Quiet PSU needed

[Skyguy]

I'm looking for a decent PSU that will handle a DX10 card and good CPU overclocking, but it must also be rather quiet.

I know the final power specs aren't released for the DX10 cards, but the tentative results over at DailyTech indicate they're not as bad as originally thought. Am looking at a Thermaltake Armor Jr/Aguila case since I need something mid-tower.

Suggestions as to quality PSU that's relatively quiet? I'm thinking of getting 600W, that should do the trick according to DailyTech specs. Here are my options so far, feel free to critique or offer new suggestions in various prices ranges. Best overall reviews for efficiency and noise are below (must be available in Canada):

-OCZ GameXstream 600W
-Seasonic M12 or S12 600W
-Enermax Liberty

Enermax is pretty expensive but top notch in efficiency, etc.
OCZ extremely efficient but dunno about noise, but it is far more affordable
Seasonic is rumored to be virtually silent but am concerned about efficiency and output.


Any of you experts here have some advice/suggestions? I'd greatly appreciate any input.

Thanks.

 

[Gautama2]

I figure a 480w Seasonic would be fine.

 

[Ayah]

I'd go with a S12 600W.
Running a PSU at high load = louder versus running it at low/medium loads.

 

[Rommel44]

Seasonic would be my choice. Efficiency is higher than 80% and its very quiet.

 

[dBTelos]

http://tinyurl.com/fyax4
Seasonic S12 430W w/ PCI-E

 

[pkme2]

In this time of future builds, I believe more is better.

When it comes to PSUs, I see more scrimping and saving, buying minimum and whatever.

What's the difference in saving a few dollars. When it comes to your rig, you spending big bucks on CPUs, RAM etc and your're wishy-washy on Power Supplies?

Step up to the plate, assert yourself and get a man's power supply.

Corsair, OCZ, Thermaltake come to mind. The old standbys, Fortron, Enermax and Seasonic are still the solid recommendations but the new modulars seem to be the norm.

http://www.directron.com/w0128ru.html
http://www.jonnyguru.com/PSU/HX620W/

Get something solid and designed for the future.

 

[Operandi]

The Seasonic S12 Energy Plus or M12 are the best options in all regards. According to Daily Tech's testing a 380 or 430 S12 should do fine.

For the case I would suggest you take a look at Lian Li.

 

[Skyguy]

Wow, I'm seeing a trend here The Seasonic modular looks sleek too......I figure 600W should last me the life of a new rig.....? Yes, I'm definitely looking at spending the few extra $$ and getting something GOOD....am tired of using the crap stuff.

The M12 and OCZ seem to both push alot of amp on the 12V too, which bodes well for G80/R600 I would imagine.


As for cases, that's a whole other story......I dig the Lian Li's (expensive tho!) too but I can't seem to find a mid-tower that'll fit a DX10 card that doesn't break the bank and has some features I'm looking for

 

[dBTelos]

The trend is that Seasonic is known for quiet supplies. A S12 480W would be much more power then needed, but if you want to over do it a little, be my guest.

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: dBTelos
The trend is that Seasonic is known for quiet and very high quality supplies. A S12 480W would be much more power then needed, but if you want to over do it a little, be my guest.

fixed.

 

[pkme2]

Here are some choices for a strong upgrade to the future.

http://www.jonnyguru.com/PSU/M12-700/

http://www.jonnyguru.com/PSU/Toughpower750W/

http://jonnyguru.com/review_details.php?id=35

You can always get less, but DX10 is the future.

 

[dBTelos]

fixed.

True true...

pkme, take another look at this list. The only 750W unit rated for G80 SLi is a Etasis unit, much higher quality then anything from CWT/TT.

 

[stm69]

Originally posted by: Skyguy
Enermax is pretty expensive but top notch in efficiency, etc.

I'm a big fan of Enermax. I have 2 of the Liberty 620's, as well as 4 of the 500's. They are built sturdy, attractive in their black and gold. The modular cabling is pretty nice. I don't like the lengths and the distances between connectors for a full size case, but they provide plenty of extra cables. Comes with a carrying case for the spare. Pretty quiet under load, and I haven't had any issues yet.

 

[pkme2]

Originally posted by: dBTelos

fixed.

True true...

pkme, take another look at this list. The only 750W unit rated for G80 SLi is a Etasis unit, much higher quality then anything from CWT/TT.

Good point.

 

[Skyguy]

750W?!? Wow, that seems high. Assuming I'm not doing SLI/CF, I wonder if 600W will be "enough". There seems to be conflicting opinons (not fact?) about what is "enough". 500W vs 600W I can see, but over 200W difference? That's a bit much.

I've checked the PSU wattage calculator, and with an OC'd 6300, 2 HDDs, one G80/R600 card, a few LED case fans.......I can't imagine 750W. I'd think 600 would be fine, no? Given the specs published so far and what other people's current specs are (which are far more demanding than mine), I can't see those kinds of high numbers being needed. Am I missing something?

If I do need a bit more, I'd certainly spend the extra $30 or so, but I'd rather put that elsewhere if it's not really needed



BTW, thought I read that Seasonic make Corsair PSU's ?!? Is this true?

 

[songokussm]

i have the ocz, but mines a 700 watter, and it supports the G80/R600 with its dual PCI-E rails.

 

[dBTelos]

Your OCZ won't support high-end G80 SLi, songokussm... on topic. A 450W PSU is plenty for any modern single GPU setup. Something like the Masscool Nextherm 460W on Newegg would work well.