[Diablosblizz]

So it's time to upgrade my old Dell Precision 670, and buy an actual gaming computer. I've heard some bad things about some people buying no-name power supplies, and I'm a complete noob when it comes to this but in the system I'm getting built has these choices:

Seasonic SS-600ET 600W EPS12V 24PIN ATX Power Supply PFC 80PLUS Bronze 6PIN 8PIN PCI-E 120MM Fan OEM

or

Antec Earthwatts Green 500W Power Supply ATX12V V2.0 Active PFC 80PLUS Bronze 80MM Fan

I've heard of Antec, but not Seasonic. However, the Antec one requires a separate computer power cord, which I have no idea what that means. On NewEgg it just says that it doesn't come with a powercord, and if that's it then no problem I have tons lying around my house.

So, I'm wondering would it be more beneficial for me to get the 600W or 500W PSU? Here's the "tech specs" of what's in the system:

1 x AMD Phenom II X4 945 Quad Core Processor AM3 3.0GHZ 8MB Cache 95W 45NM
1 x Please Use The Heatsink Included with My CPU -NOT Available with OEM Processors
1 x Gigabyte GA-880GA-UD3H AMD880G ATX AM3 DDR3 3PCIE 2-WAY CrossFireX GBLAN SATA3 USB3.0 Motherboard
1 x G.SKILL F3-10666CL7D-4GBRH Ripjaws PC3-10666 4GB 2X2GB DDR3-1333 CL7-7-7-21 Core i5 1.5V Memory Kit
1 x Antec Six Hundred Mid Tower Gaming Case 600 ATX 3X5.25 6X3.5INT 1 SATA Hot-Swap Bay No PS
1 x Seasonic SS-600ET 600W EPS12V 24PIN ATX Power Supply PFC 80PLUS Bronze 6PIN 8PIN PCI-E 120MM Fan OEM
1 x Please Use The Onboard Sound Card Integrated On My Motherboard
1 x Please Use The Onboard Network Ethernet Card Integrated On My Motherboard
1 x Standard 1 Year Limited Warranty With NCIX IN-HOUSE Tech Support
1 x PC Assembly and Testing with 1 Year Limited NCIX System Warranty (PRE-CONFIG WIN. OS If Purchased)

Of course I'm going to use the hard drive and graphics card from my current computer (graphics card is a ATI Radeon HD 4770) so I don't need to purchase any of that. My current computer has a 500W supply, but it's quite old and I don't want to reuse it, however it works fine for now.

What are your thoughts on the PSU and system, anything I should change? Thanks!

 

[Wrench97]

Seasonic is one of the best brands in power supplies, they manufacture the chassis for quite a few other brand depending on the model Corsair, Antec, XFX all use some seasonic components or complete supplies relabeled, the Seasonic is a better choice than the Earthwatts which is not a Antec model made by Seasonic. OEM Seasonic units do not come with the power cord that run from the PSU to the wall(Surge Protector).

The system looks good as is.

 

[Diablosblizz]

Awesome, looks like I've learned something today! So the Seasonic is a better PSU to get, which is good cause the more watts the better I guess.

So I guess that's it, thank you for your help. BTW, I know this is the wrong place but how much faster is USB3.0 compared to 2.0, and I'm guessing we'd need 3.0 devices for it to work the fastest?

Elsewise, thanks for your fast help!

 

[Wrench97]

You need 3.0 devices for it work any faster then 2.0, it's emerging most boards now only have 3.0 ports on the rear some have 2, 3.0 ports others have 4 ports.
I'll be another year before it hits big with all ports being 3.0, theoretically it's twice as fast but like Sata 1 to Sata 2 look for a speed increase but nowhere near double, Sata 2 drives have not hit the theoretical speed yet and Sata 3 is now the rage.

 

[Diablosblizz]

Alright, another question and I know it's still off-topic but...

I'm wondering if a 6core processor would benefit me more than a 4core processor. It's only $100 more and if I have the money I may as well to future-proof my computer. I know most programs aren't multi-core, but I figure the more I have the better the computer can multitask.

What are your thoughts and should I think about getting the Phenom II X6 instead of the X4?

Thanks!

 

[Wrench97]

The x4 is plenty, very few PC programs can max out 4 cores even in combination, heavy video editing with Adobe Audition or another commercial program will make use of them but short of that put the $100 into something else.