PSU recommendations??

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

I am looking for a new PSU for my backup pc. I seem to be having issues with my new motherboard(an RD600 chipset) and even though it could be the motherboard it may even be the fact that my PSU is not good enough.It is a Globalwin SF520 which was considered good in its day but alas it only has a 20 pin motherboard connector!!

Hence I need some advice on a replacement which should cost no more than 50 -60 quid maximum. I cannot afford to spend anything more even if the returns are much more.

I will only intend tto have the following in the system
one Core2 processor
one HDD
one DVD drive
one or two sticks of RAM
a 8500GT graphics card or maybe my X1900GT in my current system if I replace it

Anything between 500w to 600w would suffice IMHO.

I need something that is stable and can deliver its effective power too.

Thanks in advance.

[staffsMike]

you would probably get away with something around 400w and still be comfortable

but this is what you want.
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=446788

silent as they come, great quality and modular

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

I heard they are great - what about the FSP,OCZ,Hiper or Seasonic PSUs in the 40-60 price range??

[staffsMike]

the corsair is a seasonic underneath which makes it all the better.

the ocz gameXstream I have is very good but the cables are so long they can be a nightmare to tidy..mine are nicely done though

FSP make the ocz's so they are just as good.

Hiper just suck imo.

The corsair is slightly quieter than the ocz and is modular so I would have that. I've used it in two other builds i've done and I wish I had used it in the first place on mine.

the only thing that seperates them is the warranty. I'm not sure where you have to send the OCZ but it has a 3 year no questions swap warranty if anything goes wrong..you have send the corsair to the states for is 2nd to 5th (first with supplier) so it's very expensive to the point of not being worth it.

[Saracen]

......

the only thing that seperates them is the warranty. I'm not sure where you have to send the OCZ but it has a 3 year no questions swap warranty if anything goes wrong..you have send the corsair to the states for is 2nd to 5th (first with supplier) so it's very expensive to the point of not being worth it.

Don't forget, though, that regardless of what the warranty says, you still have the standard consumer (Sale of Goods Act, etc) rights which, depending on what the issue is, might be able to be relied on. And those are with the supplier, regardless of the warranty ..... and can (again, dependent on the problem) cover you for up to six years.

Consumer rights have limits and won't necessarily help, but the retailer can't avoid them or pass the buck to the manufacturer.

[staffsMike]

Not heard of that.. young and naive

What sort of things would that cover? (or your best guess)

I mean PSU's ..fail lol they can blow up or get fried with a power surge .. the power surge would be your own fault imo.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Hi

Thanks for the advice.

From the following list which are the best psus in terms of quality and value for money:
FSP Blue Storm AX500-A
FSP Blue storm II
Seasonic S12II-500
Silverstone ST50EF-Plus-SC super silent
560W Silverstone ST56F Strider
Tagan TG500-U25
Zalman ZM500-HP
Corsair HX Series Modular PSU
550W Xclio Greatpower Modular SLi
Coolermaster eXtreme Power 500W
OCZ StealthXStream 600W

I also noticed that not only does the RD600 need a 24 pin power connector but also a 8pin connector near the cpu(not the older 4pin one).

Will any of the listed power supplies also have this connector??

Sorry for all the questions but I want to just get a better idea of what brands are the best since most reviews do not mention reliability of PSUs even if they fit the specs well!!

[staffsMike]

I would imagine all of them have it.. the OCZ's and Corsair Deffiantly do.

I'd hope silverstone PSU's were high quality but I honestly don't know.

I'd rate them like this:

Corsair HX Series Modular PSU
Seasonic S12II-500 (because the corsair is the same quality but also modular)
FSP Blue Storm AX500-A
FSP Blue storm II
OCZ StealthXStream 600W (not as silent as suggested from reviews i've read)
Silverstone ST50EF-Plus-SC super silent ( a guess as i said before i just don't know but I trust silverstone)
560W Silverstone ST56F Strider
Zalman ZM500-HP
Tagan TG500-U25
Coolermaster eXtreme Power 500W
550W Xclio Greatpower Modular SLi

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

The Blue storm seems quite good value as it is under 50 quid; it was under 40 quid at Scan a while back!! Why oh why did I not get one back then I do not know....sob!sob!

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

It does not seem to have the 4+4 pin connector though!!

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Corsair are doing some cheaper PSUs known as the VX series:

http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx...ey=11259,50113

Have you heard of them before and are they any good when compared to the HX series??

[staffsMike]

yeah still very high quality and quiet.. you lose the modular cables but great on a budget.

[Clunk]

And not really that cheap at 50 quid plus delivery.

[staffsMike]

I still say the HX 520w is worth every extra penny as most here would agree i'm sure.

These would do the job for the 8500gt and most likely the x1950
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=284214
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=644038

but leaves little scope for better graphics cards.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

And not really that cheap at 50 quid plus delivery.

There is a free postage deal and a 5 pound discount if you use Google checkout.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

I still say the HX 520w is worth every extra penny as most here would agree i'm sure.

These would do the job for the 8500gt and most likely the x1950
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=284214
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=644038

but leaves little scope for better graphics cards.

The problem is I have a DFI RD600 board which seems quite picky with PSUs.
I saw one review of the VX550 which says it is made by CWT and not Seasonic.

The HX520 seems quite tempting though. Time to see how much dosh I have free!