PDA

View Full Version : Looking for a good value modular power supply

Gregory_WE
10-18-2006, 07:22 PM
Because I tend to not use too many cables and I'd like the neatness of one, I'm looking at getting a modular PSU. I also don't want to spend all that much money, either (I'd like to keep it under $100, lower is better).

My current system is basically just an overclocked Athlon 64 3000+ with a 6800GT, nothing special. I'll most likely upgrade to a Core 2 Duo system and maybe a top-end graphics card eventually, so I do want room for improvement. I do not, however, ever plan on using SLI or Crossfire... 1 video card is expensive enough, and I would rather just upgrade 1 every so often than have 2.

Noise isn't really a big concern, I mean I've never had a PSU that I would consider loud compared to the rest of my system... I don't have a silent case or anything.

Efficiency is a plus, but not the most important.

The biggest things, overall, are it being modular, a good value for its price, and still being a good stable PSU that will withstand moderate overclocking at least.

Here are a few I've looked at:
Thermaltake W0093RU 500W (On Sale) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817153028
Antec 500W Smartpower - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103937
Sunbeam NUUO 500W - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817709003
Enhance 500W - http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=PS-E5150GH
Same as above, this link is $2 cheaper... why? http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?p=PS-E5150GH&c=fr&pid=d826a2141f06c28c9f438f3b90cd838593194ea53604d3 ef4dea9cc771c8ad72#

Thanks for the help!
jonnyGURU
10-18-2006, 07:32 PM
The Enhance isn't modular.

The Sunbeam is MUCH cheaper at xPCgear (a vendor I actually like BETTER than Newegg when it comes to service)

http://www.xpcgear.com/sunbeam550wsl.html

The Ultra XVS 600W is another good choice for those on a budget:

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=382326&prodlist=froogle
GalvanizedYankee
10-18-2006, 07:47 PM
The best deal of your listed PSUs is the ENP-5150GH but it is not modular and has NO sleeving. I just installed a 5140 in my Sister's rig.

For a good unit that is not too expensive and modular...Look to the Enermax Liberty series, in both 400W or 500W flavors. You will have to Froogle for the 400W Liberty. It should be about $80.

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=PS-E500AWT
Gregory_WE
10-18-2006, 07:58 PM
Ok thanks, for some reason I was thinking the Enhance one was modular. But no sleeving either, that sucks... oh well.

Thanks for the link on the Sunbeam, that's a good deal cheaper indeed. Plus, that Ultra looks good too... how is it though compared to say the Sunbeam?

http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=100338&AFFIL=FRG&NR=1
^ The 500W Liberty is cheaper here.
GalvanizedYankee
10-18-2006, 08:04 PM
I'm not trying to be mean...Read some reviews at http://www.jonnyguru.com/ and be sure to check out the hot 'en tasty links page, lots of info there.
jon reviewed the 550 Sunbeam quite well indeed.
Google for reviews on the Ultra he suggested.
davidhammock200
10-18-2006, 08:37 PM
http://www.jonnyguru.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1462&postcount=12
Gregory_WE
10-18-2006, 09:08 PM
Yeah don't worry I've already looked at all the reviews (this is a very good page, btw).

I've also already googled stuff, but I can't find any reviews of the Ultra XVS 600W.
jonnyGURU
10-18-2006, 09:38 PM
I've also already googled stuff, but I can't find any reviews of the Ultra XVS 600W.

Yeah. It's only been out for about a month.

Essentially it's of X-Finity 500W quality, with the limiters cranked up, modular w/ black FlexForce cables.

I think madmat has one, so maybe he'll chime in.
Gregory_WE
10-18-2006, 10:59 PM
Has the quality of the Ultra PSUs improved quite a bit? I remember a while ago people talking about some of their models practically being fire hazards lol.

So the XVS 600W should be better than the X-Finity 500W? Is the 500W X-Finity comparable to the 600W one reviewed already on this site?
jonnyGURU
10-18-2006, 11:05 PM
Has the quality of the Ultra PSUs improved quite a bit? I remember a while ago people talking about some of their models practically being fire hazards lol.

