PSU Knowledge Guide/Article With Recommendations!

[[Dr. V]]

The line of PSUs that could very well be named the best among all others...if not extremely high up in the standings, has an insanely attractive price point - even more-so than before.

There are generally two main categories of PSUs, then generally two sub-menus. First, there are either Modular, or (respectively) Non-Modular PSUs. Modular ones consists of slots on the PSU itself where you only connect the cables you need - INSANE cable management perks with these, as obvious. Non-Modular PSUs have every cable connector hard-wired onto the circuit board of the PSU and they're all coming out the back - no customization available here.

The obvious solution for which to get here would immediately be modular...but maybe not to everyone. It's said that in some cases modular PSUs aren't able to steadily supply the same amount of power as an equally wattage rated non-modular solution. This being because the cables aren't directly attached to the PCB, making it lose some power along the way. I'm not 100% of the truth in this theory, but I guess in some way it does slightly make sense...however I'm also not convinced that it would make a significant enough difference to disregard it.

After this categorization, there is another major one. Single 12v rail, or multiple 12v rail (for high end we're almost always talking quad 12v rails, in rare cases 3 with slightly higher amps). With single 12v rail PSUs, (again, high end), you'd see one 12v rail (obviously) with a pretty damn high amperage rating. They'd be into the 60s if they're good quality, and one new "Ultra" model has 70A on its single 12v rail.

Many people believe a single 12v rail is good because the power can be gained by the connectors as needed and it isn't limited to a certain amount. Then again, others believe in the quad-rail solution because the power of 12v rails are spread out and more evenly controlled and delivered to various parts. This part is really opinion-based. Generally, they'd do the same thing for you, unless there are more specific needs of any sort.

In terms of picking one, for PSUs it's much more of a personal affair than a lot of other things. Is your case large enough to accept a non-modular PSU (generally they come in higher wattages, and in some cases can be more stable, but this gap is getting smaller)? Do you feel more comfortable having 12v power spread out or concentrated and "dynamic"? Modular is definitely more user-friendly and much easier to work with for beginners and veterans alike. Beginners won't be confused, and veterans won't be annoyed

Then again, if you have a wide array of parts in your system and have a big enough case (like my first setup in my sig with my massive Enermax Uber Chakra) usually being a full tower (although some mid towers are oddly spacious), then maybe a non-modular solution is the way to go (like my GameXStream). Either way, now that you know a little more about the different PSUs, you can make your decision. Remember to always and only buy from reputable companies that can be trusted (ANY recommended here on HL can be trusted). OCZ, (steadily rising up>) ULTRA, Silverstone, Seasonic, Antec (not geared so much towards high end until their recent release of a pretty killer 850W model), Thermaltake (don't even start TTPete), Enermax, Corsair (and their only PSUs which are the HX series available in either 620 or 520 watt models) and PC Power & Cooling (on the more expensive side, but amazing quality). Those are pretty much the companies I'd recommend for PSUs.

Some good deals I found on good PSUs (all in Canadian funds, and I'll skim the American market very soon and add some more):

OCZ GameXStream 1010W PSU - $254.99 after $30 Mail-In-Rebate
^Very High End BEAST^*
Antec Quattro High Efficiency 850W - $199.99
^Almost Very High End Awesomeness^*
OCZ GameXStream 600W ($97.99 after $10 MIR) or Corsair HX Series 620W ($156.99) or OCZ GameXStream 700W ($104.99 after $25 MIR) or Thermaltake ToughPower 650W ($149.99)
^High End Wickedness^**
SilverStone Strider 560W ($93.99) or Thermaltake TR2 500W ($83.30) ^Mainstream Goodness^**
*These were the only ones I could find in the category that met the match of high quality and good price.
**Any of these would do fine - the price differences are obvious.

These PSUs listed here are all good for the category they're in. I've personally worked with (obviously) the 600W GameXStream and I'm extremely happy with it in my system. I've also built a system each with the Silverstonr Strider, the Corsair HX, and the TT ToughPower - all did extremely well and were rock-solid in the applications they were used for.

I hope this article/guide helped you to not only understand more about power supplies, but to make your next purchase an easier one. Just because those prices (for now) are only Canadian, the models of the PSUs still stand as recommendations. I'll post the same ones from NewEgg and any other recommended sites for other currency (e.g. UK).

To close off, make sure you check out this very nice page to calculate approximately how much wattage your system would need: eXtreme Power Supply Calculator Lite v2.5 - It's generally accurate and a good base to go upon.

You can always PM/email me with any questions/concerns.

-Jonathan Varcabet, the <BEAST>

[Reloadron]

Hey Stix a very nice write up indeed! You bring up and well cover several things people are forever asking and forever curious about with regard to PSU features. You do so in a very easy to understand manner making things easy to follow. Again, well done!

Ron

[[Dr. V]]

Originally Posted by Reloadron

Hey Stix a very nice write up indeed! You bring up and well cover several things people are forever asking and forever curious about with regard to PSU features. You do so in a very easy to understand manner making things easy to follow. Again, well done!

Ron

Thanks Ron, much appreciated.

BTW if you're in the market for a new sig, let me know. I know you were mentioning it in another thread.

Thanks again!

[Reloadron]

Originally Posted by ST!X

Thanks Ron, much appreciated.

BTW if you're in the market for a new sig, let me know. I know you were mentioning it in another thread.

Thanks again!

Quite welcome for a well written piece with a focus on a few very main things. You covered it quite well.

A new sig. Thanks a bunch but it is just a matter of me getting my stuff together and making one. I need to get creative and sit down and do it. Gawd knows the tools are right in front of me.

Ron

[Yellowhello]

VERY nice write-up, Jon. I sure it will help anyone in the market for a new PSU. Good job adding the good deals you found!

Another hit in my book!

[[Dr. V]]

Originally Posted by yellowhello

VERY nice write-up, Jon. I sure it will help anyone in the market for a new PSU. Good job adding the good deals you found!

Another hit in my book!

Thanks for the love YH.