Solid&reliable PSU without 0 RPM fan mode (old PC case, PSU mounted on top)

[mm-kk]

Hi all,

I'm looking for solid and reliable PSU for my PC; I need 550-650W unit which could replace my old Chieftec CFT600-14CS.

My PC is a bit old but a few years ago it was strong machine and after upgrading with SSD it works quite well. I'm going to use it for next 1-2 years but then it will probably still be used by someone from my family so I think it's worth to invest money in a good PSU.

After reading many reviews I decided to buy Corsair RMx. However, I've just noticed that it has 0 RPM fan mode - under low load the internal fan doesn't spin. While it is a big advantage if you have modern PC case (with PSU mounted on the bottom), it is unfortunately bad thing if you - like me - have old type of PC case with PSU mounted on top (just above the CPU area). In my old PC case the PSU is the main element which makes air to flow inside of PC, and I can't do anything to change it: my case has only 1 place to mount additional fan in the back and I already have it mounted.

In other words, I need a PSU whose internal fan spins all the time (of course it should be silent and be able to adjust its speed to the temperature, but I just want the fan to never stop itself); what's more, the bigger fan, the better (I prefer 135/140mm fans).

Could you please kindly advise me what PSU should I buy? As I told, I need 550-650W unit and I want the PSU to come from good manufacturer (I need solid and reliable unit). When comes to price, let's say that the price of mentioned Corsair RM650x is acceptable for me.

Thanks a lot!

 

[UsandThem]

EVGA SuperNova G2. They have both 550w and 650w units. It is one of the highest rated power supplies, and comes with a 7 year warranty (10 if you register it).

It comes with a switch called 'Eco Mode' which turns off the fan until it hits a certain temp, but you can just turn that feature off and the fan will run all the time.

 

[Sheep221]

Yeah have to vote for the supernova G2, love it, I replaced my old LC power G550 with it, it's super silent even with the fan on. However if you have old case like I do(mine is 12 year old) you might find some threads at the PSU base will not match with the case's older ATX standard mounting holes. At least I had to do some modifications to install the PSU.

 

[DrMrLordX]

I can confirm that Supernovas do not fit old ATX PSU mount holes. Or at least, they don't on my Centurion 5.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

I've been looking at a Seasonic 650W X650 Gold for a Skylake system.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ..._re=Seasonic_650W_Gold-_-17-151-088-_-Product

If you look at the specs and pictures, you will see something I've already discovered on a similar unit I have for the server I'm currently building. There is a switch for "hybrid" and "normal" operation, and I don't want the fan at 0 RPM whenever the computer is awake.

I see the OP is swapping up from a Chieftec to a Corsair RM650x. Generally, I've developed a comfortable bias for Seasonic PSUs. Somewhere, there's a list of all or most PSUs on the market -- not sure how up-to-date it is, but it's "out there." Quite a few PSUs badged as other brand-names are made by Seasonic, and you can find those in the list I mentioned, which traces the brand and model back to the actual manufacturer. I'd seen EVGA models and PCP&C models that were rebranded Seasonics, and I thought I saw where a Corsair model was also.

But if you're going to spend the same amount of money (~$109), why not just buy the Seasonic?

 

[DrMrLordX]

Seasonic supplies are good to great, though it should be noted that there are some other excellent designs out there coming from other builders. SuperFlower has been making quite a name for itself, for example.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Seasonic supplies are good to great, though it should be noted that there are some other excellent designs out there coming from other builders. SuperFlower has been making quite a name for itself, for example.

I think it was at the turn of the millennium that I'd go down to the local computer shop and just buy "any old" ALLIED PSU with the proper output wattage. Then, I started overclocking, and never looked back. It seems there must be zillions of threads archived here about PCP&C, Seasonic, SuperFlower, the re-badging and so on.

I had one Seasonic 650W die on my (slowly) as it caused "mysterious' troubles -- defective RAM, corrupted HDD and so on.

BUT -- it was my fault. It was a computer that I would allow to enter sleep state and stay asleep for days at a time. Hard on any PSU, with no ventilation. Sleep for X hours and hibernate after that -- the way to go.

Sticking with Seasonic allows me to abjure the shopping and research on the other brands. But as you say -- "good to great." Every so often, every couple years, I check the lab-test review comparisons against the others. They never get worse, but only better. I'd be really surprised to see some review on a Seasonic that was in any way disparaging.

 

[DrMrLordX]

Welllll I had an X-series 1250W unit go bad after 2 hours of light use, which I had to RMA at my own expense. I got my unit back with cables, so it's all good now, but it was quite a headache. The replacement unit works fine.

 

[hojnikb]

Different question. I have an old TX650, that i would like to convert to semi passive mode. Is there a way to do that ?
Some sort of temperature sensor, that would shut off fan completely maybe ?

 

[VeryCharBroiled]

my seasonic 750x has the switch. i wouldnt have bought it if 0 rpm mode could not be turned off.