Ignorance is bliss? PSU Purchase help~

[mven]

I apologize if this has been asked a million times before I am fairly new to these forums. Mostly just the occasional lurking etc.

If money was not an issue and you could purchase any PSU for an SLI gaming rig which PSU would you purchase?

Some of what would be going into the system (just off the top of my head):

Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6700
Dual 8800 GTX's in SLI
3 X WD Raptor-X 150gb drives
CM Stacker 830 (actually have this case already so the psu would need to fit though the bay would seem to allow for a PSU of just about any length maybe with minor modification to the top fan mount).
CD-RW/DVD-RW combo drive
DVD Drive
Roughly 8 case fans and a cpu cooler probably w/ a 120mm fan
Creative SB X-Fi Elite or similar sound card.

Any help would be most appreciated if you need more detail let me know and I can find more exact parts info.

Thanks!

[jonnyGURU]

Ultra X3 1kW. :D

[Sir_ReeL]

If ignorance is bliss, I must be Ecstatic! Anyways, this is what I covet:
http://www.pcpower.com/products/viewproduct.php?show=T1KWSR

Some prefer a multi-rail which may be safer in the case of a short. _ReeL

[jonnyGURU]

If ignorance is bliss, I must be Ecstatic! Anyways, this is what I covet:
http://www.pcpower.com/products/viewproduct.php?show=T1KWSR

Some prefer a multi-rail which may be safer in the case of a short. _ReeL

FYI:

I have one on the way. ;)

[Sir_ReeL]

I love you, man!...in a manly, non-weird way, of course. Too damn bad you're so busy and backed up. _ReeL

[SKYMTL]

Jonny is actually going to review a PCP&C unit?

Hell really has frozen over.....

[mven]

Ultra X3 1kW. :D

haha was that a joking reference to the 2kw? I looked a lil and didn't see an Ultra X3 1kw.

I have looked at the PC Power and Cooling 1kw-sr. Seems like a nice PSU from reviews I have seen but then I am a bit too ignorant of all things PSU to know how much of what I have read is BS : P

[GalvanizedYankee]

Keeping it real...Silverstone ST85ZF. My e-pee-pee or your rig does not need more. :D

[ianm2]

jonny, I thought your 'dream' was the silverstone 1kwatter????:confused:

fyi, in other mags they are either payed in advertising revenue to give good reviews, or given the review items to keep if given a good review, not implicating pcp/c, but, I am sure its a tempting prospect to have one for free for a good review, and consitent good reviews may either mean an excellent product, OR some backhanders going on.

Not that matters, but the obscene pricing policy of pcp/c means that they have to do little, as being so much more than the competitor always means the best, doesn't it;)

corollary: easy way to make cash, get topower to make a 1kwatter, and price it like pcp/c. Then it must be the best.

[mven]

I probably won't be picking up the PSU til late feb so maybe Jonny will have his 1kw-sr by then and have some feedback on whether or not it's all hype.

[JEDIYoda]

jonny, I thought your 'dream' was the silverstone 1kwatter????:confused:

fyi, in other mags they are either payed in advertising revenue to give good reviews, or given the review items to keep if given a good review, not implicating pcp/c, but, I am sure its a tempting prospect to have one for free for a good review, and consitent good reviews may either mean an excellent product, OR some backhanders going on.

Not that matters, but the obscene pricing policy of pcp/c means that they have to do little, as being so much more than the competitor always means the best, doesn't it;)

corollary: easy way to make cash, get topower to make a 1kwatter, and price it like pcp/c. Then it must be the best.

Where do you arrive at such nonesense-- fyi, in other mags they are either payed in advertising revenue to give good reviews, or given the review items to keep if given a good review, not implicating pcp/c, but, I am sure its a tempting prospect to have one for free for a good review, and consitent good reviews may either mean an excellent product, OR some backhanders going on.

Jonny has proved time and again that every review he does is up and up with total honesty!!!

Most companies should want somebody like Jonny to test what they have independant of their own tests!!

Nobody said they were the best...from the sould of things you arer possibly trying to descredit a company that you have had no dealings with...

As far as obscene pricing...take alook around....prices are creeping up all over the place.

