The Power Supply Unit tier list Discussion thread

[xreap]

Just saw toms most recent smb, they used antec vp 450 that they think highly of, saw it in the tier list and was wondering about the antec vp 550, it seemed that is not currently in our list

 

[ko888]

Just saw toms most recent smb, they used antec vp 450 that they think highly of, saw it in the tier list and was wondering about the antec vp 550, it seemed that is not currently in our list

The VP550F, VP550P and VP550P V2 models are not available world wide. These models are made by a different OEM (i.e. Delta Electronics) and have Active PFC. The two VP550P models are limited to 230VAC input only.

The VP450 is made by FSP and lacks Active PFC. The input voltage can be set to 110 - 120VAC or 220-240VAC via the little red sliding voltage switch.

 

[xreap]

So is the vp550 better units then? Not familiar with delta electronics so I really don't know if they are good?

 

[ko888]

So is the vp550 better units then? Not familiar with delta electronics so I really don't know if they are good?

Delta Electronics is considered to be a higher quality OEM than FSP Group.

 

[ImDaBaron]

What are your guys opinions on the Antec Earthwatts Green and the 600W EVGA B series?

 

[xreap]

So is the vp550 better units then? Not familiar with delta electronics so I really don't know if they are good?

Delta Electronics is considered to be a higher quality OEM than FSP Group.

So antec vp 550 would be better than vp 450 (the one praised here at toms recent smb) would it be safe to say the vp550 will fall as tier 2a?

 

[random5]

can't find the two PSUs I have here,Zalman ZM700-GLX and Aerocool Templarius Imperator, which tiers they fall into?

edit:found templarius in tier 4..can't find ZM700-GLX still.

 

[dottorrent]

No reviews of the ZM700-GLX have been published. This does include user experiences, none of which will factor the PSU quality.

 

[random5]

No reviews of the ZM700-GLX have been published. This does include user experiences, none of which will factor the PSU quality.

it's the main one im currently using.. can't believe im like the only one in the world with it! running it like 6 months so far no problems at all..efficiency isn't amazing but definetly better than the unknown brand 400W PSU i've been using earlier.

 

[ko888]

No reviews of the ZM700-GLX have been published. This does include user experiences, none of which will factor the PSU quality.

There is one review in Korean. It can be run through a translator but may not be fully functional (i.e. clicking on some of the Reviews Table of Contents links don't work properly or return an error).

http://www.playwares.com/xe/index.php?mid=power_hdd&document_srl=35350532

or through Google Translate, which doesn't seem to work properly:

http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&sl=ko&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.playwares.com%2Fxe%2Findex.php%3Fmid%3Dmainpreview%26category%3D37294013%26document_srl%3D35350532

Pasting the first link into Google Chrome and using Chrome's automatic translation seems to work.

 

[dottorrent]

Those Su'scom capacitors don't fill me with any confidence, especially when all of them are made by Su'scom. Added to tier 4.

 

[tsuneo6]

what about lepa nseries? (I assume this is tier4 or even 5)

 

[dottorrent]

Tier 5 - Made by Bestec i.e. They use pretty flaky capacitors.

 

[Deleted member 217926]

The LEPA N series is made by CWT. The higher end LEPA units are pretty good both from Enermax and from CWT.

http://www.realhardtechx.com/index_archivos/Page22979.htm

No reviews exist that I see but a lower end CWT made unit that is not even 80 Plus certified is going to score in the tier 3 range if it's a really good effort from CWT. Assume that it's probably not because it's always better to err of the side of caution.

It probably doesn't fall in the replace immediately category but treat it like a lower end unit and don't stress it.

 

[tsuneo6]

well I was using one up till last week, the 12v lines give around 11.6 when under load, 11.8 idle. the 3.3 volts is on the low side aswell.
this was a lepa n500

 

[dottorrent]

Moved to untiered until a professional review swings by.

 

[tsuneo6]

I'll put it in my testrig one of these days(weeks) and see what I can do.

 

[random5]

Those Su'scom capacitors don't fill me with any confidence, especially when all of them are made by Su'scom. Added to tier 4.

whats suscom? id like to know a bit more about my PSU since im going to use it for a long long long time on my gaming rig,i see according to the list it isn't reccomended but eh, in my place ones that are tier 3+ cost at the very least 150$ ffs..

 

[dottorrent]

Su'scom are an electronics manufacture. They don't make great capacitors.

 

[ko888]

Kuan Kun Electronic Enterprise Co., Ltd. (Su'scon) is a is Taiwanese supplier and manufacturer of Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors and Solid Polymer Capacitors.

In terms of quality they are at the same level as Taiwanese Teapo capacitors.

 

[Skylyne]

In another thread, someone told me that tier 3 PSUs were not recommendable, at all. According to this person, the quality varies significantly; and that's understandable, considering the higher PSUs appear to be from a smaller list of suppliers. Also, the same person makes the claim, "the Coolermaster GX and Elite units will will almost certainly fry your entire computer if they overload." Is there any truth to this? If there is, then why would a T3 unit be considered a "solid unit"?

Based on the list here, I'd buy a T3 unit for a discount build, or for [most] any build that isn't OC'ed. But, at what point do you really start considering something in the T2 range as the minimum? It seems that most recommendations I see are going on a variety of sources. And, the tier list does say, "Meets standard ATX specifications, though closer to the edges than Tier two units. These are still solid units, which still supply stable power to your system, though not ideal for serious overclocking."

Things are getting quite confusing, and I think it's just the numerous sources of information. What's the overall consensus here? Is T3 really to be considered suitable for a build of any level?

 

[Deleted member 217926]

Tier 3 units should be just fine as long as you don't stress them and as long as you realize it's probably better to start thinking about replacing them around when the warranty runs out. A great many people don't have realistic access to higher rated units either at all or at least within their budget. Here in the US it is pretty easy to find higher rated models for very good prices, sometimes even cheaper than lower rated units but that's certainly not true everywhere. So here in the US or even Canada ( similar pricing and availability ) I would most likely not recommend a tier 3 unit on any build with a mid range GPU and up just because it's so easy to find better quality for very close to the same pricing.

Just use logic and if you are doing a high end build with overclocking or especially multiple graphics cards don't try and use a budget power supply.

 

[Skylyne]

Thank you for that; that makes much more sense than the explanation I was getting from the other user. It's hard to get such descriptive answers from most users on the forums these days. It's usually a "I know I'm right, and you should trust me" type of answer; and I need more than that lol.

Thank you. I'll keep all of that in mind.

 

[Karsten75]

Hey guys, Anandtech (and a few other sites) recently posted reviews of the Antec Edge 550W supply (there seems to be a series of Edge models according the the Techpowerup review database)

It seems the PSU is manufactured by Seasonic, and Anandtech reviews it favorably for components and build qualilty. And of course for power delivery within its defined range. With a 5-year warranty it seems good, although the price might not be very competitive.

Maybe worthy of inclusion in the Tier list?

 

[dottorrent]

Hey guys, Anandtech (and a few other sites) recently posted reviews of the Antec Edge 550W supply (there seems to be a series of Edge models according the the Techpowerup review database)

It seems the PSU is manufactured by Seasonic, and Anandtech reviews it favorably for components and build qualilty. And of course for power delivery within its defined range. With a 5-year warranty it seems good, although the price might not be very competitive.

Maybe worthy of inclusion in the Tier list?

All Antec EDGE PSUs are built on a MK-1 Seasonic G-series platform. They are all listed in Tier 2 Class A.