PSU wattage vs quality?

[nomagic]

I recently bought a SeaSonic S12 II SS-380GB ATX12V 380W Power Supply. After reading many reviews, I know that it is a quality PSU. However, I still have some doubt about its true capability.

Thermaltake Purepower W0100RU ATX 12V 2.0 500W Power Supply, being 10-bucks cheaper, actually has a 500W rating. That is 120W higher than the rating of my recently purchased PSU. That is a big difference, and I wonder if there is a good reason for it.

I have a feeling that my PSU will not live long under 500W load because it was probably not designed to do so. However, I also find it strange that a cheaper PSU can greatly outperform my PSU in wattage rating.

Anyone cares to enlighten me on this issue? I'd really appreciate that!

 

[imported_Scoop]

Wattage isn't everything for some people. As for myself, I like quiet and cool operation, high efficiency and the quality assurance that a unit by Seasonic gives. Of course the brand name of Seasonic also adds to the cost but I'd rather say I own a lower wattage Seasonic than a Thermaltake with high wattage rating

You should also compare the rail amperage details between those units. Seasonic has dual 12V rails with 17A, when the Thermaltake only puts out 14A and 15A off it's 12V rails, which are rather low.

 

[BassBomb]

At that price, you can get a corsair 550vx which is one of the best on the market at the moment

 

[mpilchfamily]

The TT is cheaper because its an older design and uses lower quality parts. Now if the system doesn't really need more then a 380W PSU then the TT will be fine. Now for about $10 more then what you would pay for the SS you can get this 450 Corsair unit.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817139003

I don't know where BassBomb is getting his VX550 since it retails at about $100 on Newegg. Thats with $5 off istant savings.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817139004

But as he mentioned the Corsair units are among the best on the market right now. BTW the 450W Corsair is a Seasonic OEM with upgraded parts. The 550W is a CHennel Well based PSU with upgraded parts. I have the VX550 in my system and its rock solid. But then i'm no where near putting a heavy load on it.

 

[HOOfan 1]

Well not that this applies to your situation, but there is no standard specification for wattage rating. The companies assign that rating to their PSUs. There are plenty of revies out there that will show you that often a PSU claiming to be a 750Watt PSU should only gain a rating of 450 Watts. Then again the companies can sell a PSU that may have been fine during the Pentium 3 era rated higher, but have weaker 12v rails and thus aren't up to snuff in today's world where the CPUs and graphics cards eat up 12v power. Also it depends on the temperature the PSUs are rated at. If the PSU is rated at 25C, and your operating environment is actually 40C (which is very likely) then you are not running at the rated power.

 

[TigerMonsoonDragon]

quality pwns wattage

 

[SergeC]

Originally posted by: kyubi
quality pwns wattage

Not to mention - how much power do you really think your rig will be using?

 

[Lunyone]

I don't know where BassBomb is getting his VX550 since it retails at about $100 on Newegg. Thats with $5 off istant savings.

My guess is here: $85 - $20 MIR = $65 and if you use the $10 Google checkout you get it for $55!!! 41A on the 12V rail!!!
Corsair VX 550W ATX Power Supply - CMPSU-550VX
http://www.buy.com/prod/corsai...loc/101/205852646.html

And for $5 less, after MIR, you can get the Corsair 450vx
$70 - $10 MIR = $60 or w/Google checkout $50!! 33A on the 12V rail!!
Corsair VX 450w Power Supply - CMPSU-450VX
http://www.buy.com/prod/corsai...loc/101/205466485.html

Newegg doesn't always have the best PSU prices, but has some of the best customer service. I haven't had any issues with Buy.com, so you can decide if you like to buy from them or not.

Good deal on the tx650w PSU at the egg! $120 - $20 MIR = $100!! Not bad for a PSU w/52A on the 12V rail!!
CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX ATX12V / EPS12V 650W Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, CE, CB, TUV, FCC, CCC - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817139005