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Upgrade PSU to Gold Rating

GoStumpy

GoStumpy

Golden Member
I have an Antec P182SE case that I think I will keep nearly forever..
11-129-026-03.jpg


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:
17-371-071-TS

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 🙂
 
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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.
 
$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...
 
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...
 
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GoStumpy said:
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...
Click to expand...

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.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't spend half as much more for a Gold-rated PSU of lesser wattage.
 
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
 
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GoStumpy said:
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!
Click to expand...

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.
 
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...
 
GoStumpy said:
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.
Click to expand...

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

GoStumpy said:
I'm not 100% sold on EVGA for PSU's, but I've heard good things...
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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.
 
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...
 
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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.
 
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 🙂
 
Blain said:
That's a price check, and we can't do that.
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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.
 
Thanks, considering PSU's have a lifespan and he called it 'older' TX series, I hope I can get it for $20 🙂
 
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.
 
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