What wattage power supply please?

[Spyone1]

Howdy again.

I am about to build a new computer (see my signature) and find myself short of a PSU, the TT Toughpower 850W is no longer available.

I am trying to figure out what wattage PSU I should get. Brand will come after.

I went to the Extreme site to calculate my requirements. After putting in my requirements and deliberately overstating the "capacitor aging" by 10% (I used 40%, it recommends 20-30%), I was given a "Recommended PSU Wattage" of 492W.

Now, does this mean that a 550W PSU will be fine (I figure a 500W is probably crowding it a bit) or should I go to a 600W or even 650W?
(I am hoping to get away with a Seasonic G-550 80Plus Gold 550W seeing it is about the only Seasonic PSU in my price range, and everyone here that has advised me so far is using Seasonic PSU's)

Again, a basic question, I know. Sorry.

[parsec]

Re: What wattage power supply please?

Not aiming this comment at you, but too many PC builders ignore the importance of the PSU, it is an after thought, they just get whatever, it doesn't matter in their opinion. The last few dollars in the build budget are scraped out for the PSU. So while your question may seem basic, it really isn't. The entire PC depends on the PSU, if it is of poor quality, then any issues with the PC may be related to the PSU. Only when you use a high quality PSU, are you able to take it for granted, and for the most part ignore it.

Given no OC of the CPU, and the two video cards being very efficient in power usage, the ~500W requirement could be correct.

One observation is given the four HDDs in the PC (from the drop down PC specs), all the fans, and video cards, the most power draw is on the 12V rail. So a PSU that can provide a greater amount of the total PSU power on the 12V rail than another PSU would be preferable, IMO. Many Seasonic models are of that type, including the one you included in your post.

Let's say the PC needs 500W max, and you use a 550W PSU. You then don't have much power headroom to add or change hardware. The PC becomes locked into that much hardware and that particular hardware. Can't add much to it, and can't change the video cards to a more power hungry model. Can't OC the CPU much if at all in the future. The usual reaction to that is, "I won't be changing anything, or adding more to it". Is that ever true?

Your usage of that PC makes a big difference too. Since you have two video cards, you are likely a gamer. That means using the video cards at higher levels of power usage over longer periods of time. Using a 550W PSU at a 500W draw means it is running hot with its components running closer to their maximum capability, and the cooling fan running at high RPM. This is another reason why power headroom is important. A 650W PSU will be much farther from its limit than a 550W PSU will be, when drawing 500W of power, and will have less stress on its components.

Watch the ads for sales in your area and online, I got my Seasonic SS-660XP2 Platinum PSU for under $100, thanks to ProfJim's heads up

This is a current special, as of 2/18/2014, but might still be out of your price range:

Also check on the Seasonic S12G-650W Gold at the same place, which is $5 more than the model you had in mind.

The usual questions about PSUs we see (much less detailed and thoughtful than yours) that ask, "can I use this PSU with this PC?", are really asking, "can I get away with using this PSU with this PC?". Some people might not see the difference between the two, but I think you will.

[- wardog -]

Re: What wattage power supply please?

I'd hold off and cache that money you have now for a PSU till you can get something in the 650w+ range for that FM2A88X Extreme6+ build.

Along with the other recommendations posted:
SeaSonic SSR-650RM 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Newegg.com

[profJim]

Welcome to Seasonic USA

Model: G-550 (SSR-550RM Active PFC F3)



Model: G-650 (SSR-650RM Active PFC F3)


Model: G-750 (SSR-750RM Active PFC F3)




pci-e single power cable adapter:
2 adapters are needed to add a second mid-level video card for the G-550 power supply.

[Spyone1]

Re: What wattage power supply please?

Ty all.

Sorry, I should have been clearer.

Yes, the new PSU is for the AMD build listed in my signature, and it will only have the one GTX 560 in it for at least a year. The case in this build has 1 x 120mm fan and 1 x 240mm fan, not the 7 x fans I now have in my main case.
It will have 3 internal HDD and one SSD, and will have to also power the occasional plugged in USB HDD (portable type). All the other drives that will be attached have their own power supply.

It will not be used for high or even mid-level gaming (Minecraft, Empire Earth, Solitaire is about it right now) and I have no intention of overclocking it. I have the i7 build for gaming, and even overclocking if I ever decide to.

I have only got 2 suppliers that I can access Seasonic PSU from that are more or less local. (correct, Newegg do not ship to Australia).

From one, the Seasonic G series 650W PSU 80Plus is only available as an OEM, while the other one has it available for Aust $144, but also adds $37 postage.
None of my suppliers has the S12G 650W (although one has the S12G 450W)

Thanks heaps, I will look at the 650W instead of the 550W. Glad I asked now.

[dai]

Re: What wattage power supply please?

seasonic are expensive here

look at the corsair tx 650w model

Mail Order Software Australia : Computer Software and Hardware : Shop MYOB Quicken Microsoft Adobe Symantec Norton Corel Veritas McAfee CA Veritas

check the prices at stores on your state

[Spyone1]

Re: What wattage power supply please?

I managed to find a Seasonic G-Series G-650 (SSR-650RM Active PFC F3) 650W for $138 here in Australia.
Just waiting for them to send it to me.

[Spyone1]

Re: What wattage power supply please?

My Seasonic power supply just turned up. Very impressed with the way it is done. It is semi-modular, all the cables that plug in are in their own cloth draw-string bag, you get a whole bunch of cable ties, another mains to PSU power cable (I think that brings my total to about 15), manual, etc.

Just need the rest of the computer (CPU, MB, RAM) before I can hook it all up.