EVGA 550GS or 550G2

[Techbyte]

So I am currently in the process of ordering hardware for my new build. I am big fan of iTX builds and decided to order a Fractal Design Define Nano S. (No Window) I have been doing some research and looking at power supplies for hours now. I have narrowed it down to the EVGA 550GS and 550G2. For the $75 price tag with the build quality and 5/7 year warranties, I don't feel they can be beat. ($75 price range) The EVGA 550G2 was given a 10/10 by JonnyGuru. From what I have read they are both great power supplies. The 550GS is manufactured by Seasonic and the 550G2 is manufactured by Superflower. Supposedly, the Superflower made G2 is slightly "higher quality" than the Seasonic made 550GS. However, the 550GS(S for silent) will supposedly run quieter than the G2, but with the G2 having a larger fan and eco mode as well, I don't see how much.

So, I wanted to see if anyone had any input between these two. They are both the same price. I am really only interested in these two power supplies so please stay on point. Unless you honestly feel you can direct me to a better power supply that is fully modular for $75.

[quest_for_silence]

I have narrowed it down to the EVGA 550GS and 550G2.

As said by Abula in the other thread, probably current most bang for the bucks is the Corsair RM550x, noise wise: it's likely quieter than both the EVGAs, the relevant fan should have a better sounding bearing and besides it offers a 10-years warranty.

With reference to build quality and electical performances, the 550GS is a reduced/simplified version of the Seasonic G-platform, so it's clearly inferior to both the G2 and the RMx, but nonetheless it's a fine PSU (and it might come handy being 1cm shorter).

Noise wise, apparently the 550GS is *not* that quieter than the 550 G2, they end somehow mixed, while comparatively the RM550x look like substantially better:

550GS

High Ambient Temp

550GS_high_temp.png

Low Ambient Temp

550GS_low_temp.jpg

550 G2

High Ambient Temp

550G2_high_ambient.JPG

Low Ambient Temp

550G2_low_temp.jpg

RM550x

High Ambient Temp

RM550x_high_temp.JPG

Low Ambient Temp

RM550x_low_temp.jpg

[Techbyte]

Thank you for your response. I didn't look into the RM550X. At only $15 more ($90 Amazon) with a 10 year warranty, it really seems like my best choice for bang for buck, as you said. However, I am now considering the 550GS due to it being shorter and much more "friendly" in my Define Nano S.

I guess I should explain my build a little more.

CPU: i5 6500 (65w)
RAM: 16GB (8GBx2) Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 2133
MOBO: Unknown - ITX
STORAGE: Unknown - M.2 and/or 2.5 SSD (No Hard Drives)
GPU: Nvidia GTX 1070 (150w)

So clearly, whichever PSU I do go with will never reach max load. My maximum power consumption would be approx 250w at full load, definitely never breaking 300w.

I was initially trying to find a 400-450w power supply but it seems that anything of "high quality" starts out in the 550w range. Either way, this will play into my "quiet" build. Obviously with my hardware a 550W PSU will never see full load, or even 75% load for that matter.

Another thought, I plan to put my tower in the lower cubby of this desk. I am not opposed to putting it on the desk, but would like to place it in the cubby. The Define Nano S uses a front intake, exhausting out the rear of the case. When I place the desk up against my wall, the trim will hold it out from the wall approx 0.5". I will not be putting the back panel on the opening if one is included. So it will be able to breath / the hot air should be able to escape just fine.

http://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/0b6dfc7 ... c58b3.jpeg

[Techbyte]

I'm not sure how I missed these are didn't think about it, but what about the fanless power supplies from Seasonic?

Specifically the SS-400FL2 / SS-460FL2. With my 65w i5 and 150w GTX 1070, either of these would provide plenty of power for my iTX build. The only thing I am wondering is how well a fanless power supply would do in a "gaming" PC. The 460 is only $10 more than the 400 ($109.99 on Newegg) so I would obviously just go for that. The 520w model is quite a bit more at $150. I know I am creeping away from my $75 price tag on my initial power supplies.

Back to the EVGA 550G2 and Corsair RM550X. I assume that under normal usage (web browsing, basic programs, etc) the fans will not run when powering an i5 6500 and single gtx 1070. What I am wondering is how loud they would really be with my system at full load, which should be around 250W.

[quest_for_silence]

What I am wondering is how loud they would really be with my system at full load, which should be around 250W.

Your load figures are a tad lower, however, look to the fan profiles, then think to a 140mm fan spinning at that pace.

[CA_Steve]

Case in a cubby: 1/2" clearance means the cubby will warm up. Be sure to leave a couple of inches of space between the rear of the case and the back wall so the rear fan CFM will not be compromised.

[Techbyte]

The cubby is much "longer" than the Define Nano S. With the power button and I/O on the very top/front of the case, I will have it pretty much pulled flush to the opening.

Now I am strongly considering the Seasonic SS-460FL2 fanless power supply. My only concern is the effect it would have on the rest of the system. The PSU sits directly under the GPU in the Nano S. I'm wondering how much heat a fanless PSU would put into my case / GPU. A regular PSU would have virtually no effect on the rest of the system as I would face it fan side down.

[CA_Steve]

If it's 90% efficient and you are drawing 200W, then it adds ~22W of heat to the case.

To clarify, PSU fans are intake fans. Also, the other PSUs you are looking at are semi-passive and chances are the fan won't be running except with heavy load, like when you are gaming...and unless you make a horrific choice in PSUs, you won't hear the fan over your gfx card..so, what's the benefit of a fully passive PSU for you?

[quest_for_silence]

The cubby is much "longer" than the Define Nano S. With the power button and I/O on the very top/front of the case, I will have it pretty much pulled flush to the opening.

I had a somehow similar situation, with a small mini tower (an Aerocool a tad smaller than the Define Nano S) inside a way larger "cubby" (which was comfortably wider, and much taller and deeper than the mini tower): in my case (pun not intended), internals PC temps were up to about 10°C higher with the enclosure inside the "cubby" rather than outside it (IIRC).

[Techbyte]

so, what's the benefit of a fully passive PSU for you?

I am always drawn to the odd or unique items. I think it is the "cool" factor that makes me want it more than anything. I do like that it in theory would be completely silent. However, in my Define Nano S the power supply sits almost flush to the GPU. To me it just makes more sense to have a fanned PSU facing down, drawing fresh air in from the bottom of the case and exhausting it out the back.

So I think I am going to decide against it. I was just going to go with the EVGA 550G2 for $74.99, but Newegg now has the Corsair RM550X for $89.99 - $20.00 Mail in Rebate = $69.99. I honestly don't see getting a better power supply for $70.

[CA_Steve]

Yep, that's a decent price.