Confused and could use some guidance!

[mortalportal]

Hello everybody. I've been lurking here for a while and now I summed up the courage to ask a question to you fine people: Which PSU will be the best fit for my build?

I know you may get a lot of these threads, but please don't hate me for asking for an honest opinion. My build is as follows:

AMD Phenom II X4 965BE
8GB Gskill Ripjaws
BIOStar A800G+ Motherboard with HDMI Out
RAIDMAX Hybrid 530W PSU <---
XFX HD 6850 1GB DDR5

Now the issue, my PSU was a dud and ended up burning my motherboard by the SATA Ports(saved everything else thankfully!), and I will NEVER buy that brand again.

I was considering the following PSU Units:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371016

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151095

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182131

These are the 3 replacements I picked out, but I don't know which one to pick. I've gotten tons of mixed feedback from friends, associates and so forth and it's driving me nuts. One of my friends is badgering me to buy a Cougar PSU(I know nothing of the brand.), and I am afraid I might get another POS PSU.

What would you guys suggest? Any help is appreciated.

 

[WR2]

All 3 would be acceptable. Among those 3 my recommendations in order are:
SeaSonic M12II 620 Bronze 620W
Rosewill HIVE Series HIVE-550 550W
Antec BP550 Plus 550W

 

[WR2]

Seasonic M12II-620 Power Supply Review @ HardOCP
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2010/05/18/seasonic_m12ii620_power_supply_review/

 

[WR2]

XFX Core Edition PRO 550W PSU $55 & $12.60 shipping
http://www.provantage.com/xfx-p1550sxxb9~7PINE0MN.htm

XFX Core Edition 550W review @ JonnyGuru
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=225

 

[abekl]

Get the seasonic and be done with your worries about this issue.

 

[Rugger]

I own the Seasonic M12II-520W and it's an awesome PSU. Rock solid rails, great warranty, modular - QUIET. The XFX Core 550W that WR2 linked is an awesome deal right now; built by Seasonic and based on the Seasonic M12II series. If modular wasn't a high priority, then i'd probably go for the XFX to save a few $.

 

[WR2]

One of my friends is badgering me to buy a Cougar PSU(I know nothing of the brand.), and I am afraid I might get another POS PSU.

Cougar does have some very good PSUs. But they also have some real stinkers. And the company is owned by HEC/Compucase which has a reputation for cutting corners. As an example, something in same general range you're looking is the Cougar A-Series 560 W Power Supply (Review)

 

[mortalportal]

Thank you all for the wonderful and fast replies! I have another dilemma on my hands now.

I've come into some extra cash, and was wondering if I should buy a PSU between $75-$115. I am not too keen on PSU terms. I've been suggested to get something that's crossfire compatible, but I have no idea if there's any significant difference between using a CROSSFIRE/SLI PSU with an AMD PSU/ATI GPU.

 

[WR2]

So you plan to Crossfire two HD 6850s?

XFX 650W Core Edition Power Supply $83
http://www.provantage.com/xfx-p1-650s-nlb9~7PINE0MH.htm
XFX 750W Core Edition Power Supply $92
http://www.provantage.com/xfx-p1-750s-nlb9~7PINE0MJ.htm
CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX650 V2 650W $80 a/r and free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139020
SeaSonic M12II 620 Bronze 620W $90 and free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151095

 

[mortalportal]

I have decided to go with the Seasonic. You all have been a great help to me and I wish you all the best.

Also my GPU has 2 6 pin PCI-e pin slots. Do I need one or both of those to run my card?

 

[WR2]

Good choice, IMO.

It might run with just 1. Some models of HD 6850 have just 1 6pin connector.
Definitely best to use both if you have an OC'd, dual fan or other high performance model.

 

[mortalportal]

Best answer selected by mortalportal.

 

[WR2]

If you're going with 2 of the same type of HD 6850s with 4x PCI-e power connectors maybe the XFX Core Edition PRO650W would come in handy. It has 4x PCI-e power connectors.