How Big of a PSU do I need (Wattage)

[ninelivesproductions]

I need a wattage recommendation for this pc that I plan on building in a couple months. As you can see below, I chose a 700watt PSU, but if I dont need 700watts (which I'm assuming) then I will buy a lower one to reduce costs; because I need money for games to hahah. BTW I wanted to mention the case I chose has 2 200mm fans (one w/LEDs) and a small 120mm fan at the back. Thanks!

Link Depot 19" UV Green Latch Serial ATA Cable Model SATA-L0.5-UVG
Item #: N82E16812104056
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$2.99


COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel + Plastic and Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Item #: N82E16811119197
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$10.00 Instant
$10.00 USD Mail-in Rebate
$119.99
$109.99


Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3250318AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822148451
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
$46.99


Palit NE3TS25EFHD52 GeForce GTS 250 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card
Item #: N82E16814261057
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
$116.49


SONY Black SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model DDU1681S-0B - OEM
Item #: N82E16827118031
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
$18.49


OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ700MXSP 700W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC ...
Item #: N82E16817341018
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$40.00 Instant
$25.00 USD Mail-in Rebate
$129.99
$89.99


G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL
Item #: N82E16820231277
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy
$111.49


ASUS P7H55-M PRO LGA 1156 Intel H55 HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813131623
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$5.00 Instant
$114.99
$109.99


Intel Core i3-530 Clarkdale 2.93GHz LGA 1156 73W Dual-Core Desktop Processor Model BX80616I3530
Item #: N82E16819115222
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Size it:

http://www.antec.outervision.com/

Pick it:

http://www.silentpcreview.com/Recommended_PSUs

Whatever wattage you go with, I would get an OCZ unless it's the Z series.....

Sweet spots for PSU's are the 650 (single GFX + OC) and 850 (twin GFX + OC) watters.....you can go lower, but it saves you very little money....typically $10 max for a drop from 850 to a 750 or 650 to a 550.

For comparison purposes , the list below contains performance ratings (10 scale) at jonnyguru.com / prices as per newegg on 02/21/2010 and ones w/ double asterisks (**) made it onto silentpcreview.com's Editor's Choice List meaning they excelled at both electronic and acoustic performance:

850 watters

Antec SG-850 - 10.0 ($220) **
Antec CP-850 - 10.0 ($110) **
XFX 850W Black Edition 10.0 ($185)
Corsair HX850 850W - 10.0 ($180)

Antec TruePower Quattro (TPQ-850) - 9.5 ($150)
Corsair TX850 - 9.5 ($140)
Seasonic M12D 850W - 9.5 (NLA) **
NorthQ Giant Connector 850W - 9.5 (NFS)
Etasis ET850 - 9.5 (NLA)
Silverstone Zeus ST85ZF - 9.5 (NLA)

Enermax Revolution 85+ 850W - 9.0 ($250)

Thrmaltake Toughpower XT 850W - 8.5 ($216)
OCZ Z Series 850W - 8.5 ($200)


650 watters

Antec Signature 650W (10.0) OOS **
Seasonic X-650 650W (10.0) $160 **
Silverstone Olympia OP650 (10.0) NFS

Thermaltake Toughpower QFan 650W (9.5) NLA

Antec Earthwatts EA650 650W (9.0) $75

Antec True Power Trio 650W (7.5) NLA

XFX XPS 650W XXX Edition Power Supply (7.0) NFS

Antec NeoPower Blue 650W (6.5) NLA

BFG BFGR650PSU 650W (6.0) NLA

NorthQ Black Magic Flex 650W PSU (5.0) NFS


NFS - Not For Sale / NLA = No Longer Available / OOS Out of Stock

 

[shovenose]

ocz isnt known for its lovely psus, though some are ok.
here is one that has plenty of power, is modular, is cheaper, and is a better brand
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371016

 

[ninelivesproductions]

Wish I could give the best answer for both, but I think I might get the one that shovenose recomended. I have to give the best answer to JackNaylorPE for the effort haha. Thanks for all of the help. I know ocz arent great, but the price is tempting.
I think antec is great though. and modular psus are amazing. I hate clutter.

