Planning ahead with a PS purchase?

[sammykhalifa]

Hey,
I plan on getting a new motherboard/processor around tax return time, finally replacing my old 2008 Core2Duo 2.33GHz on my Gigabyte board. I am planning on an i5, i7 or an E3 Xeon, leaning towards an i7 if the sales hit right (which will take a drive to a Microcenter a good ways away).

I think I will move most of the other components over for the time being, eventually upgrading or adding on.

My current power supply is a Thermaltake SMART series 550w--which I thought was a good move at the time, but have since learned that it isn't the best. I'm thinking I should get a new one. I want to get something better, but don't want to outgrow it as I get new parts. I've looked at several online calculators, but am having doubts over whether I'm on the right track.

Other current components:
--pretty low power Sapphire Radeon 6570. Good enough for my needs for now but I would like to update. I'll never go to dual cards or the very best of the best. About the only game I play at the moment is the Civilization series.
--1 SSD, a Crucial 550 240GB. Might go to two.
--1 TB Seagate 7200RPM, will probably add here down the road.
--No immediate overclocking, but might experiment a bit

I'm not sure what else I'm overlooking. Besides the games, I use a lot of Lightroom and other photo editing programs. So what wattage of a PSU should I be looking at here? I've seen anything from about 450 to 750 or so. Or should I just go with the Thermaltake for now?

Any ideas? I would like to get a slightly higher end PSU to keep everything running well (and will probably go modular as long as I'm at it), but don't want to buy something too small/large at the same time.

I've been driving myself crazy trying to make what should probably be a very easy decision. That's probably because I only research these things every 5 years or so, heh.

Thanks
SK (Neil)

 

[bigboxes]

You never said if your PSU is from your original build. I'm assuming it is and regardless of it's current state it's got some years on it. Power supplies don't last much more than 7 years in the best of conditions and with the best makes. If you're upgrading your cpu/mobo with the intention of it being reliable and stable I'd replace the PSU when you do your upgrade. It's the heart of your machine. People often neglect that component when it comes to putting together a new pc and wonder why they have so many issues. Read up on any power supplies you are considering at JonnyGuru. After you've done your research purchase the best power supply that you can afford. I'd recommend a 650W psu for your needs unless you plan on o/c and/or adding a second video card later. You said you have no plan on that so I'd just bump the wattage and choose a higher quality maker. My vote for SeaSonic platinum, but it all depends on your budget. Don't cheap out on your power supply!

 

[Blain]

Don't cheap out on your power supply!

I'd also add, run the PC behind a good quality AVR-type UPS.

 

[sammykhalifa]

Thanks! Now I did get a new power supply about two years ago when the fan on the old one quit, but I think everything you say still stands. I've done a lot of reading at jonnyguru and other places, and I think I know more than I did when I got that one to make a better choice. Now I MIGHT try my hand at a little overclocking to experiment, but it would be mild if any because . . . well, let's face it, compared to my current system anything I get will be blazing fast compared to what I'm used to anyhow and I'm sure I'll hardly notice a difference with the OC anyhow.

Good call on the UPS too. It's something I've looked at several times but never pulled the trigger on.

 

[bigboxes]

I'd also add, run the PC behind a good quality AVR-type UPS.

I use one on all three of my home's pc. True sine wave types.

 

[bigboxes]

That would be SeaSonic, not Seagate. LOL

 

[sammykhalifa]

Ha, did you type Seagate? I just automatically read it as Seasonic.

 

[Puffnstuff]

Seasonic is having trouble with the near zero power state of the haswells so steer clear of them. Any power supply based on the seasonic design has the same issue so research before you commit. With that said corsair makes a fine ps and they stand behind their warranty. I'd recommend a hx or ax if you want to monitor it via software.

 

[sammykhalifa]

Seasonic is having trouble with the near zero power state of the haswells so steer clear of them. Any power supply based on the seasonic design has the same issue so research before you commit. With that said corsair makes a fine ps and they stand behind their warranty. I'd recommend a hx or ax if you want to monitor it via software.

Interesting. I know I almost made the move on a Seagate PSU a week or so back, but pulled back after reading it wasn't "Haswell Compatible." I assumed that was because it was an older design.

 

[bigboxes]

Seasonic is having trouble with the near zero power state of the haswells so steer clear of them. Any power supply based on the seasonic design has the same issue so research before you commit. With that said corsair makes a fine ps and they stand behind their warranty. I'd recommend a hx or ax if you want to monitor it via software.

Please provide me a link to where this has been documented for Seasonic Haswell ready power supplies.

 

[bigboxes]

Seasonic is having trouble with the near zero power state of the haswells so steer clear of them. Any power supply based on the seasonic design has the same issue so research before you commit. With that said corsair makes a fine ps and they stand behind their warranty. I'd recommend a hx or ax if you want to monitor it via software.

Ok. One more time. How about some verification of your claims. Let's not get into some Newegg review bs. How about you provide some links to back up your claim that Seasonic Haswell certified power supplies have this issue with near zero power states. I was unable to find any in my limited research.

 

[bigboxes]

Seasonic is having trouble with the near zero power state of the haswells so steer clear of them. Any power supply based on the seasonic design has the same issue so research before you commit. With that said corsair makes a fine ps and they stand behind their warranty. I'd recommend a hx or ax if you want to monitor it via software.

