Quiet modular PSU's, narrowed down to 3 choices.

[Marc_pcgs]

This time I've 100 euro's to spend. I've narrowed down my search to a couple of PSU's. First of, the Seasonic M12 700W, for 100 euro's. Should be pretty quiet, which is my main objective. Modular is also very important. Reason I didn't simply pull the trigger is because of the 60mm-fan. Can anyone comment on that?

Runner-up, Cooler Master Silent Pro M700W. The 600W unit Oklahoma Wolf reviewed was pretty good, but he did not comment on the loudness of the unit, and the group regulation and start-up spikes have me a little worried. It's also 100 euro's, so unless it has more going for it then the Seasonic unit I have to scratch if of my list.

Third, Zalman 750-HP. Spcr reviewed the 1000-hp pretty favorably, and sais it's also very quiet. Now, if the 750-HP is anything like it's bigger brother it could be a good choice for 115 euro's. Hoofan sais it's a fsp epsilon based unit though.

There's also a Thermaltake Toughpower 700W for 115 euro's, but haven't seen it mentioned as a quiet PSU.

Will be powering a PII, HD4870 CF rig with it, and be prepared a little for the future.

[Oklahoma Wolf]

start-up spikes have me a little worried.

Don't be - you won't find a unit on the market that doesn't have them. What matters is if it's in spec, and the CM was.

I didn't comment on silence because the load tester makes for an environment that is far from silent.

[HOOfan_1]

Yeah I am not sure why PC Perspective (http://www.pcper.com/article.php?aid=592&type=expert&pid=1) pegged it at Seasonic...it is quite obviously an FSP Epsilon based PSU...which by the way it also group regulated like the Coolermaster Silent Pro.

Dunno why Zalman only has a heat pipe going to the secondary heat sink, and not the heat sink with the rectifying bridges and the switching transistors.

I just found another review of the Zalman HP-750 at Hardware Secrets (http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/661/1)
looks pretty good, very efficient...only ding Gabe gave it was because it only had two PCI-E connectors..so if you want CF HD4870s or SLi GTX 285s then you would need to use adapters.

Other than efficiency though, it looks like the Seasonic M12 700W has it beat. Jonnyguru's review (http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=3)

The Silent Pro is made by Enhance, just like the Zalman HP-850 and HP-1000...although those are on a different platform.

[Marc_pcgs]

You know what, I'm going to pull the trigger on the Seasonic unit. It's good, simple as that. Jonny said: By test three, the 60MM fan kicked in.

That's at 400W load. I will barely be touching 400W load, so I think I'm good. And if I do start touching 400W load, it will be when I'm gaming big time, and chances are my vidcard and HSF are making plenty of noise on their own.

Also, I will be using it in a P182, which has it's own fan in the lower chamber, which should help keep the unit cool as well. And I don't mind using adapters, although it is a little weird for a unit that can put out over 50a on the 12v rails to only have 2 pci-e connectors :P

[Marc_pcgs]

Ordered the Seasonic, hopefully it arrives tomorrow. Let's see if I can get that 60mm-fan to spin up :D

[Smirnoff]

How critical is the 60mm anyways? If one disconnected it, would it have a detrimental effect on the internals in the long run?

[davidhammock200]

How critical is the 60mm anyways? If one disconnected it, would it have a detrimental effect on the internals in the long run?As you would have to open the PSU, (1) it could be dangerous, (2) it would void the 5yr warranty & (3) the fan is needed for proper operation of the PSU, or Seasonic would not have included it!:wall:

[Smirnoff]

Yes, David, I realize everything you say. But I was posing a hypothetical question.

[Travis]

ZM750-HP is one of the better Epsilons...

[Marc_pcgs]

It's to late, the Seasonic has arrived. It looks 'dull' hehe, but what can you expect from a PSU :P I don't care for the looks anyways :)

Going to install it in 5 minutes.

[Travis]

I'm not meaning Zalman is better. I mean Zalman is the better choice among all FSP Epsilon designs.

[HOOfan_1]

I'm not meaning Zalman is better. I mean Zalman is the better choice among all FSP Epsilon designs.

Cause they underrate them by a bunch

[Marc_pcgs]

Small update. PSU has been built in, it's a bit longer then my old one, leaving precious little space between the fan in the middle and the PSU itself, but it can be done.

Also, the PSU does have 4 pci-e connectors. There's 2 6pin plugins, but each cable ends in 2 6pin pci-e connectors. And Seasonic also added a 6+2 pin, but lol, it didn't fit! The clip that makes sure the cable stays attached, well it was hitting the cover of my vidcard, so I had to break it off. The holes for pci-e plugs are either sqaure or 'roundish', so there's really only ONE way you can plug them in

It's definately quieter that my previous PSU, coz I have now identified my videocard as the loudest component ( holding the fan now makes a noticable difference, but before it didn't )

[davidhammock200]

Seasonic makes great PSU's & so far they are retaining their "King of Quiet" crown!:beer:

[Travis]

Can you take a shot of Seasonic's 8pin connector and how it collide with your graphic card?

[Marc_pcgs]

Will do, will be a pic with my phone though, but it should do. Will have it for ya later today.

Here it is: http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/861/spa0177o.jpg

The red arrow points to the side where the 'clip' used to be. It would obviously be obstructed by the videocard cover.

[HOOfan_1]

that is an HD4870 right? Has the backward facing PCI-E slot like an AMD anyway...obviously not a reference design, since most AMDs are bare PCB at the PCI-E connector.

[Marc_pcgs]

It's a Gainward HD4850, golden sample.

[gemini]

wouldn't be a better idea to chop the cover of the graphics card instead of destroying the pci-e plug? just askin'

[Marc_pcgs]

I didn't actually destroy it. Lot's of pci-e connectors come without the clamp. Destroying the cover would have been far more serious.