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Is a PC Power and Cooling 510-SLI worth it?

M

mrBA1105

Member
Hey guys, I'm currently working on my new build, and I came across this beauty. You guys think its worth the $240+? Is it quiet? I know its reliable, and the 5 year warranty is definitely a plus. Also, when I continue to upgrade and add to my computer down the line, I really don't think this thing will have any trouble with that. BTW, I'll be running an Asus A8N-SLI Deluxe, BFG Geforce 6800 GT OC, Audigy 2 ZS Platinum, so far 1 SATA HDD, 2 optical drives, and a floppy. Bottom line question is... is this bad boy worth the money? Thanks.
 
If you decide to buy it I hope you can get it. Alienware bought up the entire first production run. I got two of them about 10 days ago and the shipping clerk told me he shipped about 300 supplies (most of which were SLI's) the day before I was there!

Excellent supply and PCP&C are real easy to get a long with. They don't fall over if you ask them to make some changes prior to shipment thogh it may cost a few weeks and a few bucks. I have heard of people running dual CPU and 10 HD's on their supplies without even a hickup.
 
They're definitely on the loud side, but with the system it sounds like you're putting together it'll probably be drowned out.

-HC-
 
I went ahead an bought it.... I can't believe I just dished out $268 for a power supply. But I guess it's better for the long run. I hope i don't regret it.
 
While I'm not one to 'cheap-out' when it comes to my hardware, I would have a seriously difficult time justifying spending over $250 on a PSU. For that kind of money, it better not only run my current rig, but anything I put on it over the next 5 years. It also better be damned cool running, lowering my case temps. It would also help if it made me coffee in the morning, after roasting the beans and then grinding them to perfection. A hummer at night would also help to justify the cost, but not by much. :Q

Since it's been commented as being on the loud side, that would nix it for me. I'm going for cool AND silent in my current tower/rig... Having a louder PSU would spoil that.
 
FWIW, I bought a Neo Power and later replaced it with a PC P&C 510-SLI.

My config is a bit odd/old:
- P4 2.6 GHz
- ASUS P4G8X (Granite Bay) w/ 1 GB RAM
- ATi 8500 Pro
- Soundblaster Live 5.1 Platinum
- HPT IDE controller card
- Hauppauge PVR-250
- 8x 250 GB hard drives (7200 rpm)
- Lite-On DVD burner
- Antec AMB7000B case w/ two 120mm fans


With the Neo Power, the system came up OK, but, as the system heated up, the PS fan would go nearly full tilt. I'm thinking that I'm pushing the Neo Power close to the edge for my comfort.

With the PC P&C 510-SLI, the fan is indeed rather loud. I asked the tech at PC P&C for suggestions. He thought their Silencer 480 PS could handle my system with 7 hard drives, but, 8 would be close to the edge. I asked if I could have the loud fan in the 510-SLI replaced with something quieter and he said that they no longer offer than mod --- too many thermal issues.

The 510-SLI's fan is loud, but, not as loud as I thought it would be.

I plan to upgrade to a SLI configuration (probably something like the ASUS A8N-SLI) in a few months. I'll probably look to putting a quieter configuraiton together with the Neo Power and with fewer hard drives.

I read in Maximum PC that PC P&C is thinking of offering a 800W PS with four independent 12V rails. That might be the ultimate solution, but, I would imagine it would sell for a bit more than $200. 🙁

- Marcos
 
I went ahead an bought it.... I can't believe I just dished out $268 for a power supply. But I guess it's better for the long run. I hope i don't regret it.
Click to expand...
I have a 510 ATX Deluxe, and while it is more noisy than some other PS' the PCP & Cs' I've heard that CLAIM the same or greater wattage, they really aren't THAT bad.

Performancewise, PCP & Cs' really are in a class by themselves. Best construction: beefiest caps, heatsinks, and wiring. Tightest power regulation. Also, the longest and best warranty in the industry, although I've never had to exercise any warranties. I currently own three (3) PCP & Cs - a 510 ATX Deluxe in my rig, a 425 ATX Deluxe in my wife's, and a Turbo 400 Slim in an old dual 200Mhz/512K Pentium Pro system. Know what? That Turbo 400 Slim still works to this day. Its like 10 years old.

PCP & C also offers lots of "extras" that you can order not mentioned on their web site such as externally adjustable pots (potentiometers) for tweaking the rails, ect. Sense you already ordered it you probably confirmed (as TopNurse said), that PCP & C salespeople won't push options on you at all. I think at that this price level they figure someone ordering a PS of this caliber KNOWS exactly what they want and will specify exactly what they want.

If you appreciate quality and are not super-sensistive to fan noise I don't think you will be disappointed with your purchase. You can always buy a competitor's "equivalent" product locally and test them both in your system for a little while and decide for yourself.

 
Yeah it not as loud as every one makes it out to be. I was afraid about this when I bought it but it one of the cleanest PSU I have bought. Rock solid solved a majority of stability problem with my Asus A8N. This is a no frills PSU, not LED no nothing. Its industrial looking.
 
