Aris wrote:If your load is near 300w, the 550 version will likely be quieter for you anyhow. The more overhead you have without running outside the 20-100% 80+ range, the quieter it will run. Having your load at 50% of the max capable on your PSU is almost ideal.
As I said, I'd pull 300 W max, perhaps 315 W worst-case depending on fudge factors. Even doing a parallel build on four cores, with the processor I'm planning to use, the mean power consumption is going to be less than 50% of a 500+ W unit.
The 50% rule-of-thumb is OK if you value silence above all else, but if you also care about efficiency and don't plan to have the machine heavily loaded very often, I don't think it's all that relevant a guideline.
Aris wrote:I dont really see this as a big deal. I would wager the reason its not comming to NA is because of our use of 120v which reduces effeciency, which increases heat output of their unit, which means it'll start making noise at lower load levels. On a higher voltage in europe, they will be able to run the same load systems quieter.
I agree it's not a huge deal, but I think it's a big enough deal that it's worth pointing out as a potentially flawed decision on the part of the manufacturer. Your point about efficiency vs. supply voltage is true across the board for all power supply designs we typically use. It applies no more to this model or capacity than it does to any other power supply in its class.
And Seasonic's M12-II 430 W, which is probably very similar to, if the not the basis of, the HX450W still has an 80+ rating.
Aris wrote:Also, there is always the non modular cable version. Its not like having modular cables is a make or break option on a quality PSU.
It was the reason I wanted the HX in the first place. For SFF machines, modular cabling is mighty nice to have.
It's my suspicion that Corsair just doesn't see enough of a market to bring this unit here, and that there's not really a technical basis for this decision. I think they figure most people in the U.S. buying power supplies of that caliber/type are probably building gaming or other kinds of high-power machines. Or there could be other reasons, but in my correspondence with them, they were not really forthcoming on their rationale. I'm sure not knowing why also contributed to my frustration.
Worse than finding that no one makes what you want is to find out that they do make what you want -- you just can't easily get it
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