Need help finding a quality non-bling PSU

[Kaido]

I'm looking for a good power supply for my next system (DFI Ultra-D, Opty 165 @ 2.8ghz, 7900gt @ 650/1800, Raptor 150, DVD burner, Audigy 2 ZS, 2gb DDR500). I need something that has at least 480-watts, although I'd prefer something closer to 500 or 520. I'm looking for (1) quality and (2) low noise. I'm talking 20dBA or less, 16dBA or less if possible. Willing to spend up to $175 or so. Been looking at Seasonic, SilenX, OCZ, etc. It needs to have an on/off switch on the back (some don't have that, suprisingly) and no bling - no LEDs at all. I don't like lights. Let's chat!

 

[Bobthelost]

Seasonic, that's it.

If you can wait they have a new line out soon aparently, the M12 range...

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: Bobthelost
Seasonic, that's it.

If you can wait they have a new line out soon aparently, the M12 range...

Yeah but it's like 40dBA for their 500/600w models from the reviews I've read..

 

[Bobthelost]

Really? That's quite odd since they are the quietest brand out. Of course you can get passive PSUs, but over 300W or so they are all hybrids which end up being louder than the seasonic is.

Read the reviews at SPCR, read the recomended section. Then link me to those reviews that put the seasonic @ 40dBA.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: Bobthelost
Really? That's quite odd since they are the quietest brand out. Of course you can get passive PSUs, but over 300W or so they are all hybrids which end up being louder than the seasonic is.

Read the reviews at SPCR, read the recomended section. Then link me to those reviews that put the seasonic @ 40dBA.

Right at SPCR, unless I'm reading it wrong:

http://www.silentpcreview.com/article247-page4.html

Look at the yellow chart in the middle of the page: 500w = 40dBA/1m. Even 300w = 34dBA/1m.

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: Bobthelost
Really? That's quite odd since they are the quietest brand out. Of course you can get passive PSUs, but over 300W or so they are all hybrids which end up being louder than the seasonic is.

Read the reviews at SPCR, read the recomended section. Then link me to those reviews that put the seasonic @ 40dBA.

Right at SPCR, unless I'm reading it wrong:

http://www.silentpcreview.com/article247-page4.html

Look at the yellow chart in the middle of the page: 500w = 40dBA/1m. Even 300w = 34dBA/1m.

16dBa is really approaching the level of the fanless PSUs. Not even a Nexus 120mm is that quiet. Are you sure you need that kind of silence?

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: Bobthelost
Really? That's quite odd since they are the quietest brand out. Of course you can get passive PSUs, but over 300W or so they are all hybrids which end up being louder than the seasonic is.

Read the reviews at SPCR, read the recomended section. Then link me to those reviews that put the seasonic @ 40dBA.

Right at SPCR, unless I'm reading it wrong:

http://www.silentpcreview.com/article247-page4.html

Look at the yellow chart in the middle of the page: 500w = 40dBA/1m. Even 300w = 34dBA/1m.

16dBa is really approaching the level of the fanless PSUs. Not even a Nexus 120mm is that quiet. Are you sure you need that kind of silence?

Just because I like quiet. I telecommute to work and I do school completely online, so I'm on my computer ~12 hours a day. I'm currently using a laptop which is nice and quiet and I don't want to lose that. I have quiet cooling and muffling solutions for everything else (CPU, GPU, HDD, case), but not for the PSU. I'm having a hard time finding a good quiet or silent PSU with the juice I need to power this beast

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: Bobthelost
Really? That's quite odd since they are the quietest brand out. Of course you can get passive PSUs, but over 300W or so they are all hybrids which end up being louder than the seasonic is.

Read the reviews at SPCR, read the recomended section. Then link me to those reviews that put the seasonic @ 40dBA.

Right at SPCR, unless I'm reading it wrong:

http://www.silentpcreview.com/article247-page4.html

Look at the yellow chart in the middle of the page: 500w = 40dBA/1m. Even 300w = 34dBA/1m.

16dBa is really approaching the level of the fanless PSUs. Not even a Nexus 120mm is that quiet. Are you sure you need that kind of silence?

