Having problems choosing a power supply

[piromaneak]

I can't decide really what to get as far as PSUs. I don't need to post specs right now because I want to get the highest rated wattage (Or atleast over 500W) so don't worry about the specs. I want to focus mainly on the PSUs themselves. I've somewhat narrowed it down to these:

PC Power & Cooling Turbo-Cool 510 (Of which there are an inordinate amount of versions; if anyone can explain some of them to me that would be very helpful)

OCZ Powerstream 600

I also have a question about PFC: Only the EU versions of the OCZ Powerstream have it but all the Turbo-Cools have it. I've read that it makes the PC draw less power but can in fact lead to slightly less efficiency (Power Ratio) for your computer. Is this bad? Should I be so worried if I don't get Active PFC?

Also, if any of you have any other PSUs you would recommend over these that are WARRANTED not just your personal pick (PLEASE provide relevant info to back up your claim) then please by all means post so that I can get a general idea of which PSU to pick. Thanks in advance

-Dave

 

[Pr0d1gy]

You have nothing to worry about with either of those from what everyone here says.

 

[piromaneak]

I know but TWO PSUs won't fit in one system One has to be even ever so slightly better than the other.... Need more opinions please help!

 

[AristoV300]

PC Power and Cooling 510 is a great PSU but very expensive. THey make different versions for SLI, PCI-e and so on. You may want to look at the Antec 480 Neopower, that is a great PSU as well also with Active PFC.

 

[jonnyGURU]

If you have the money for the PC Power and Cooling, get the PC Power and Cooling.

To compare the PC Power and Cooling to an OCZ is like comparing an H2 to a bicycle. There IS no comparison.

They are priced a bit high. They should only cost about 75% of what they do, but after they go from Asia to Cali and then get fiddled with in Cali, the overhead has tripled, but there's no denying they're the best out there.

As for the differences.... They're all the same on the inside. The differences are in the cables coming out. The Deluxe puts the weave over the cables. The Express has six instead of four SATA connectors and a PCI Express connector and the 510 SLI has TWO PCI Express power connectors.

As for Active PFC: This just makes the juice from the mains clean in order to make the power company happy. It does nothing for the power in your PC. In fact, most power supplies that have Active PFC take a hit in the efficiency department, so what's worse?

 

[KoolDrew]

I still think you should post your specs. There is no reason to get the highest rated PSU if you don't need it.

 

[jonnyGURU]

Originally posted by: KoolDrew
I still think you should post your specs. There is no reason to get the highest rated PSU if you don't need it.

No. There IS no reason. But people do it any way.

There's no reason to barrel down the road in an H2 or an Escalade, but people do it any way.

Human race: God gave us free-will, but no common sense.

 

[ribbon13]

Originally posted by: piromaneak
I can't decide really what to get as far as PSUs. I don't need to post specs right now because I want to get the highest rated wattage (Or atleast over 500W) so don't worry about the specs. I want to focus mainly on the PSUs themselves. I've somewhat narrowed it down to these:
-Dave

Emphasis mine, others have already told you this would be redundant for any computer system. But here you go...

Zippy PSL-6701P-SATA

PC Power & Cooling - Turbo-Cool 850 SSI

 

[piromaneak]

So I take it the PC Power and Cooling is the H2 and not the bicycle johnny?

I have heard some great things about their PSUs and saw some of them in a review... But then many other round-ups os PSUs don't include them and I'm curious as to why? Yet almost EVERYONE has heard of the OCZ PowerStream. I guess it's just marketing. Like the PCP&C site. Not to flashy but doesn't look like it's been done up by a 4 year old in paint. True "Electrical Engineer" type look. I guess that's cuz they spend more time building PSUs then writing new code and making Flash movies for their site

 

[ribbon13]

I think this speaks for itself. nVidia certified SLI power supplies.

 

[piromaneak]

Well, I'm not running SLi So im not too concerned with that aspect or that Power supply's price lol...

