My PSU decision delemma... critique needed :)

[pwrusr]

I think this is my first post here. so let me start by saying: Hi all!
I found this site's reviews of PSU's to be one of the better ones out there. And the humor of the reviewer is a great addition to the reviews here :lol:
Thanks guys for all the hard work you put into testing out PSUs.
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anyway, why I'm posting here, at this site, of all sites? :crazy: yeah I might be crazy, but I think you guys can surely help a fellow geek out with a PSU decision.

I've gotta figure out two possible power supplies to pick up one being a decent ~500watter the other being a 750-1000watt.

After reading over and going over reviews like crazy for the past two weeks I think I've narrowed the choices down to the following...

For the ~500 watter:
I was thinking seasonic, corsair or maybe even a PCP&C. Budget wise I'm not really too worried about how much it is as long as it's built WELL and priced within reason. Under $150 should be cake here. I don't think it will be a hard choice here since I've had alot of success with seasonic's power supplies in the past. PCP&C is a close runner up here since they use seasonic as their OEM for their silencer series from what I understand.

For the 750-1kwatt
Quality is everything as far as I'm concerned. I've done ALOT more research on PSU's in this wattage range and found everything I read seems to keep pointing me back to the antec signature 850 for my first choice.
The runners up are as follows (in this order):
-Seasonic M12D 850watt
-PC P&C silencer 750watt
-enermax ERV1050EWT
I'd like to add the new PCP&C Silencer 910 to the list, but with no reviews and no inturnal shots of how it's built really puts damper on that one :(
I'm also looking to be future ready for any upgrades and hope to keep what ever power supply I get in this category for quite some time.

Does anyone know where I can find a good extensive review for the silencer 910?

[HOOfan_1]

Well suggestions depend on:

What is your budget for the two separate supplies?
Is Modular a plus, or is it necessary, or do you even care?
How quiet do you want them to be, or do you care?
What are you planning to run with them?

For the 500W unit:
The Seasonic ~500W and the PC Power and Cooling 500W, will be pretty much the same, they are build on the same platform....which is also the same as the old Antec Earthwatts 500W (non-D). The Corsair VX450 is also the same platform, just about 3A less capable on the 12V output.

The BFG LS-550 can be had for $60 and is also a decent performer.

The Corsair HX520 is built on a tiny bit better Seasonic Platform than the above PSUs.
The Corsair VX550 is built on a CWT platform and at least equals or bests the HX520 in performance (it is just not modular)


For the higher power category.

If you are in the US
Newegg has had the M12D on sale for $200 (normally $300) and had a good MIR, but the price is slowly creeping up. It is at $220 now.

The PC Power and Cooling Silencer 750W doesn't really belong in that group. It is a good PSU certainly, but the others are on a different level. You might be able to add the BFG EX-1200 is there though.

[pwrusr]

What is your budget for the two separate supplies?
well under $150 for the 500watters. price isn't a big deal for the higher end PSU.

Is Modular a plus, or is it necessary, or do you even care?
It's a plus, but for the most part I don't really care too much if it doesn't have the modular cables. one less thing to loose

How quiet do you want them to be, or do you care?
quiet is nice. so long as the power supply doesn't double as a leaf blower I'll be happy

What are you planning to run with them?
for the 500watter a relitively simple setup with 1-3 hard drives, dvdrw drive and a e8400 wolfdate. video card is a 7600gts. so nothing too crazy there.

for the other 750+watt:
SLi or crossfire video cards is a possibility, but not very likely. quad core e6600, 4-6 hard drives, dvdrw drive, bluray drive likely future addition, currently it has a 8800GTS.
This is my main rig, and again I'd like to be able to upgrade as needed and have lots of clean power available. it currently has a seasonic 650watt psu and has been fantastic. however it only has 2x 6pin pci-x plugs which means upgrading the video card might be tricky when that time comes. I'm probably just going to swap over this psu to the other computer and get a new one for my main rig.


If you are in the US
Newegg has had the M12D on sale for $200 (normally $300) and had a good MIR, but the price is slowly creeping up. It is at $220 now.
Yeah I noticed that when I was looking on newegg today. I was hoping the prices would stay low untill I made my final decision. But again price isn't a big deal to me when it comes to a power supply for my computers. so long as the performance is there I'm happy.

The PC Power and Cooling Silencer 750W doesn't really belong in that group. It is a good PSU certainly, but the others are on a different level. You might be able to add the BFG EX-1200 is there though.
Cool, that's good to know.
I'm still wondering about that 910watt from PCP&C (http://www.pcpower.com/products/description/Silencer_910/index.html) though.

[HOOfan_1]

odds are the PC P&C will be louder than the rest you named.

A few sneak peaks showed that it might be the same platform as the Silencer 750W.


What case are you going to put all of this in? If you have something like an Antec 1200, or are interested in that...the Antec CP-850 is a good choice. There is also the BFG ES-800.

If I were in the market for a high powered PSU right now. My shortlist would be
Antec Signature 850 (only reason this isn't my entire short list is because I like larger fans, aesthetically if not audibly.)
Seasonic M12D 850
Enermax Revolution 85+ 850-1050
Enermax Galaxy Evo 1250

I was tempted to by the M12D at $200-$60 MIR just because it was a great price.

I also wish I had jumped at the Enermax 20% off deal a few weeks ago.

For your 500W unit, you don't even need 500W, but if modular is not a must for you, then there is no reason to spend over $100...$90 even. I'd get a Corsair VX450 or BFG LS450 and call it a day.

[pwrusr]

I currently have a Antec 180B. one of the first versions right before they brought out the behind the motherboard wire routing. MAN I HATE it when they do that. Buy what you think is a nice case and they change it to be much better!
Next build will not be in this case I can tell you that right now. For as big as it is it's such a pain to work in to get anything done. What should take me no more then 2-5 minutes normally takes me 15-20 minutes sometimes :wall:

Indeed that antec cp-850 is VERY nice. but it won't fit in my current case without modding :(

Your short list is very similar to mine. So I know I've done my research quite well :)
Thanks HOOfan *thumbsup*