PSU Suggestions

[jac1]

Hi All,

After the recent loss of my Hiper I'm looking for a new PSU with a few requirements. 1) Reliable, 2) Quiet, 3) Not too hard on the wallet and 4) Doesn't go bang.

So far I've been looking at:

520W Corsair HX Series Modular PSU (£72.44)
525W Enermax MODU82+ EMD525AWT Modular Triple PCI-E Rail (£74.38)
550W Be Quiet Dark Power PRO BN072 Modular PSU (£82.56)

525W Enermax PRO82+ EPR525AWT Triple PCI-E Rail (£69.78)
500W Seasonic, S12II-500 Bronze PSU (£71.29)

According to this eXtreme PSU Calculator (http://extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp) these should be ample for my system (Q6600 G0, 4gb DDR2, 1x 1GB GTX280, 2x Samsung Spinpoint F1, DVD/CD writer and 4x 120mm fans).

I think I'm leaning toward the Enermax PRO82+, but I would really appreciate other peoples thoughts.

[mightymouse]

personally i prefer corsair and be quiet but then enermax has lots of good reviews too. i like corsair cuz they're reliable and their amazing no hassle warranty.

[nightkhaos]

I would go for the Corsair HX Modular personally... and I did.

[stavroshamster]

I have the Corsair HX too and am very happy with it. Would definately recommend that one.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

I have the HX520w and it is an excellent power supply.However I regard the Enermax modular PSU as better since it is a newer design AFAIK. The Be Quiet! power supplies are even better but some people have had issues with them from what I have heard.

If you want to save some money look at this PSU:

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/159050

The OEM I believe is Delta Electronics(supply server PSUs for Intel and Dell) and they seemed to be well received on the JohnyGuru forums.

[jac1]

Comparing the noise levels of the Corsair and Enermax (not embedded as they are large graphs):

http://images.anandtech.com/reviews/.../acoustics.png
http://www.corsair.com/_images/charts/hx520w_noise.jpg

It seems the Enermax outperforms especially when the load increases. I know the difference is marginal and I'm finding it difficult, in my mind, to quantify the difference in noise... On the otherhand the Corsair seems to be highly recommended.

This decision seems to get harder the more I think about it!

[kalniel]

Both are great. Toss a coin and if you don't like the outcome then change your mind.

[s3ds]

550W Be Quiet Dark Power PRO BN072 Modular PSU (£82.56)

ive used one recently in a build and i was very impressed

520W Corsair HX Series Modular PSU (£72.44) i have one in use very good psu although personaly i prefered the connectors on the enermax liberty ( i have not used newer enermax yet )
TBH i would be happy with any of them for one of my personal builds

[jac1]

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

[Pob255]

Yep any of them or the chieftec CAT listed, all are very good

I know some of the chieftec's are made by Seasonic and some by Delta (known mainly for server psu's and laptop power bricks) there maybe others as well.
Our pc's at work use chieftec psu's they are very good and we've yet to lose anything if the psu dies.

[jac1]

I think I'll put a selection of my favourites in front of my wife and let her pick. That way if it fails it's all her fault.

[nightkhaos]

I think I'll put a selection of my favourites in front of my wife and let her pick. That way if it fails it's all her fault.

I assume she has the expertise to understand the differences between the PSUs?

[jac1]

I assume she has the expertise to understand the differences between the PSUs?

Not at all... but it will be her fault for once... who am I kidding? I'll still get blamed.

[s3ds]

your'll end up with the PSU thats on offer if your wife is any thing like mine

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

The Chieftec is only around £60 also!

[Joe Public]

The Chieftec APS series is not Delta, but Sirtec. Sirtecs are a mixed bag really. Some are decent, some aren't really so good.