Which PSU Is Right For Me?

[Fuzzilla]

Hi all.

I am very new here & hope you can help me by recommending a PSU for this project. Specs are stated not to impress but to help give an idea of power consumption.

Antec P182SE Case w/4x 120mm case fans
ASUS P4C800-E Deluxe Rev. 2.00
Intel P-4EE 3.4Ghz Gallatin SL7CH (OC'ed a bit I hope)
Scythe Ninja Rev. B w/ 120mm fan
2x1GB OCZ EB-500 EBPE-K DDR (OC'ed a bit I hope)
Gainward Bliss 7800GS+ 512MB AGP (7900GT core; NV20)
SoundBlaster X-Fi
2x WD HDD's SATA
1x WD HDD IDE
1x DVD-RW/CD-RW Combo
1x FDD
The usual KB/mouse
Perhaps a couple of USB perif's
My goal is as close to a 100MHz FSB as I can get.

I think I'd like to have around 30% overhead on the PSU wattage for optimum efficiency & to cover cap ageing, correct me if I'm wrong. The PSU calc's I've tried vary from 430 to 600 watts overhead not included.

Some of the PSU's I've studied are:
Seasonic S-12 Energy+ SS-550/650
Corsair HX520W & HX620W
Seasonic M12-500W/M12-600W/M12-700W
Enermax Liberty DXX EL500AWT & EL620AWT
Enermax Infiniti EIN650AWT & EIN720AWT
and because of this site:
Ultra X-Finity & X-Pro 800
Ultra X3 800W & 100W
PCP Silencer series
PCP Turbo Cool series (with a fan swap)

I've read Jonny's Recommended list & it creates some questions like:
What wattage PSU do I really need, including desired overhead?
Which PSU in each tier is quietest? A quiet system would be nice.
What PSU's rate the list but aren't included?

Any help greatly appreciated!

[Oklahoma Wolf]

A Corsair 450VX would power that load easily, and you wouldn't have to worry as much about the capacitors. 520HX is also a good choice, as are most of the rest of the list; however you really don't need anything over 600W. The PC P&C Silencers are OEM Seasonic... you won't be getting anything with them you wouldn't be getting from the Corsair Seasonic builds, like the 520W and 620W HX's.

Liberty seems to have a higher than average failure rate... I'm going to recommend against that one.

[signmeuptoo]

Yeah, does anyone know what is behind the high failure rate of the Liberty supplies? And why is Enermax still selling them???

[Fuzzilla]

Thanks for the info. :)
A Corsair 450VX would power that load easily, and you wouldn't have to worry as much about the capacitors.
Gainward recommends a min. 400W PSU for the 7800GS+ , & I'm curious why you feel that way about the caps.

520HX is also a good choice, as are most of the rest of the list; however you really don't need anything over 600W.
Is there a PSU that is close to as quiet that is a "server-type" build? I've read about buzzing issues with the HX series or I'd already own one.

The PC P&C Silencers are OEM Seasonic... you won't be getting anything with them you wouldn't be getting from the Corsair Seasonic builds, like the 520W and 620W HX's.
The rear fan does appeal to me over a bottom mount fan, as the airflow in the 182 PSU/HDD chamber flows straight from front to rear with a 120mm fan in front of the PSU blowing toward the rear. Three HDD's adds a little heat but less than the mobo/cards.
Liberty seems to have a higher than average failure rate... I'm going to recommend against that one.
Bummer, but I see your point. I wonder what fails in them? Still it was my Enermax of choice, & I have a Noisetaker II in my current rig that is quiet & seems to be a quality build that I'm really happy with. Yup, I've been in it (Warranty be Damned:D )to clean it & was impressed with no Cap tilt, a good PCB & good soldering among other things. Did I mention I used to work for a PCB Mfgr. in the QC Dept?

I am curious what you & Guru's personal choices would be for a Server grade PSU with front/rear airflow that has a Seasonic/Corsair type fan response & is somewhere near as quiet, if it exists? I don't mind spending moolah on the PSU, I know da' deal. However under $200 U.S. is preferred.

[Oklahoma Wolf]

'm curious why you feel that way about the caps.


The Corsair uses higher quality caps than most - I doubt they'd fail anytime before 5 years of use.

[Fuzzilla]

Thanks, I appreciate the advice.:beer: