Budget reliable PSU

[alreadyfuell]

My current system is :

i5 3450
GTX 460 1GB
4 GB DDR3 Ram
1TB Seagate HDD

I'm also going to upgrade the GPU into 1060 3gb or RX 580 very soon and i'm going for PSU in mind like :

XFX TS 430w
Seasonic ECO 430w
Antec VP 500
EVGA 400w

Here's the complete list of the psu that is available in my country :

https://www.enterkomputer.com/psu.php

My Current budget is around 650.000 IDR.

Any advice will be appreciated

Thanks.

 

[Aeacus]

Out of the ones you listed (could afford), only XFX TS and Seasonic Eco would make the cut since with them, you can expect solid build quality (both PSUs are made by Seasonic). While Antec and EVGA units are lower build quality.

There's not much difference between XFX TS and Seasonic Eco. Though, raisonjohn explained nicely the differences between the two units:

There is quite a few very minor difference between those two PSU's since the XFX TS 430W was also manufactured (OEM) by Seasonic (based on its Seasonic Eco 430W).

Both PSUs supply a max. load of 396W at the +12V rail (though the Seasonic employs a dual +12V1 and +12V2 at 18A each; while the XFX uses a single +12V rail at 33A). Both have 80+ Bronze Rating (not that it really matters). Both have 3-year warranty. Both are for 240VAC input only. Both have non-modular cables.

But, there are a few slight improvements that goes in the favor of the XFX: 1) it is rated at an operating temperature of 50*C (compared to only 40*C in the Seasonic); and, 2) it uses 120mm Hydraulic Bearing fan (slightly better in lifespan than the 120mm Double Ball Bearing of the Seasonic).

Miniscule differences also in the cables, particularly the Molex/Peripheral connector quantities (3 for Seasonic with only 2 for the XFX) and the Floppy Disc Drive adapter (none for Seasonic and 1 for the XFX), which nobody probably uses anymore this days.

In short, IF the 430W is the recommended PSU based on your needs (I am assuming you have correctly estimated it based on your total system load power draw), and these are the only 2 PSUs to choose from, then you can safely go with either (slight build quality based on specs would tend to favor the XFX; slight overcurrent protection (dual +12VDC) based on specs would tend to favor the Seasonic).

source: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/answers/id-3344134/xfx-430w-seasonic-eco-430w.html#19354323

Oh, if you go with RX 580 then you need to look towards higher wattage PSU since RX 580 is 185W GPU and it needs at least 500W PSU. While GTX 1060 3GB is 120W GPU and will do fine with 430W PSU you're currently looking to buy.

 

[Rexper]

They're all low end - group regulated, lacking protections. Neither of them are recommended for such system you intend to upgrade to.

The cheapest decent power supply I could find at the retailer is the be Quiet! Pure Power 10 400w for 750,000

 

[rounakr94]

If you are not putting any heavy load like Overclocking then I wouldgo with the new 2017 series of Corsair CX 450 lineup(with grey badge) its similar in pricing to Seasonic eco. But your best bet would be a Seasonic S12II 520W

 

[Aeacus]

They're all low end - group regulated, lacking protections. Neither of them are recommended for such system you intend to upgrade to.

The cheapest decent power supply I could find at the retailer is the be Quiet! Pure Power 10 400w for 750,000

How nice, you again. I hope you've educated yourself about PSUs from the last time we met. Then again, i wouldn't call Seasonic units low end, despite the group regulated design. You may not know it but Seasonic has mastered the group regulated design because they were the ones who also made the best group regulated PSU in the world, known as S12II series (e.g S12II-520 that costs 840.000 IDR at OP's store).

Btw, Be Quiet! unit is mediocre quality unit and unless you provide OP the extra 100.000 IDR, your suggestion isn't happening. Also, i wouldn't consider it better than the two Seasonic made units above, rather than on same level where the price tag for Be Quiet! unit is only higher.

 

[alreadyfuell]

Out of the ones you listed (could afford), only XFX TS and Seasonic Eco would make the cut since with them, you can expect solid build quality (both PSUs are made by Seasonic). While Antec and EVGA units are lower build quality.

There's not much difference between XFX TS and Seasonic Eco. Though, raisonjohn explained nicely the differences between the two units:

There is quite a few very minor difference between those two PSU's since the XFX TS 430W was also manufactured (OEM) by Seasonic (based on its Seasonic Eco 430W).

