So. Hello. Seeking advice/opinions.

[kuhla]

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jonnyGURU,

First off let me say thank you for putting forth the time and effort to review power supplies. A while back I had been thinking that we need more power supply reviews/sites/reviewers and then about a week ago I discovered your site (a link at xtremesystem). I have read all the reviews you have posted on this site. Good reading. I think you are one of the first reviewers who I seem to actually agree with the final grades you give stuff and why (even the aesthetic scores). So I think I have narrowed down my choices of what new PSU to buy but I still find myself indecisive.

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My rig ( http://www.tacinept.com/kuhlas_stuff/thewebpage/index.html ) is getting a few minor upgrades (water cooling, 2nd hd), so I figured I would give it a new PSU too as an upgrade from my current Cooler Master Real Power 450 (RS-450-ACLX). I have historicaly undervalued the importance of a good PSU and I figure this time I won't. I have bought too many crappy PSUs in my time. This time I'll get something that is quality!

Here is what my setup will soon consist of (as soon as I finish getting/assembling the wcing parts and 2nd hd) =

* overclocked opteron
* 2 sticks DDR
* 7900GTX
* 2 sata hdrives
* 1 dvdrom
* mcp655 water pump
* misc = sound card, dvd-rom, etc. (more info @ rig link earlier)

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Now in terms of other factors I would like to consider in my purchase:

* I have no plans to run SLI/Crossfire
* I would like to plan for DX10 (specifically G80) despite so much speculation on power req :-\

Looks = It does matter but I am throwing it out the window. I don't care. Performance is of paramount importance this time.

Sleeving / Modular = See what I wrote for "Looks".

Fan Noise = See what I wrote for "Looks".

Price = I want to say I am throwing this out too but... you know us college students have to watch the pennies... tuition ain't cheap. I'll say under $200?

My requirements for power (using the eXtreme Power Supply Calculator) says I should need 570w - 700w depending on what little options I play with but I figure that I should just set the minimum at 550w and go with that. You think that sounds reasonable?

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Here is at least what I have been looking at so far.

link - http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductCompare.asp?Category=32&Nty=1&Submit=ENE&N=2010320058+1131414179+1294718603+1131509966+1230 113789&Subcategory=58&CompareItemList=N82E16817341002%2CN82E16817151028% 2CN82E16817139002%2CN82E16817151031%2CN82E16817256 006

For those that don't want to click on the link, all the below (that are shown comparison style at the link above) can be found for $200 depending on where you shop:

SeaSonic S12 Energy Plus SS-650HT - 650W = any reason to go with this instead of the M12 series?

OCZ GameXStream OCZ700GXSSLI - 700W = The ripple jonnyGURU found in the review worries me greatly....

Corsair HX620w - 620W = Hmm. Not much to say about this one. It seems to do everything well but not really special in any way?

SeaSonic M12 SS-700HM - 700W = any reason to go with this instead of the Energy Plus series?

Silverstone SST-ST75ZF - 750W = Can be had under $200 if I look around (performance-pcs).

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Other PSUs I have considered like the Zippy GSM-6600 that you, jonnyGURU, reviewed recently. I was wondering what the difference between the GSM and PSL series of Zippy PSUs was?

Also if any of you think I should wait until Ultra's X3 uberpwnage PSU that jonnyGURU keeps dropping hints at (rollseyes) or if you know some other company is coming out with an awesome PSU I should wait for instead, please say something.... anything.

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So yea. I hope that was enough information (I have this thing for long first posts). Anyone, feel free to reccomend something I have already listed or something not on my list, I'll take any and all advice.

Oh and fyi to jonnyGURU, my friend drives a screaming yellow VW GTi (20th Aniv Edition) and yes .... it looks awesome.

[Oklahoma Wolf]

How do you feel about well under $200? This one will handle that system fine. That Corsair will do nicely too. The Silverstone and Zippy are both extreme overkill, but it's barely possible to do any better than those two.

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=PS-E5150GH

The Zippy GSM is a gamer oriented version of the server targeted 600W PSL/PSM models. Same PSU, except the fan isn't so agressive on the GSM model.

I'm very impressed by what I've seen of the X3, but if I needed a PSU now I wouldn't wait on it.

