choosing between PSU's?

Xinserz · 11-27-2007, 08:44 PM

So I'm buying a budget PC and besides the video card, the PSU is the most expensive part. That made me rethink the PSU I was buying and if it were overkill. I know the need to buy a good quality PSU.

This is what it'll be powering:

GIGABYTE AM2 nForce 570 SLI
EVGA 8600GTS
G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+
WD 74GB 10k RPM HDD

Now the PSU I picked out was this OCZ:

OCZ GameXStream 600W

Now I have 3 questions.
1. Whats the difference between that OCZ PSU and this OCZ StealthXStream 600W

2. Does the PSU saying SLI Certified matter/mean anything? I thought I read something that said it didn't mean anything and was infact just another label or fact to slap on it?

3. Which PSU would be better, one of those OCZ's or this corsair 550W? I heard the new Corsair PSUs were great PSU's soInjust had to ask.

**mattlock** · 11-27-2007, 11:24 PM

Overkill on the PSU is never a bad thing.

The StealthXtreme is a lower quality unit than the GameXtreme. They are both known to have ripple issues (voltage fluctuation), so they are tthe best choice.

SLI certified just means that the PSU is certified to run a SLI video card setup.

The Corsair is good quality PSU made by Seasonic.

Some other good options are:
Coolermaster Real Power Pro (great deals right now also)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817171023
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817171024
Antec Trio (Seasonic made)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371002

These PSUs are all 80 Plus certified, have active PFC, and carry 5 year warranties.

For the money, I would go with the Real Power Pro 650w or 750W. (This and the I Green series are the only offerings from Coolermaster worth buying)

Check the "Power Supply Info" link in my signature.

Xinserz · 11-28-2007, 09:17 PM

I'm really liking that 50$ MIR on the 650w lol, thanks.

But question, the 650w coolermaster has an 8 pin CPU connector and the motherboard i'm getting has a 4 pin. I don't see that one having a adapter or the 8pin being split. Will it still be ok?

**mattlock** · 11-28-2007, 10:41 PM

It has one 8 pin and one 4 pin CPU 12v connector, just like the RPP 750w. So yes, it'll be fine. I know the 750 also has both 6 & 8 pin PCI-E connectors also, but I'm not sure about the 650. If you buy it let us it know if has this feature also.

It's very good unit, and should give you years of quality service.

Xinserz · 11-28-2007, 11:20 PM

I'm pretty happy with my build when adding this PSU. Next payday (dec 8th) I'll be ordering it and i'll let you know! Thanks for the help!

11-27-2007, 08:44 PM	#1 (permalink)
Xinserz Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 40 OS: Windows XP Pro (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 My System	choosing between PSU's? So I'm buying a budget PC and besides the video card, the PSU is the most expensive part. That made me rethink the PSU I was buying and if it were overkill. I know the need to buy a good quality PSU. This is what it'll be powering: GIGABYTE AM2 nForce 570 SLI EVGA 8600GTS G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+ WD 74GB 10k RPM HDD Now the PSU I picked out was this OCZ: OCZ GameXStream 600W Now I have 3 questions. 1. Whats the difference between that OCZ PSU and this OCZ StealthXStream 600W 2. Does the PSU saying SLI Certified matter/mean anything? I thought I read something that said it didn't mean anything and was infact just another label or fact to slap on it? 3. Which PSU would be better, one of those OCZ's or this corsair 550W? I heard the new Corsair PSUs were great PSU's soInjust had to ask.

11-27-2007, 11:24 PM	#2 (permalink)
mattlock Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 4,183 OS: XP SP2, Win 7 Beta, Win 7 RC My System	Re: choosing between PSU's? Overkill on the PSU is never a bad thing. The StealthXtreme is a lower quality unit than the GameXtreme. They are both known to have ripple issues (voltage fluctuation), so they are tthe best choice. SLI certified just means that the PSU is certified to run a SLI video card setup. The Corsair is good quality PSU made by Seasonic. Some other good options are: Coolermaster Real Power Pro (great deals right now also) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817171023 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817171024 Antec Trio (Seasonic made) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371002 These PSUs are all 80 Plus certified, have active PFC, and carry 5 year warranties. For the money, I would go with the Real Power Pro 650w or 750W. (This and the I Green series are the only offerings from Coolermaster worth buying) Check the "Power Supply Info" link in my signature. __________________ Matt Everest-Thermal Paste Instruction-Power Supply Info-Sensorview PSU Calculator-Speedfan-Bench Test Help TSF Fight Disease. It's Free! Last edited by mattlock; 11-27-2007 at 11:29 PM.

11-28-2007, 09:17 PM	#3 (permalink)
Xinserz Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 40 OS: Windows XP Pro (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 My System	Re: choosing between PSU's? I'm really liking that 50$ MIR on the 650w lol, thanks. But question, the 650w coolermaster has an 8 pin CPU connector and the motherboard i'm getting has a 4 pin. I don't see that one having a adapter or the 8pin being split. Will it still be ok?

11-28-2007, 10:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
mattlock Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 4,183 OS: XP SP2, Win 7 Beta, Win 7 RC My System	Re: choosing between PSU's? It has one 8 pin and one 4 pin CPU 12v connector, just like the RPP 750w. So yes, it'll be fine. I know the 750 also has both 6 & 8 pin PCI-E connectors also, but I'm not sure about the 650. If you buy it let us it know if has this feature also. It's very good unit, and should give you years of quality service. __________________ Matt Everest-Thermal Paste Instruction-Power Supply Info-Sensorview PSU Calculator-Speedfan-Bench Test Help TSF Fight Disease. It's Free!

11-28-2007, 11:20 PM	#5 (permalink)
Xinserz Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 40 OS: Windows XP Pro (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 My System	Re: choosing between PSU's? I'm pretty happy with my build when adding this PSU. Next payday (dec 8th) I'll be ordering it and i'll let you know! Thanks for the help!