Buyers guide to PSUs

[Harrison]

I thought it would be useful if everyone posted their experiences with different makes and models of PSUs so we could compile a list of recommended PSUs, and ones to avoid.

I will update the list in this first post as we get the recommendations in.


Recommended PSUs:
Please include: Make, model, modular/fixed cable design, 12V rail setup, efficiency rating, warranty, plus any other useful info.

Coolermaster:
​

GX range - Single 12V rail, fixed cable design, 85%+ efficiency Bronze rating, 5 year warranty.
Note: Nice mid range of quality PSUs. Very quiet intelligent 120mm fan, Good range of connectors.

Silent Pro M Series - Single 12V rail, modular design, 85%+ efficiency Bronze Rating, 5 year Warranty.
Note: Nice solid build quality, quiet 135mm fan, very well designed modular cable management (cables can be mixed and matched, rather than specific socket for each type), very long reach cables so ideal for bottom mounted PSU.
​

Corsair:

Enthusiast TX V2 Series - Single 12v rail, modular and non modular variants available, 80+ bronze efficiency.
​

X-POWER:

ATX 700 TW - 76% efficiency rating.
​

PSUs to avoid:
Please include: Make, model, reason to avoid.

Antec:

SmartPower (usually the ~500W models) - Powers the computer fine, but randomly kills hard drives (suspected 12V rail surge).
Truepower - bad coil whine, but PSU worked OK.
​

Jeantech:

JNP-400P (400W) and JNP-500P (500W) - Dual 12V rails. 2x 80mm fans maing these PSUs quite loud and also such in a lot of dust.
Notes: Actually have mixed experience with this make. I've had 2 die in clients systems, but have also had a couple of systems with them running for years, and I still own one system with a 500W PSU that is still running perfectly with one of these. So a bit of a mixed bag. Best to avoid due to the ones I have seen fail.
​

Thermaltake:

TR2 series - 2 PSUs died after 2 years use.

Toughpower modular - faulty soft off power down. Was stable in use though.​

 

[Justin]

i have one of these

X-POWER ATX 700 TW​

POWER YOUR FUTURE ​

WITH ULTRA QUIET TECHNOLOGY​

​

FEATURES : 1.ATX12V VER.2.2 COMPLIANCE SUPPORTS THE LATEST PROCESSORS AND PLATFORMS​

2.ULTRA QUIET TECHNOLOGY FOR VERY LOW NOISE OPERATION AND OPTIMAL COOLING DESIGN FOR GAMER (<28dB AT 80% LOAD)​

3.HONEYCOMBE VENTILATION DESIGN ENSURES MAXIMUM AIRFLOW​

4.MULTIPLE SAFETY FEATURES TO ENSURE MAXIMUM STABILITY UNDER THE MOST SEVER OPERATION CONDITIONS​

5.HIGH EFFICIENCY (>76%)​

6.EXCELLECT PROTECTION FUNCTIONS PROVIDE MAXIMUM RELIABILITY : OVER-POWER PROTECTION ( OPP ) OVER-VOLTAGE PROTECTION ( OVP ) SHORT-CIRCUIT PROTECTION ( SCP ) CIRCUITS ENSURE SYSTEM WELL GUARDED FROM DANGERS.​

7.100% HIGH-POT, CHROMA & BURN - IN FUNCTION TESTED


it's been brilliant, but it's sadly discontinued

​

 

[Skellionz]

Corsair Enthusiast TX V2 Series are highly recommended /dedicated 12v rail 80+ bronze 85% EFF, modular and non modular varients

550,650,750 and 850w models

http://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/corsair-tx-850w-v2-power-supply-review/

stolen from tech data

- The latest ATX12V v2.31 and EPS 2.92 standards and it is backward compatible with ATX12V 2.2 and ATX12V 2.01 systems.
- An ultra-quiet double ball-bearing fan delivers excellent airflow at an exceptionally low noise level by varying fan speed in response to temperature.
- 80PLUS Bronze certified, delivering up to 85% energy efficiency at real world load conditions.
- Active Power Factor Correction (PFC) with PF value of 0.99.
- Universal AC input from 90~264V. No more hassle of flipping that tiny red switch to select the voltage input!
- A dedicated single +12V rail offers maximum compatibility with the latest components.
- Over-voltage and over-current protection, under-voltage protection, and short circuit protection provide maximum safety to your critical system components.
- High-quality Japanese capacitors provide uncompromised performance and reliability.
- A five year warranty and lifetime access to Corsair¡¦s legendary technical support and customer service.
- Safety Approvals: UL, CUL, CE, CB, FCC Class B, TUV, CCC, C-tick.