Also mind you pricing is very subjective.....if you want to buy you buy. Nobody is twisting your arm to buy something you possibly cannot afford....and probably don`t want in the firdt place!!

There are many many good PSU on the market and that includes PC Power & Cooling as well as many many other brands!!

[Terru]

Johnny, we need info on the Ultra x3 1kw! info info! Is it acutally real? Does it exist? Will it ever? I know Ultra tends to be a little slow on the websites, but I really like the look of the X31kw. Not that it really matters though, I'm holding off my purchase until spring, when some nicer hardware comes out :p Still, it is always nice to get excited!

If money was no object, I might go with the PCP&C, thought for 550$ you think they would make it modular...

[GalvanizedYankee]

The day PCP&C goes modular...There will be ice skating in hell :D

[jonnyGURU]

Yeah, the Ultra 1kW Is real. And yes, I'm not joking. :p

It's modular, black titanium finish with a black brushed aluminum modular interface, FlexForce cables, Andyson OEM, only 7" deep (making it the second most shallow 1kW next to the OCZ 1kW to be introduced during CES.) It's really nice.

I'll should be able to get one to madmat once I get back from CES.

As for the PCP&C, I expect good things. PCP&C never disappoints and ALWAYS has good product. I'm often hard on them, but it's only because of all of the inflated self-hype.

[mven]

Cool thanks for the info.

Is the Ultra X3 1kw out yet? If so where can I pick it up? I tried a google search and just kept picking up the 2kw and froogle turned up nothing. I didn't really dig too too deep but I figure you guys would have a better idea.

I'll look forward to reading what you have to say about the PCP&C 1k as well. Maybe get your thoughts on that vs the Ultra once you have your hands on it.

Thanks again for your input.

[ianm2]

Jonny has proved time and again that every review he does is up and up with total honesty!!!

Most companies should want somebody like Jonny to test what they have independant of their own tests!!



Since when did I implicate jonny in that?

If you read my post I said 'OTHER' magazines.

!!!!!!!!!! OTHER!!!!!!!!!!

I was referring largely to paper mags.

I did conistently say on other occasions, jonnys conclusions about psu's seem to be about the best and spot on. The fact that he rates the more rugged server based ones, largely tallies with my own experience about something that is overbuilt, so sure its poss. he may not get it right all the time, but I have respect for his reviews a lot.

I came to these conclusions, partly, as I have a friend in magazine journalism and what goes on is quite scary, he has high moral standards and no axe to grind, and its not only from him that I know this sort of thing goes on.

Put it this way, you can't trust a word of what you see in a paper mag., in his, even his editor re-writes his reviews to 'harmonise' with the mags. direction, if the editor likes a product, and the reviewer dislikes it, the ed. will change his review to suit himself, and the reviewer is still responsible and takes flak for 100% of the content, if people write hate mail!!

I have seen the pre and post editorial copies of reviews, the difference is staggering, they aren't simply cut down whilst preserving the original style and content, but totally re-written to the extent of changing the reviewers opinions to suit the ed.s hidden agenda. To add to it, the fact the ed's own reviews are always extremely flattering esp. to consistent companies, saying each new product is the best ever, its so obvious.

Isn't it obvious and logical? that if a mag gets a huge amount of ad. revenue, they will be 'worried' about dissing a product? of course it is.

And I never accused pcp/c of that. I wouldn't without any evidence as that explicitly would damage their reputaton IF people believed it, jonny would become liable, which I wouldn't want, as its a superb forum, and it would be libellous.

I haven't come here to rattle any cages, or grind axes, I was simply telling of what goes on.

And even if pcp/c did do it, they wouldn't be the only ones.

And I distanced them also, by saying that the over inflated price also gives them a possibly inflated profile. Some people will be influenced by that, and simply have to have the most expensive, without regard for reviews...it happens.

