Which Power Supply is best for my Pre-built PC

[Unrecognised]

Alright, so here are the specs I'm looking at inquiring;
CPU - i7-2600K (Will be overclocked with a Corsair H100 Water-cooler)
GPU - GTX 580 in SLi (Also will be overclocked in future)
Motherboard - ASUS Maximus IV GENE-Z
RAM - 16GB 1600Mhz Corsair Vengeance
Will be a couple LED strip lights too.

Please choose a PSU from http://www.aria.co.uk as it has (from my knowledge) the best prices.
Thank-you.

 

[CDdude55]

Since you'e overclocking everything i'd go with a Corsair 1200w AX: http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Power+Supplies/Modular+1KW+or+more/1200W+Corsair+AX+Series+80PLUS+Gold+Modular+Power+Supply+?productId=45484

 

[Unrecognised]

Well that is quite abit over my 'budget' I suppose .
Considering the XFX 850W, but unsure. Its priced at £80.
Any other I can choose? I got about £100 budget (Fairly flexible).
Thanks.

 

[Unrecognised]

Can't edit my previous post, so excuse me.
From what I have acknowledged, Aria doesn't provide a decent range of PSU's.
So please refer to a UK site with your recommendations.
Thank-you.

 

[mahatmacoat]

For my new build, I went with this

http://www.ebuyer.com/176413-coolermaster-silent-pro-850w-modular-psu-rs-850-ambaj3

Modular, efficient, not outrageously expensive, 5 years warranty. Ticked all the boxes for me. It will run my box with 2 560 GTi 's and still have plenty of power in hand to allow for 30% degredation.

The only real competition I could see was , IIRC an OCZ , but that was larger in size and would have prevented me from fitting a bottom fan in the fractal arc case.

 

[Unrecognised]

May consider that PSU. Thanks mahatmacoat.

 

[hellfire24]

this one is better IMO-
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/900w-psu-antec-high-current-gamer-hgc-900-88-eff-80-plus-bronze-sli-crossfire-eps-12v-quiet-fan-atx-

 

[Unrecognised]

Well, I suppose that isn't quite bad, though modular is something I 'prefer'.
Though, I will consider that PSU too.
Thank-you hellfire24.

 

[Uther39]

http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Power+Supplies/700-950W/850W+XFX+Core+Edition+80PLUS+Bronze+Power+Supply+%28Seasonic+OEM%29+?productId=45335

This puppy will se you right for a long time to come.

 

[Unrecognised]

That was the first PSU I was going to get, but then I kind of degraded it since it isn't modular. What do you think?

 

[hellfire24]

modular is a plus point but non modular units are good too.

 

[Uther39]

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/850w-xfx-xxx-p1-850b-ukb9-psu-88-eff-80-plus-silver-sli-crossfire-eps-12v-fan-atx-v22

 

[Uther39]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/850w-Black-Power-Supply-black/dp/B0076Z4ZYY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1329570258&sr=8-1

 

[mahatmacoat]

modular is a plus point but non modular units are good too.

Thats very true, but speaking personally , having just built with a modular PSU , it's highly unlikely I will ever buy a non-modualr PSU again

One thing to watch though, is that some PSU's labelled as modualr are barely so , only a small number of modualr connectors. The vast majority being hardwired . The coolermaster PSU has the maine ATX/power cable as hardwired, everything else is modular. Its also *very* quiet.

As said, I may have gone for the OCZ, which I beleive is totally modualr.

It's here. http://www.ebuyer.com/265709-ocz-zx-series-850w-80-gold-psu-fully-modular-psu-ocz-zx850w-un

It is a bit more expensive, ythe problem for me though is that its longer than the C/master which would have prevented me fitting a floor fan in my case.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

the 850w corsair or xfx, both are built off the same seasonic platform

the XFX is cheaper so that would be my choice

The TX850 and HX850 are actually built by ChannelWell

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/power-supply-oem-manufacturer,2913-5.html

 

[Unrecognised]

Considering the 850W OCZ Gold Fully Modular currently.
Seems to tick all the right boxes, and paying for the 'Modular' add-on, is an exception.

 

[hellfire24]

^ but i don't think OCZ is a reliable brand but that's just my opinion!i hope it to work fine.you better google it for reviews.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

That was the first PSU I was going to get, but then I kind of degraded it since it isn't modular. What do you think?

I don't much care about modular when doing SLI as there's very few extra cables left over to deal with, In fact I purposely avoid full modular.....to borrow from Shakespeare ...."much ado about nothing".

What's the point of having a 24 pin MoBo cable modular ? Can you start up ya system w/o it connected ?

What's the point of having a 8 pin EPS cable modular ? ..... the 1st SATA Cable ? .... 1st PCI-E cable ?

Since there's no way to build a box that 99% of the audience here would use w/o those cables, what's the point of having them modular ?

