Recommended modular PSU?

[simonf7]

As I'm moving my htpc into a smaller case I'm looking to upgrade the PSU to a modular one.

I was looking at the Corsair HX series which comes highly recommended by a lot of people, but I have also read some good reviews on the Coolermaster and Be Quiet equivalents.

Corsair HX 520w

Coolermaster Real Power m520

Be Quiet Dark Power Pro 550w

I really want something that runs quietly and doesn't get too warm - something I guess the Coolermaster and Be Quiet PSUs would be better as they have a higher efficiency rating?

Cheers

Si

[Dr Cool]

As I'm moving my htpc into a smaller case I'm looking to upgrade the PSU to a modular one.

I was looking at the Corsair HX series which comes highly recommended by a lot of people, but I have also read some good reviews on the Coolermaster and Be Quiet equivalents.

Corsair HX 520w

Coolermaster Real Power m520

Be Quiet Dark Power Pro 550w

I really want something that runs quietly and doesn't get too warm - something I guess the Coolermaster and Be Quiet PSUs would be better as they have a higher efficiency rating?

Cheers

Si

I believe the HX520 is the most quietest of the lot, it realy depends on your system if any of them will be quiet. But I've always put corsair first as most of thier products are made by seasonic including this one. I would also put the coolermaster last.

[Anth]

They are all about the same price.

Therefore absolutely no contest, buy the Corsair.

[discopanda]

Hi Simon. I can tell you I have researched PSUs and read many reviews over the past few weeks. I opted for the Corsair HX520 simply because when tested by silentpcreview.com its easily the quietest of the lot in their tests compared with many PSUs including the Seasonic PSUs and also the VX series of Corsair units (don't believe manufacturers noise levels). Quieter by a long long way.

I then trawled forums looking for opinions on it and people seem to love it. Efficient and quiet.

[Mossy]

Corsair is the quietest and most under rated PSU think you have your answer.

Regards

[discopanda]

Can I just point out that I didn't know Scan sold this until I read this post. I'd searched before for the model which is "HX520" but that returns nothing at all. You might want to update things?

[simonf7]

Heh, so you think the Corsair may be the best choice?

Now, if it would only appear on TodayOnly again with a fiver off like it did last week

Si

[Mossy]

The Corsair appears on the Today Only on a regular basis so you probably will not have to wait long.

[Mossy]

Can I just point out that I didn't know Scan sold this until I read this post. I'd searched before for the model which is "HX520" but that returns nothing at all. You might want to update things?

Hi if you typed in 520w HX or 520w Corsiar it would of brought it up straigt away but thank you for pointing this out.

Regards

[Blitzen]

This is the best unit around at the moment at this kind of price point. http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=777991
The only thing the Corsair offers is the extended warranty. Everything else, the Enermax is better at.

For only £8 more than the Corsair, the Enermax Modu is without a doubt, a better unit.

[mccheese]

I've got a Coolermaster Real Power M520, very stable and the modular system worked out great in my compact Lanbox case! Highly recommended!

[simonf7]

This is the best unit around at the moment at this kind of price point. http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=777991
The only thing the Corsair offers is the extended warranty. Everything else, the Enermax is better at.

For only £8 more than the Corsair, the Enermax Modu is without a doubt, a better unit.

Just reading some reviews - do you actually have one of these and able to make comment on its noise output? The slightly lower depth of this will certainly help in the case I have.

Si

[discopanda]

The problem with noise is that its subjective - unless its measured exactly the same way. Blitzen could say "oh yes its very quiet" but what does that mean? Some PSUs I've been told are "very quiet" but when I look on silentpcreview.com they are louder when compared to others. Unless you can find a reliable review of the Corsair versus the Enermax you won't really know.

[LuckyNV]

IF you're not super desperate I've seen Corsair PSUs on Today Only many times in the past month or so. HX620 was like under £70 on at least 1 occasion IIRC (I have one myself, almost inaudible just sitting on my desk testing parts)

Otherwise my vote goes to the HX520

[TAKTAK]

Just reading some reviews - do you actually have one of these and able to make comment on its noise output? The slightly lower depth of this will certainly help in the case I have.

Si

do people not look at 'my system' tabs?

yes he does have one, and it is supposed to be better at everything (slightly) than the corsairs
the thing the corsair has over it is the warranty... that is it...

but corsair PSU's are very very quiet (and i don't have a enermax so i can't comment on that noise [i think blitzen has both?])

[discopanda]

Ok I just read some reviews. Silentpcreview state:

Enermax @150W output, 19 dBA@1m: One meter recording
Enermax @300W output, 22 dBA@1m: One meter
Enermax @400W output, 26 dBA@1m: One meter

For the Corsair HX520 its:

@300W, 22 dBA@1m: One meter, One foot (30cm)
@400W, 29 dBA@1m: One meter

So depending on the power you'd be drawing, theres nothing in it up until 350 or 400w.