PSU - Corsair 520W or 600W Zalman

[DeludedGuy]

My current Abit motherboard and Hiper Power type R PSU are dieing, so I will be upgrading a few things.

I don't have a big budget, about £250 for everything, so my current list is:

CPU - AMD Athlon 64 X2 4800+ (2.5GHz)
Motherboard - Asus M2N-SLI Deluxe
RAM - Corsair 2GB Kit

Which leaves about £60 for the PSU.

I know corsair set the standard these days, but the 600w Zalman has been getting rave reviews, especially about how quiet it is.

So its between these two:

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=480708

http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/114945

Anyone have any experience with either?

[staffsMike]

i've got the 520w corsair..it's the best psu you could ask for. Its perfect for a silent system and it can handle everything you would want to throw at it.

Why amd though if you don't mind me asking? If you aren't overclocking it's fair enough but if you're willing to overclock you should consider a core 2 duo system I think.

[frazered]

the zalman looks good but i think it is a FSP based psu compared to the corsair as a rebadged seasonic

i chose the corsair because of this

[DeludedGuy]

I thought as much.

I am going the AMD route because of my budget and I will not be overclocking.

[staffsMike]

Thats kool then. The amd's do feel quicker than intels at stock settings..good luck with your build.

[NightshadowUK]

JonnyGuru's got very detailed reviews of both:

- Zalman ZM600-HP 600W
- Corsair HX520W 520W

They're both ace PSU's but it looks like the Zalman's the winner.

[DeludedGuy]

Ouch, some good reviews there, but its only made me more confused.

[staffsMike]

I'd still have the corsair if it were me..

It's very efficent and as silent as they come.

The zalman seems good too but even a review as postive as it got there wouldnt sway me

[NightshadowUK]

Me thinks you win either way so just go for the cheapest.

[DeludedGuy]

Me thinks you win either way so just go for the cheapest.

LOL, I think you are right.

[StaffsKieran]

I would seriously consider going for a system like this :

Intel Core 2 Duo E4300 @ £72.72

Abit IP-35E, iP35 Express @ £67.15

2Gb (2X1GB) Corsair TwinX XMS2, DDR2 PC5400 (667) @ 46.46

and a520W Corsair HX Series Modular PSU @ 68.02

total £254.35
all prices from scan as you'll get your free delivery.

and you can always overclock that if you ever pluck up the courage.

[DeludedGuy]

Is the Core 2 Duo E4300 faster than the 4800+ at stock speed?

[StaffsKieran]

i think its about the same in benchmarks @ stock and as i said itll be very easy to overclock if you have a craving for extra speed and that motherboard will future proof you with the penryn cores coming out in a month or so.

[frazered]

Me thinks you win either way so just go for the cheapest.

agreed, either should be fine, be good to get some other apoinions on the zalman too as everyone has the corsair

[staffsMike]

The e4300 is horrible at stock speeds as far as i'm concerned. I use a stock e6300 at work and thats naff to. If you're willing to overclock (which it's easy to do to these chips) then yeah go for it..otherwise stick with the amd..for day to day tasks you will notice all the difference with it.

[Mossy]

I would buy a Corsair for the 5 year warranty, but both are great PSU's