**Ill give the best answer to the person who gives me their honest opinion (AFTER READING THE REVIEWS IT GOT ON NEWEGG) about this PSU:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817709023

 

[shovenose]

sunbeam is total cr*p (*=a)
do not buy!!!

 

[shovenose]

the reviews may be good, but it is still not a good quality power supply. it will not last very long or provide stable power at high loads. newegg's reviews are a hint but they shouldnt decide the decision for you.

 

[ninelivesproductions]

WAIT give honest opinion after reading newegg review of this too!!!

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817152028

 

[shovenose]

raidmax is right there alongside sunbeam...
this is a raidmax:
http://www.corsair.com/cinema/movie.aspx?id=622747

 

[JohnnyLucky]

The general rule of thumb is a high quality 500 to 550 watt power supply with sufficient current (amps) on the +12 volt rail(s) can easily power a system with any single video card made. A high quality 700 to 750 watt power supply with sufficient current (amps) on the +12 volt rail(s) can power a system with two video cards operating in dual mode. There are a few exceptions like the new ATI Radeon HD 5XXX series cards which use less power due to their energy efficiency.

A high quality 500 to 550 watt psu will have a +12 volt rail rated at 40 amps. A high quality 700 to 750 watt psu will have a +12 volt rail rated at 60 amps.

In addition the power supply should be at least 80+ Bronze certified for energy efficiency. There are some models available which have achieved 80+ Silver and 80+ Gold Certifications.

Before purchasing a new psu you will need to decide whether you will eventually have a pc with one or two video cards.

Corsair and Seasonic are two brands that have a reputation for high quality power supplies that consistently earn high marks in technical reviews. They are reliable, stable, and come with a 5 year warranty. Some of the newer models come with a 7 year warranty. Lately we've been seeing a few other brands offering some high quality units. One example would be the Antec Earthwatts and Antec TruePower New models which are a major improvement over Antec’s older psu’s like the Basiq models.

 

[shovenose]

The general rule of thumb is a high quality 500 to 550 watt power supply with sufficient current (amps) on the +12 volt rail(s) can easily power a system with any single video card made. A high quality 700 to 750 watt power supply with sufficient current (amps) on the +12 volt rail(s) can power a system with two video cards operating in dual mode. There are a few exceptions like the new ATI Radeon HD 5XXX series cards which use less power due to their energy efficiency.

A high quality 500 to 550 watt psu will have a +12 volt rail rated at 40 amps. A high quality 700 to 750 watt psu will have a +12 volt rail rated at 60 amps.

In addition the power supply should be at least 80+ Bronze certified for energy efficiency. There are some models available which have achieved 80+ Silver and 80+ Gold Certifications.

Before purchasing a new psu you will need to decide whether you will eventually have a pc with one or two video cards.

Corsair and Seasonic are two brands that have a reputation for high quality power supplies that consistently earn high marks in technical reviews. They are reliable, stable, and come with a 5 year warranty. Some of the newer models come with a 7 year warranty. Lately we've been seeing a few other brands offering some high quality units. One example would be the Antec Earthwatts and Antec TruePower New models which are a major improvement over Antec’s older psu’s like the Basiq models.

trying to steal my best answer, are you LOL>>>
i have a completely different question: do u have that reply pre-written in a document then you just copy and paste it into the reply box, cuz its the exact same every time

 

[ninelivesproductions]

trying to steal my best answer, are you LOL>>>
i have a completely different question: do u have that reply pre-written in a document then you just copy and paste it into the reply box, cuz its the exact same every time

ahah this made me laugh so you get the best answer ROFL!

 

[saint19]

Hi.

1- I would change the GPU for thi: ATI 5750, is a better GPU for only $10 more.
2- Change the RAM for this: G.Skill ripjaws 1600 CL7 have a better CL for only $5 more.
3- This two mobos are better: Gigabyte GA-P55 USB 3.0 or MSI P55-GD65
4- This Antec 550W is a better PSU and enough for your rig.

 

[ninelivesproductions]

omfg im getting a corsair psu after that video ahahaha

 

[shovenose]

lol i like it so much i have it in my favorites bar in internet explorer

YESYES I KNOW I USE IE DONT LAUGH AT ME, i also like firefox...

