Best energy efficient, modular PSU?

[nukemaster]

Antec is overrated

Then so is Seasonic since they make almost ALL of antecs current PSU line....

 

[KyleSTL]

Best Energy Efficient - SeaSonic S12 Energy Plus SS-650HT 88% Efficient,Quiet, No modular http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151028

Best Maximum Performance - PC&Power Cooling Turbo-Cool 860 Efficient 84%,Ultra-Tight Voltage Regulation (+VDC 1.5%), No modular http://www.pcpower.com/power-supply/turbo-cool-860.html

Best Performance & Silent - PC&Power Cooling Silencer 750 Efficient 83%,Quiet,No modular http://www.pcpower.com/power-supply/silencer-750-quad-crossfire.html

If your are build a HTPC w/ HDTV tuner or Dual/Quad w/ one video and no over-clocking. I would choose SeaSonic SS-650HT.

If your are building a (Super Hot Gamer PC) Dual/Quad w/ Dual/Quad video and over-clock. My first chose is PC&Power Cooling Turbo-Cool 860 and my second chose is PC&Power Cooling Silencer 750.

Stay away from Cheap PSU it make your system run hotter and Antec is overrated.

You do realize Seasonic is the OEM for the Antec Earthwatts, NeoHE and TruePower Trio series. If anything, they're underrated because they are quality and much cheaper than other PSUs with equivalent power ratings.

Edit: Nuke, you beat me to it.

Also, Corsair PSUs are also considered among the highest quality and they're made by Seasonic and Channel Well (who make Antec's other PSUs not listed above - SmartPower, TruePower and NeoPower).

 

[bydesign]

It won't? I replaced two power supplies with energy efficient ones and it really made a difference on my electric bill. A more efficient PSU draws less power from the wall correct?

I'm very happy with my 650W modular TT Toughpower PSU, however the previously mentioned Corsair and Seasonic are at least as good, probably better. I would be hesitant to get any of these power supplies however because they don't have an 8 pin PCI-E power cable.

Correction: the Seasonic does have an 8 pin PCI-E power connector

Maybe but maybe not that rate comes frequently comes from 80% load. So sure if you are actually at 80% load it's relevant otherwise is probably not. Otherwise you need to know the load some are fairly consistent most are not and low load frequently is far less efficient. As for your huge difference I don't see that happening as your two PC's most likely make a small percentage of the total power used in your home and you're talking about a crappy PSU of 65% vs 85% not much difference. So sure it might over a year save some coin maybe around $.12 a day per PC.

As for the 8800 512 manufactures spec's they are "Power Supply Requirements 400 Watt Power Supply (with 22A on the +12V Rail)" It also uses a 6 pin power connector.

Lastly Seasonic aren't bad and I've yet to have a Antec last it's warranty period. I would go with an Enermax Liberty or Thermaltake Toughpower greater than 600W for a solid modular PSU

 

[nukemaster]

To be 80+ the psu has to be 80%(or better) efficient at 20% load 50% load and 100% load.....so that does cover most. All i know is my 80+ did save me a number of watts on higher end systems...

I have never had a PSU die EVER(even a cheap one that ran my XP 1800+ 9800 pro system way back when.....not that i would ever use it again....)....lucky?

 

[KyleSTL]

Yeah, I have a Rosewill [gasp] 350 running my HTPC (A XP 2400+, 1GB PC133, GF 5200). Never given me any troubles, although during its lifespan has seemed to push out slightly hotter air. It was a cheap replacement for an older computer whose PSU became quite noisy, and I'm pleased and not too nervous. If it was going to die (or kill) it would have done it already.

 

[jaguarskx]

Maybe but maybe not that rate comes frequently comes from 80% load. So sure if you are actually at 80% load it's relevant otherwise is probably not.

Any PSU that has the "80 PLUS" or "80+" certification has been tested to be at least 80% efficient at 20%, 50% and 100% load.


http://www.80plus.org/80what.htm

What is the 80 PLUS specification?

The 80 PLUS performance specification requires power supplies in computers and servers to be 80% or greater energy efficient at 20%, 50% and 100% of rated load with a true power factor of 0.9 or greater. This makes an 80 PLUS certified power supply substantially more efficient than typical power supplies and creates a unique market differentiation opportunity for power supply and computer manufacturers