Both PSUs supply a max. load of 396W at the +12V rail (though the Seasonic employs a dual +12V1 and +12V2 at 18A each; while the XFX uses a single +12V rail at 33A). Both have 80+ Bronze Rating (not that it really matters). Both have 3-year warranty. Both are for 240VAC input only. Both have non-modular cables.

But, there are a few slight improvements that goes in the favor of the XFX: 1) it is rated at an operating temperature of 50*C (compared to only 40*C in the Seasonic); and, 2) it uses 120mm Hydraulic Bearing fan (slightly better in lifespan than the 120mm Double Ball Bearing of the Seasonic).

Miniscule differences also in the cables, particularly the Molex/Peripheral connector quantities (3 for Seasonic with only 2 for the XFX) and the Floppy Disc Drive adapter (none for Seasonic and 1 for the XFX), which nobody probably uses anymore this days.

In short, IF the 430W is the recommended PSU based on your needs (I am assuming you have correctly estimated it based on your total system load power draw), and these are the only 2 PSUs to choose from, then you can safely go with either (slight build quality based on specs would tend to favor the XFX; slight overcurrent protection (dual +12VDC) based on specs would tend to favor the Seasonic).

source: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/answers/id-3344134/xfx-430w-seasonic-eco-430w.html#19354323

Oh, if you go with RX 580 then you need to look towards higher wattage PSU since RX 580 is 185W GPU and it needs at least 500W PSU. While GTX 1060 3GB is 120W GPU and will do fine with 430W PSU you're currently looking to buy.

Okay..

Eco was my main target, but then i saw EVGA 430w and people were recommending it for its cheap price and good build quality. any idea for how good is it?

And also for the more pricey side. there's EVGA 500w GD 80+ gold efficiency for a bit more. is it reliable or should i stick with the 430w ?

 

[Aeacus]

Okay..

Eco was my main target, but then i saw EVGA 430w and people were recommending it for its cheap price and good build quality. any idea for how good is it?

And also for the more pricey side. there's EVGA 500w GD 80+ gold efficiency for a bit more. is it reliable or should i stick with the 430w ?

EVGA 430W is the worst unit offered by EVGA and it isn't any better than Corsair VS series which is worst offered by Corsair,
EVGA 430W review: https://www.hardocp.com/article/2015/02/19/evga_430w_power_supply_review

As far as 2nd EVGA unit goes, do note, there are no 500W unit in EVGA GD lineup, what there are, are 450W, 550W and 650W GD units. So, which one it is and is it GD series at all?
PSU part number helps to identify the unit. E.g EVGA 550W GD has part number of: 100-GD-0550-V7.

 

[alreadyfuell]

Okay..

Eco was my main target, but then i saw EVGA 430w and people were recommending it for its cheap price and good build quality. any idea for how good is it?

And also for the more pricey side. there's EVGA 500w GD 80+ gold efficiency for a bit more. is it reliable or should i stick with the 430w ?

EVGA 430W is the worst unit offered by EVGA and it isn't any better than Corsair VS series which is worst offered by Corsair,
EVGA 430W review: https://www.hardocp.com/article/2015/02/19/evga_430w_power_supply_review

As far as 2nd EVGA unit goes, do note, there are no 500W unit in EVGA GD lineup, what there are, are 450W, 550W and 650W GD units. So, which one it is and is it GD series at all?
PSU part number helps to identify the unit. E.g EVGA 550W GD has part number of: 100-GD-0550-V7.

Oh yes my bad, i got it mixed out with the 500 bronze one, Yes its the 450 and 550. is it as bad as they said or it's actually worth buying?

 

[Rexper]

You may not know it but Seasonic has mastered the group regulated design because they were the ones who also made the best group regulated PSU in the world, known as S12II series

Are you working for Seasonic? Because any one can spot your comments are heavily biased towards that company. "Seasonic = good" will not help anyone. Don't choose by brand, because every brand makes crappy products and you'll be missing out on many other options. Same thing applies to OEM.
The S12ii were okay units 8 years ago. Even Aris, one of if not the best PSU reviewers could realise this power supply wasn't as good as you and other seasonic fanboys make it out to be, here is a review of the same platform in 2011: https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Antec/HCG-520/8.html
No group regulated unit will ever be good for modern systems, because of the way they work. Unbalance on the rails causes loose regulation. In modern systems loads are unbalanced.

Btw, Be Quiet! unit is mediocre quality unit and unless you provide OP the extra 100.000 IDR, your suggestion isn't happening.

Or I could provide him with information/reviews for him to realise who is making crap up and who knows what they'e saying. https://www.tomshardware.co.uk/be-quiet-pure-power-10-600w-psu,review-33932.html
Better than the S12ii and all original options in every way.

