Will a quality ~$120 PSU now be outdated 2-3 years from now?

[tracerit]

I'm in the process of upgrading my computer, just bought a new mobo and video card (8800GT). My current CoolerMaster Real Power 450W doesn't have a PCI-E connector so I'm now looking at a new power supply. I bought that 450W PSU maybe a year and a half ago and thought it'd last me, but I never really looked into PSUs that much.

My current plan is to keep this upgrade until around Spring 2009 and then do a full upgrade to a Nehalem system. If I get a quality $120ish PSU now, will it last me for that Nehalem system? Basically will a mid-range system in 2009 require more power or use different connectors?

I'm basically deciding between getting a quality PSU that maybe I can use for my next system, or a lower cost PSU that will work now but with no intention of using in my next system.

1. Corsair 520W Modular PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817139001
or
Seasonic S12 550wW PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817151027

2. Cooler Master eXtreme 500W PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817171018

 

[John]

Newegg is not the best place to purchase psu's anymore. ZZF has the HX520 for $109 shipped and there is a $10 rebate. Due to die shrinks power requirements are not as excessive as they once were.

 

[tracerit]

Ahh... never really considered about the die shrink in the processors.

This Thermaltake 750W Modular PSU for $70 AR looks good and it has a bunch of cables that should last me into the next gen. http://thermaltakeusa.com/prod...hPower/W0116/w0116.asp

I have been reading a lot of good stuff on the Corsair HX520 PSU though...

 

[smthmlk]

Assuming they don't come out with a 16-pin pci-e connector and such soon, you should be alright with any new psu of worthwhile quality (such as the corsair & seasonic mentioned).

 

[mpilchfamily]

There is no telling how long a PSU will be able to power a system. In about 3 to 4 years time it would be a good idea to replace a PSU anyway as they less able to supply the power they are rated too as time goes on.

As the manufacturing proses of chips shrinks the die does but only too an existent. Often manufactures like to throw more into the chip to get more speed out of it or add more cache. So power needs do drop a bit but usually not much. Then toward the end of that die size and before then new tech is introduced the power needs jump again as they are cramming that die with as much as possible. So future power needs are impossible to figure.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

My Seasonic 430 is still powering systems to this day and I got it in 2005. It's really no big deal as long as it has the connectors to use it. I always get as high quality as I can because I'll run older rigs with the same PSU. I got a 7 year old PSU powering a PIII system. It's a 250 watt AIG I think. Weighs more than the crap "500 watt" PSU I got in a case bundle (That blew my old S478 P4 system >_>)

Spend money and get a good PSU. You won't regret it. More wattage isn't necessarily better. More focus should be spend on a quality PSU. You don't necessarily need a 1KW house generator when you can use a 400W PSU. Just make sure it's quality.

 

[Deleted member 4644]

unfortunately, I would not play on a powersupply lasting that long. I got an Enermax 485W unit about 2.5 yrs ago, and I had to replace it recently because of my increasing power requirements.

 

[magreen]

Another option is just to get a cheap molex to pci-e adapter, and then you might not need a new psu now at all. I don't have experience with those adapters, however.