Need new PSU

[Spec-Chum]

Currently got a (very) old TT ToughPower 750w running this thing and I've now had 2 total reboots when playing games so I suspect either the PSU is starting to show signs of failing or it just isn't up to the job in general.

i5 4690, currently overclocked to 4.6Ghz on 1.21v but my H105 arrived today so assume that will rise lol Gfx card is an overclocked R9 280 (non X). I think I'm starting to see why this old PSU is failing haha

Money not really an issue but I'd prefer something with bit of value around the 800W to 900W area.

The shortlist so for is:
EVGA 850w G2
Corsair RM850
Corsair HX850i

Thoughts?

[Spec-Chum]

Should have said sorry, has to be at least semi-modular and black.

[RazorBlitzz]

I'd go for the EVGA Supernova G2 850W. JohnnyGuru rated it at 9.9 over 10. And it has "nothing wrong at all" in the cons compared to "Ltec capacitors used throughout" on the Corsair RM850.

EVGA Supernova G2 850W:
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php...tory6&reid=377

Corsair RM850:
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php...tory6&reid=369

[Spec-Chum]

Thanks, yeah read that, the EVGA is certainly the front runner on those 3, but I've also read the Cooler Master V series are good, same as the Corsair AX (non i) series.

Only £20 more...

[ik9000]

Be Quiet Silent 10 have excellent spec and low noise profile across the board. NZXT Hale90 series also good, but I think they might only be available in white.

[ik9000]

BTW for a single card machine I would expect a 750W to be more than adequate. I don't think you need 850w. 600w should suffice for a single GPU even with OC.

[Spec-Chum]

Yeah, but I see a PSU as an investment, for example this current one cost me quite a bit 8 years ago and it's still working now, if I'd have gone 500w which was quite premium at the time I'd have had to buy a new well before now. It's been through 3 builds, this ThermalTake, a core2duo, an i7 L755 and this Z97 Haswell build. Still works fine for the most part.

For the sake of £15 (difference between 750w and 850 evga models) I see that as a good deal, plus as I say I'm not really on a budget as such, but I do have an eye for value.

Spend wisely, spend once

[Spec-Chum]

Plus, if an when I get into gaming more frequently I have the option of 2, or even 3 way Crossfire.

No need for that at the moment tho.

[pastymuncher]

EVGA Supernova G2 or P2 is what I would be looking at right now. The oem is Superflower and based on their Leadex platform but without the tacky leds where you plug the modular cables into the unit. Top quality unit and EVGA's awesome 10 year warranty can't really be beaten at the moment for the price.

[Spec-Chum]

Nice one, thank you.

Starting to doubt if I even need a new PSU now. Lowered my gfx card OC by 25Mhz and it now seems stable even on this PSU. Was stable on my old i7 860 at the higher speed which is why I suspect my PSU.

This current PSU is about 7 years old tho, don't want anything bad to happen.

Do they degrade over time or is the the rated 60A on the 12v rail still sound?

[ik9000]

you can get some loss of performance with time yes. Capacitors age etc but this is usually in terms of efficiency of AC-DC conversion rather than ability to output the same peak supply IIRC. Would it get worse in terms of stability eg ripple? Possibly, but enough to destabilise your card? I'd look at the mobo first, and is the card in a different case, getting different cooling etc?

If you're really worried hook it up to a decent oscilloscope and see (if you know where to borrow one).

[Spec-Chum]

Thanks for that, as mentioned everything seems fine when I lower the 280s OC from 1175 to 1150 (oh noes!) so I guess this particular system, for whatever reason, just can't handle the extra 25mhz where the older one could. I think both the card and the mobo (and the PSU) are fine to be fair.

I've got different everything, only the gfx card and psu remain from my old system, temps are down on this new system tho. Not much, 2C or so when running Heaven (69C vs 71C max).

I can live with that

[D1DM]

Have you checked out the (visual) condition of the unit? Checked for dust build up etc? If it's out of warranty then you may even take the lid off, just to look to see any obvious signs of degradation.

[Spec-Chum]

Not yet no, and I was playing tale of 2 brothers tonight at stock and had 2 reboots.

My power supply is 750w but this is split across 4 rails of 18A each. Maybe it's that?

It's almost definitely not the cpu as that passes every stress test possible

[Spec-Chum]

Interestingly, I had a full reset last night while LOADING GRiD 2, didn't even get into the game itself.

A little bit more background for you also, might help. I’ve not really done myself any favours on this thinking about it last night.

It hit me last night that when I changed from my 5850 to the R9 280 I never reinstalled the drivers I don't think (14.7). I also never even reinstalled Windows when I changed the mobo, which is a completely different chipset, it just found the drivers and went on it's merry way. Thinking about it, that can't be too good.

However, my old PC also restarted once while playing Lego Heroes demo with this very same GPU. That was the only time I recall it, but I never really gamed on it.

The only parts that were in both builds are the GPU and the PSU.

The GPU passes Heaven, 3dMark11 etc without issue, but I'll confess to say I've not really left them on overnight or over many hours. It did restart during 3dmark Vantage tho, but I lowered the clocks and it ran though fine.

[Spec-Chum]

Also worth mentioning, I was on stock GPU speeds whilst playing tale of 2 brothers last night when it restarted.