 

[Aeacus]

Oh yes my bad, i got it mixed out with the 500 bronze one, Yes its the 450 and 550. is it as bad as they said or it's actually worth buying?

EVGA GD series is made for Chinese market and it's also one of the newest PSU line from EVGA,
specs: https://tw.evga.com/Products/Product.aspx?pn=100-GD-0550-V7#

According to the specs, it looks like a good quality unit but without any reviews about it, i can't say it for sure. And due to that, i'd be cautious about it. There's also some talk about it in JonnyGuru Forums,
link: http://www.jonnyguru.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14041

Are you working for Seasonic? Because any one can spot your comments are heavily biased towards that company. "Seasonic = good" will not help anyone. Don't choose by brand, because every brand makes crappy products and you'll be missing out on many other options. Same thing applies to OEM.
The S12ii were okay units 8 years ago. Even Aris, one of if not the best PSU reviewers could realise this power supply wasn't as good as you and other seasonic fanboys make it out to be, here is a review of the same platform in 2011: https://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Antec/HCG-520/8.html
No group regulated unit will ever be good for modern systems, because of the way they work. Unbalance on the rails causes loose regulation. In modern systems loads are unbalanced.

Do i have a work contract with Seasonic? No. Do i like the good/great quality products they produce? Yes.
I don't see anything wrong for preferring a brand/OEM who has proven himself to be trustworthy over countless of years and who doesn't lie nor cheat it's customers. Also, there are plenty of diversity in Seasonic lineup due to the many PSU lines they offer, so anyone can find an unit to match their wallet. If Super Flower would also have such a diversity in their lineup and their units wouldn't be so hard to get, i wouldn't have any problem suggesting Super Flower units alongside Seasonic units. Also, i prefer to buy my PSUs directly from OEM, where middleman is left out of the loop (e.g Corsair or EVGA).

While your linked Antec HCG 520 is based off Seasonic S12II platform, there are changes in it's design and it doesn't perform same as original S12II-520 does. Here's the review of S12II-520 for a good read,
link: http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=185

Group regulated design PSUs do show their age and while they aren't best used with latest tech (Ryzen, Intel 8th gen), keep in mind that OP's PC has some years on it. Intel's 3rd gen Core i5 came out in 2012 and Seasonic Eco or XFX TS PSUs are completely fine to use with OP's old system.

Or I could provide him with information/reviews for him to realise who is making crap up and who knows what they'e saying. https://www.tomshardware.co.uk/be-quiet-pure-power-10-600w-psu,review-33932.html
Better than the S12ii and all original options in every way.

While TH did review Be Quiet! Pure Power 10 PSU, they reviewed 600W unit and not 400W unit. Different wattage units perform differently. And as seen from review, Be Quiet! Pure Power 10 600W fails to meet the ATX PSU standard. For example, it's hold-up time is 23.3ms which is way above of the 17ms required by ATX PSU standard. Similar performance (or lack of it) can be expected from 400W unit as well.

Since Be Quiet! Pure Power 10 600W has nice list of good things and also bad things, it's a mediocre quality unit. If there were more bad than good (including price) it would be a bad unit and vice-versa.

 

[jankerson]

In the end the budget is way too low to really get into a good quality PSU at the right wattage that the OP really needs.

Especially if going with an RX 580.

But then even with a GTX 1060 there really aren't any good quality 450W PSU's in his price range that I could recommend for a gaming system.

The best advice I can give is to save up enough to get a good quality PSU.

 

[alreadyfuell]

In the end the budget is way too low to really get into a good quality PSU at the right wattage that the OP really needs.

Especially if going with an RX 580.

But then even with a GTX 1060 there really aren't any good quality 450W PSU's in his price range that I could recommend for a gaming system.

The best advice I can give is to save up enough to get a good quality PSU.

Maybe i did put the pricepoint too low.

i'll just do that then, Any recommendation of what type that i should buy for future proof and a good reliability? Let's say i have a budget for a good psu. Which one do you guys think i should buy?

and i'm currently okay with the non modular one

 

[jankerson]

In the end the budget is way too low to really get into a good quality PSU at the right wattage that the OP really needs.

Especially if going with an RX 580.

But then even with a GTX 1060 there really aren't any good quality 450W PSU's in his price range that I could recommend for a gaming system.

The best advice I can give is to save up enough to get a good quality PSU.

Maybe i did put the pricepoint too low.

i'll just do that then, Any recommendation of what type that i should buy for future proof and a good reliability? Let's say i have a budget for a good psu. Which one do you guys think i should buy?

and i'm currently okay with the non modular one

I would say the Seasonic G-550 or G-450.

