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Is buying a 1200W PCP&P just stupid?

E

Evenkeel

Member
Slooowly moving into my next build--Core i7--940, or maybe 965 if I get the scratch together and I'm feeling crazy that day; will decide on GPU at the time, but pretty much a guarantee at least one double-wide, maybe two. If buying today, maybe two Radeon 4870X2's--will see what nVidia does. Mobo to have X58 chipset, so I can run either GPU and no more religious wars on the mobo.

Don't know what mobo yet--Gigabyte GA-EX58-EXTREME looks nice, but need more research and for the OEMs of all the new boards to work out the kinks. Lots of bug reports on all boards. I did say I was taking this one slow.

But there's one day left on a sale on a PC Power Turbo-Cool 1200W PSU, 20% off, and I'm wondering if I should jump on it while the sale is on. Every build I end up getting a new PSU to up the power--running a Turbo-Cool 860 in current rig (Intel QX9650, Radeon 3870X2)--and am thinking just get a big honker once and for all and be done w/it.

Turbo-cool 1200's supposed to be noisy, but db rating is the same for my current 860. I use Lian-li full-tower cases, where the PSU is mounted at the bottom-rear of case, and the case is shoved under my desk, so I can barely hear my PSU right now. Might have to mod the case a bit to fit the 9" length of the 1200 in, but I have an idea on that.

Anyway, what's the vote: stupid, or go for it while the sale's on?
 
you probably dont need that much power unless running tripe g card. but this psu can probably last for a long time to come. i vote yes if you can afford one and hate to switch psu.
 
Originally posted by: nyker96
you probably dont need that much power unless running tripe g card. but this psu can probably last for a long time to come. i vote yes if you can afford one and hate to switch psu.
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Esp since this particular PSU has a 7-year warranty. Plus, I don't think I've ever seen one on sale before.
 
Just as a comparison, my Core i7 920 @ 3.6GHz, and dual eVGA GTX 260 Core216 Superclocked 55nm cards on a P6T Deluxe, with 6GB of RAM and dual 500GB HDD's draws around 710W @ full load.
 
Originally posted by: PCTC2
Just as a comparison, my Core i7 920 @ 3.6GHz, and dual eVGA GTX 260 Core216 Superclocked 55nm cards on a P6T Deluxe, with 6GB of RAM and dual 500GB HDD's draws around 710W @ full load.
Click to expand...

If my math is right, a similar setup would be right around 60% of full load on that 1200W PSU, which is a sweet spot for it, efficiency-wise. The reviews I read say that below 10-20% load, it's not very efficient, but gets much better aboove 30% or so. Plus, 60% would keep the fan from running full-out, which would reduce the PSU's chief complaint (noise).
 
You could run an i7 rig overclocked to hell, two GTX295's, bunch of fans, HDs, opticals, etc and still not touch 1200w. So, essentially it's very very unnecessary, unless that's what you're planning on doing
 
PCTC2,

Is that 710W from the AC? Probably has to be as there is no easy way to measure the power on the DC side. So assuming it's AC watts (measured by a Kill-A-Watt or similar), then the DC side is putting out about 560W or so max.

For the great majority, even high-end gamers, anything above 700 or so Watts is gross overkill, wasteful of energy (as there is no way it will ever run in its most efficient output range - 83% claimed) (that PSU is not 80 Plus certified either - there are high-Watt PSUs that are certified). Many 80+ PSUs hit nearly 90% at some point in their output range and stay over 80% for a good part of it.

.bh.
 
Originally posted by: Zepper
that PSU is not 80 Plus certified either
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Fail.

If I had to get a PCP&C PSU, I'd get a Silencer 750 over either Turbo Cool. Heck, recently it was available for $60 AR FS.
 
IMO the PC P&C is still WAY overpriced at 20% off

I would say your current 860W is probably enough

If you really want an upgrade and just want bragging rights to have a server grade PSU, I would go for the Silverstone Zeus 1200W...they would be $70 cheaper even with the 20% discount on the PC P&C and they are just as good.

If you don't want the bragging rights of a server grade PSU, there are plenty of other PSUs out there in the 1000W+ range that would suffice, for a good deal less money...even half the cost.
 
Btry B,

If 1.2kW is gross overkill, then what is 1.25k except even more gross? Oh, and Enermax hasn't manufactured any of their own PSUs for a good while. Last I heard, Topower was making most of them.