 

[JohnnyLucky]

shovenose - The answer to your question is yes. Spend enough years here and you will see the same questions over and over and over. No point in typing the same answer over and over and over.

 

[shovenose]

Hi.

1- I would change the GPU for thi: ATI 5750, is a better GPU for only $10 more.
2- Change the RAM for this: G.Skill ripjaws 1600 CL7 have a better CL for only $5 more.
3- This two mobos are better: Gigabyte GA-P55 USB 3.0 or MSI P55-GD65
4- This Antec 550W is a better PSU and enough for your rig.

its a few bucks more, its like 1% better, but its not modular, and i think most people are willing to sacrifice that 1% for a nice modular psu, and to save a few $.

 

[shovenose]

shovenose - The answer to your question is yes. Spend enough years here and you will see the same questions over and over and over. No point in typing the same answer over and over and over.

a few months and ive seen that reply of yours like a hundred times LOL...

 

[ninelivesproductions]

okay ive narrowed it down to 2 psus.

I need some opinions. I heat that Kingwin was good, but I want some really opinions. If you guys dont like it ill go for the antec.

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010090058%201297819680%20113142556&bop=And&ShowDeactivatedMark=False&CompareItemList=58|17-371-016^17-371-016-S01,17-121-012^17-121-012-TS

 

[ninelivesproductions]

I guess I might as well ask...
Do I need more than 2 sata cables?

 

[janxta]

Let's get real here, your graphics card sux. This is not a gamer card by any means, I seem to notice a budget crunch so let's get something in the same price range EVGA 01G-P3-N988-TR GeForce 9800 GT HDMI 1GB 256-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card for $115 at newegg shipped. Old card but will still play most games on medium settings. SeaSonic SS-500ES Bronze 500W ATX12V v2.31 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply for about $70 shipped from newegg.com. Should hold you for awhile, 'til you get some money saved and can upgrade your system. Have fun with it.

 

[ninelivesproductions]

okay listen, I have been recomended both the 9800gts and the one im getting. OVER 10 TIMES. Give me a benchmark comparison and I will go from there.

 

[ninelivesproductions]

sorry i meant 9800gt.

BTW do i really need to pay 30 dollars for usb 3.0? cmon.

 

[JohnnyLucky]

You're on!

Let's take a look at the Antec Basiq Power 550 Plus. It is not a high quality power supply. I thought I mentioned that the Antec Basiq psu's were older models. I thought I also mentioned that Antec offers improved models. The data label on the power supply makes it appear as if the psu has three +12 volt rails. That information is false. The psu does not have true mutiple +12 volt rails. There are only a very few very high end, very high wattage psu's that have true multiple +12 volt rails. Instead, the unit has one large +12 volt rail that is kind of divided into "virtual rails". It is an advertising gimmick to generate sales. There was a big stink about it a few years ago. Second, the current (amps) for the +12 volt rail is exaggerated. You cannot add up the current (amps) for each +12 volt rail listed and come up with a combined total. In this case the combined total is nowhere near 69 amps. To find the correct amperage, you have to look for the maximum wattage of the +12 volt rail(s) and divide that wattage by 12 volts. The data label indicates the maximum wattage is 354 watts. Dividing that by 12 volts we get a current of 29.5 amps. That is pitiful for what is supposed to be a 550 watt power supply. That is about the equivalent of a 400 watt psu. Energy efficiency is pretty poor also.

Next up - Kingwin Mach 1 600 watt psu. The specs are better but still not a stellar performer. Like the Antec basiq it does not have true multipl +12 volt rails. The current is overstated to too. Maximum wattage for the +12 volt rail(s) is 456 watts. Dividing by 12 volts we get a current of 38 amps. The +12 volt rail is weak for what is supposed to be a 600 watt power supply. It is the equivalent of a 500 watt psu. Energy efficiency is very poor.

You can do better.

The Kingwin cost $79.00 andd the Antec cost $89.00 (Canadian).

For $89.00 you can get the an Antec Earthwatts EA650 power supply:

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371015

 

[ninelivesproductions]

Best answer selected by NineLivesProductions.

 

[shovenose]

cmon dude,...
its a decent psu, its modular, has ok effieciency, and will beat the cr*p out of any kingwin junk