Which power supply is better?

[rogue1979]

OCZ StealthXstream 400-watt or Seasonic 350-watt.

Both have large cooling fans (120-140mm) and both are rated 80+ efficiency.

This will be running an Athlon 6000+ with onboard video.

No overclocking, it's some cheapo Systemax that came with a generic 350-watt which lasted less than a year. Computer is used as a internet box that runs simple software for updating and keeping track of a remote video and data stuff.

There are budget constraints, that's why both choices cost under $40 shipped.
I have both on hand, but if it is necessary I could get something with a little more grunt.

I'm thinking either should work just fine, but a second opinion never hurts...

 

[dualsmp]

I'd go for the Seasonic 350w.

 

[Beanie46]

Another vote for the Seasonic. I'm unsure about the OEM for the OCZ, but I'm pretty positive it's nowhere near the quality of the Seasonic.

 

[dangman4ever]

The StealthXStream line of PSUs are based on FSP's Episilon PSU design which has out of spec ripple, or voltage fluctuations, at high loads that can damage or kill your system. Granted, you may not reach such high loads but why pay for a PSU that can kill your system?. So Seasonic hands down.

 

[rogue1979]

Thanks guys, I believe the Seasonic is probably a little more robust also. That's makes four votes to zero, so Seasonic it is. It is also covered by a 3-year manufacturer direct warranty.

Edit:

While I was looking at Seasonics website to check the warranty period, they stated the SS-350ET was 80 Plus Bronze certified. Is going from 80% efficiency to 82% a big deal?

If it is, I could always keep the SS-350ET for the rig in my signature and put my current OCZ StealthXStream 500-watt in the 6000+ server? I was running an Antec Earthwatts 380 in my personal machine for a long time and it never got more than luke warm, even during extended gaming. I only picked up the OCZ 500-watt because I got it dirt cheap after rebate ($35) when someone else needed a decent power supply (they got the EA380).

I prefer low power/heat hardware (like my HD 4670) even if it means giving up a little performance. I have yet to find a game to my liking that runs too slow on my hardware.

Though in all fairness I do game quite a bit on my PS3 / 40" LCD and use my computer mainly in Linux Mint 7 these days.

 

[rogue1979]

OK, I switched out power supplies now I am using the SS-350ET in my gaming machine.
Works fine, even after putting in a different more power hungry video card. My HD 4670 worked perfectly in Linux Mint 6, but never got it working in Mint 7.

A 9600GSO 768MB works fine in Mint 7, and still doesn't really use too much power in comparison to a 4870 or GTX260/280. It's more or less the same speed as the HD 4670 and more than fast enough for my native resolution of 1280 x 1024.