PSU tier list 2.0

[BadActor]

Even years ago, Seasonic had a reputation for quality PSU's. Perhaps one of the best PSU brands was PC power and Cooling, very innovative.

 

[Karadjgne]

Back then, if it wasn't Delta, Seasonic or PCP&P, it was junk. But back then, in the days of DOS, even upto 6.22, games were pretty much regulated to the simple stuff, not much better than Battleship run off basic, or D&D style games on a 16Mb 3dFx Voodoo. Most pc's still ran AT or even BT, so the psu was regulated to the backside of the bus at best. The cpu was the major power draw along with the cd/hdd/floppy on the 3.3v and 5v rails. At that time, the technology just simply didn't exist for worries about minimum requirements, and it's only with more recent advances that you get the variety of gpus with their variety of power needs.

So it's really almost impossible to guage differences between 80's pc's and now. Be like asking the differences between cornering and handling of a horse and buggy vrs a Corvette.

 

[stavrosmast]

sees people asking if vs450 is good for gaming on gpu section

:lol:

 

[Vic 40]

. I've seen some bad rail distributions, but I've seen probably more good than bad.

You know how the rail distribution is on the Super Flower we're talking about? I don't and that's why i don't like it.I get the feeling it's picked just because it is Super Flower.

Is the same with the XFX XT that's talked about here,lower grade caps from what i read and people trying to talk it right because XFX,but if Corsair uses those caps are they rubbish.

I see the 400W XFX XT sells for $30. Good option for budget? Has there been a review on any of these yet besides what Orion checked? Seems like you get what you pay for.

The performance is still unknown, but it's a fact that it's filled with the CS brand capacitors. I can only recall seeing them in trash units or chinese nonames - I think there's a reason they were never seen in anything by the major brands. I'm not judging without reviews, though.

It also doesn't really have a complete transient filter - the platform has only one common mode choke, and the recommended amount is two.

XFX does still offer 5 year warranty on them, so maybe they will be able to hold up so long after all.


It also really bugs me that it's impossible to know the +12V rail rating, since they have conflicting values on all three models.

@orion: What about heatsinks? If the capacitors stay cool they'll last longer.

If Corsair would you not ask that question,you would just dismiss it as a bad psu.

 

[BadActor]

I haven't really decided either way on the XT's, I'm waiting on a solid review. It's known that the caps are lower quality, just like everything else Tier 3 and below, but that's not what is interesting about it. What was interesting in the one review I've found is that it was stated that it had all the protection features and that they worked. If someone is bound and determined to use a cheaper PSU, it would be nice if it didn't take out the rest of the system when it failed.

 

[Deleted member 217926]

Let me just check the change jar.....

Must be one big *&%$# & Jar!!!

If I had 70 grand laying around in a change jar I'd be on my yacht sipping a drink with an umbrella in it instead of posting this. :lol:

 

[Deleted member 217926]

PC Power and Cooling wasn't a manufacturer.

 

[Someone Somewhere]

and be safe to run 25-33% over its rated wattage for twice as long as the warranty period, even in an environment over 50°C

I don't think this is a good test, unless you consider it shutting down cleanly to be a pass. Plus it's hard to actually test.

You're also penalising manufacturers for providing a PSU otherwise equal but with a longer warranty.

Of course, shutting down cleanly would be a requirement. If I was scoring JonnyGuru reviews, it would be an automatic "0" on performance if the PSU explodes or otherwise dies during testing, no matter how good everything else is. I'd add a half-point back if it wait until it's over its rated capacity to do so. In the case of testing an old PSU, I might give it another half point, and/or strip the build quality for failed caps, or something, idk exactly.

Also I don't intend to penalize PSU manufacturers, but ... I'm not sure I exactly follow what you mean? You mean two equal PSUs with different length warranties (like the same platform used by different manufacturers), the longer warranty would be penalized more?

I meant that a PSU with a 3 year warranty might pass the test, but the same PSU would fail the test if it had a five-year warranty, simply because the warranty was longer so it had to last longer.

I don't think you'll find a single PSU (except maybe server, but even then depends on trip points) capable of doing that kind of overload 24/7/365 at max temp for ten+ years.

Testing trip points (and that they're actually present) is definitely something that should happen IMHO.

 

[turkey3_scratch]

. I've seen some bad rail distributions, but I've seen probably more good than bad.

You know how the rail distribution is on the Super Flower we're talking about? I don't and that's why i don't like it.I get the feeling it's picked just because it is Super Flower.

Is the same with the XFX XT that's talked about here,lower grade caps from what i read and people trying to talk it right because XFX,but if Corsair uses those caps are they rubbish.

I see the 400W XFX XT sells for $30. Good option for budget? Has there been a review on any of these yet besides what Orion checked? Seems like you get what you pay for.

The performance is still unknown, but it's a fact that it's filled with the CS brand capacitors. I can only recall seeing them in trash units or chinese nonames - I think there's a reason they were never seen in anything by the major brands. I'm not judging without reviews, though.

It also doesn't really have a complete transient filter - the platform has only one common mode choke, and the recommended amount is two.

