QUIET but GOOD PSU

[CDC Mail Guy]

Tried the search function, and it is not working. Looking for at least 600 Watt PSU with 2 six pin PCI Express connections. I have a 3 year old Ultra PSU from TigerDirect that SEEMS to me to be the noisiest part of my system (fan on it gets loud like it's off balance???)

So looking for a GOOD, under $100 replacement. Suggestions?

 

[HOOfan 1]

Antec Truepower New 650W

 

[Craig234]

Antec Truepower New 650W

How would we pick between te Antec and the Corsair 650W for the same price?

 

[HOOfan 1]

If the TX650 and TPN 650 are the same price, then I would choose the Antec. It is a newer, more efficient platform and it is at least partially modular.

If the HX650 and the TPN are the same price, I would likely go for the HX650. It is the older TX650 platform, but it has been improved some, it is modular and IMO looks better....but it is usually at least $130.

 

[wiretap]

Corsair, or Zalman heatpipe cooled.

 

[HOOfan 1]

Corsair, or Zalman heatpipe cooled.

It depends on the Zalman and it depends on the price.

Those heatpipes add to the price and many of the Zalmans cost much more for a comparable unit than other vendors.

The older lower power Zalmans used a mediocre FSP platform. Granted the Zalman versions of those FSP were probably the best FSP Epsilons on the market, but they were still an inferior platform to the Seasonic built Corsairs and Antecs.

They are also using Enhance and may have even switched to all Enhance. Enhance makes some really good PSUs. I don't know the particulars of their entire line of new Enhance made PSUs though, so I am not sure I could suggest them over anything else. I wouldn't hesitate to buy them if they were decently priced and not much else was available though.

 

[wiretap]

They're rated pretty highly, and under high load due to the heatpipe cooling, they carry a lower ripple when compared with their traditionally cooled comparable base unit.
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=30

I have the 850w version, and I'm powering an overclocked i7, watercooling, 295 quad sli overclocked, a 300gb velociraptor, etc. They're great PSU's and they are almost dead silent.

 

[CDC Mail Guy]

Thanks for the input guys, and the Zalman looks great, but I think I'm going to go with the Antec...mainly the price and free shipping (Plus my case is an Antec ). I know that's not the best reason, but thanks to my Governor in California (and me being a State employee losing 15% due to 3 furloughs)...even Christmas has been cancelled this year.

Hell...come to think of it, if it comes down to me EATING this month, I might just wait and put up with the rattling till the Ultra eventually dies!

Thanks again for the help.

 

[HOOfan 1]

They're rated pretty highly, and under high load due to the heatpipe cooling, they carry a lower ripple when compared with their traditionally cooled comparable base unit.
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=30

I have the 850w version, and I'm powering an overclocked i7, watercooling, 295 quad sli overclocked, a 300gb velociraptor, etc. They're great PSU's and they are almost dead silent.

The ZM850-HP is made by Enhance, not FSP...not even comparable. The Enhance platform in the ZM850-HP is much better than the FSP Epsilon platform.

Besides that, the cooling method does not affect ripple suppression. The Zalman Epsilon units suppress ripple better than other FSP Epsilons rated at the same power because the Zalmans are very under rated PSUs...meaning that some vendors would slap a 700W rating on the ZM600-HP. Their secondary filtering is obviously better. Has nothing to do with the heat pipe.

Our governor in Virginia is giving us a 1 day furlough in 2010...and laying off a ton of people. 3rd round of layoffs is coming soon....maybe even this month...oh boy.