Need some ideas (lower wattage modular PSU)

[AmberClad]

I can't decide what to get . I need a PSU for my Folding machine / Linux server. Just a basic dual core system with integrated graphics. I'd really prefer a quiet, modular one. No "blingy" PSUs, especially LED fans.

Why is this so hard? Because I don't want two identical PSUs. I guess one option would be to just get a HX620, swap it out with the HX520 in my main rig and stick the old HX520 in the Linux server.

There are also a couple of others I have my eye on, but they're both overkill.
Silverstone Strider 700W (price seems decent...reviews for this specific model are hard to come by, though)
Zalman ZM600-HP (yes, I know it's out of stock at the moment)

Why is it so hard to find a decent lower wattage modular PSU...

If I manage to find another sale on a VX450 like the one last week, I might settle for a non-modular. Anyone else have any other ideas?

 

[HOOfan 1]

How about the Seasonic M12 II 430W

$80 at newegg

 

[AmberClad]

Eh, I dunno. Price-to-watt ratio doesn't look so hot. I'd rather have overkill than bad bang-for-the-buck .

 

[HOOfan 1]

Well the Zalman certainly isn't that great of a deal..if I recall, it is made by FSP
For that Price, I would go for the Thermatake Purepower RX...or the Silverstone you listed.

But I would say a Modular 430W at $80 is a decent price.

 

[AmberClad]

But I've seen HX520s for $80 at Buy.com (granted, they were after rebate...), so that fact makes it seem less decent .

*whip out calculator*

the Seasonic = 5.375W / $
the Silverstone = 7W / $
the Zalman = 5.21W / $
HX520 @ $80AR = 6.5W / $ (maybe less if you factor in the hassle of doing the rebate)

Yeah, the Zalman is kind of bad actually. I don't remember why, but I have an instinctive negative impression of Tt PSUs. Let me take a look at what NewEgg has though.

 

[HOOfan 1]

buy.com has the VX450 for $55 After rebate

8.18 Watts/$

 

[AmberClad]

Ok, well if you want to play that game, then the TX650 is 8.999W / $. But arbitrary deduction in both cases for non-modularry-ness. And arbitrary deduction because it was around $40 AR last week.

Btw, I spend much of yesterday poring over all of the Corsair offerings, both modular and non-modular, and that's how I ended up with this thread to begin with :laugh: -- because the HX520 seemed like the most reasonable compromise between modular + price. But I didn't want a second one. But if I handed my current one down, I would need a new PSU for my main rig. HX620 seems like sort of a minor step up, the HX1000 is too much, and I won't use a non-modular PSU like the TX750 in my main rig. So we're back at the 700W Strider .

 

[HOOfan 1]

why don't you want another HX520? Just don't want to be able to say you have something different?

What about an Antec TPQ 850W for your main rig?

Though the Silverstone Strider is Enhance built and should be pretty good. That is probably your best option if you want something of good quality and cheaper. Just buy the Strider, switch it into your main rig and put the HX520 in your new clothes folding rig. Or you can spend $20 more and get the 750W strider.

 

[AmberClad]

Originally posted by: HOOfan 1
why don't you want another HX520?

That's like having two cars of the identical make, model, and paint color sitting in the driveway, except one is slightly shinier and newer.

That's like having two kids, and you buy one kid the same shirt that you bought the other kid a year ago.

That's like......well you get the point .

I don't like the fans on the Antec Quattros. Plus, my case is better suited to use PSUs with bottom-mounted fans. Also, I don't think either version is much cheaper than the HX1000.

So the Strider sounds like a safe bet at least. Might do some more thinking and see what else is out there .

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: HOOfan 1
What about an Antec TPQ 850W for your main rig?

Though the Silverstone Strider is Enhance built and should be pretty good.

TPQ is also Enhance.

Originally posted by: AmberClad
I don't like the fans on the Antec Quattros.

I don't like 'em either. That's why I got rid of mine.

If it weren't for the fans, I'd suggest an Antec Neo Power. They're cheap when on sale/rebate (I got a 500W for $50 shipped, no rebate), and are modular and made by Seasonic.

 

[HOOfan 1]

Originally posted by: Zap

TPQ is also Enhance.

.

I know

Yeah there were some people in my neighborhood who had two White Volkswagon Gulfs and I called them the bookends.

I know if I had the money, I would collect Power Supplies...but I collect just about everything anyway.

 

[AmberClad]

I could have sworn this thing looked a lot smaller in all those review site photos. The thing under it is the Linux box in question. So it'll definitely have to go into the main rig.

Thanks to the Egg-gouge engine, the price on the Strider went back up while I was trying to make up my mind :frown:.