As an aside, again I didn't say pcp/c were bad, just they have an enhanced status as of the price premium. I am sure they are very good, but I suspect no better than, say the olympia or the ultra x. Then again, maybe...Its going to be interesting to see jonnys reviews in future, I am looking forward, esp. a 1kw comparitive....yum

AFAIK, I didn't attempt to discredit them, I am just very suspicious of something so much more expensive than the rest, I would rather believe profiteering than that its so superior. The fact they are causing this controversy is publicity in itself, its a sort of established business practise to do this, price something way in excess of its material value to curry interest, or some 'aura'

All of this does go on, and in kindness, you do have the wrong end of the stick.

I hope that puts an end to it, not that I should have to explain myself to that degree, and again am in no way at all accusing jonny of that.

Also, did you know some dealers, and even the companies themselves log onto forums and either monitor or try and influence opinion about products, sometimes underhandly?

Clear enough? Best wishes:)

[madmat]

Cool thanks for the info.

Is the Ultra X3 1kw out yet? If so where can I pick it up? I tried a google search and just kept picking up the 2kw and froogle turned up nothing. I didn't really dig too too deep but I figure you guys would have a better idea.

I'll look forward to reading what you have to say about the PCP&C 1k as well. Maybe get your thoughts on that vs the Ultra once you have your hands on it.

Thanks again for your input.

Not out yet but hopefully soon. They're just announcing it at CES so expect it to become available some time after that.

In the meantime I'd suggest the X-Pro 750W if you want something to tide you over and you can't wait although it won't support the 8800GTX SLI natively due to only having 2 PCI-e connectors. I wouldn't be afraid of using a PCI-e and molext to PCI-e adaptor on each card though, that PSU is very stout and can more than handle the load.

[kimandsally]

What amazes me is the speed at which PSU's are improving all things PC related are always moving forward but this last 12 months have seen huge improvements in PSU technology, I personaly find it very interesting just keeping up with the news yet to most 99% of PC users they have no idea about them.

I'm really pleased about this forum thanks Jonny as it's full of new ideas and reviews that we can depend on.

[ianm2]

What makes me wonder, not that I have a colossal amount of insider knowledge, but I do have an idea about consumer buying patterns, and jonny is right when he says a large proportion, I would guess 90+% of pc buyers don't even think about the psu and simply use, probably the very cheapest, stock one that came with it.

That for the makers, means that really, they are looking at a niche product, with in reality, a small marketplace, and tbh, there are an awful lot of products out there for this. Even so, the percentages may still mean there are a large no. of people buying 'custom' psu's, as of the massive no. of users, it may mean, tho', that the market will become streamlined and rationalised, if its oversubscribed, which will mean perhaps less choice and higher prices for end user ie you and me. whavever happened to customer?

As we may be beginning to see with dfi. I wonder who will inherit/take over their mantle of the souped up overclockers enthusiast boy racer board?

Only one things for certain, change, and it could make life more interesting, or less so.

I find progress VERY difficult to keep up at all,its overwhelming to keep track of it all, it was only just over a year, perhaps 18 months, since nividia brought out nf4 8x.

Not one day goes by...

[mven]

Not out yet but hopefully soon. They're just announcing it at CES so expect it to become available some time after that.

In the meantime I'd suggest the X-Pro 750W if you want something to tide you over and you can't wait although it won't support the 8800GTX SLI natively due to only having 2 PCI-e connectors. I wouldn't be afraid of using a PCI-e and molext to PCI-e adaptor on each card though, that PSU is very stout and can more than handle the load.

Thanks! I probably won't be purchasing one till late february as I recover from Christmas costs and celebrate the excitement that is tax refunds. I'll probably just lurk around til you guys review the ultra and the pcp&c 1k's and then pick up whichever looks best at the time. I really appreciate all of the feedback.

[JEDIYoda]

Since when did I implicate jonny in that?

If you read my post I said 'OTHER' magazines.

!!!!!!!!!! OTHER!!!!!!!!!!

I was referring largely to paper mags.

I did conistently say on other occasions, Jonny`s conclusions about psu's seem to be about the best and spot on. The fact that he rates the more rugged server based ones, largely tallies with my own experience about something that is overbuilt, so sure its poss. he may not get it right all the time, but I have respect for his reviews a lot.

I came to these conclusions, partly, as I have a friend in magazine journalism and what goes on is quite scary, he has high moral standards and no axe to grind, and its not only from him that I know this sort of thing goes on.