You introduce a failure point, decrease efficiency, increase resistance (small as it may be) and increase cost .... for the purposes of being able to take out a cable that ya can't run ya PC without ???? ..... that's a disadvantage in my book, not an advantage. Semi-modular, where the necessary cables are hard-wired and the optional ones are not is the best of both worlds.

http://www.tomshardware.com/news/power-supplies-psu,8016.html

http://www.tomshardware.com/news/power-supplies-psu,8016.html

Ya don't say what case ya using but if it's an Antec 1200 V3, DF-85, P193 or P183, I'd use the CP-850

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/850w-psu-antec-cp-cp-850-gb-modular-80-eff-80-plus-sli-crossfire-eps-12v-quiet-fan-atx-v23
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/antec-1200-twelve-hundred-v3-full-tower-case-usb-30-black-window-plus-free-antec-lanboard-ln-36138
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/antec-p183-advanced-super-mid-tower-atx-compatible-with-antec-cp-850-psu-11-drive-bays-quiet-case
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/36253antec-p193-v3-advanced-super-mid-tower-case-black-door-w-o-psu

As you can see here, it's semi modular

http://www.antec.com/Believe_it/product.php?id=NzIwJjE0

It's SLI certified....however not for twin 580's .... no 850 watter PSU is certified for twin 580's. It gets a 10.0 rating from jonnyguru and is very affordable. The OCZ by comparison gets an 8.5

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story4&reid=142

It is completely unmatched by any ATX unit on the market I can think of. You'd have to spend twice as much as this thing costs to find the next best thing, performance wise.

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story5&reid=167

Silentpcreview.com writes that the pairing of the Antec cases withe CP-850 is ....

http://www.silentpcreview.com/article971-page7.html

obviously unfair advantage for the CP-850... but what of it? Antec has used an integrated systems approach for its CP-850 and its best cases, and if that approach is an advantage over all other case/PSU combinations, then, all the more power to Antec! ..... For the quiet-seeking computer gaming enthusiast, the CP-850 (along with any of the three compatible cases) is something of a godsend. Fantastically stable power, super low noise at any power load, long expected reliability due to excellent cooling, modular cabling, and all at a price that's no higher than many high end 6~700W models. That you're limited to one of three well-executed high cases from Antec — one mostly for silence (P183), one mostly for gaming (1200) and one that's really an ultimate everyman case (P193) — is not exactly a hardship either.

The CP-850 is non-standard, but compelling, and in its typical application, as powerful and quiet a PSU as anyone will ever need.

Though ya wanna bump up to the CP-1000 (9.5 jonnyguru performance rating) for twin 580's. Avoid the HX1050 and 1000 as they fared pretty poor in comparison jonnyguru reviews. Again, no 850 watt PSU is SLI certified for twin 580's and certainly not for twin overclocked 580's.

Ya may wanna consider this also. Two 900Mhz 560 Ti's (862 fps) give ya just 10% less fps than twin 580's (953 fps and cost about 40% of what the 580's do. Personally, I can't see paying 2.5 times as much for 10% performance increase....and that doesn't include the increased cost of the bigger PSU.

Used the money saved for a Tier 3 (highest tier for 120 / 128 GB units) SSD

 

[Unrecognised]

Right, after reading your post, I'm considering the Antec CP-1000.
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/1000w-psu-antec-cp-1000-gb-modular-80-plus-sli-crossfire-eps-12v-quiet-fan-atx-v23
Additionally, I'll be putting this all in a Cooler Master Trooper case.
Also, I'm not considering buying the GPU's now, until the next wave of card prices are revised. Though, I will still be getting the 580's, but starting of with just the one, and getting the other further down the line. (Maybe even the 6XX Series).

Concluding, I suppose it's just a matter of PSU and CPU left to consider.
CPU wise, I'm still not sure between the 2500K or the 2600K.
I've read hyperthreading will soon be 'teaming' with games, making it a certain 'requirement' for those extra FPS, and effects.
Either way, will be overclocking with the H100 Water-Cooler.
Thank-you.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

As for the MoBo choice, I don't get the teeny MicroATX MoBo choice in a desktop PC. If for some reason ya think ya need Z68, I'd grab one of these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131792
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131790

If ya don't need Z68 .....and wanna save some cash ....

http://www.ukgamingcomputers.co.uk/difference-between-h67-p67-z68-and-h61-chipsets-a-22.html

Z68
Launched 5 months after the P67 and H67 chipset the Z68 chipset combines the advantages of the H67 and P67 Chipset so that overclocking, dual dedicated graphics cards and use of the integrated CPU graphics is available. Whilst on the surface it would seem that this would be the chipset to go for, how many users that have 2 dedicated graphics cards will actually want to use the onboard graphics when they already have 2 more powerful graphics cards in their system anyway?

The only real advantage is for users that wish to access the HD graphics features such as quick sync, but considering it’s only supported by very few transcoding programs and there are not many people out there that need or will want to transcode, it makes it almost pointless to choose Z68 over a P67 chipset.