Since you won't reply and this is a hit and run post, we'll all assume what you said is FUD until you provide evidence to the contrary.

 

[sammykhalifa]

Well, after waffling for way too long I jumped in and pulled the trigger on a Seasonic x650:
http://www.seasonicusa.com/NEW_X-series_KM3_650-750-850.htm

It's probably a little more than I need or was originally planning, but it sounds really good from everything I've read, and I think I got a decent deal ($80 after rebate). It's better than the others I was looking at and for a better price. I like the sound of "Hybrid Silent Fan Control" though for all I know it's just a gimmick. My only concern is still that it's a bit big for what I need, but at least this way I won't need to worry about it if/when I upgrade my video card (current one doesn't even need a power connection). Unless there's something I'm overlooking, I think it'll work out well.

Puffnstuff, I'm not discounting what you're saying with the Haswell issue. I don't know if maybe there's confusion with some of the other Seasonic units that have problems, or if there's something else; but from what I've read, if I need to I should be able to disable those sleep states that are causing problems. Since you brought that to my attention I'll know to keep an eye out for that.

Thanks everyone for the advice.

 

[bigboxes]

Nice. I'm sure you'll be happy!

 

[jonnyGURU]

Any PSU that uses DC to DC for the +3.3V and +5V are going to have zero issues with Haswell. Not sure what Puffnstuff is talking about.

The only issue with newer Seasonic units is that some of the components used to make them ErP 2013 compliant may have a bit of "coil whine" (although the sound is actually coming from either the +5VSB transformer or a transient filter cap), but certainly no issues with coming in and out of C6/C7 sleep states.

 

[Arcanedeath]

The Seasonic x650 is a solid unit. Good choice

 

[Puffnstuff]

Any PSU that uses DC to DC for the +3.3V and +5V are going to have zero issues with Haswell. Not sure what Puffnstuff is talking about.

4 wires and non dc to dc to be specific. Several boards are littered with complaints about it and those guys aren't happy about buying a new seasonic only to discover that they've got to mod to make it work.

 

[bigboxes]

4 wires and non dc to dc to be specific. Several boards are littered with complaints about it and those guys aren't happy about buying a new seasonic only to discover that they've got to mod to make it work.

I can't find any such comments littered across the internet. Maybe you can provide some of those links to those claims. What does Jonny guru know of such claims in his review of these Seasonic models?

 

[jonnyGURU]

4 wires and non dc to dc to be specific. Several boards are littered with complaints about it and those guys aren't happy about buying a new seasonic only to discover that they've got to mod to make it work.

You mean the PSU lacks the CPU ATX12V connector and are the older/cheaper units? If that's the case, you're dealing with people that are buying Seasonic PSUs just because they're Seasonic PSUs (naive consumers). Pretty much anything made after 2009 that's Bronze or better uses DC to DC. So if these guys are buying "new" Seasonics, they're new old stock.

You can pretty much say almost ANY brand PSU, made before 2009 isn't Haswell compatible because it doesn't use DC to DC.

OP chose a KM3. While it's far from the newest kid on the block, it most certainly uses DC to DC and most certainly works with Haswell's sleep state.

But if you have links to these boards that are littered with complaints about using CURRENT product with a Haswell board, please feel free to share them.

 

[bigboxes]

You mean the PSU lacks the CPU ATX12V connector and are the older/cheaper units? If that's the case, you're dealing with people that are buying Seasonic PSUs just because they're Seasonic PSUs (naive consumers). Pretty much anything made after 2009 that's Bronze or better uses DC to DC. So if these guys are buying "new" Seasonics, they're new old stock.

You can pretty much say almost ANY brand PSU, made before 2009 isn't Haswell compatible because it doesn't use DC to DC.

OP chose a KM3. While it's far from the newest kid on the block, it most certainly uses DC to DC and most certainly works with Haswell's sleep state.

But if you have links to these boards that are littered with complaints about using CURRENT product with a Haswell board, please feel free to share them.

I figured Puffnstuff was posting FUD. Just not sure why. Maybe he wants to feel good about his purchase of the PSU-de-jour. Whatever the case, I'm happy the OP didn't listen to him. Seasonic is top notch build quality.

 

[jonnyGURU]

Seasonic is top notch build quality.

Well... not top notch. Among the better choices. And that's all that matters.

Again: You suggest "Seasonic and you can't do any wrong" and they run out and buy an M12 which comes from around 2009, but still available and isn't Haswell ready, you're doing the public a disservice.

 

[bigboxes]

Well... not top notch. Among the better choices. And that's all that matters.

Again: You suggest "Seasonic and you can't do any wrong" and they run out and buy an M12 which comes from around 2009, but still available and isn't Haswell ready, you're doing the public a disservice.

Of course, I mean that they purchase their new models. I'm not suggesting that they purchase old stock because it's cheaper. Excellent voltage regulation, high quality parts, plenty of supplied cables and long warranty. My bad for not mentioning "Haswell Ready" in my recommendation.

 

[sammykhalifa]

OP chose a KM3. While it's far from the newest kid on the block, it most certainly uses DC to DC and most certainly works with Haswell's sleep state.

Hey now, my current motherboard is from 2008, and the case I've been recycling is an Antec from 2002 I call "The Giant Beige Monster." I feel like I'm getting pretty modern here.

Thanks again everyone, ha.