Originally posted by: mrBA1105
Hey guys, I'm currently working on my new build, and I came across this beauty. You guys think its worth the $240+? Is it quiet? I know its reliable, and the 5 year warranty is definitely a plus. Also, when I continue to upgrade and add to my computer down the line, I really don't think this thing will have any trouble with that. BTW, I'll be running an Asus A8N-SLI Deluxe, BFG Geforce 6800 GT OC, Audigy 2 ZS Platinum, so far 1 SATA HDD, 2 optical drives, and a floppy. Bottom line question is... is this bad boy worth the money? Thanks.
Click to expand...

The Nidec fan is rather loud for my tastes and pushes a good amt of CFM's, but PCP&C's supplies have the beatiful option of a 2 pin connector which attaches the PSU fan to the PSU itself (no soldered wires here!!) You will just have to order a 3 pin to 2 pin connector from here--> http://www.buyextras.com/22femaco3cof1.html to do the job and buy a 80mm fan of your choice (relatively comparable cfm spec's to the Nidec) and install it. Remember this VOIDS the warranty. And YES, I think these PSU's are very much WORTH it! 😉
 
Originally posted by: JBDan
The Nidec fan is rather loud for my tastes and pushes a good amt of CFM's, but PCP&C's supplies have the beatiful option of a 2 pin connector which attaches the PSU fan to the PSU itself (no soldered wires here!!) You will just have to order a 3 pin to 2 pin connector from here--> http://www.buyextras.com/22femaco3cof1.html to do the job and buy a 80mm fan of your choice (relatively comparable cfm spec's to the Nidec) and install it. Remember this VOIDS the warranty. And YES, I think these PSU's are very much WORTH it! 😉
Click to expand...

Any recommendations for a replacement fan that's both quieter and pushes sufficient air?

I only did a quick glance at my power supply, but, didn't find any tamper proof stickers preventing opening this thing up and experimenting with a new fan....

- Marcos
 
Originally posted by: marcosv
Originally posted by: JBDan
The Nidec fan is rather loud for my tastes and pushes a good amt of CFM's, but PCP&C's supplies have the beatiful option of a 2 pin connector which attaches the PSU fan to the PSU itself (no soldered wires here!!) You will just have to order a 3 pin to 2 pin connector from here--> http://www.buyextras.com/22femaco3cof1.html to do the job and buy a 80mm fan of your choice (relatively comparable cfm spec's to the Nidec) and install it. Remember this VOIDS the warranty. And YES, I think these PSU's are very much WORTH it! 😉
Click to expand...

Any recommendations for a replacement fan that's both quieter and pushes sufficient air?

I only did a quick glance at my power supply, but, didn't find any tamper proof stickers preventing opening this thing up and experimenting with a new fan....

- Marcos
Click to expand...

I use an 80mm SilenX, but most here will bash this company and its products. It does well for me and is inaudible. Since you are going SLI and heat will be an issue then I recommend this -->http://www.directron.com/fba08a12h.html
This is what I used --> http://www.3dcool.com/Details.asp?cid=92&id=344 You really cannot hear the Silenx AT ALL, but I think you need more cfm's and silence is probably not an issue for you. I here great things about Yate Loons, but have no experience with them. You have several options it seems. Papst is another quality fan you could consider. G-Luck and try to stay around 36-42 cfm especially if oc'ing. 🙂
 
Originally posted by: JBDan

I use an 80mm SilenX, but most here will bash this company and its products. It does well for me and is inaudible. Since you are going SLI and heat will be an issue then I recommend this -->http://www.directron.com/fba08a12h.html
This is what I used --> http://www.3dcool.com/Details.asp?cid=92&id=344 You really cannot hear the Silenx AT ALL, but I think you need more cfm's and silence is probably not an issue for you. I here great things about Yate Loons, but have no experience with them. You have several options it seems. Papst is another quality fan you could consider. G-Luck and try to stay around 36-42 cfm especially if oc'ing. 🙂
Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestions. I think I'll buy one of each and give them both a try.


- Marcos



 
PCP&C is one of the best you can get. However the OCZ 520 and the ZIppy equivelant are on the top teir as well. Those three are the best PSU's you can get.

Im not sure about the Zippy, except that it is very very powerful

I have the OCZ and it is incredible. It is quiet and provides as much if not more power than the PCP&C. The PCP&C has Active PFC and tighter voltage regulation however.

I would definately look at the OCZ and Zippy. You simply dont get any better than these three manf.

-Kevin
 
I got a PC Power & Cooling 510 Deluxe earlier this month and installed that bad boy recently. It is louder than I expected but other than that it is running my system without any problems. It is the best purchase by far in my first built system.
 
It just seems to me that this PSU is overkill. A Winchester CPU and a single GFU doesn't need anywhere close to 34 amps on the 12V rail.

All these arguments of "it's the last PSU you'll ever buy" are questionable. Think about it: If you can rationalize purchasing this PSU now, when you don't remotely need it, two to three years from now (when you're ready to build your next system), there will be some new PSU specification that will make this PSU less than the latest and greatest, and you'll rationalize purchasing that new one (under the same old argement, "Why take any chances?").