Just because I like quiet. I telecommute to work and I do school completely online, so I'm on my computer ~12 hours a day. I'm currently using a laptop which is nice and quiet and I don't want to lose that. I have quiet cooling and muffling solutions for everything else (CPU, GPU, HDD, case), but not for the PSU. I'm having a hard time finding a good quiet or silent PSU with the juice I need to power this beast

Well, even the highest efficiency PSUs (the ones that generally require the least airflow) use fans that aren't the quietest available.

Perhaps some sort of external solution, or a secondary fanless PSU?

EDIT: Don't choose a PSU based on its power rating.

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

No chat
Cross flow PSUs cool better with less air because the sinks are not cut-up/reduced for fitting a 120 fan. I've done this to my Zippy/Emacs HP-2 6460P w/thermal controlled fan.

Open the PSU, remove the 80mm fan, install adapter 80 to 92mm, install 92mm fan rated at 40~48cfm(NO LESS than 40cfm). Most thermal controls offer the fan 8.5V till temps rise. On the intake side of your selected PSU bond a 80mm fan @ 25cfm to the intake grill. Position it on the side furthest from the exhaust fan. You could use sleeve bearing fans because being external makes it easy to change, if set-up right.

PSUs w/120s demand more cfm because of reduced sinks=fact. About 60cfm atleast under load.

SPCR is your best bet.


...Galvanized

 

[Luckyboy1]

These two and call because they are available...

http://www.magnum-pc.com/product.asp?pf_id=OCZ520ADJSLI&dept_id=05-002

http://www.magnum-pc.com/product.asp?pf_id=OCZ600ADJSLI&dept_id=05-002

 

[Kaido]

This one from PC P&C looks pretty good:

http://www.pcpowercooling.com/products/viewproduct.php?show=S47ATX

Only 470 watts though. Here's the parts list:

DFI Ultra-D motherboard
7900gt OC'd
Opteron 165 OC'd
2gb DDR500
Raptor 150
Audigy 2 ZS
DVD burner
(3) 120mm fans

I ran through on of the PSU calculators online and got about 455w. You guys think 470 watts is safe for this setup? I've heard lots of good things about PC P&C...

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: Luckyboy1
These two and call because they are available...

http://www.magnum-pc.com/product.asp?pf_id=OCZ520ADJSLI&dept_id=05-002

http://www.magnum-pc.com/product.asp?pf_id=OCZ600ADJSLI&dept_id=05-002

I'd love to go OWC but is there any way to get rid of the LEDs? I don't like lights :\

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: Bobthelost
Really? That's quite odd since they are the quietest brand out. Of course you can get passive PSUs, but over 300W or so they are all hybrids which end up being louder than the seasonic is.

Read the reviews at SPCR, read the recomended section. Then link me to those reviews that put the seasonic @ 40dBA.

Right at SPCR, unless I'm reading it wrong:

http://www.silentpcreview.com/article247-page4.html

Look at the yellow chart in the middle of the page: 500w = 40dBA/1m. Even 300w = 34dBA/1m.

16dBa is really approaching the level of the fanless PSUs. Not even a Nexus 120mm is that quiet. Are you sure you need that kind of silence?

Just because I like quiet. I telecommute to work and I do school completely online, so I'm on my computer ~12 hours a day. I'm currently using a laptop which is nice and quiet and I don't want to lose that. I have quiet cooling and muffling solutions for everything else (CPU, GPU, HDD, case), but not for the PSU. I'm having a hard time finding a good quiet or silent PSU with the juice I need to power this beast

Well, even the highest efficiency PSUs (the ones that generally require the least airflow) use fans that aren't the quietest available.

Perhaps some sort of external solution, or a secondary fanless PSU?

EDIT: Don't choose a PSU based on its power rating.

Noticed in your sig link that DFI + Seasonic sometimes has issues; what's the story there?

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: Bobthelost
Really? That's quite odd since they are the quietest brand out. Of course you can get passive PSUs, but over 300W or so they are all hybrids which end up being louder than the seasonic is.

Read the reviews at SPCR, read the recomended section. Then link me to those reviews that put the seasonic @ 40dBA.

Right at SPCR, unless I'm reading it wrong:

http://www.silentpcreview.com/article247-page4.html

Look at the yellow chart in the middle of the page: 500w = 40dBA/1m. Even 300w = 34dBA/1m.

