DX10 Card Power Requirements / Recommendations

[shaithis]

So, whats wrong with the Hiper PSUs?

And why did I need to upgrade from a 580w PSU before my PC would turn on reliably? I can tell you that it wasn't "scaremongering" that caused it to refuse to boot 50% of the time....

[nazzo]

You could try this:

http://www.extreme.outervision.com/psucalculator.jsp

that's a good find.

cheers

[this_is_gav]

It also is next to useless now, as wattage means very little as Kalniel mentioned earlier. As well as the usual cases of the budget PSUs being unable to even get close to their advertised wattages (for any sustainable period), amps are more important now.

Regarding Hipers, I can't say what they're like now, but many of the ones bought in September-November ish are blowing up for fun. Presumably a batch problem more than anything else, but I'd be particularly wary of buying a Hiper PSU at the moment and do plenty of research on recent batches before you part with your hard earned.

For me, Hiper's are the lowest of the PSUs I'd consider - they're the budget PSU for the low-mid end enthusiast (if that makes any sense).

[GSte]

The number of amps is most important, but the calculator is still handy for giving you an idea of the wattage of the PSUs you should be looking at and it also mentions the importance of amps on this page anyway....

As for Hiper PSUs, I've built a few systems with them and never had any trouble, but there certainly are better ones out there such as Tagan and the like. Have heard a lot of people having problems with OCZ though...

[Blitzen]

It also is next to useless now, as wattage means very little as Kalniel mentioned earlier. As well as the usual cases of the budget PSUs being unable to even get close to their advertised wattages (for any sustainable period), amps are more important now.

Regarding Hipers, I can't say what they're like now, but many of the ones bought in September-November ish are blowing up for fun. Presumably a batch problem more than anything else, but I'd be particularly wary of buying a Hiper PSU at the moment and do plenty of research on recent batches before you part with your hard earned.

For me, Hiper's are the lowest of the PSUs I'd consider - they're the budget PSU for the low-mid end enthusiast (if that makes any sense).

Thankyou for a sensible comment.
Hipers are indeed a budget PSU with lots of Bling. They are decent enough for low-mid end systems but their efficiency and regualtion leave alot to be desired.

So, whats wrong with the Hiper PSUs?

And why did I need to upgrade from a 580w PSU before my PC would turn on reliably? I can tell you that it wasn't "scaremongering" that caused it to refuse to boot 50% of the time....

You needed to because you hadnt done your homework correctly in the first place.
Its AMPERAGE and not WATTAGE that will determine if your PSU is up to the job or not.

There are 650W Q-Tec PSUs out there but they are like 14A on 12V. Are you telling me that because it has 650W its good enough? of course its not!

Your 580W PSU was obviously a bit shabby else it would've dealt with your rig fine. Please try to grasp this.

Please try to read this whole thread as the advice is all pretty similar.
I certainly wouldn't want a rig as good as yours and have a Hiper PSU running it.

[daza]

Theres absolutely nothing wrong with hiper PSU's IMHO they have the same failure rate as any other psu which is to be expected, saying that there unreliable because there cheaper is just , my advice to psu is to get a well know brand look for a few reviews/look through forums then decide + how much you have to spend on one. Oh and I've got the hiper type m 730w and it hasn't missed a beat yet and I know plenty of people with hiper PSU's that will say the same thing.

[this_is_gav]

Theres absolutely nothing wrong with hiper PSU's IMHO they have the same failure rate as any other psu which is to be expected, saying that there unreliable because there cheaper is just , my advice to psu is to get a well know brand look for a few reviews/look through forums then decide + how much you have to spend on one. Oh and I've got the hiper type m 730w and it hasn't missed a beat yet and I know plenty of people with hiper PSU's that will say the same thing.

No mate, read what we said. They're not budget PSUs in a sense (they ain't no Q-tec!) but they are the low end of the PSUs that people should be considering.

It's not up for debate whether they've been reliable recently. It's fact. The 580s dating back to late last year were just horrific. As I said, I'm sure it was a batch problem that's probably been sorted, but people do need to be aware of it. Tagan went through something similar, but to a much lower level around October too.

Hiper's aren't a budget PSU compared to what OEMs such as Mesh or Evesham might give you, or the £15 650Ws made from tin and iron core. But they can't be compared to a Seasonic or FSP, just like a Seasonic isn't a PC Power and Cooling.

They're for the the mild overclocker on a budget.

[daza]

I'm not debatting just expressing my point of view anyway this article makes for interesting reading taken with a slight pinch of salt as always.

[Blitzen]

I'm not debatting just expressing my point of view anyway this article makes for interesting reading taken with a slight pinch of salt as always.

haha...I think a 'pinch of salt' is a massive understatement.

The most popular brands have a higher failure rate. Of course they do...they produce more and they sell more. Its obvious that the more you make then the higher drop out you will get.

The Thermaltake is by far and away the least reliable brand on that list. Followed by the Tagan and the Hiper. All the surveys in the world do not disuade from the reactions of first hand users that have tested a PSU in the correct conditions (rather than a Toms Hardware guess).

The fact remains that Hipers have a very chequered reputation and its also a fact that they are not as stable or deliver as clean power as the higher end manufacturers. (Corsair/Enermax/Seasonic/Silversone/OCZ/Fortron to name a few).

As i, and a few others have stated, the Hipers are fine for lower-mid systems but they are not to be recommended for high end systems. For the £50 they cost you cannot expect more from them tbh. They are cheap for a reason.
Like most things in life really....you get what you pay for!

Try putting a Multi-Meter on your Hiper when under load and then tell us that all is well.

[GSte]

haha...I think a 'pinch of salt' is a massive understatement.


The Thermaltake is by far and away the least reliable brand on that list. Followed by the Tagan and the Hiper.

I must admit I'm surprised to hear that about Tagan.... I would have certainly ranked them above all Enermaxes bar the Liberty. Scan's tech support boys swear by them. Perhaps I'll have to revise my opinion

[GSte]

Here we go:

http://web.aanet.com.au/SnooP/psucalc.php

[DratUK]

Ok sisnce we have a debate here on Hiper rather than what the OP actually wants/needs perhaps if the OP can give us a budget and then from there people can suggest a number of PSU's available within that budget.
In the meantime Syd have a look at http://www.jonnyguru.com/

His site is dedicated to PSU testing and has a valuable insight into the whys and wherefores of buying a quality PSU.
I think also ask yourself the question do you want to upgrade the PSU everytime you upgrade your system? I asked myself the same question a couple of systems ago and decided no. I then bought a FSP Epsilon 700 watt, that is now stood me through 2 system upgrades and is about to do a third.
Some of this is about looking to what future requirements you may have.

[Blitzen]

Here we go:

http://web.aanet.com.au/SnooP/psucalc.php

The PSU calcualtors don't really give a good account of what you have. They are ball-park figures at best.

Advice these days is:
Something with at least 500W and at least 38A on the 12v WITH 80+% efficiency. Follow that and you won't go far wrong.



To be fair though.
The Epsilons are fantastic units.

[GSte]

Have you heard anything about Zalman PSUs? I don't know anyone who owns one, but I'm in the market for a modular PSU and these are a bit cheaper than everyone else's offerings:

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

[Blitzen]

Have you heard anything about Zalman PSUs? I don't know anyone who owns one, but I'm in the market for a modular PSU and these are a bit cheaper than everyone else's offerings:

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

No idea!
I have never met/spoke/seen anyone than owns one tbh.