I say, purchase a good Antec (or equivlant quality) single-rail, 25A 12V-rail PSU (I'll bet the True430 is plenty) for $160 less, build your system, and forget about it.
 
Originally posted by: shira
It just seems to me that this PSU is overkill. A Winchester CPU and a single GFU doesn't need anywhere close to 34 amps on the 12V rail.

All these arguments of "it's the last PSU you'll ever buy" are questionable. Think about it: If you can rationalize purchasing this PSU now, when you don't remotely need it, two to three years from now (when you're ready to build your next system), there will be some new PSU specification that will make this PSU less than the latest and greatest, and you'll rationalize purchasing that new one (under the same old argement, "Why take any chances?").

I say, purchase a good Antec (or equivlant quality) single-rail, 25A 12V-rail PSU (I'll bet the True430 is plenty) for $160 less, build your system, and forget about it.
Click to expand...

My sentiments exactly. Even the Antec Neopower is a bit cheaper. There are a lot of GOOD psu's in the $100 range, all of which would meet the needs of the rig he's building. And I can think of a lot of stuff to use the xtra $140 on...
 
Originally posted by: shira
It just seems to me that this PSU is overkill. A Winchester CPU and a single GFU doesn't need anywhere close to 34 amps on the 12V rail.

All these arguments of "it's the last PSU you'll ever buy" are questionable. Think about it: If you can rationalize purchasing this PSU now, when you don't remotely need it, two to three years from now (when you're ready to build your next system), there will be some new PSU specification that will make this PSU less than the latest and greatest, and you'll rationalize purchasing that new one (under the same old argement, "Why take any chances?").

I say, purchase a good Antec (or equivlant quality) single-rail, 25A 12V-rail PSU (I'll bet the True430 is plenty) for $160 less, build your system, and forget about it.
Click to expand...


Most of us shouldn't be buying $200 power supplies because most of don't have that kind of loading. A high quality 480W PS should handle a Winchester CPU, GFU, 4 hard drives, optical drive, and fans. Add more hard drives or operate your system in hotter weather for extended periods, and you get closer to the edge. So I would normally budget $100 to $130 for the power supply and move on.

But, there's sometimes when the $200 supply does buy piece of mind. In my case it was running a system with seven to eight hard drives that my 2.5 year old Antec True 550 couldn't handle any longer. So the $200 power supply made sense --- none of the other 480 to 550W supplies seem to be able to carry such loading with any decent margin. The 550 to 600W supplies were in the $150+ range and didn't seem to handle as much as the PC P&S 510; so spending $50 or so more for a PC P&S made sense.

- Marcos
 
Originally posted by: marcosv
Originally posted by: shira
It just seems to me that this PSU is overkill. A Winchester CPU and a single GFU doesn't need anywhere close to 34 amps on the 12V rail.

All these arguments of "it's the last PSU you'll ever buy" are questionable. Think about it: If you can rationalize purchasing this PSU now, when you don't remotely need it, two to three years from now (when you're ready to build your next system), there will be some new PSU specification that will make this PSU less than the latest and greatest, and you'll rationalize purchasing that new one (under the same old argement, "Why take any chances?").

I say, purchase a good Antec (or equivlant quality) single-rail, 25A 12V-rail PSU (I'll bet the True430 is plenty) for $160 less, build your system, and forget about it.
Click to expand...


But, there's sometimes when the $200 supply does buy piece of mind. In my case it was running a system with seven to eight hard drives that my 2.5 year old Antec True 550 couldn't handle any longer. So the $200 power supply made sense --- none of the other 480 to 550W supplies seem to be able to carry such loading with any decent margin. The 550 to 600W supplies were in the $150+ range and didn't seem to handle as much as the PC P&S 510; so spending $50 or so more for a PC P&S made sense.
Click to expand...


Agreed. Obviously, there are times when big, bad PSU is needed, and your situation is a case in point.
 
Originally posted by: jbh129
If you can afford a mercedes dont buy a pinto. And no, the OCZ is not in the same league as the PCP&C
Click to expand...

Uh yeah the OCZ is in the same league. The world clockspeed record was broken using an OCZ PSU. They are very much in the same league as PCP&C and Zippy. What seperates them is the voltage regulation, and Active PFC.

Hey man, why don't you just go ahead and pick up one of these?

-HC-
Click to expand...

Because #1, not many people have that much money to throw away. #2 that is overkill for anything in the consumer market which ties into #3 that is an PSU complies with the EPS standard which is only found on servers, it is not compatible with the ATX2.x

-Kevin
 
If you can afford it, PCP&C is THE BEST. No one can deny this fact. If you cant afford it, there are other good options available.
 
Originally posted by: jbh129
If you can afford it, PCP&C is THE BEST. No one can deny this fact. If you cant afford it, there are other good options available.
Click to expand...

Well technically not the most powerful though, (PCP&C uses Zippy and FOrtron PSU's IIRC though). Zippy makes units that are even more powerful than that. THere 700Watt PSU has 45A on the 12V rail. And i think they have even more powerful versions.

Consumer level wise though, i would agree that PCP&C is the best, followed closely by OCZ.

-Kevin
 
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