Any recomendations for a super-quiet PSU?

[djfluff]

I have a media-centre PC (which is also a gaming PC) and the PSU is getting on a bit.
(And I think may be a bit underpowered 500W)

Looking for something that's really quiet.

I have a GTX670 (overclocked, but with super-quiet aftermarket cooler)
i5-3570k (also OC'd)
4HDD's & 4 SSD's.

I guess I would need something around 600W.
On a lot, so needs to be efficient.

Any suggestions ?

[D1DM]

Do you have a budget?

I would say that 500W is plenty for a system with a GTX 670. It is even possible for a ~500W unit to run quietly with such a setup.

If you can afford this then I think that anything else as good/better costs a lot more:
Super Flower Leadex Gold 650W (£80 This week only deal)
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=CA-014-SF

Although there is also the Corsair RM series and XFX XTR units, which are quite good and have semi fanless operation, but for the same price I think the Super Flower is superior.

[MrJim]

I have a media-centre PC (which is also a gaming PC) and the PSU is getting on a bit.
(And I think may be a bit underpowered 500W)

Looking for something that's really quiet.

I have a GTX670 (overclocked, but with super-quiet aftermarket cooler)
i5-3570k (also OC'd)
4HDD's & 4 SSD's.

I guess I would need something around 600W.
On a lot, so needs to be efficient.

Any suggestions ?

Some PSUs (e.g. Seasonic X series) have a hybrid fan mode, whereby the fan doesn't start spinning until the unit reaches about 30% load, so it's essentially silent up to that point. I doubt a media centre PC would load such a PSU that much, unless you're encoding. There are quite a few fanless PSUs around at the moment too (Seasonic included), but you still need some airflow through a case if you're planning to use one of those.

[djfluff]

Some PSUs (e.g. Seasonic X series) have a hybrid fan mode, whereby the fan doesn't start spinning until the unit reaches about 30% load, so it's essentially silent up to that point. I doubt a media centre PC would load such a PSU that much, unless you're encoding. There are quite a few fanless PSUs around at the moment too (Seasonic included), but you still need some airflow through a case if you're planning to use one of those.

The fanless ones are pretty expensive.. I do have good airflow though. (3x140 Thermalright TR TY-140 )
Hmm..
I had looked at the Seasonic ones. The X series is over £100 though..

[djfluff]

No I have read some stories about "coil wine" on the corsair units. (Not sure if that applies to the RM series thugh..)
I have no experience with the Super Flower brand. I will do some reading.
Thanks for the info!

[polosistealth]

i recommend you PC Power & Cooling 650W http://www.pcpower.com/products/desc...50W/index.html

Up to 90% (10dB) Less Noise per Watt

[MrJim]

The fanless ones are pretty expensive.. I do have good airflow though. (3x140 Thermalright TR TY-140 )
Hmm..
I had looked at the Seasonic ones. The X series is over £100 though..

Here's a list of 'semi-passive' PSUs from various manufacturers:

http://skinflint.co.uk/?cat=gehps&as...63_semi-passiv

High efficiency PSUs do tend to be quite expensive, unfortunately, but they produce less heat & are therefore often the quietest units too.

[D1DM]

Here are two reviews for the 750W model, the only difference between the two units should be maximum output and the components necessary to achieve that.

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php...Story&reid=370
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/S...r/SF-750F14MG/

There are also numerous reviews for the 1000W+ versions of both the Gold and Platinum Leadex models.

I have read on the OCUK forum that the entire 5 year warranty is with OCUK.

i recommend you PC Power & Cooling 650W http://www.pcpower.com/products/desc...50W/index.html

Up to 90% (10dB) Less Noise per Watt

On the "Tech Specs" tab of that page it lists the noise rating as 22-34dBA. "90% (10dB) less noise per watt" is just marketing bull****.
Besides that unit is EOL and unlikely to be found in the UK. Even if it was available, does any one know what the status of OCZ support/warranty/RMA is?

Here's a list of 'semi-passive' PSUs from various manufacturers:

http://skinflint.co.uk/?cat=gehps&as...63_semi-passiv

High efficiency PSUs do tend to be quite expensive, unfortunately, but they produce less heat & are therefore often the quietest units too.

Unfortunately that list isn't complete as it doesn't list Super Flower models, which do have a semi-passive mode. And Super Flower are listed on Skinflint, unlike the XFX XTR units.

[djfluff]

i recommend you PC Power & Cooling 650W http://www.pcpower.com/products/desc...50W/index.html

Up to 90% (10dB) Less Noise per Watt

Never heard of them. Can you get them in the uk?

[djfluff]

http://skinflint.co.uk/?cat=gehps&as...63_semi-passiv

That's a really handy site, thanks!

[djfluff]

Have you noticed that amazon.com are shipping hardware internationally now?
You could get one of these delivered for £89
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Thoughts?

[kalniel]

Cheaper to buy it in the UK (http://www.scan.co.uk/products/650w-...0mm-silent-fan), it's overkill on the power (you would be fine with a 450W unit), and it's not quiet because the fan (not a particularly good one either) is always on.

Other than that, it's OK.

Something like this would probably be quieter:
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/500w-...ized-120mm-fan

[djfluff]

Cheaper to buy it in the UK (http://www.scan.co.uk/products/650w-...0mm-silent-fan), it's overkill on the power (you would be fine with a 450W unit), and it's not quiet because the fan (not a particularly good one either) is always on.

Other than that, it's OK.

Something like this would probably be quieter:
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/500w-...ized-120mm-fan

The one from amazon.com is modular, not that that's critical..
I have looked at the Be Quiet range, and I'm tempted...
I do like the idea of the semi-passive Superflower, but it's twice the price.

Do you really think I could get away with a 450W unit?
The PSU calculators on the net give me such varied answers. I know my GPU can consume 264W on full stress..

[kompukare]

I know my GPU can consume 264W on full stress..

I think 264W is more likely to be the whole system. Maybe if you overclock more and only run FurMark (though Nvidia throttle in Furmark though?). TPU got this Gigabyte 670 to pull 242W in Furmark but in games it max'ed out at 170W:

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/G...dforce/26.html

Never heard of them. Can you get them in the uk?

PCP&C were around for ages but then they were bought by OCZ... That's why D1DM mentioned that it's a bit hard to tell what the story is with them ATM since AFAIK Toshiba were only interested in the SSD business.

[djfluff]

I think 264W is more likely to be the whole system. Maybe if you overclock more and only run FurMark (though Nvidia throttle in Furmark though?). TPU got this Gigabyte 670 to pull 242W in Furmark but in games it max'ed out at 170W:

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/G...dforce/26.html

.

I flashed it with a MSI GeForce GTX 670 Power edition /OC BIOS

http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages..._review,8.html

That's where I got the figure from, missed the fact that was the full system wattage ! (DOH!)

My Seasonic s12 500w is about 7 years old now, and makes a hi pitched noise (not that loud, but audible) if I really stress the system. I was thinking it was underpowered, but maybe it's just getting old..

[kompukare]

My Seasonic s12 500w is about 7 years old now, and makes a hi pitched noise (not that loud, but audible) if I really stress the system. I was thinking it was underpowered, but maybe it's just getting old..

Might just be coil whine though. If it never did it before (and you were pulling a similar load) then maybe something has worked loose. Loose as in some coil which was glued on with hot melt glue or similar and the glue has failed.