Need new efficient supply for VM machine

[RavenGuard]

I'm simply looking for highest effeciency, help!

 

[theAnimal]

System specs?

 

[RavenGuard]

P45-UD3P
Q9650
8GB Mushkin memory
HD4870 512mb

 

[theAnimal]

Enermax Modu82+ 425W would be the most efficient for your system.

 

[Jessica69]

Originally posted by: theAnimal
Enermax Modu82+ 425W would be the most efficient for your system.

Actually, it wouldn't be the most efficient by quite a bit.....it only got a BRONZE 80+ certification, and there are quite a few other power supplies with much better efficiency ratings.....as you can find out by .......

following this link....to the webpage for the 80+ org listed power supplies.


Then, look down the GOLD column as GOLD 80+ certified power supplies are the most efficient that have been tested and have to meet these standards:

20% load....87% efficiency

50% load....90% efficiency

100% load...87% efficiency


Then click on a manufacturer's name that has one or more GOLD certified power supplies and you'll get a list that shows the specific model that qualified for GOLD cert. by that mfgr....also SILVER and BRONZE.

Since efficiency is your primary goal, stick to the gold column.....Seasonic has 3, Thermaltake has one, Delta has one, Channel Well has 5, etc., 15 all told by all mfgrs.

There are 59 cert'd SILVER power supplies.....a bit lower efficiency standards so easier to get a particular power supply to qualify for that.

Bronze the next lower standard (283 total power supplies), and the lowest efficiency standard, simply 80+ cert., has 803 power supplies qualifying.

If you roll over the GOLD/SILVER/BRONZE headings over each column, the standards a power supply has to meet to qualify comes up so you can compare efficiency requirements for each standard.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: Jessica69
20% load....87% efficiency

50% load....90% efficiency

100% load...87% efficiency

I would just like to point out that besides just looking at efficiency, note how the efficiency changes over the load. A "gold" certified PSU running at too low or too high output might actually be no more efficient (or even less) than a "silver" certified PSU running in the sweet spot for efficiency. Most PSUs are the most efficient near the middle of their output, and are least efficient at the lowest end of their output. Thus, if your system is idle most of the time and uses 100W idling, then a 300W PSU would be more efficient on average than a 1200W PSU on the same system. Anyways, these are just generalizations and there may be PSUs which have different characteristics. I just thought I'd point this out.

 

[theAnimal]

The silver certified PSU's on newegg are all high wattage, which means they will run below 20% most of the time, and there are no gold certified for sale. 🙂

So with the PSU's currently for sale, the Enermax Modu82+ 425W would be most efficient for that system.

 

[Jessica69]

So Newegg is the only place to buy from? And the Gold cert'd power supplies range as low as 500W, so are quite "competitive" to a 425W unit....it'd make their "sweet spot" at around 225-250W for maximum efficiency.......not far off from that Enermax, of which I'd honestly am worried about durability longer than a year given the large numbers of Enermax ps's that have failed at a year of use.

But you're right, Zap. Hitting the sweet spot is probably what he should do....and given he's using a 4870 video card (not exactly the most power "friendly"), a quad core, an unknown number of hard drives, etc., I'd wager load is going to be at least in the 200W area, probably higher, which is why I was leaning towards the Gold cert'd ps's and specifically the 500W units.

With his build, he should be getting close to a 500W ps's "sweet spot"........

Thermaltake W0338 TP-500AH3NCG 500W unit......

Seasonic SS-550LT 550W unit....

Channel Well PUK500V-G 500W unit.....


Of course, I am taking into consideration AMD/ATI's recommendation for having a 500W ps as a base level for the 4870 video card.....I'd rather have a bit too much than a bit too little.

 

[theAnimal]

Originally posted by: Jessica69
So Newegg is the only place to buy from?

Of course not, but they carry all the newest models. By all means give us a link to a retailer selling one of the gold units. 🙂

And the Gold cert'd power supplies range as low as 500W, so are quite "competitive" to a 425W unit....it'd make their "sweet spot" at around 225-250W for maximum efficiency.......not far off from that Enermax, of which I'd honestly am worried about durability longer than a year given the large numbers of Enermax ps's that have failed at a year of use.

I still recommend Earthwatts even though there were a lot of problems with Smartpower. Or are there issues with the Modu82+?

But you're right, Zap. Hitting the sweet spot is probably what he should do....and given he's using a 4870 video card (not exactly the most power "friendly"), a quad core, an unknown number of hard drives, etc., I'd wager load is going to be at least in the 200W area, probably higher, which is why I was leaning towards the Gold cert'd ps's and specifically the 500W units.


With his build, he should be getting close to a 500W ps's "sweet spot"........

Thermaltake W0338 TP-500AH3NCG 500W unit......

Seasonic SS-550LT 550W unit....

Channel Well PUK500V-G 500W unit.....

I am quite aware of the 80Plus certification and realize that the gold would be better than bronze, but AFAIK none of those are currently for sale, or I would have chosen one.

Of course, I am taking into consideration AMD/ATI's recommendation for having a 500W ps as a base level for the 4870 video card.....I'd rather have a bit too much than a bit too little.

Said recommendation based on the number of substandard PSU's which are available.

If the OP is running Folding@home on the 4870 24/7, then I'd change my recommendation to the Modu82+ 525W.