Discussion Low power build: Unrated PSU vs higher power 80 plus

[ghkj21]

I'm leaning towards Corsair SF450 or the Fractal Design Iron 500G (80+Platinum/Gold) It's about double my power requirement which is what stirred up the question...

250-300w not efficiency rated vs 450-500w 80+ Gold/Platinum
For a mini ITX board with 65w integrated graphics CPU with overall PSU requirement: SFX form factor with 200w minimum.

In my opinion: build quality, features and trusted brands rule out a lot of units below $75 and by that price point I'm already at 300w bronze. The 450-500w Gold/Platinum units are only $25-35 more.

Don't hate on me for answering my own question, I still want to hear your thoughts...

 

[jonnyguru]

250-300w not efficiency rated vs 450-500w 80+ Gold/Platinum

It's not a matter of how much power you need, but the quality of the PSU. If the PSU doesn't even have an 80 PLUS rating (not that 80 PLUS is a gauge of quality, but it's not difficult to make an 80 PLUS compliant PSU these days), then it must be a real <Mod Edit> box.

 

[julienruc]

I agree with Johnnyguru. Even if 80+ ratings aren't necessarily an indication of quality, if it doesn't have one. Don't even touch it. Actually, don't even look at it.