Which PSU - -Futureproofed?

[PsychoChimp]

Hey,

Can't decide between the Corsair VX450 or HX520.

I've got a reasonably small case (Antec NSK4000) and don't really have any problems with cables.

I would go for the VX450 but don't want to have to change my PSU when I eventually go Quad Core and 4 sticks of DDR2. Don't really game much, currently have an ATI x1950 Pro, I will probably stick with mid-range cards in the future as well.

Do you reckon it's worth going for the HX520 for the extra headroom (+ convenience of modular) even though it's £20 more?

Cheers,

Chimp

[PsychoChimp]

Oops, put this in the wrong forum!

Was meant to be in Hardware. Can someone please move it?

Sorry!

Chimp

[HSK]

hmm 450 should be fine with a quad core and four sticks? thas what im running, with a 8800gts. and my psu is 380w :$

but, hx520 would be nice, and to have that extra just incase. i'd go for that. im planning to get one too, cause what im doin is borderline.

[Saracen]

Oops, put this in the wrong forum!

Was meant to be in Hardware. Can someone please move it?

Sorry!

Chimp

Not only "can", but "will".

And did.

[PsychoChimp]

Not only "can", but "will".

And did.

Thanks!

[Blitzen]

Hey,

Can't decide between the Corsair VX450 or HX520.

I've got a reasonably small case (Antec NSK4000) and don't really have any problems with cables.

I would go for the VX450 but don't want to have to change my PSU when I eventually go Quad Core and 4 sticks of DDR2. Don't really game much, currently have an ATI x1950 Pro, I will probably stick with mid-range cards in the future as well.

Do you reckon it's worth going for the HX520 for the extra headroom (+ convenience of modular) even though it's £20 more?

Cheers,

Chimp

Unfortunately for us all, there is no such thing as 'future-proofing' when buying PC components.
I can guarantee that whatever you buy today will be out of date tomorrow!

[rabbid]

"there is no such thing as 'future-proofing' when buying PC components"

Cost effectively probably not, in 1-2 years when you come to upgrade the next gen kit is cheaper anyway, and sometimes fittings and requirements change too. Unless the OP is considering the upgrade in the near future then just go with whats best to do the job now.

[PsychoChimp]

Really just wanting to know if you think the VX450 will be up to the job of powering a OC'd quad and a mid-range (next-gen) graphics card?

If it's not gonna be enough, I may as well buy the HX520 or VX550 now.

Thanks

Chimp

[dangel]

Thermaltake are doing a nice 2000 watt PSU now - i'm pretty sure that'll cover most cases for a while..

[PsychoChimp]

Thermaltake are doing a nice 2000 watt PSU now - i'm pretty sure that'll cover most cases for a while..

That's the thing I don't get. No one needs this amount of power, look here.

Surely in the future the power usage of some components is going to go down?

[staffsMike]

It is going down especially at this stage where performance isn't really growing mamouthly but energy use is going down.

A decent 500w power supply should be plenty enough to power any midrange system for a number of years.

I would go for the 520W HX. The VX is very nice but I prefer the slight quality improvment and modular cables that the HX brings.

[dangel]

That's the thing I don't get. No one needs this amount of power, look here.

Surely in the future the power usage of some components is going to go down?

Hopefully! I think it's cock-jockying in all honesty!

[Pob255]

Thermaltake are doing a nice 2000 watt PSU now - i'm pretty sure that'll cover most cases for a while..

Unfortuneatly not always true
A lot of the high end PSU's from a couple of years back will struggle now, the resaon is not the total wattage but the shift from the +5v to +12v
Granted I don't see power demands going back down to the +5v rail, but I can envision a new higher voltage rail appearing.

To the subject at hand, a vx450 can handle a 8800gts+core2quad+4 sticks of memory without trouble
Main reason for the hx520 would be modular, with increaseing numbers and lengths of PSU cables it can get very messy inside a small case very fast.

EDIT: ALso like to say Welldone HSK, your specs should open some peoples eyes
(and to railroad anycomments about the psu in my system, only reason I got it was a 50% off sale for £35 it was a good bargin)

[dangel]

Unfortuneatly not always true

Was rather tongue in cheek mate
I wouldn't seriously recommend a 2 KILOWATT blinking PSU to anyone.

[PsychoChimp]

Seeing as the VX450 will be able to handle it, I'll get that next time it comes on Scan Today Only!

While modular would be nice, I can't really justify an extra £20 for it.

Chimp

[nickp8]

The quad core ssytem in my sig uses 138W idle and 188W on load according to my Zalman ZM-MFC2. I use an Enermax Liberty 400W PSU and the system runs fine so the VX450 will be fine.