XFX does still offer 5 year warranty on them, so maybe they will be able to hold up so long after all.


It also really bugs me that it's impossible to know the +12V rail rating, since they have conflicting values on all three models.

@orion: What about heatsinks? If the capacitors stay cool they'll last longer.

If Corsair would you not ask that question,you would just dismiss it as a bad psu.

Corsair has had a worse track record than XFX, that's why. And what Superflower unit are you talking about here? I don't see any mention of one, unless you're referring to a unit that uses Superflower as OEM... or a Superflower sold unit? I'm not sure.

I was asking a more intelligent question with the heatsinks. And I will admit that I do not like Corsair. I'm sick of 2 out of 3 PSUs on pcpartpicker being Corsair. I can't stand the company. But I don't have a bias against their products because of that. you may think I do, but I don't. I just see them for what they are.

 

[CTurbo]

I understand more what you are trying to say Vic, but yeah I still don't see a problem with multiple rails


And just for fun, here was an awesome 8 +12v rail beast!

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=198

 

[Vic 40]

Corsair has had a worse track record than XFX, that's why.

Since the VS and CX yes,well within the gaming pc's we are asked about (don't know how many that are sold that do just fine) ,but the more expensive units are still good and they seem to try to do better.Hope the new CX will be anyway and will be a nice choice for a budget game pc.

And what Superflower unit are you talking about here? I don't see any mention of one, unless you're referring to a unit that uses Superflower as OEM... or a Superflower sold unit? .

This is what it's about,

I m between those 2 psu's

1) http://www.super-flower.com.tw/products_detail.php?class=2&sn=10&ID=55&lang

2) http://www.corsair.com/en/cx430-80-plus-bronze-certified-power-supply

Any thoughts?

@CTurbo,
I have no problem with miltiple rails,but for such a 450watt psu would imo two be more than enough.

 

[turkey3_scratch]

Just curious, what are the protection requirements for Tier 1? It says "industrial grade" protections, but there are some units without OTP on there.

 

[kwa-e]

What's the verdict on the delta made earthwatt units, do they last long?

 

[CTurbo]

What's the verdict on the delta made earthwatt units, do they last long?

Yes very very long lasting

 

[Archaic59]

What's the verdict on the delta made earthwatt units, do they last long?

I'm running EA-500D since 2012. Going strong and very quiet despite having 80mm fan.

 

[Someone Somewhere]

I had an EA-380D go way out of spec on ripple after maybe 3 years. Something like 2V.

Only had a C2D and integrated graphics, so wasn't exactly heavily loaded.

 

[Onus]

I've been putting Delta-built Earthwatts in systems for years, mostly 380D but a couple of 500D also. None have failed.

 

[CTurbo]

I have actually never had a Delta failure in all my years dealing with computers and that includes all of the oem units I've come across. That is why I am so confident in them.

I know that EVERY manufacture has failures. I'm not saying that every Delta psu is perfect and will last forever. I'm just saying they have a an excellent track record for longevity.

 

[naturesninja]

Speaking of Earthwatts, has anyone checked out the Sparkle 500 platinum by FSP? As far as I can tell, it's based on the Aurum 92+ platform like the Platinum Antec Earthwatts, and is currently hovering at $50. Looks pretty much the same as far as I can see through the venting on the Sparkle unit.

 

[ernmcburn]

What is a good psu for an I5 6600 and gtx 950? I was thinking the XFX P1-600B-XTFR Is that a reliable PSU?

 

[naturesninja]

What is a good psu for an I5 6600 and gtx 950? I was thinking the XFX P1-600B-XTFR Is that a reliable PSU?

New unit, not looking particularly promising. I would stick with the GB based units in that price range for now.
Antec Neo Eco 400/620 (C)
Antec High Current Gamer (M) 400-620
XFX Core 450-550
XFX TS 550 Bronze
Seasonic S12II Bronze
Seasonic M12II Bronze 520-620

 

[turkey3_scratch]

What is a good psu for an I5 6600 and gtx 950? I was thinking the XFX P1-600B-XTFR Is that a reliable PSU?

Someone did a breakdown of the 400W version which has capacitors that aren't good. However, the 600W version is unknown, and surprisingly has a 5 year warranty. I cannot wait until reviewers get their hands on these. You can never judge one power supply based on another, they are all their own unique units, so for all we know the 600W version could prove to be something very competitive, and the 500W.

 

[turkey3_scratch]

It looks like the 600W version also uses the CS capacitors, as seen in this image:

It's either that or Teapo in this pic, but I think it's the CS.

 

[kwa-e]

Is teapo preferred over CS caps in this case?

 

[Karadjgne]

Depends on whoand where not what. There are plenty of caps in a psu that see so little actual load that it wouldn't make a difference. Cheapo caps on the primary or secondaries are a different story altogether. They see huge amounts of load, but the caps used in signal filters or fan controls see next to nothing. So does a CapXon cap or Teapo or CS in those areas that are well over specs make a difference? Some say yes, some say no. Some ppl insist on all Japanese 105° solid caps, some don't.