HOOfan,

PCP&C PSUs had been considered "better than server grade". Has that changed since OCZ bought them?

.bh.
 
Whoosh! Okay, too many opinions to quote, but I'll try to go thru and reply as best I can.

@yh125d: Don't know about "overclocked to hell" 😉 but the option would be nice. The idea is to get one PSU now that will last at least 2-3 builds. Not saying the 1200W PCP&C is it, but... don't know.

@Zepper: re: the PCP&C PSU not being 80+ certified--you are correct that it is not posted on their site. But in AT's own review of that unit (and 2 others--a Tagan and a Coolermaster, I think), in the comments, "OCZJess" from PCP&C said that the unit was 80+, it just hadn't been submitted to the standards group yet. PCP&C's site claims 83% efficiency of it on their site. Also--and I know this is controversial, but I got it directly from the mouth of a certain long-time employee at PCP&C that many of you probably know (but this person hates to be quoted by name online), told me that the lower in the load range you can run a PSU, as long as it falls in its efficiency range, the better. (Just relaying what was said; don't shoot the messenger.)

@Zap: Too long to go into here, but if AT keeps a year's worth of archived posts available, you can search and get the whole tale of woe: briefly, I tried 2 Silencers a year ago in my current build--both were bad, and I went to the Turbo-Cool 860, which is still running strong. Maybe Silencers are fine now--I know many like them--but I'm gun-shy. Also, am I wrong in thinking that running a PSU that close to its load limit is bad?

@BTRY B 529th FA BN: Checked out the Enermax site; found "only" a 1050W Revolution, not the 1250 you mentioned. It's rated at 100,000 hour MTBF, and I could not find any warranty info. Having dealt directly w/PCP&C on warranty/exchange probs, I can say that quick, friendly, English-speaking help is worth a few extra shekels to me.

@HOOfan 1: I don't care about bragging rights, I just want a good PSU that will last a long time. The PCP&C has a 7-year warranty and a 200,000 hour MTBF rating; I haven't seen that on any other PSU. What am I missing? Plus, my current 860W--which you may be correct in saying is fine for my purposes--will stay w/the current build, so I will need another PSU anyway for the new build.

I want all of you to know that I'm not directly disagreeing w/you--of all PC components, I think I find all the controversy and push-pull info on PSUs the most confusing (single-rail? Multi-rail? Big top fan? Rear fan? Two fans? Arrgghhh!)

I still have a few hours left to order, so if any of you have been swayed by my desires: long warranty, U.S. company that is responsive, long MTBF, tried-and-true design, etc. and might say "okay, dumb-a$$, go ahead", let me know.
 
Originally posted by: Zepper
PCP&C PSUs had been considered "better than server grade". Has that changed since OCZ bought them?
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By whom? Professional reviews don't seem to show Turbo-Cools to be any better than any other server grade products.

@Evenkeel...I am assuming you are talking about the Turbo-Cool on newegg for $570...which at 20% off would be $460

If a 7 year warranty is worth that much to you, then sure go ahead and buy it.
 
Originally posted by: HOOfan 1
Originally posted by: Zepper
PCP&C PSUs had been considered "better than server grade". Has that changed since OCZ bought them?
Click to expand...


By whom? Professional reviews don't seem to show Turbo-Cools to be any better than any other server grade products....just more expensive and louder.


@Evenkeel...I am assuming you are talking about the Turbo-Cool on newegg for $570...which at 20% off would be $460

If a 7 year warranty is worth that much to you, then sure go ahead and buy it.
Click to expand...

I don't disagree that the reviews show the T-C line may not spec miles better or worse than other units--my question is, how long will those other units hold up? If they die during warranty, how hard is it to get help? (Newegg is riddled w/user complaints about other PSU makers.) PCP&C is accessible, quick, and friendly.

My build before this one has a PCP&C 510 in it (also in the older Turbo-Cool line, I think), quite old, and still running. I don't have a problem paying a bit more if I think a product is worth it. I gather you don't think it's worth it,but I also understand where you're coming from on it, and see your point of view.

Yes, it's the one on Newegg--I've never seen a PCP&C PSU on sale before (must be the OCZ effect), so that's part of what's making me want to jump.
 