[kuhla]

Thanks for replying Oklahoma Wolf. You reccomendation is on the top of the list. You were one of the people I specifically wanted to get an opinion from :)

This one will handle that system fine. That Corsair will do nicely too. The Silverstone and Zippy are both extreme overkill, but it's barely possible to do any better than those two.

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=PS-E5150GH


So you think 500w will be enough for all this (with a little breathing room)? I just find it wierd that the PSU calculator says I would need so much more.

* overclocked opteron
* 2 sticks DDR
* 7900GTX
* 2 sata hdrives
* 1 dvdrom
* mcp655 water pump
* misc = sound card, dvd-rom, etc. (more info @ rig link earlier)

If ~500w is enough for me, what if I went for the Zippy GSM-6550P? It should be cheaper than the 600W model and top quality (better than Enhance? Re-reading the review the Enhance does seem to perform very good).

[Oklahoma Wolf]

I do think 500W will be enough. If you want the Zippy, go for it ;)

[GalvanizedYankee]

Re. Zippy
PSL places greater wattage on the 3.3 & 5V rail.
PSM places the major wattage on the 12V rail.

Look up the specs, testing and certs at http://www.zippyusa.com/ Look up the unit of interest, then open the PDFs on the right. Zippy/Emacs is the only PSU builder I've seen that offers this so openly.

http://www.buildtoorderservers.com/ProductCart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcatagory=76&idproduct=646 This is a decent deal. I found that the thermal fan can be kept from ramping up early by bonding a 28cfm, 80mm fan to the off-side of the intake grill. Works a charm. ;) Four dots of silicone adhesive do the trick.
NOTE: I run a 400 and 460W Zippy/Emacs. The aux fan was done on them. The above unit has a 12V combined of 40A.
The above unit has a very open fan grill. They used the wrong PSU for that pictar.

Three places to look at Zippy prices.
http://www.buildtoorderservers.com/ Call the toll free and ask for George. Say hi from crazy John in Long Beach. If you have any questions George can't answer...He will call Taiwan on his cell for you. Chinese is his primary language.
http://www.servercase.com/ >Power > U4
http://www.myaopen.com/ >Parts(2)

The ENP-5150GH is a fine unit. If you wish more than 4x4pin Molex connectors and want some sleeving, look at the Silverstone Elements..They are built by Enhance. http://www.silverstonetek.com/

[jonnyGURU]

So you think 500w will be enough for all this (with a little breathing room)? I just find it wierd that the PSU calculator says I would need so much more.


I don't know of an accurate PSU calculator. Or even one written (recently) by someone who really knows about the power consumption of a modern PC.



If ~500w is enough for me, what if I went for the Zippy GSM-6550P? It should be cheaper than the 600W model and top quality (better than Enhance? Re-reading the review the Enhance does seem to perform very good).

Eh, Zippy is nice. If you have the money, go for it. I've got a pair of 7800GTX's and I just use an external SevenTeam 500W unit. Why? I like it. I use what I like. I know it's a tough decision and you pretty much want someone to point you in the right direction, but I'm going to say that if you're really indecisive and the aestetics or the "coolness factor" doesn't pull you in one direction or another, the Enhance choice is really a good one.

Me? I'm still drawn by a bit of aesthetics, so I would bump that recommendation up to a Silverstone because I like sleeved cables and sleeving them myself is a pain in the butt. :D

[davidhammock200]

The Corsair 520W would be my recommendation based on your stated preferences.

Quiet, modular, very nice cables & good over all looks, plenty of power, very high quality & a 5yr warranty.

Good Luck,
Dave ;)

[kuhla]

Thank you very much for the advice everyone. I will be going with Oklahoma Wolf's recommendation of the Enhance ENP-5150GH. Although it does not have the aura of coolness of a Zippy (only due to the fact that they are incredibly hard to find) I figure they should perform (volt reg, ripple) very close to each other making it hard to pass up on the Enhance which is more efficient, quieter and costs ~1/2 the price.

I think I will at least recoup a little bit of the uniqueness though by picking the unsleeved Enhance instead of the Silverstone model. Besides, I have an excuse to try a new way of sleeving I have been thinking about.