Upgrade PSU to Gold Rating

[GoStumpy]

I have an Antec P182SE case that I think I will keep nearly forever..

I built my PC in a much cheaper case previously, with a Biostar T67+ motherboard, Intel i3-2100, 8gb Ram, XFX HD6850, SSD & HDD, and a Corsair CX-430 power supply.

I am putting together a second PC for when friends come over, and will likely go with a 6850 or 6870 video card. This means the current 300w PSU without a PCI-E connector won't do in the spare PC.

I was thinking maybe putting my CX-430 into the other PC and upgrading my power supply?

I know Gold rating isn't that important, but I'm a geek, it'd be nice to know.

Thinking I will keep it for a long time, would a 550W Gold PSU run a R9-280X if I upgraded further in the future?

Any reason not to go with it? Decent deal:

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371071&cm_re=antec_gold-_-17-371-071-_-Product
$89.99 - $20 rebate

I also like the fact that I would have an Antec PSU in an Antec case... helps with my OCD

 

[Puffnstuff]

It's whatever you decide to do that matters. I haven't used an antec ps in a lot of years but back in the day I always used them. I tend to stick with enermax and corsair these days. Good luck with whatever you buy.

 

[Charlie98]

$70 is a bit much... I wouldn't go there. I know Corsair is rebating the CX series pretty good right now, and I recently got a SeaSonic 620 modular for less than that Antec.

I just think people overvalue the Gold rating...

Speaking of OCD... I had to mount the SeaSonic upside down (fan drawing from inside the case) because otherwise the label would have been upside down. I just couldn't take it...

 

[GoStumpy]

I got my CX430 for ~$20 back in the day, bought a few of them... all used now

I thought that was a pretty good deal for a Gold rated PSU...

 

[Blain]

I know Gold rating isn't that important, but I'm a geek, it'd be nice to know.

"Platinum", is what you should be aiming for.

 

[Charlie98]

I got my CX430 for ~$20 back in the day, bought a few of them... all used now

I thought that was a pretty good deal for a Gold rated PSU...

I got my 2 CX430's... one at $17, the other at $20. :awe: Good deal on a good PSU.

...and I love quoting myself:

I just think people overvalue the Gold rating.

I wouldn't spend half as much more for a Gold-rated PSU of lesser wattage.

 

[GoStumpy]

It appears like my current HD6850 has a single 6-pin PCI-E input, and my Corsair CX430 PSU has a single pci-e cable...

I will be upgrading to a HD6870 and giving my 6850 to the spare PC, so it appears I need to upgrade my PSU to handle the dual 6-pin inputs of the 6870...

I see the Corsair CX500 for $39.99 after discount code & rebate:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027

EVGA 600B for $39.99 after discount & rebate:
http://www.ncix.com/detail/evga-600b-bronze-600w-80-06-89067-1481.htm

Antec Earthwatts 550w Platinum for $95:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371055

 

[Charlie98]

Then I suppose I can leave my PC be for now, and try to find a really cheap PSU with a PCI-E connector for the spare PC...

Or find a really good deal on a moderately better PSU for mine.. whichever comes first!

That's where I would go. Buying an inexpensive PSU like the CX-series is not the same as buying a cheap PSU. The right tool for the right job... that means buying a properly sized PSU in a reliable nameplate. I just don't think purposely upgrading to get a Gold-rated PSU is cost effective for most people.

 

[GoStumpy]

Very true.

So it seems I will be donating my current CX430 and my Hd6850 to the budget build, and am getting a HD6870 for my PC, which I believe requires two 6-pin PCI-E connectors.

I'm not 100% sold on EVGA for PSU's, but I've heard good things...

 

[lehtv]

So it seems I will be donating my current CX430 and my Hd6850 to the budget build, and am getting a HD6870 for my PC, which I believe requires two 6-pin PCI-E connectors.

Why are you getting a 6870? Why not get a newer generation card with much better perf/watt?

I'm not 100% sold on EVGA for PSU's, but I've heard good things...

It's not the brand, it's the manufacturer. EVGA SuperNova G2 units are based on Super Flower's top notch Leadex platform which is on par with if not better than Seasonic's X-series. But in this case, the brand is a win too, as you get 10 year warranty.

 

[GoStumpy]

Getting the 6870 for $50 cash, no shipping no tax

He also tells me he has a Corsair TX450 PSU, but I can't find any info on that, would probably get it for a song...

 

[lehtv]

What PSU does the second PC have? Is it the one in your sig with the CX430V2 as well?

 

[GoStumpy]

Sorry no my sig is out of date, gotta fix that. I am rebuilding the secondary PC. It currently has a 300w Antec unit without a pci-e cable.

 

[lehtv]

OK. The cheapest solution, if you don't want to use a molex/SATA to PCIe adapter, is a CX500 $50 AR AP. The next step up is XFX 550W $68 AR shipped, then Seasonic SSR-550RM $80. I'd prboably choose between Corsair CX and Seasonic.

 

[GoStumpy]

Seller of the video card has a Corsair TX650, will see what he wants for it that might settle this whole debate if it's cheap enough

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

..

 

[GoStumpy]

What do ya'll think is a good price for a used TX650?

Thanks!

 

[Blain]

What do ya'll think is a good price for a used TX650?

That's a price check, and we can't do that.

 

[lehtv]

That's a price check, and we can't do that.

In this case it's just another way of asking "is this worth buying?", a question that's answered all the time here. Not a rule violation, IMO.

@GoStumpy It depends, how much has it been used? A new 650W unit of similar quality would cost you $80 after rebate and shipping (xfx 650W). As a rule of thumb, a few years old PSU is worth about half the price of a new one, more if it's relatively little used, less if it's already showing its age.

 

[GoStumpy]

Thanks, considering PSU's have a lifespan and he called it 'older' TX series, I hope I can get it for $20

 

[Charlie98]

Both the TX650 and TX650v2 are made by SeaSonic and are good units. I would think as long as it wasn't hammered, it should be a good solution.