Ha...don't trust Newegg reviews. With revelations of Enermax and Belkin bribing people for good reviews..and even for giving bad reviews to competitors. I usually don't even bother with customer reviews anymore.

There are plenty of other PSU vendors out there with long warranties (maybe not 7 years) with long MTBF (maybe not 200,000 hours...which BTW is almost ceratainly at 25C as all MTBF ratings are) and known for good customer service.

Also you could get the NON-ESA unit for $20 less even with the 20% off...do you need ESA?
 
Originally posted by: HOOfan 1
Ha...don't trust Newegg reviews. With revelations of Enermax and Belkin bribing people for good reviews..and even for giving bad reviews to competitors. I usually don't even bother with customer reviews anymore.

There are plenty of other PSU vendors out there with long warranties (maybe not 7 years) with long MTBF (maybe not 200,000 hours...which BTW is almost ceratainly at 25C as all MTBF ratings are) and known for good customer service.

Also you could get the NON-ESA unit for $20 less even with the 20% off...do you need ESA?
Click to expand...

Ahh... interesting note on the bribing for good/bad reviews.

Would you mind naming two or three of those PSU vendors you mentioned, that have long warranties and MTBF, as well as good customer service?

DOn't know if I need ESA--it sounded interesting, and the non-ESA unit required a MIR to get the discount... getting real tired of MIRs. 😉

It sounds like, given that I'd have to pressure myself to do this tonight, I might be better off waiting and pondering this further, more research, etc.
 
Corsair has a 5 year warranty on most of their PSUs...7 years on at least one
BFG has a Lifetime Warranty on the ES800
Antec has a 5 year warranty on some PSUs
Seasonic has a 5 year warranty

all with MTBF over 100,000 hours

Did you notice that the non ESA PC P&C is cheaper without the rebate than the ESA version with the 20% discount?

Is there anything wrong with PC P&C? Hell no their PSUs are awesome...but nearly $600 for a PSU regular price.....and even $460 one sale...that is just ridiculous.
 
Originally posted by: HOOfan 1
Is there anything wrong with PC P&C? Hell no their PSUs are awesome...but nearly $600 for a PSU regular price.....and even $460 one sale...that is just ridiculous.
Click to expand...

It would be cheaper and better to buy a new PSU for each build than to buy one $500 PSU in hopes of using it over and over again.
 
Originally posted by: garritynet
Originally posted by: HOOfan 1
Is there anything wrong with PC P&C? Hell no their PSUs are awesome...but nearly $600 for a PSU regular price.....and even $460 one sale...that is just ridiculous.
Click to expand...

It would be cheaper and better to buy a new PSU for each build than to buy one $500 PSU in hopes of using it over and over again.
Click to expand...

This so badly this..

Power connectors change faster than wattage requirements
 
Originally posted by: BassBomb
Originally posted by: garritynet
Originally posted by: HOOfan 1
Is there anything wrong with PC P&C? Hell no their PSUs are awesome...but nearly $600 for a PSU regular price.....and even $460 one sale...that is just ridiculous.
Click to expand...

It would be cheaper and better to buy a new PSU for each build than to buy one $500 PSU in hopes of using it over and over again.
Click to expand...

This so badly this..

Power connectors change faster than wattage requirements
Click to expand...


Wattage requirements change with each build. Why spend $500 on a PSU when you can get a solid 650 watt PSU for a little over a $100 and an 850 watt with a five year warranty for a little under $150? When I built my current rig I got a great 550 watt PSU for $40 off of Newegg. Why go through such expense to future proof something that is so cheap?


ETA: Quad 295 SLI at 650 watts under load. That is 76% load for a 850 watt PSU.
 
Yes they change with each build, but so do the power connectors.. its better to buy one specific to your build unless you always do continual small upgrades...

For example I bought a 450w Enermax thinking it would be "futureproof" for my A64 system (It had SATA, PCI-E, 4pin 12v) I thought I was set.

When my next build came around a few years later, I needed 8pin EPS12V, and almost required 8pin pci-e

I was on the side of a PSU for the application... so that does not mean a 500 CPU..

I am not sure what you think I was implying
 
When talking 650W and up, it is really hard to get a decent quality unit for cheap bucks. You may get an Apevia, Coolmax or other third- or fourth-string box for cheap, but they'd not be what a gamer or technical user or seasoned hobbyist would want.

.bh.
 
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