Same applies to users that want to overclock the CPU but use the onboard graphics card; it’s a very limited market.

Finally, another feature of a Z68 chipset is known as SSD caching which is where it allows the use of a small (say 10 or 20 GB) Solid state hard drive to act as a cache for a larger ‘traditional’ hard disk. If you are already planning the use of a Solid State drive this feature is redundant.

If you can’t afford a decent size SSD (40GB+) then there are more cost effective ways around using a small SSD and SSD cashing like spending less on a motherboard, (H67 chipset or even a P67 chipset) and putting the saved money into a decent size SSD.

....then a P8P67 board will do just fine.

P8P67 Pro http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131771
WS Revolution http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131771

The later does x16 x16 graphics due to its on board NF200 chip. Of little value w/ GFX cards under $200, this does give a substantial performance boost in average frame rates in some games (10% in STALKER) but only 2 or 3 % in most games.....it's impact on minimum frame rates is larger.

Like all the other H series coolers, I find the fans way too noisy when cranked up to provide performance comparable w/ the better air coolers. Benchmarkreviews.com writes that the best air coolers are "overkill" for Sandy Bridge as it needs "no where near this level of cooling even at 5 GHz and beyond". If ya wanna avoid the noise, some alternatives are the Phanteks and Silver Arrow.

http://www.vortez.net/articles_pages/phanteks_ph_tc14pe_cpu_cooler_review,14.html

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Right, after reading your post, I'm considering the Antec CP-1000.
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/1000w-psu-antec-cp-1000-gb-modular-80-plus-sli-crossfire-eps-12v-quiet-fan-atx-v23
Additionally, I'll be putting this all in a Cooler Master Trooper case..

No can do. The CP series is CPX form factor....only four of those made today.

Antec DF-85 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129087
Antec 1200 V3 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129100
Antec P183 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129174
Antec P193 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129176

CPU wise, I'm still not sure between the 2500K or the 2600K.

2500k for gaming ..... 2700k for HT apps like video editing CAD 3D rendering, etc

Either way, will be overclocking with the H100 Water-Cooler.

See abve post

 

[Unrecognised]

I think I will need the Z68 for its overclockable capabilities, and also I'll be using the HD 3000 intigrated graphics, till I decide to get the GPU's.
Regarding the cooler, fan noise wouldn't be to much of an issue personally, IMHO, but if I can save some extra £££ on a different kind of cooler, then I may consider.
Any possibility you can drop some links (UK Site if possible), as to the price range of these cooler(s).
Thank-you.

 

[Unrecognised]

Can't edit above post.

When you say 'No can do. The CP series is CPX form factor....only four of those made today.', I don't quite understand what you mean. I cannot use the Cooler Master Trooper case? (As your linking me to Antec case's).
Still confused with the PSU factor, though I'll understand soon enough .
I guess I'll be getting the i5-2500K then, save myself in excess £100.

 

[Unrecognised]

Can't edit above post.

After looking at the Maximus Motherboard more closely, I only just noticed it's in 'Micro-ATX' form, and for that, I'm ruling it out too.
I was considering the Z68 UD5 from Gigabyte, any idea?
I've got a price range of around £150 on a motherboard, slightly flexible.
Thank-you.

 

[mahatmacoat]

Can't edit above post.

After looking at the Maximus Motherboard more closely, I only just noticed it's in 'Micro-ATX' form, and for that, I'm ruling it out too.
I was considering the Z68 UD5 from Gigabyte, any idea?
I've got a price range of around £150 on a motherboard, slightly flexible.
Thank-you.

You may wish to consider this

http://www.ebuyer.com/291654-asus-p8z68-v-pro-gen3-socket-1155-dvi-vga-hdmi-8-channel-audio-atx-p8z68-v-pro-gen3

Or this . http://www.ebuyer.com/291653-asus-p8z68-deluxe-gen3-intel-lga1155-pcie-3-0-ready-atx-90-mibge5-g0eay00z-p8z68-deluxe-gen3

I nearly bought the latter but the fact that my case has USB3 facility and the additional cost, meant that I went for the Micro atx Maximus. It's gone up now, but at £137 I considered it great value, it's a very polished board. No good though if the extra slots are needed.

Incidentally , I see you are going for the hydro 100 . Thats a good move. My 2500k is modestly overclocked @ 1.3 volts but my cpu idles at 20C . I've yet to see it above 35c. Thats gaming as well, although not intensively.

The only drawback is that it can be on the noisy side . So I'd recomend getting a couple of fractal arc fans to replace stock case fans...keep the noise down. I can also recomend the fractal Arc midi...I'm impressed. You most likely know, but the H100 can controll 4 fans...so I have the 2 corsair stock fans on the radiator, and one on the case front inducting air, and one on case back as exhaust.

I may in time look at replacing the stock corsair fans but they are high revvers so perhaps another make of similar speed will make little difference in real terms.