PSU dilemma: 430W vs. 500W (for $15 difference)?

[AnitaPeterson]

Hi folks,

I'm thinking about getting a PSU for a Q6600 machine, and not sure if it's worth investing more for a larger device.

Right now, the best deals that can be had in my area for a good PSU (remember, I'm in Canada!) are

a) Corsair Builder Series CX430 V2 430 Watt:
$49.99 -$10.00 (instant discount) -$15.00 (mail-in rebate) = $24.99

b) Corsair Builder Series CX500 V2 500 Watt:
$64.99 -$10.00 (instant discount) -$15.00 (mail-in rebate) = $39.99

Even without taking the MIRs and all the taxes into consideration, the difference is $15, which is almost 40% of the end-price for the smaller PSU...

Like I said, the PSU would go into a Q6600 system. There's very little chance it would be used elsewhere, although I can't discount that possibility entirely.

So... is the difference worth it? Leaving aside the traditional wisdom of "bigger is better", would the relatively minor difference in wattage justify the extra investment?

 

[Eureka]

You won't use more than 430W.

OK, that being said, PSUs will run more efficiently around the 50-60% load range. The 500W will run more efficiently than the 430W. Less load and more efficiency means longer life out of it, cheaper electricity bill, less heat.

However, if you don't plan on using it for anything else than this system, the $25 will last you for the lifetime of the system. However, the 500W is more than good enough to be kept and re-used for a new mid-range system. If you plan on using it for a longer time, it's only $15 more.

 

[lehtv]

No graphics card?

a) Corsair Builder Series CX430 V2 430 Watt:
$49.99 -$10.00 (instant discount) -$15.00 (mail-in rebate) = $24.99

That's a nice deal especially since it's the new 80+ bronze rated version (canada computers)

b) Corsair Builder Series CX500 V2 500 Watt:
$64.99 -$10.00 (instant discount) -$15.00 (mail-in rebate) = $39.99

newegg.ca has that for $38 AP AR shipped. And it's the new 80+ bronze rated version with a slightly stronger +12V rail. However if you don't have a powerful graphics card in the system, you're fine with the CX430 V2

 

[AnitaPeterson]

The card in the system is a Radeon HD 3850.

 

[TemjinGold]

For PSUs, bigger is not generally better. You'll be fine with the smaller unit. The $15 difference will more than make up for whatever efficiency you could possibly get from the 500w (though I'm pretty sure you won't get any in this case.)

 

[lehtv]

The card in the system is a Radeon HD 3850.

OK, CX430 it is. 3850 requires only one PCIe connector.

 

[wirednuts]

you would probably be fine with a quality 300w unit.