Ultra's "bad rap" comes from one production run of one model: D0306 X-Connects. All other Ultra's should have no such reputation.
madmat
10-18-2006, 11:30 PM
The XVS 600 is quite similar to the X2 inside and is pretty decent. You wouldn't be doing yourself a disservice buying one.
Gregory_WE
10-19-2006, 12:23 AM
So it looks like I'm choosing between these 3:

1) Sunbeam NUUO 550W - http://www.xpcgear.com/sunbeam550wsl.html
2) Ultra XVS 600W - http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=382326
3) Enermax Liberty 500W - http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=100338&AFFIL=FRG&NR=1

For the 400W Enermax Liberty, would that not supply enough power for a modern system with a power hungry CPU and GPU? I've found a used one I could buy, but I'm not sure how conservative the 400W rating is.
Gregory_WE
10-19-2006, 02:55 AM
For one thing, it looks like the Sunbeam and Enermax only have a 1 year warranty each, while the Ultra has a 3 year (life-time in registered).
jonnyGURU
10-19-2006, 06:32 AM
Hmm... I thought the Enermax had a three year warranty. :(

I may have to fix my list.
clsA
10-19-2006, 08:09 AM
the Enermax Liberty 500W is also quickly approching the price of the Corsair 520 which beats all the ones in your list hands down

And yes I think a liberty 400w has a great 12v rail and should handle your current setup with no problem

Edit: Note the Antec NeoHE 500 and 430 are also very nice Deals
Gregory_WE
10-19-2006, 11:04 AM
Hmm... I thought the Enermax had a three year warranty. :(

I may have to fix my list.

According to their site only the Noisetaker series has the 3 years. All other PSUs have a 1 year.

http://www.enermaxusa.com/support/warranty.php#psu

the Enermax Liberty 500W is also quickly approching the price of the Corsair 520 which beats all the ones in your list hands down

And yes I think a liberty 400w has a great 12v rail and should handle your current setup with no problem

Edit: Note the Antec NeoHE 500 and 430 are also very nice Deals

Any good places to find the Corsair at? I can't seem to find it for less than around $120 shipped. Sure it's a nice PSU, but it's a fair amount more expensive than say the Sunbeam or the Ultra. Also, while the 400W will definitely power my current system, I'd be worried about the next few upgrades with it.
jonnyGURU
10-19-2006, 11:16 AM
That's about the price of it.

You get what you pay for. :D

I'll change the warranty statement on the Enermax listing to 1 year.
davidhammock200
10-19-2006, 02:00 PM
Corsair 520W from $105: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=Corsair+HX+520W&btnG=Search&lmode=online&scoring=p ;)
Gregory_WE
10-19-2006, 04:25 PM
Yeah saw that one but S&H adds about $17 to it ($9.26 for shipping, $7.50 for handling).
clsA
10-19-2006, 06:12 PM
Corsair-520HX from Zipzoomfly free shipping
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=373100&prodlist=froogle
jonnyGURU
10-19-2006, 06:16 PM
Almost ANYTHING from ZZF == Free shipping!!! W00t!!!
Bbq
10-19-2006, 06:38 PM
In my completely dishonest and biased opinion, go with the Ultra.
clsA
10-19-2006, 06:46 PM
In my completely dishonest and biased opinion, go with the Ultra.

I have 2 of the 500w ones i got for free laying here now ...lol
jonnyGURU
10-19-2006, 06:54 PM
I have 2 of the 500w ones i got for free laying here now ...lol

Oh, the old X-Connect with the two 80MM fans? Yeah... you don't want to use those. :p
davidhammock200
10-19-2006, 07:11 PM
Corsair-520HX from Zipzoomfly free shipping
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=373100&prodlist=froogleThat is the winner! :D
clsA
10-19-2006, 08:02 PM
Oh, the old X-Connect with the two 80MM fans? Yeah... you don't want to use those. :p

No no no ! The V series 500w I posted in hot deals last week
I know to avoid the x-connects even free ones ;)
davidhammock200
10-19-2006, 08:16 PM
No no no ! The V series 500w I posted in hot deals last week
I know to avoid the x-connects even free ones ;)Oh, the FREE ones. lol
jonnyGURU
10-19-2006, 08:32 PM
No no no ! The V series 500w I posted in hot deals last week
I know to avoid the x-connects even free ones ;)

Oh, I see. I was confused because this is a thread asking for a good MODULAR power supply. :D
clsA
10-19-2006, 08:35 PM
that Thread ended with the link to the Corsair at ZipZoomFly :)
Gregory_WE
10-19-2006, 11:13 PM
I think I'm gonna go with the 600W Ultra XVS. It seems like a good deal and I just don't really want to spend much more money than that.

Any last words? I'm mainly choosing it over the Sunbeam 550W NUUO. It's a tough choice between the two though, so any additional insight would be appreciated. Is the effiency on the XVS better than the Sunbeam?
madmat
10-19-2006, 11:34 PM
Probably not by much if at all.
Gregory_WE
10-20-2006, 11:05 AM
The Ultra has a single 12V rail, is that generally preferable to the dual/triple/quad rail PSUs?
davidhammock200
10-20-2006, 11:17 AM
The Ultra has a single 12V rail, is that generally preferable to the dual/triple/quad rail PSUs?Single Rail PSU's: http://www.jonnyguru.com/forums/showthread.php?t=180 ;)
Gregory_WE
10-20-2006, 11:19 AM
So just a single powerful DX10 GPU would be a good reason to have a single +12V rail? Like I said originally, I don't ever plan on SLI/Crossfire.

Also, are you considering adding the Ultra XVS 600W to your list?
madmat
10-20-2006, 11:20 AM
The Ultra has a single 12V rail, is that generally preferable to the dual/triple/quad rail PSUs?

With the hoopla surrounding the new DX10 cards and their supposed wattage requirements a single large rail could come in handy. It remains to be seen what the reality is on those cards but if the rumours are true many split rail PSU's will be found wanting.
davidhammock200
10-20-2006, 11:27 AM
Also, are you considering adding the Ultra XVS 600W to your list?No, this is just for the higher quality stuff. ;)
jonnyGURU
10-20-2006, 11:34 AM
No, this is just for the higher quality stuff. ;)

LOL...

To put it more precisely, it's good stuff but doesn't make the grade of the Tier 3 and up in my sticky. More like Tier 4, which puts it with the likes of the Hiper Type-R 580W, Sunbeamtech NUUO, Aerocool Zero-DBA and Turbine, OCZ Modstream, etc.

Still better than Rosewill RP500S-2MR and Coolmax's efforts (Tier 5?)
MrWicked1968
10-20-2006, 02:38 PM
With the hoopla surrounding the new DX10 cards and their supposed wattage requirements a single large rail could come in handy. It remains to be seen what the reality is on those cards but if the rumours are true many split rail PSU's will be found wanting.

not all DX10 cards are going to require gobs of power. ATI and nvidia usually release their high end hardware first. I'm sure there will be respectable mid range cards (even low end when you consider how well the 7600GS performs).
Gregory_WE
10-20-2006, 02:41 PM
Hmm now I'm being tempted to get the Corsair 520W lol... would this PSU last me for a long time? Warranty is 5 years, which is great, but maybe 2 years down the road would this PSU be at all obsolete or inadequate for new hardware? Keeping in mind that I don't plan on SLI, should this provide plenty of power for me?
Super Nade
10-20-2006, 02:56 PM
Yes. You should be o.k with the Corsair 520W unit.
clsA
10-20-2006, 04:54 PM
Hmm now I'm being tempted to get the Corsair 520W lol... would this PSU last me for a long time? Warranty is 5 years, which is great, but maybe 2 years down the road would this PSU be at all obsolete or inadequate for new hardware? Keeping in mind that I don't plan on SLI, should this provide plenty of power for me?

I did'nt mean anything bad about the Ultra's I just got 2 of them myself ..just not the moduler ones.

Thing is on a forum like this most people will recommend you get the best unit you can affort. And if your seriously thinking into the future thats even more true. It does'nt make the other units in the list bad, we just want you to be a happy camper when the box comes :D
davidhammock200
10-20-2006, 05:57 PM
Hmm now I'm being tempted to get the Corsair 520W lol... would this PSU last me for a long time? Warranty is 5 years, which is great, but maybe 2 years down the road would this PSU be at all obsolete or inadequate for new hardware? Keeping in mind that I don't plan on SLI, should this provide plenty of power for me?One of the best choices possible & only $105 on Froogle! ;)
Gregory_WE
10-20-2006, 06:30 PM
It's cheaper from ZZF though cause they have free shipping... FalconSoft charges for S&H (like $17).