16dBa is really approaching the level of the fanless PSUs. Not even a Nexus 120mm is that quiet. Are you sure you need that kind of silence?

Just because I like quiet. I telecommute to work and I do school completely online, so I'm on my computer ~12 hours a day. I'm currently using a laptop which is nice and quiet and I don't want to lose that. I have quiet cooling and muffling solutions for everything else (CPU, GPU, HDD, case), but not for the PSU. I'm having a hard time finding a good quiet or silent PSU with the juice I need to power this beast

Well, even the highest efficiency PSUs (the ones that generally require the least airflow) use fans that aren't the quietest available.

Perhaps some sort of external solution, or a secondary fanless PSU?

EDIT: Don't choose a PSU based on its power rating.

Noticed in your sig link that DFI + Seasonic sometimes has issues; what's the story there?

Some sort of incompatibility. You can learn more at dfi-street.

Originally posted by: Kaido
This one from PC P&C looks pretty good:

http://www.pcpowercooling.com/products/viewproduct.php?show=S47ATX

Only 470 watts though. Here's the parts list:

DFI Ultra-D motherboard
7900gt OC'd
Opteron 165 OC'd
2gb DDR500
Raptor 150
Audigy 2 ZS
DVD burner
(3) 120mm fans

I ran through on of the PSU calculators online and got about 455w. You guys think 470 watts is safe for this setup? I've heard lots of good things about PC P&C...

20-35dBa.

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Originally posted by: Luckyboy1
These two and call because they are available...

http://www.magnum-pc.com/product.asp?pf_id=OCZ520ADJSLI&dept_id=05-002

http://www.magnum-pc.com/product.asp?pf_id=OCZ600ADJSLI&dept_id=05-002

Tell us Luckyboy1. Are you just an uber-OCZ fanboy or do you work for AEG

...Galvanized

 

[Luckyboy1]

Neither, I just can't afford the PC Power & Cooling 1 KW unit!

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: GalvanizedYankee

Originally posted by: Luckyboy1
These two and call because they are available...

http://www.magnum-pc.com/product.asp?pf_id=OCZ520ADJSLI&dept_id=05-002

http://www.magnum-pc.com/product.asp?pf_id=OCZ600ADJSLI&dept_id=05-002

Tell us Luckyboy1. Are you just an uber-OCZ fanboy or do you work for AEG

...Galvanized

Maybe he works for Magnum-PC?

 

[Bobthelost]

PCP&C use a delta fan in thier PSUs, a PSU using fan brand known for thier high powered, high noise fans would not be my choice for a quiet PSU.

 

[Luckyboy1]

No Howie, I don't work with, get special treatment from or special deals in any way. Try not to be a cynical pissant!

 

[Rubycon]

That PS calculator says I should have a 885W PS. I think it's too liberal for my liking.

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: Luckyboy1
No Howie, I don't work with, get special treatment from or special deals in any way. Try not to be a cynical pissant!

Sorry, did I ruffle your feathers?

EDIT: Didn't I tell you to stop calling me that?

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Originally posted by: Bobthelost
PCP&C use a delta fan in thier PSUs, a PSU using fan brand known for thier high powered, high noise fans would not be my choice for a quiet PSU.

Many PSUs that fit 120s will use sleeved bearing fans because they only deal with case temp air and run fairly sloww. Cross flow PSUs have exhaust fans that are subject to the heated air of the PSU and must be up to the task. The better 80mm fans will have names like Delta, NIDEC, NMB, Sanyo Denki or ADDA and will be ball bearing type. Sleeve bearings do NOT tolerate heat well
The newer pcp&c Turbo 510s do not have the noise issue the early units did. iirc they fit NIDEC fans.


...Galvanized

 

[t3h l337 n3wb]

OCZ PSUs are way overpriced. You could get a lot more power for your money with other brands like Seasonic or Fortron.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: t3h l337 n3wb
OCZ PSUs are way overpriced. You could get a lot more power for your money with other brands like Seasonic or Fortron.

$110 for a quality 520w PSU doesn't seem too bad to me, compared to prices of other PSUs...

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: t3h l337 n3wb
OCZ PSUs are way overpriced. You could get a lot more power for your money with other brands like Seasonic or Fortron.

$110 for a quality 520w PSU doesn't seem too bad to me, compared to prices of other PSUs...

$110? Where?