Good quality low-wattage supplies? *UPDATED*

[RavenGuard]

I'm putting together a system along these lines:

Phenom II x2 550
2GB Mushkin EM2-800
HD 4770 512mb
GA-MA780G-UD3H

It is going to be used to play Arma 2 and that is about all it will be used for. Essentially, this means that it will be fairly well loaded most of the time it is being used (100% GPU for sure, likely 80% or more CPU)

I'm trying to keep this thing as inexpensive as possible (read: value oriented, not cheap) and I don't want to compromise on the PSU. The Corsair 400w looks like it may be my best bet, because it leaves a little room to grow and I know it's good quality/will last a long time with this setup if nothing changes. Honestly, I know that this system will not be using much power, but I don't know if I should trust any of the lower-end solutions. I could probably get away with something like a Cooler Master 460 watt or something in that range ($50-60) but I don't know if that would be a very unsafe decision. I don't need it to handle any higher-end cards, I just need to know I have a good likelihood of having the computer last a couple years without a replacement.

 

[seemingly random]

Corsair 450w - slightly better components than 400w.

Seasonic 330w or 380w - not as quiet as the Corsairs but will be masked by the gpu fan.

Shop around for price.

 

[RavenGuard]

I think the 400w should be sufficient if I were to assume it is rated to run at a constant 400w. I don't know where I can get seasonic supplies around here unfortunately... I'd probably go the 380w route.

 

[jonnyGURU]

Micro Center has an exclusive deal on the BFG LS-450. $59.99. No rebates or anything. In some of the store too.

http://www.microcenter.com/sin...tml?product_id=0314011

 

[RavenGuard]

After all I decided to go with the corsair 400 watt. My store just got them in stock today. Thanks for the advice

 

[seemingly random]

Originally posted by: RavenGuard
After all I decided to go with the corsair 400 watt. My store just got them in stock today. Thanks for the advice

A fine choice.

I'd be interested in knowing how much power the system is actually consuming. I'd guess <100 at idle and <200 at load.

 

[RavenGuard]

Yeah, I'd say once the CPU is overclocked it'll max out at around 250 watts for the whole system.

 

[seemingly random]

Originally posted by: RavenGuard
Yeah, I'd say once the CPU is overclocked it'll max out at around 250 watts for the whole system.

Post back if you ever verify power usage. We all like to speculate and it would be interesting to see how close we are.

 

[firewolfsm]

I can say that my Seasonic 430W had kept the system in my sig very stable for two years now. 350W will likely be more than enough for you.

 

[RavenGuard]

Originally posted by: seemingly random

Originally posted by: RavenGuard
Yeah, I'd say once the CPU is overclocked it'll max out at around 250 watts for the whole system.

Post back if you ever verify power usage. We all like to speculate and it would be interesting to see how close we are.

Alright, I have built the PC except for the 4770, they won't be in stock for a few days. So far, it idles at around 80 watts and full load (on the cpu) to about 130 watts, so it looks like 250ish is going to be more or less like it.

Also, I popped my Phenom II X4 940 stock cooler on the X3 710, and it idles under 30*, full load 41*, and this is in a relatively warm room. Talk about a great stock cooler.

Also, loving the CM360 case, it was an awesome choice and the front mounted PSU rules... lots of space in the case and good cooling. Even the little Cooler Master logo spins so you can have it the right way if the PC is standing or laying on it's side

Anyhow, I will test again once the 4770 is in and report back.

 

[RavenGuard]

Ok, 4770 came in yesterday and I have it up and running. So far there is no OC, but apparently there is tonnes of room for one.

Here are the results:

Off: 4 watts
Idle: 112 watts
Load: 163 watts (prime95 only)
Load: 217 watts (prime95 + furmark)


Here are the final specs of the system:
Phenom II X3 710 @2.6ghz
2gb Mushkin EM2-6400
GA-MA780G-UD3H (onboard audio/video disabled)
HD 4770 512mb
Seagate 7200.12 500gb
Crappy LG dvd-rom
Corsair 400watt


Also, the 4770 is running very cool (idles under 50* and load about 65*) and the X3 710 runs at about 30* idle and 40* load on the stock X4 940 cooler, so I'm going to be attempting a modest OC and see how far I can go with these cheapy parts.