Picking a PSU Gold vs. Bronze Certified

eggroll69

Honorable
Mar 20, 2013
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10,510
Hi everybody I have recently finished finding the parts to my Gaming PC build. I am still deciding whether I should get the Corsair TX 650 Bronze certified ($79.99) or the Corsair HX650 Gold Certified ($109.99). I mean is it necessary/how much will it benefit me to get the gold certified for $30 more? If you have any suggestions between these or any other PSU's please let me know.

If you have any suggestions on my build please let me know!

Link to Build: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/LkRH
 
It's not that the extra money is a waste, exactly, because the power supply is more efficient, you will save a bit on power. However, I do question whether the difference in the price of power would actually make up the difference in the price of the power supplies over the normal life span of a computer power supply.
 


This is a very good point wood, however, my paranoia comes from the PSU blowing out components on the rest of the computer.
 
The Corsair TX650 is, like most of Corsair's lineup these days made by CWT. It is a very solid unit.

The HX650 on the other hand is one of 3 Corsair models still made for Corsair by Seasonic. It is based on the Seasonic G series and is a clear step up in quality from the TX series. Seasonic makes the best power supplies on the market.

What are you needing 650 watts for? 550 watts will run a system with any single GPU except maybe Titan. The Seasonic G series 550w model is only $89 at newegg.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151119

The actual 650w G series is the same price as the Corsair. I would just get the Seasonic myself.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151118

List of power a system needs with just about every graphics card combination you can have.

http://www.realhardtechx.com/index_archivos/Page362.htm
 


Hi - anort covered it pretty well & I agree. Only chirping in my .02 in because
if your $$ budget allows, I'd always recommend stepping up in quality. In this
case the HX series is a step up from the TX series. It almost always means superior
internal parts, tighter mfg tolerances, more rigid QC, etc. Usually a longer warranty as well.
And yes, I'd opt for a Seasonic built unit, other things being equal.

 
The higher efficiency will not save you money. You will save a few bucks a year, but the pc will become obsolete before you make your money back. Also, Kjwinden there is, as he admitted, paranoid. A Bronze psu will not not blow up. The ratings are for efficiency, not reliability. So a Platinum rated psu can be less reliable than a bronze one (unlikely).