YAWMPSUWT: Yet another "Will my PSU work" thread.

[SunnyD]

I'm in the process of upgrading, and was curious whether I should be looking at a new PSU at the same time. Mind you, this PSU has been running for me for a couple years now, and I haven't really had many problems with it, but I've never ran "high end" either.

I actually bought it because it was the most inexpensive that I could find at the 500w range at the time, and was recommended by johnnyGURU too.

HIPRO TOP-500P5 500W
3.3v = 28A
5v = 44A
12V1 = 20A
12V2 = 20A
12V Combined Max = 29A

Max combined 3.3v + 5v power = 220W
Max combined 12v power = 348W

This thing has been solid for me, powering an AM2 3800+ @ 2.0GHz with 4GB ram across two different motherboards, powering an 8800GTS 640 and more recently a 9600GSO, and 2 200GB SATA drives, an optical drive, and 5 case fans (including the CPU fan).

I have a Phenom II 940 showing up at my door this afternoon, and am thinking about picking up a 4870 when my tax return comes in. So we're looking at powering this:

Gigabyte MA-GP790GX-DS4H
Phenom II 940 BE
2x2GB G.Skill DDR2-1066
Radeon 4870 1GB
2x Seagate 7200.7 SATA drives
1x Optical DVD-RW
USB Keyboard & Mouse
Appropriate case fans for an Antec P180

I also have the notion of possibly keeping my GSO with the 4870 (Windows 7) for PhysX if that ever fleshes out properly, at which point I definitely will need a new PSU (only one PCIe connector on this one). But for the time being, only one video card will be in there, I'll cross that bridge before I burn it when the time comes.

 

[conlan]

Just curious...are you sure it wasn't HIPER?

Hiper is a quality brand of PSUs.

I have no experience with Hipro so i'll defer to someone who has.

 

[SunnyD]

Originally posted by: conlan
Just curious...are you sure it wasn't HIPER?

Hiper is a quality brand of PSUs.

I have no experience with Hipro so i'll defer to someone who has.

Absolutely certain. HIPRO is an OEM-class brand for the most part.

 

[yh125d]

Considering its a couple years old and not from a great company, I'd go ahead and pick up a new one while you're at it if you can fit it in your budget. Maybe a Corsair 750TX or PCP&C 750w? Both are alot more power than you need I know, but have 4 native PCI-e connectors for if/when you go CF 4870s. If you don't think you'll do that a Corsair 550w would probably fit well

 

[conlan]

Originally posted by: SunnyD

Originally posted by: conlan
Just curious...are you sure it wasn't HIPER?

Hiper is a quality brand of PSUs.

I have no experience with Hipro so i'll defer to someone who has.

Absolutely certain. HIPRO is an OEM-class brand for the most part.

What i meant to post was.....are you sure it wasn't Hiper that Jonny Guru recommended?

Again, just curious

 

[SunnyD]

Apparently this particular model was built by Topower if that helps any... I was consider the PCP&P 750 since it's cheap, but I heard it has issues fitting neatly into a P180 case. Corsair would likely be a bit outside my budget (taking PCP&C's rebates into account). There's also an OCZ Silencer to be had for under $50 after rebates...

But alas, I'm getting ahead of myself. I won't have money for a video card until my tax refund comes in...

 

[Quiksilver]

I don't remember ever seeing JG recommend a top power unit or any HIPRO unit ever. Unless what he said was something more or like between what you have to choose from that unit would be better choice.
Also what is your budget so we can get an idea of what other choices you may have.

 

[SunnyD]

Originally posted by: Quiksilver
I don't remember ever seeing JG recommend a top power unit or any HIPRO unit ever. Unless what he said was something more or like between what you have to choose from that unit would be better choice.
Also what is your budget so we can get an idea of what other choices you may have.

It was way back when 500w was still popular. I wouldn't say recommend compared to antec or whatnot, but he gave it high marks.

Budget = as inexpensive as possible of course.

But realistically, I can stomach maybe $70-80 give or take. I'd love the Corsair 620HX - or something modular, but it's too expensive for me. The PCP&C 750 that's been "on sale" for ~$75 lately would be great, but I hear it has issues fitting into a P180 comfortably. Too bad the BFG ES-800 isn't available/cheap anymore either.

I was hoping to get something in the 700-800w range (so I can consider things like a GTX295 or 4870x2 comfortably). I think at a minimum I'm really looking for something 80+ certified, capable of Crossfire/SLI, and at least 650w. Modular would be a nice feature, and I'm not so sure how necessary PFC is (still confused after reading the sticky). Basically - I still with my current hardware usually ~1-2 years as needed, but then I usually upgrade only the parts I need to as I go. Hence, a good PSU that will be able to handle growth down the line.

 

[theAnimal]

Silverstone ST60F for $80AR.

 

[SunnyD]

Originally posted by: theAnimal
Silverstone ST60F for $80AR.

Hmm, that looks pretty darn good to me. Would it be okay for something like a 4870x2 or a GTX295 with the rest of my system?

 

[cusideabelincoln]

Yeh, that Silverstone will work fine for either of those sandwich cards. I was going to recommend you take a look at the OCZ ModXStream Pro series, as they are fairly cheap, 80 Plus Certified, and have modular cabling, but that Silverstone is a better buy and more powerful than OCZ's 600W ModXStream.