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What is the best PSU?

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SpaceMilk

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Apr 8, 2012
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I am going to build my computer. A company I like is Corsair. However, I'm not entirely sure what watt psu I should get, or even what line. AX, HX, TX.

My specs:
CPU: i5-3570k, $250
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO CPUCooler, $35
MB: GIGABYTE GA-Z77X-UD5H, $190
RAM: CORSAIR Vengeance CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9B, $55
GPU: EVGA GeForce GTX 680 Signature SC, $530
Sound Card: HT Omega eClaro, $185
HDD: WD5002AALX, $100
Optical Drive: ASUS DVD SATA RW, $18
Case: Cooler Master HAF XM, $130
Monitor: ASUS VH238H Black 23", $175

I want the total price below $1900 and like it if its $1849 and below.
I live in America for those who need to know.
I used a newegg general watt calculator, which showed me that this build used about 550 watts. I have to add extra watts for the HAF XM which has fans. I presume 750 watt is best. But even If I find wattage, there is (in Corsair) AX, HX, and TX, all with different prices.
 
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delluser1

An SSD's power consumption is insignificant
Thinking about SLI, already said that's why you would need to add to the calculators reccomendation
All of the Corsairs have proven themselves to be very good, your choice wether you want full modular, hybrid modular or non modular
The AX is within your budget, unless you're including the SSD

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maybe "no need" - but the AX series (in my case, the 850) is a hidden treasure in my system. plenty of power for cross-firing most cards, plus the assortment of power-hungry peripherals and components, and mostly - the fan doesn't even run.

temps in the mid-30's, on air (hyper 212 evo w/ i5-2500k) - overclocked to 4.4

I'll second any recommendation for the ax series PSUs. primarily based on the x-series Seasonics, they're top shelf.
 
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The AX series are a mix of Seasonic X models (old and new gen). In other words... There's no differences between Corsair AX units and Seasonic X units literally so just get the cheaper of the two when you find it.

P.S. They're highly underspec'd. X650 is literally an 850watt'er..
 
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haven't worked on your prices. one suggestion, if you're close to a micro center, there are some great cpu/mobo bargains in the i5 series, both 2nd & 3rd gen. you may trim a hundred or more - but beware the sales tax. ymmv.

personally, I like the asus boards. just finished a build on a p68z58-v pro/gen3. one word: flawless. their software seems kinda klutzy, and their fan monitoring app - within the OS - is close to useless as it's flat inaccurate. otherwise, all of the REAL features - knock wood - perfecto. everything worked - in every way - first time - every time (I don't work for asus, honest) - just pleased and surprised. had to adjust memory speed - but that's common w/intel chipsets. oc'ing was ridiculously simple. unreal. I just cannot imagine a better experience than this build on this mobo.

other comments: at today's memory prices, buy a 16 GB kit. if using corsair vengeance, I recommend the low profile. less bling, better fit. check out the original corsair graphite 600T. I'm partial to the original grey - subtle, clean, roomy, a dream to wire, moving a hard drive cage - I have a wind tunnel over my gpu. kinda big, but very attractive, curvilinear & clean. great build quality.

gpu's? I have an eyefinity threesome plus a 4th mirror/utility/kvm'd monitor plus a projector. nvidia doesn't work for me.

best suggestion for system performance: buy a 120GB or larger SSD. boot from the SSD, data & regular programs (most games) to the 7200 rpm'd HDD. archives (streaming, backups, data, etc.) to green drives. basic rules of thumb.

not sure why the HD Omega - nice bit of hardware, but have you listened to the current crop of Realtek integrated audio chips? check 'em out. personally, I'm very involved musically - but have yet to add a discrete soundcard. for now, I have multiple headphones (Senns 598/555) with dedicated amps (FiiO's) + Logitech (2.1) 623's to the mobo's line out + spdif/optical from mobo to denon a/v receiver (to klipsch 5.1 surrounds). the cave rocks.

regardless, enjoy. it's a good time to build.







 
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Not power consumption, a psu wattage reccomendation

Check out the power consumption page of Toms review of the GTX 680
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gtx-680-review-benchmark,3161-18.html

Under 300 watts when running the 3D11 demo, that's 40 or 50 watts lower than a gaming power draw

Then look at the hardware setup page and see that they use an overclocked 3960X, much higher system power draw at stock clocks than a 3570K at 5 Ghz
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2012/04/23/intel-core-i7-3770k-review/8

No need to add anything to the psu calculators wattage reccomendation, unless you plan on going SLI or upgrading to a 3960X
 
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I'd like SLI in the future and will certainly get a ssd, likely the intel 520. But contradicting replies from each of you make me confused. So I'm guessing 750 watt is fine, even for a ssd and sli. But what line? AX, HX, or TX
 
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An SSD's power consumption is insignificant
Thinking about SLI, already said that's why you would need to add to the calculators reccomendation
All of the Corsairs have proven themselves to be very good, your choice wether you want full modular, hybrid modular or non modular
The AX is within your budget, unless you're including the SSD

 
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