 

[Amiga Forever]

That is interesting to read

 

[ShambleS1980]

i dont really care for the make and model. i generaly look for multiple seperate rails, with higest possible amperage on each rail. and 1000W or so output.
i have bought a bunch of these "not known brands" and they have out lasted every coolermaster psu i have ever had.

The one i am most happy with lives in my overclocked Q6600 system and Loves to be OCCT tested. Rearly even thinks of fluctuating but i do have solid state caps on the board.

Unfortunatly I bought this psu a few years ago from either newegg or tiger direct, I payed for the item by giving a friend the money and they had the thing shipped here and got the rebate it was cheaper than a 800w psu from the uk even with shipping back then. £ was strong against the $, so All i can tell you without puling it out of my pc is It looks like this.

My pc is never off "ever" But if i do for some reason restart i will pull it out and have a look at it.

 

[Harrison]

Systems that never get switched off will generally have more reliable PSUs. It is the power on stage that creates the biggest surge and stress in the PSU, and the rest of the PCs components too, and this will normally be the most likely point of failure. So someone who powers down every day will likely see a PSU failure much sooner than someone who just runs their PC 24/7.

 

[Station240]

To avoid:

Antec
SmartPower (usually the ~500W models)
Powers the computer find but randomly kills hard drives (12V rail surge we think). Some just died after a few months of ownership, I've personally seen the later process.

Some were recalled as a result. Improved versions came out with a new name, the replacements were later models.


One word of advice with all PSUs, buy yourself a can of compressed air. Unplug the PSU and use the can to blast all the dust out of the PSU. It will last a lot longer and not overheat if you do this say every 6 months.

 

[Skellionz]

Just to add i didnt have much luck with my last Antec Truepower either, 2 differnent models suffered from bad coil whine..ok they still worked and it is something that can occur but surely a case of using cheaper components

 

[jvdbossc]

How are the C= gaming psu doing, I have been using one for 3 weeks? It is powering a geforce gtx 460 and a quad core atlon.

My old 400 wat psu from tybotech although expensive enough while back did not work.

 

[Xanxi]

Are you recommanding those PSU for an Amiga usage?
In that case it would be interesting to know how much they gibe on +5V and +12V line and how you have fitted them into the amiga case.

 

[johnim]

i have

1 Corsair HX450

Technical Details
* Supports the latest ATX12V v2.2 standard and is backwards compatible with ATX12V 2.01 systems.
* Ultra-quiet 120mm double ball-bearing fan delivers excellent airflow at an exceptionally low noise level by varying the RPM in response to temperature.
* Double-forward switching circuitry design offers maximum efficiency, up to 85% under wide load range.
* 99% Active Power Factor Correction provides clean and reliable power to your system.
* Universal AC input 90~264V automatically scans and detects the correct voltage. No more hassle of flipping that tiny red switch!
* Dedicated single +12V rail offers maximum compatibility with latest components.
* Over Current/Voltage/Power Protection, Under Voltage Protection, and Short Circuit Protection provide maximum safety to your critical system components.
* High quality Japanese capacitors provide uncompromised performance and reliability.
* Auto switching circuitry provides universal AC input 90-264V
* Standard ATX PS/2 size: 5.9"(W) x 3.4"(H) X 5.9"(L); 150mm(W) x 86mm(H) x 150mm(L)
* MTBF: 100,000 Hours
* Safety Approvals: UL, CUL, CE, CB, FCC Class B, TÜV, CCC, C-tick.


3 Corsair HX520
Technical Details

• Supports the latest ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 standards and backwards compatible with ATX12V 2.01
• Guaranteed compatibility with dual-GPU configurations
• Double forward switching circuitry design offers high efficiency, up to 80% under wide load range
• Active Power Factor Correction with PF value=0.99 provides clean and reliable power
• Guaranteed to deliver rated specifications at 50�C
• Powerful +5Vsb rail with 3A rating
• Enhanced modular flexible cables enable easier cable routing and increased airflow in the system
• 4 Serial ATA connectors on the HX 520W

1 Corsair TX750
Technical Details

• Supports ATX12V v2.2 standard and older ATX12V 2.01 spec
• 80%+ energy efficiency at 20%, 50% and 100% load condition for less heat generation
• 99% Active Power Factor Correction provides clean and reliable power to your system
• Universal AC input 90~264V automatically scans and detects the correct voltage
• Dedicated single +12V rail offers maximum compatibility with latest components
• High quality Japanese capacitors provide uncompromised performance and reliability
• Extra long cables support full tower size chassis
• NVIDIA SLI-ready certified