Put it this way, you can't trust a word of what you see in a paper mag., in his, even his editor re-writes his reviews to 'harmonise' with the mags. direction, if the editor likes a product, and the reviewer dislikes it, the ed. will change his review to suit himself, and the reviewer is still responsible and takes flak for 100% of the content, if people write hate mail!!

I have seen the pre and post editorial copies of reviews, the difference is staggering, they aren't simply cut down whilst preserving the original style and content, but totally re-written to the extent of changing the reviewers opinions to suit the ed.s hidden agenda. To add to it, the fact the ed's own reviews are always extremely flattering esp. to consistent companies, saying each new product is the best ever, its so obvious.

Isn't it obvious and logical? that if a mag gets a huge amount of ad. revenue, they will be 'worried' about dissing a product? of course it is.

And I never accused pcp/c of that. I wouldn't without any evidence as that explicitly would damage their reputaton IF people believed it, jonny would become liable, which I wouldn't want, as its a superb forum, and it would be libellous.

I haven't come here to rattle any cages, or grind axes, I was simply telling of what goes on.

And even if pcp/c did do it, they wouldn't be the only ones.

And I distanced them also, by saying that the over inflated price also gives them a possibly inflated profile. Some people will be influenced by that, and simply have to have the most expensive, without regard for reviews...it happens.

As an aside, again I didn't say pcp/c were bad, just they have an enhanced status as of the price premium. I am sure they are very good, but I suspect no better than, say the olympia or the ultra x. Then again, maybe...Its going to be interesting to see jonnys reviews in future, I am looking forward, esp. a 1kw comparitive....yum

AFAIK, I didn't attempt to discredit them, I am just very suspicious of something so much more expensive than the rest, I would rather believe profiteering than that its so superior. The fact they are causing this controversy is publicity in itself, its a sort of established business practise to do this, price something way in excess of its material value to curry interest, or some 'aura'

All of this does go on, and in kindness, you do have the wrong end of the stick.

I hope that puts an end to it, not that I should have to explain myself to that degree, and again am in no way at all accusing jonny of that.

Also, did you know some dealers, and even the companies themselves log onto forums and either monitor or try and influence opinion about products, sometimes underhandly?

Clear enough? Best wishes:)

Yes!! Much clearer than your first post!:)

Yet as long as you have young people building their first computer and such there will always be assumptions that kids and even some adults make concerning the word "quality" and "value".

As long as you have companies that are willing to pay for advertising based on what you say about there product that will continue to happen!
Thankfully you have people like Jonny, who pulls no punches regardless of who the company is!! :)

Of course there are reviewers who take kickbacks and such.
IMO you can tell by comparing a review Jonny does of the same product as somebody else who would review that same product as being a solid high quality review without mentioning any of the negative aspects.

Then again we also must remember that there are a few people doing reviews who have no clue and are just not with it...lol

Or a reviewer who gives said PSU high marks because it have 12 led fans and a connector for the coffee machine....lol

Then addressing your point about the cost of PSU`s....
Thankfully if somebody does by a PC Power & Cooling product because of price alone they at least will be getting a quality well built product.
As long as they don`t go reading the FUD thats on the PC Power & Cooling website!!!

But YES I see your point somebody could buy a $800 OKIA or TurboLink PSU thinking they were getting a top notch top of the line PSU...that happens.
BUT.....thankfully most people do there homework.

Finally suspect all you wish....but I suspect no better than, say the olympia or the ultra x.
Its "OK" to have your own opinion.

In kindness what you stated does go on we all know it does....
But not with Jonny and company!

In kindness I believe that consumers are much more savy and do more homework before buying that people give them credit for.

Lastly who do you say to those people who have used brand A and or brand B or brand C all there life with no problems such as voltage regulation or having caps go bad etc etc....who recommend their particular brand of PSU even though there are other brands on the market that are possibly built better or have better support?

All in all there really are alot of PSU`s that nobody on this forum would be caught dead using yet others have had no issues.....go figure!!

Let the buyer beware...or as I like to say Let the buyer do there homework first!!

I hope I made myself clearer... Best wishes!! Have a nice 2007@!!