[SOLVED] Need help deciding on a power supply

[Justin Hunter]

So I've bought most of my parts for really good prices, i only need to buy my mobo and PSU. I've had quite a hard time deciding on what power supply I want (efficiency ratings) and whether gold efficiency is worth paying the extra $20 - $30 dollars and if it will benefit me down the road. Right now I'm looking at an EVGA 80+ 500W silver rated power supply for $70 dollars (https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.ca/ulk/itm/201079203205). I was originally planning to get the gold rated Corsair TX550M that is currently going for $100. Is it worth the extra money for the gold rated and if it is, should I wait for it to to on sale or just pick up the EVGA PSU? (There is a 10% discount for all Newegg items that ends Sept.30 so I'm trying to make a decision before then.)

Here is my build:


PCPartPicker Part List

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 2600 3.4 GHz 6-Core Processor | Purchased For $166.24
Motherboard | MSI B450 TOMAHAWK ATX AM4 Motherboard | $149.88 @ Newegg Canada
Memory | Team Vulcan 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory | Purchased For $91.33
Storage | Samsung 860 Evo 500 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive | Purchased For $83.99
Video Card | Gigabyte Radeon RX 570 4 GB Gaming 4G Video Card | Purchased For $180.57
Case | Phanteks P300 ATX Mid Tower Case | Purchased For $45.00
Case Fan | Corsair Air Series AF120 Red 52.19 CFM 120 mm Fan | Purchased For $5.00
Case Fan | Corsair Air Series AF140 Red 66.4 CFM 140 mm Fan | Purchased For $5.00
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts |
| Total | $727.01
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-09-28 13:18 EDT-0400 |

 

[PC Tailor]

The EVGA you linked firstly is not silver rated, and secondly poor quality. EVGA unfortunately make a ton of trash.
Also the CXM is not Gold rated. Not sure where you're getting these from?

You want to favour quality over quantity of wattage and efficiency. Just typically the higher efficiency tend to be better quality, but certainly not always.

See point 1 here: https://forums.tomshardware.com/thr...when-selecting-parts-for-a-custom-pc.3510178/

 

[Lutfij]

I'd pick this unit above anything, for longevity's sake:
https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product...ified-semi-modular-atx-power-supply-ssr-550fm

 

[NightHawkRMX]

The EVGA W1 is 80+ white, the lowest tier of 80+. EVGA makes a bunch of crap models including that one. Don't buy it.
The Corsair CX and CXM (new models) are 80+ bronze and much better quality

Newegg Canada has the Corsair CX550w 80+ Bronze for $73 after rebate. https://www.newegg.ca/corsair-cx-se...&ranSiteID=8BacdVP0GFs-hcLeE61Im9oohnjxTpcGbw
Or Newegg Canada has the Antec EarthWatts Gold Pro 550w for $93 (This model is based on the Seasonic FOCUS Gold 550w)
https://www.newegg.ca/antec-earthwa...&ranSiteID=8BacdVP0GFs-2sNZH9BlGTVicgDLuX4B.w

 

[Justin Hunter]

The EVGA you linked firstly is not silver rated, and secondly poor quality. EVGA unfortunately make a ton of trash.
Also the CXM is not Gold rated. Not sure where you're getting these from?

You want to favour quality over quantity of wattage and efficiency. Just typically the higher efficiency tend to be better quality, but certainly not always.
What is your location for local currency ? Canadian Dollars? USD?

See point 1 here: https://forums.tomshardware.com/thr...when-selecting-parts-for-a-custom-pc.3510178/

Yes my mistake, I'm not familiar with all the efficiency ratings as this is my first build. Here is the corsair PSU I was referring to: https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/mr/neweggca/dDH48d. Also I'm in Canada so CAD.

 

[PC Tailor]

Just noticed currency - you can still get better value PSUs even without the Newegg discount it would seem:

Power Supply: Corsair TXM Gold 550 W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ Canada Computers)
Total: $79.99

Power Supply: Corsair CX (2017) 550 W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($64.99 @ Canada Computers)
Total: $64.99

Power Supply: Corsair RMx (2018) 550 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ Memory Express)
Total: $89.99

Power Supply: Antec Earthwatts Gold Pro 550 W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-modular ATX Power Supply ($90.64 @ Vuugo)
Total: $90.64

Power Supply: SeaSonic FOCUS Gold 550 W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-modular ATX Power Supply ($104.99 @ Vuugo)
Total: $104.99

 

[PC Tailor]

Yes my mistake, I'm not familiar with all the efficiency ratings as this is my first build. Here is the corsair PSU I was referring to: https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/mr/neweggca/dDH48d. Also I'm in Canada so CAD.

The TXM is excellent, but even 10% doesn't equate to the link I just posted above

 

[NightHawkRMX]

The TXM is excellent

Second that, although it costs more than the similar quality Antec I linked.

 

[PC Tailor]

Second that, although it costs more than the similar quality Antec I linked.

Also agreed with this.

Just based on current prices, you can pick up an RMx for less than the Newegg EWG. I'd opt for the RMx if they were the same price.

 

[Justin Hunter]

The TXM is excellent, but even 10% doesn't equate to the link I just posted above

I am way too impatient to go through the process of doing a mail in rebate lol (for the RMx), I've never done one before and have read that it takes 6-8 weeks. I've always ignored looking at the CX 550 bronze because of its efficiency but now I realize quality of the PSU matters more. I'll most likely be going with the Corsair CX 550 bronze rated. Thanks for all the help everyone!

 

[NightHawkRMX]

CX550 is a good PSU. It will work well.
I have a CX550m (a bit different from the CX550) and my RX580 runs great.

 

[Justin Hunter]

Also agreed with this.

Just based on current prices, you can pick up an RMx for less than the Newegg EWG. I'd opt for the RMx if they were the same price.

Just another question, would a 450W supply work for this build as well? Using pcpartpicker I just theoretically upgraded some parts and the wattage never exceeded 400W. I don't think I'll ever plan to run a dual set of GPU's in the future as well.

I was looking at the CX450M: https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/FQ648d/corsair-power-supply-cp9020101na

 

[NightHawkRMX]

Yes, it will work.

 

[A Very Dangerous Cat]

I have a CX550m (a bit different from the CX550)

That's quite the understatement, lol. Both PSUs use a completely different platform; CX being HBLLC and CXm being DF, the CX is much better, especially with GPUs that draw high wattage on peak transients.

 

[NightHawkRMX]

Unfortunately i learnt this after i bought my cx550m. Still handles an rx580 fine and is pretty quiet.

I dont think i'd buy a psu without llc resonant topology again unless its for a cheap build.

 

[Justin Hunter]

That's quite the understatement, lol. Both PSUs use a completely different platform; CX being HBLLC and CXm being DF, the CX is much better, especially with GPUs that draw high wattage on peak transients.

In other words, the CX is perfect for the 570?

 

[NightHawkRMX]

In other words, the CX is perfect for the 570?

Definately.