If the RX 580 then the G-550.

 

[Aeacus]

If you keep your 3rd gen Core i5 around then Seasonic S12II-520 is more than enough. Though, it's fully-wired design will give a nice headache in cable management. I know this 1st hand since my AMD build is also powered by S12II-520 (full specs with pics in my sig).

For easier cable management and for future builds, Seasonic M12II-520 EVO is good choice. M12II-520 EVO also supports C6 and C7 sleep states which S12II-520 may or may not support. I'm also using M12II EVO series PSU in my Haswell build but mine is 850W.

Latest tech in PSU world would be Seasonic Focus+ 550 80+ Gold (FX-550). While S12II and M12II EVO come with 5 years of OEM warranty, Focus+ comes with 10 years of OEM warranty.

 

[jankerson]

I would say the Seasonic Focus Plus would be his best choice, if not that then the Seasonic G-450 or G-550.


The price difference isn't all that big between the M12II's and G Series however and the G Series are much better units.


All of them are a lot more than the original budget however.

 

[Rexper]

there are changes in it's design and it doesn't perform same as original S12II-520 does

Hardly, since it’s the same platform. Still out of spec voltage regulation and a crappy protection IC, looking at the JonnyGURU reviews.

For example, it's hold-up time is 23.3ms which is way above of the 17ms required by ATX PSU standard.

LoL! You do realise higher is better?... There is no point trying to make assumptions what is mediocre or not when you don’t even know what you’re looking at. Here is something that can help https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/power-supplies-101,4193.html

Be Quiet has much better overall performance, much better protections, much better fan and fan curve...

 

[Aeacus]

Hardly, since it’s the same platform. Still out of spec voltage regulation and a crappy protection IC, looking at the JonnyGURU reviews.

Only place where the +12V rail went out of spec is during CL1 test. Then again, one must run ancient rig (e.g Pentium III) to push the unit to do something it wasn't designed to do.

One thing is already clear to me, looking at the above table - this is a group regulated design. How do I know this? From the two crossload tests. Group regulated units, while cheaper to design and build, have one common flaw - if you load them in a way they aren't designed to handle, you get out of spec voltages. But this unit had a surprise for me. While the first CL test did see the 12V climb out of spec, the second CL test did not see a corresponding out of spec increase on the 5V. It gets close, but does not go out of spec. This unit is remarkably well behaved for a group design.

This is what I like to see - not many rigs these days will present a load like the one from test CL1. Such loads went out with the Pentium III and a few select Socket A motherboards. CL2, on the other hand, is possible on modern rigs, and I love that I did not see out of spec numbers there. Well done, Seasonic.

On to the voltages in the five progressive tests. Again, the S12 II looks to impress, with abnormally stable (for group regulation) readings. 5V is within 1% regulation, and the other two voltages come in just outside of 1%. Very nice indeed.

source: http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story2&reid=185

LoL! You do realise higher is better?... There is no point trying to make assumptions what is mediocre or not when you don’t even know what you’re looking at. Here is something that can help https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/power-supplies-101,4193.html

Be Quiet has much better overall performance, much better protections, much better fan and fan curve...

Shoot, i messed up. My bad. Too much work and too little sleep made me reverse the hold-up time. :/ Need to get some rest and come back once my head is clear again.

 

[Rexper]

Yet they’re still looser on Crossload 12v rail than the majority of DC-DC power supplies, which is what modern systems need. And they still have the crappy protections which isn’t forgivable.

They’re overpriced when you can find much better power supplies for cheaper, like the be Quiet Pure Power 10.

OP, if you were to raise your budget for a high quality unit you could find a Bitfenix Whisper M 450 for 1,250,000. Great quality psu, better than the G-series.

If you plan to upgrade cpu + GPU to very high end (eg 8700k + 1080ti) you may want a 550w, in that case the Seasonic Focus Plus 550 for ~130000 would be a good choice.

 

[alreadyfuell]

If you keep your 3rd gen Core i5 around then Seasonic S12II-520 is more than enough. Though, it's fully-wired design will give a nice headache in cable management. I know this 1st hand since my AMD build is also powered by S12II-520 (full specs with pics in my sig).

For easier cable management and for future builds, Seasonic M12II-520 EVO is good choice. M12II-520 EVO also supports C6 and C7 sleep states which S12II-520 may or may not support. I'm also using M12II EVO series PSU in my Haswell build but mine is 850W.