I was eyeing the 510 Express because it has the PCIe connector as well as SATA and the usual 24 pin and 4 pin mainboard connections and molex. I saw it in one review I think it was at the amdmb.com or something to that effect. It was VERY steady, no matter what they threw at it, brownouts, spikes etc. the voltages supplied did not change not even by .01... I think I might get the PCP&C. The only thing that concerns me is that it only has one fan so it can't really draw it (somewhat) cool air from the case only suck out air from the PSU itself. Would this be a cause for concern? Because I noticed the OCZ PowerStream has two 80mm fans for cooling.

 

[ribbon13]

Dual fans are diminished returns. Dual fans give maybe +4CFM, 3db more noise and double the possibility of mechanical failure. Marketing gimmick. Single 120mm is far more efficient. PSU's don't need a lot of static pressure.

 

[piromaneak]

i guess im just alittle paranoid because i think its going to raise the case temp as opposed to dual fans... ya know how having a 2 fanned PSU acts as just one more airflow for hot air to escape the case...

 

[piromaneak]

you think that would be a problem ribbon?

 

[ribbon13]

If you want overkill with airflow, this will save you $90, and be quieter to boot.

$145.99 Seasonic S12-500

Turbo-Cool 510 Express @44CFM

S12-500 @61CFM

 

[piromaneak]

well I'm asking if just having one fan would be a problem?

(Also, may I see a review of the Seasonic maybe compared to the Turbo-Cool? That would be nice to see a comparison of some sort... I've never heard of Seasonic)

 

[piromaneak]

btw who the hell sells the turbo cool i can't find it on newegg or zzf?

 

[John]

Originally posted by: ribbon13
I think this speaks for itself. nVidia certified SLI power supplies.

Certified by NVIDIA or not, PCP&C is not a logical solution for everyone. Here are other psu's that will power an "average" 6800 Ultra SLI rig with a couple of HDD's and a pair of optical drives as well.

OZA PowerStream 420w

OCZ ModStream 450w

Seasonic Super Silencer 460w

Enermax 460w EG465P-VE 24P

Tagan 480w TG-480

Forton Blue Storm 500w

OCZ PowerStream 520w (I own this one)

Antec True 550 EPS12v

 

[John]

Originally posted by: piromaneak
btw who the hell sells the turbo cool i can't find it on newegg or zzf?

http://www.pcpowerandcooling.com/prices/index.htm

 

[piromaneak]

yea john as I said im not worried about SLI... And I was hoping not to buy direct from the manufactuerer but oh well...

I was looking at the OCZ PowerStream 600 as I stated in my first post but some people said it didnt come with all the connectors that the Turbo-Cool express does and is not as stable power wise...

 

[John]

The OCZ 600w PowerStream is a dual rail unit, and has 13 connectors, and only one PCI-E adapter. Your PCI-E "SLI capable" card should come with it's own adapter anyhow. If you want a single rail unit the OCZ 520w PowerStream has 33A on the +12v while the 510-SLI has 34A. The OCZ PS 420/520/600 also have adjustable rails and quiet fans. The 510 series are very noisy units so that's something to keep in mind.

PFC isn't really necessary in the USA, and should not be a deciding factor when purchasing a psu.

 

[piromaneak]

Yea I just saw the PowerStream 600s tag... i dont think so! heh

I'm just running an X850 XT PE.... I just want to make sure the OCZ PowerStream has all the right connectors... I have two SATA devices, a PCIe card and an ATX2.03 board so I want to make sure that the OCZ has all that stuff. I wasn't really concerned with PFC especially after I saw that I would get diminished efficientcy... and I'm not to hip about the sound levels of the 510 but I thought it was a pretty solid PSU but now I'm starting to lean more towards the OCZ especially its 140 tag instead of the $240 turbo 510 express :/

 

[imported_RedStar]

OCZ mod 450 is what i bought for 97$ CDn. (for two 6600 gt ..eventually)

Not only is it ultra quiet/customizable/quality shielded/rock stable BUT...but the cables glow in the presence of UV!!

 

[piromaneak]

Do you know if the PowerStream 520 has all the connectors I would need RedStar?

 

[John]

Originally posted by: piromaneak
Do you know if the PowerStream 520 has all the connectors I would need RedStar?

Yes.