ceewi1

My "Top Pick" PSUs at various pricepoints.


***** This list is now several months out of date - I will try to find some time in the near future to bring it back up to date *****

Antec Basiq 350W - $19.99
Ratings:+3.3V@20A,+5V@20A,+12V1@10A,+12V2@13A (Total +12V@23A),-12V@0.3A, +5VSB@2.5A
Comments: $20 doesn't get you much, but this PSU is better than most.

Rosewill RP500-2 500W - $49.99
Ratings:+3.3V@30A, +5V@45A, +12V1@18A, +12V2@16A (Total +12V@31A), -12V@1A, +5VSB@2.5A
Comments: A viable alternative to the Ultra or XClio for those who want a little more 'bling', the presence of an 8pin EPS12V connector is a distinct advantage. The use of Fuhjyyu capacitors means that this PSU should be restricted to well ventilated cases, however

XCLIO StablePower 460W - $51.99
Ratings:+3.3V@25A;+5V@22A;+12V1@18A;+12V2@16A;-12V@0.5A; +5VSB@3.0A
Comments: A very capable, Enhance built, PSU at this price

Corsair CMPSU-450VX - $65.50 after $10 rebate - ceewi1's pick
Ratings:+3.3V@20A,+5V@20A,+12V@33A,-12V@0.8A,+5VSB@2.5A
Comments: While the rated 450W may look small, this unit still features an impressively strong 33A single +12V rail. A superb quality PSU.

Corsair CMPSU-550VX - $74.99 after $15 rebate
Ratings:+3.3V@30A,+5V@20A,+12V@41A,-12V@0.8A,+5VSB@3A
Comments: A superb quality PSU at a fantastic price, this PSU is strongly recommended.

BFG Tech 800W - $84.99 after $30 rebate - ceewi1's pick
Ratings:+3.3V@24A, +5V@30A, +12V1@20A, +12V2@20A, +12V3@20A, +12V4@20A -12V@0.8A, 5VSB@3A
Comments: A solid high powered unit at a superb price.

Corsair CMPSU-520HX - $89.99 after $10 rebate
Ratings:+3.3V@24A, +5V@24A, +12V1@18A, +12V2@18A, +12V3@18A, (Total +12V@40A) -12V@0.8A, 5VSB@3A
Comments: Despite the labelling, this is essentially a single rail design. A top quality modular Seasonic built PSU.

Silverstone ST75ZF - $109.99 after $40 rebate - ceewi1's pick
Ratings:+3.3V@28A,+5V@30A,+12V1@18A,+12V2@18A,+12V3@18A,
+12V4@18A (Total +12V@60A),-12V@0.5A,+5VSB@3.0A +12V4@18A,-12V@0.5A,+5VSB@3.0A
Comments: For those who don't mind the rebate, this is a top quality, best of the best server grade unit. A superb PSU at this price, despite the relatively low efficiency.

Thermaltake Toughpower 700W - $119.99 after $40 rebate
Ratings:+3.3@30A,+5V@28A,+12V1@18A,+12V2@18A,+12V3@18A,+ 12V4@18A (Total +12V@56A),-12V@0.8A,+5VSB@3.0A
Comments: A good quality PSU from Thermaltake, well priced after rebate.

Coolermaster Real Power Pro 850W - $129.99 - ceewi1's pick
Ratings:+3.3V@25A,+5V@30A,+12V1@18A,+12V2@18A,+12V3@18A, +12V4@18A,+12V5@18A (Total +12V@60A),-12V@0.8A,+5VSB@3.5A
Comments: A good quality, superb value PSU.

Silverstone ST85ZF - $139.99 after $50 rebate - ceewi1's pick
Ratings:+3.3V@28A,+5V@30A,+12V1@18A,+12V2@18A,+12V3@18A,
+12V4@18A (Total +12V@70A),-12V@0.5A,+5VSB@3.0A +12V4@18A,-12V@0.5A,+5VSB@3.0A
Comments: Another top quality, best of the best server grade unit from Silverstone. A great buy, despite the low efficiency.

Antec Quattro 850W - $153.65 - ceewi1's pick
Ratings: +3.3V@25A,+5V@30A,+12V1@18A,+12V2@18A,+12V3@18A, +12V4@18A (Total +12V@64A),-12V@0.5A,+5VSB@3.0A
Comments: A good quality 850W PSU, this represents superb value and quality.

Ultra X3 1000W - $189.99 - ceewi1's pick
Ratings:+3.3V@25A, +5V@28A, +12V@70A, -12V@0.8A, +5VSB@3A
Comments: To see such a great quality, modular, 1000W PSU available at the $200 mark is superb. This is an easy recommendation for anyone needing this much power.

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Cheap PSUs - 2% of system costs, responsible for 28% of system deaths

hpi

Good list but no OCZ's in there?

How come? Bad experience with one or?

Tayl

I see there are no Enermax's either. And from what I have experienced, they've been nothing but great for me. A little overpriced but well worth it from what I have found.

Breaks.

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Formerly known as RoveWolf/Breaks.
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ceewi1

Any particular unit? My main complaint about the GameXStream is excessive ripple (well above ATX specifications). They'd be hard to recommend ATM anyway, with FSP Epsilons (which are the identical PSU) selling for a lower price.

They're definitely great PSUs, no doubt. As you've no doubt seen my list is quite short, only comprising the PSUs I consider to be the best/best value at the moment. It's really only the price that's stopping me putting some of them as top recommendations, but if I were to put in every good PSU I'd never be finished!

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Cheap PSUs - 2% of system costs, responsible for 28% of system deaths

sweetmisery

How about HEC?

ceewi1

Any particular model you'd recommend be added?

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Cheap PSUs - 2% of system costs, responsible for 28% of system deaths

apj101

gentlemen, we could sit here and name things the ceewi1 has not mentioned till we are blue in the face. The fact is he has choosen the best PSUs and each price/performance point. If the model/make you are thinking of is not in the list then that is because it did not meet that criteria

Good job ceewi1, are you going to stick this (or add a link in the existing sticky)

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The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses - behind the lines, in the gym, and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights.

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sweetmisery

Its just that here in the Philippines, aside from those in your list(Cooler Master, Enermax - others are just not available)... HEC is one of the most popular and recommended.

ceewi1

True, this list is very American focused. It's difficult to post a general recommendations guide that applies well to different countries, because of availability and relative pricing. If anyone's looking for a PSU and a number of these units aren't available, it's probably best to simply post a thread that includes online store(s) that you can purchase from.

Thanks, I've stuck a thread linking to the four guides I've just added (including this one). Not sure if there's a better way of balancing exposure/cleanliness.

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Cheap PSUs - 2% of system costs, responsible for 28% of system deaths

ThatGuy16

Very nice list, well put together
I might get the antec trio power sometime since i can just pick it up at best buy or circut city

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CPU: C2D E8400 @ 4Ghz 1.24v
HSF: Apogee GTX
MB: Gigabyte X38-DS4
Ram: 2x2GB G. Skill DDR2-1068
HDD: 320GB Seagate
PSU: OCZ GameXStream 700w
OS: Vista Home Premium 64bit
GFX: 2x HD4850 Crossfire
LCD: LG 22" L226WTQ
3DMark06: 20974