Latest tech in PSU world would be Seasonic Focus+ 550 80+ Gold (FX-550). While S12II and M12II EVO come with 5 years of OEM warranty, Focus+ comes with 10 years of OEM warranty.

I probably going to stick with my 3rd gen i5 for a bit more, so im just gonna get the S12II-520.

Okay. so thats my budget now,

So last question. S12II-520 or EVGA 500 Bronze?

The 500W bronze is currently cheaper in my country for like 750.000 IDR. and S12II is for 800.000 IDR.

Which one is better or is there any better Choice in 800.000?

Thanks and sorry for the long thread and late reply.

 

[jankerson]

Out of those 2 defiantly the S12II 520.

 

[Aeacus]

Yes, Seasonic S12II-520 is better in many ways than EVGA 500B.

JonnyGuru also reviewed the HEC Compucase made EVGA 500B unit and it did score lower than S12II-520. Then again, HEC Compucase isn't that good of an OEM as Seasonic is,
review: http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=351

 

[Rexper]

Neither. Both group regulated and lacking protections. as mentioned, you could find a be Quiet Pure Power 10 in that price which is vastly better.

 

[alreadyfuell]

I'm kinda lost now with which is actually better, S12II or Be Quiet pure power 10.

so i'm just gonna assume that they both are great and take the easy way out and start searching for the Cheaper option in one of those.

 

[Rexper]

Neither are “great”. The S12ii is sub par and avoidable, there are just many fanboys around that believe it’s somehow good yet all evidence is against that. The be Quiet is a pretty good budget power supply.

Be Quiet Pure power 10 is much better, dc dc with better protections and better fan. I’ve already linked reviews for both in previous comments. If you can’t believe me, and don’t know what to look for in reviews, take it from some experts: https://linustechtips.com/main/topic/858096-why-you-shouldnt-buy-a-s12iim12ii-in-2017-or-later-years/ or read some forums at JonnyGURU.

Assuming and cheaping are two things you do not want to do with power supplies.

 

[Aeacus]

Since Be Quiet! Pure Power 10 series PSUs came out last year, it's much newer tech and it's easy to boast it over older tech: S12II series.

Reason why S12II doesn't have OCP (over current protection) and OTP (over temperature protection) is because when S12II came out in 2010, there were no requirements to have OCP and OTP on a PSU. Those protections that were required back then: OVP (over voltage protection), UVP (under voltage protection), SCP (short circuit protection) and OPP (over power protection), Seasonic also added to it's PSUs.

Still, because Pure Power 10 is newer doesn't mean it's better. While the 600W unit did fine in Tom's Hardware tests with some issues as well and some lower specs than S12II-520 (e.g voltage regulation is within 3% while S12II-520 voltage regulation is within 1%), what i'm more interested is the longevity of that unit. One way to know PSU's longevity is by looking the warranty period given to it.
If Pure Power 10 series would outlast S12II series (due to the newer tech), then it's retailer (Be Quiet!) would offer longer warranty than Seasonic offers for it's S12II series. Since Seasonic offers 5 years for S12II series, Be Quiet! should offer at least 6 years for Pure Power 10 series. But strangely enough, Be Quiet! offers only 3 years of warranty for their Pure Power 10 series. I guess Be Quiet! doesn't trust their PSU OEM: FSP. Then again, Seasonic is 1st grade PSU OEM while FSP is 2nd grade OEM.

As i said above, i have S12II-520 in use and i can say first hand my experience with it. My S12II-520 is currently 3 years old (bought it in 2015 as brand new) and it's still going strong in my AMD build. In one point of time, i used my S12II-520 to power my high-end Skylake build for few months as well. Used this time to also test C6, C7 and C8 sleep states since there's no official conformation if S12II-520 supports those or not. As far as S12II-520 fan goes, my PSU fan isn't noisy at all and i can hardly hear it, despite what is said in LTT forums (yes, i read that topic linked above).
With 2 years of warranty left for my unit, i can feel safe that my PSU does last at least another 2 years, if not more. And if anything should happen within the next 2 years, i can RMA my PSU without issues. But if i'd have the Pure Power 10 in use, it's warranty would be gone by now and when PSU decides to go sky high, i'd be left high and dry, without any hopes for RMA.

Btw, Seasonic still produces S12II series since it's tried, tested and proven to be reliable. Also, there are plenty of people in the world who still buy them.
For specifically about S12II series, this topic in JonnyGuru forums is a good read where many experts, including Seasonic representative, shared their knowledge,
link: http://www.jonnyguru.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15009&page=4