at 40C, rated at Continuous output. Has 4 20A 12V virtual rails and a total of 500W available for 12V.

The "old" LS-550 has quad rails with 480W combined. The "new" LS-550 by Enhance is a single 42A rail with 504W.

Originally posted by: BonzaiDuck
I got mine from BFG's store direct for $40, and I'm not even going to bother RMA'ing it.

You really should. I'd want to "make it right" plus failure analysis might be useful.

Maybe. But excluding the "spesh-ull dee-ul," their suggested MSRP was closer to $90. You can get a Seasonic 550HT for less than that, and like I said, just hefting them and looking through the ventilated PSU-shroud for heatsinks tells something -- tells a lot. I'm not sure I want to spring for RMA postage just to get it back in working order -- it's a PITA.