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650 or 750 watt semi-modular PSU

Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2012 1:24 pm
by majax79
I need a 650 watt or 750 watt PSU, which must be semi-modular. I was going to get the new Corsair AX750 until I read several reviews here and on Amazon about noise issues.

1) Would a 650 watt PSU leave me room for expanding to SLI?

2) Can someone please recommend a brand/model?

Here is a list of the parts I've already bought for my 1st PC build (haven't bought the case or optical drive yet):

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I53570K
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6819116504

Motherboard: ASUS SABERTOOTH Z77 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813131821

Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 670 FTW 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card 02G-P4-2678-KR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814130787

Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Black 1 TB SATA III 7200 RPM 64 MB Cache Internal Desktop Hard Drive Bulk/OEM - WD1002FAEX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6822136533

CPU Cooler: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO RR-212E-20PK-R2 Continuous Direct Contact 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler Compatible with latest Intel 2011/1366/1155 and AMD FM1/AM3+
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6835103099

SSD Hard Drive: Crucial M4 CT128M4SSD2 2.5" 128GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 20-148-442

Memory: CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Profile Desktop Memory Model CML8GX3M2A1600C9
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820233186

Re: 650 or 750 watt semi-modular PSU

Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2012 3:33 pm
by CA_Steve
Your build as shown will draw 290W or so if completely stressed, and 250W or less gaming. Add another GTX 670 (170W TDP) and it's 460W stressed and <400W while gaming. So, yeah, a 650W PSU can do the job. You just need to find one with 4 6-pin PEG connectors.

Seems like the buzzing issue is pretty dependant on the mobo and gpu combination. It's hit or miss. That said, there's the Seasonic x-660 and the Kingwin LZP-650.

Re: 650 or 750 watt semi-modular PSU

Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2012 3:49 pm
by majax79
I know that I won't use anywhere near 650 watts, much less 750 watts, but from all the reviews I've read, the Corsair HX/AX 750 and 850 watt PSU are of better quality and are quieter than the 650 models.

I was thinking of going with the HX750 because of the connections. Any thoughts?

Re: 650 or 750 watt semi-modular PSU

Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2012 3:41 pm
by majax79
Thanks for the help. I decided to wait a few weeks until the Corsair AX760i is available.

Re: 650 or 750 watt semi-modular PSU

Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2012 6:11 pm
by Abula
majax79 wrote:Thanks for the help. I decided to wait a few weeks until the Corsair AX760i is available.
Interesting, i assume it will be the same as Seasonic X-660, which is a great PSU. The only thing i would change is the ssd, i have nothing against Crucial M4, i even own 2, but atm most etailers are clearing Samsung 830s as they are making room for the new 840 n 840pro, only the pro is worth it imo, but more expensive, so if you want to save some $$$, and have slightly better performance than the M4, go with Samsung 830 128gb

Re: 650 or 750 watt semi-modular PSU

Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2012 8:57 pm
by CA_Steve
Abula wrote: Interesting, i assume it will be the same as Seasonic X-660, which is a great PSU.
Nope - it's Corsairs' architecture with the DSP and a couple of microcontrollers first seen in the 1200W PSU. Pretty, but pricey.

Re: 650 or 750 watt semi-modular PSU

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2012 7:08 pm
by majax79
OK, so the AX760i model came out and users are complaining of fan noise (see here):

http://www.overclock.net/t/1323913/cl-c ... m-psus/100

Now, I'm back to being unsure of which PSU to buy. I wasn't thrilled with paying over $200 for a PSU but was saving up the money to purchase it. Any additional advice on a quiet PSU would be welcomed.

Re: 650 or 750 watt semi-modular PSU

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2012 9:08 pm
by CA_Steve

Re: 650 or 750 watt semi-modular PSU

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2012 5:03 am
by majax79
Any advice?

Re: 650 or 750 watt semi-modular PSU

Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2012 5:55 am
by mercyfull_fate
maybe it's usefull to add a bit more information?

i'm not that knowlageble about psu's but i think you could limit your choiches a bit yourself.....

since you don't have a case yet is a passive psu an option? then i believe you only need to search for one that does not have a weird buzz or something.
usualy eficiency appears to be a plus for low noise but besides that would you prefer a more eficient 1 over others?

based on the previous posts i asume you need a minimum of 460W lets say 500w to be completely safe?
and your budget seems to be up to $200 maybe a bit more if there is good reason for it?