Is the 460W PSU enough for build A? Any suggestions on first build?

[s3iko]

Hello Tom's Hardware Community,

I'm very new to computer building (both are firsts) and would like to inquire about the 2 builds below. I'm ordering mostly from directcanada and newegg canada.
I do not plan to overclock any of them. Mouse/keyboard, monitors, speakers, OS won't be necessary.


Build A: budget 600 +/-50 CAD for casual gaming (diablo 3 at most, med setting is tolerated) and office work/homework:

PSU 460W
Coolermaster Elite Power 460W ATX Power Supply 12V V2.3 20/24PIN 120MM Fan

CPU
Intel Core i3 2100 Dual Core Hyperthreading Processor LGA1155 3.1GHZ Sandy Bridge 3MB

motherboard
MSI H67MA-E35 (B3) LGA 1155 Intel H67 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

GPU
Gigabyte GeForce GTX 550 Ti 970MHZ 1GB 4.2GHZ GDDR5 Dual DVI Mini-HDMI DX11 PCI-E Video Card

memory
Kingston HyperX Blu 4GB 1X4GB DDR3-1333 CL9 Memory Module

dvd drive
Samsung SH-S243D/BEBE 24X Black Dvd Writer Sata Oem

hard drive
Western Digital WD Caviar Blue 1TB SATA 6GB/S 7200RPM 32MB Cache 3.5IN Hard Drive OEM

case
Thermaltake V3 Black Edition ATX Mid Tower Case Black 4X5.25 1X3.5 4X3.5INT Front USB Audio No PSU





Build B : budget 700 +/- 50 CAD for casual to moderate gaming (diablo 3 preferably on high setting, and other titles) and office/homework

PSU - 650W
Antec Earthwatts Green 650W Power Supply ATX12V V2.2 EPS12V Active PFC 80PLUS 120MM Fan

CPU
Intel Core i5 2400 Quad Core Processor LGA1155 3.1GHZ Sandy Bridge 6MB

motherboard, same as above
MSI H67MA-E35 (B3) LGA 1155 Intel H67 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

GPU
Gigabyte GeForce GTX 560 Ti Fermi 900MHZ 1GB 4.0GHZ GDDR5 2XDVI Mini HDMI DIRECTX11 PCI-E Video Card

memory, same as above
Kingston HyperX Blu 4GB 1X4GB DDR3-1333 CL9 Memory Module

dvd drive
ASUS DRW-24B1ST 24X SATA DVD Writer OEM Black

hard drive, same as above
Western Digital WD Caviar Blue 1TB SATA 6GB/S 7200RPM 32MB Cache 3.5IN Hard Drive OEM

will be using my old case for this one
Antec sonata ATX



Is the PSU enough for build A?

Any other suggestions for both builds?

 

[cutebeans]

The first build is not that good. Seriously, A 550ti is the worst GPU for the price/performance.

Coolermaster PSUs are the worst don't buy it.

What is your budget? We can help you get the best parts for your $$$.

Your second build is better. I would get this 500w

http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=11180AC3744&vpn=CMPSU-500CXV2&manufacture=CORSAIR

Since you do not overclock or anything. A 500w would easily power your system.
http://www.guru3d.com/article/geforce-gtx-560-ti-review/7

Guru3d always overestimates their watts. So you're pretty safe.

I'd get a DDR3 1600MHZ

 

[s3iko]

600 plus/minus 50$ CAD for build A

700-800$ CAD for build B

I heard otherwise about the coolermaster PSU, is it from experience, cutebeans?




Thanks for your input!

 

[cutebeans]

600 plus/minus 50$ CAD for build A

700-800$ CAD for build B

I heard otherwise about the coolermaster PSU, is it from experience, cutebeans?




Thanks for your input!

It's from experience and tons of reviews about CM PSUs. They all are negative. I'd get a samsung spinpoint than a WD blue.

 

[MrComputerGuy]

oh god, don't make the same mistake I did when I bought that psu... It's acutally a 420w psu with 32amps. It's good for low power consumption cards. The highest card you could run on that psu is a hd 6770. I'm currently running a hd 5770, but I'd suggest to you a much higher quality psu. I'd suggest a decent 550watt power supply or a high quality 500watt psu.

This psu is from Corsair a really good company for power supplies:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027


here is a link proving its a 420w psu:

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Cooler-Master-Elite-Power-460-W-Power-Supply-Review/1005

 

[beenthere]

You can tell precisely how much power your PC requires in both watts and 12v rail amps. without any guessing from the link below. You can also objectively determine the performance and quality of the PSUs you are considering for your PC. Then you will be able to make an informed buying decision without guessing or sometimes conflicting subjective opinions.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/314712-28-please-read-determine-power-required

 

[cutebeans]

Wow, thats pretty good.

Although you can just google the card and add guru3d review. It's pretty good although they overestimate the watts.

 

[s3iko]

Thanks beenthere, great link!

As for the GPU of build A, any ideas to replace the GTX550? I chose it for the cheap price, but am reconsidering it, following cutebeans advice.

 

[de5_Roy]

the single 4 gb ram will give you only single channel, if you get 2x 2gb or 2x 4gb imo you'll get better performance.
gtx 560 ti is much better than the 550 ti. if you go the amd way - radeon hd 6850 or 6870 depending on the budget. a powerful gfx card will serve you longer since your h67 motherboard does not allow sli or cf.
a few other motherboards- check out asrock z68 extreme3 gen 3 or
GIGABYTE GA-Z68P-DS3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s ATX
GIGABYTE GA-Z68M-D2H LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s Micro ATX
ASUS P8H67-M LE (REV 3.0) LGA 1155 Intel H67 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX