Are FSP PSUs any good?

[dct]

Hello everyone,

I'm building a new rig which will contains an i5 2500k. Was looking at FSP Aurum 500W PSU from Scan and could not find many reliable reviews on the thing. Has anybody got any first hand experience with these PSUs? Would this 500w be enough for an overclocked i5 2500k with integrated graphics?

[D1DM]

It will be fairly similar to the 700W version. But thankfully with a less loud fan.

500W is more than enough, in fact it is overkill for a build that doesn't have a discrete GPU. If you are not going to add a graphics card, or don't want that option then if possible you should find a lower wattage unit.

I'm not really sure if the gold efficiency is worth paying more for Aurum units over other good, cheaper bronze units.

The cheapest gold efficiency unit that I have seen that is worth buying is the Super Flower Golden Green 450W at Amazon for £96, but it's from a German seller, which means you are likely to get a European/German power cord and have to reuse one you already have or buy one.
The next one that I have seen is the Seasonic X-560 for £107.

[Pancake]

Every FSP PSU i have got was decent, go for it

[malfunction]

There are a few reviews out there for other versions of the same line, e.g.

400W: http://www.dirkvader.de/Fortron_Source_Aurum_400W.html (in German)
600W: http://www.hardware.no/artikler/fort...d_au-600/89244 (in Norwegian)
700W: http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/artic...ly-Review/1228 (in English!)
750W: http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/FSP/Aurum_CM_750W/ (English again)

Google translate seems to do a decent job of the non-English results.

FSP used to make really good PSUs for the price, reviews of this range seem good... Seems a bit pricey for 500W though

[D1DM]

Reviews for the 700, 650 and 750W versions:
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cas...aurum-psu.html

I should also have said the Be Quiet Efficient Power F1 and Straight Power E9 and E9 CM units are all based on the FSP Aurum design and are usually cheaper, however the HWS review (below) shows that they have downgraded the capacitors and thus received a fairly negative review. However the JG review didn't show the same problems.
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php...Story&reid=269
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/artic...ly-Review/1442
For some the quieter fan would be worth the downgrade of the capacitors.

[Pob255]

Some of their lower end units have been a bit weak, but their higher end units, like the Aurum, are top notch.

[p5-]

FSP have always made fairly solid power supplies, I've not had one fail on me before. I've found they seem to do only average to above average in reviews though, falling behind the likes of Seasonic,etc.

[dct]

Thanks so much for the links. I think I will get this one to leave room for a discrete graphic card in the future.

[peterb]

FSP are one of the larger OEM manufacturers of PSU's, some of the well known branded PSU's are made by FSP.

I have used a few of FSP's lower power units without problem.