Recommended Power Supplies List Rating Options

[jammin]

OCC Recommended Power Supplies List
This list was last updated on 21st October 2009



Introduction

The humble power supply has come a long way in the past few years.
In the past it may have been difficult to pick out a PSU that you could be sure would do the job you were asking of it.
Today you can pick up units for very reasonable prices that will not only do the job, but be highly efficient and quiet in the process.
A number of review sites (including OCC) also now test PSUs in a way that can accurately measure performance under load.
All this means it takes considerably less effort than it used to to find yourself a good quality unit.
Of course, the question still remains: How do I pick a good PSU?
This list aims to answer that question, by providing you with a reference of units that can be trusted (to varying degrees of course), to supply power to your precious components.

There is a lot of background information available about what exactly goes into making a good PSU, but I'll save you the reading for now.
If you are interested you can follow some of the links at the end of this introduction.
One point I will make though is the importance of choosing a suitable power supply for the system you are building.
Consider what components you are powering and what your usage patterns are likely to be.
Remember that for most users, for considerable amount of the time a computer is switched on, it will be in a relatively idle state, not drawing much power.

It is also worth making a note about some of the very high powered units available on the market.
1KW PSUs aren't that uncommon any more, there are a number of them out there. Units which exceed this rating are not uncommon either.
My personal opinion is that these have a pretty limited use, but they will still be included on the list as they are generally high quality units and may be useful for extreme builds.

With an enthusiasts mindset of bigger/more powerful = better, it is easy to think that you might require a PSU with a rating of 1KW or above.
The fact is that 95% of you likely won't.
Unless you're packing some serious multi-GPU action then you're not even going to get close to needing one. Unless you just like to brag of course.
Consider this seriously when you are buying and if you are not sure, then don't be afraid to ask. That's what we are here for
(I would suggest asking anyway, even if you are sure. It can't hurt.)

If you are interested in reading more about Power Supplies and some of the information that has been used to compile the list, then check out the following links:

Evidence Collection for Power Supply Requirements

Everything You Need to Know About Power Supplies - Highly Recommended Reading
By: Gabriel Torres @ Hardware Secrets

How Much Power is Enough?
By: Steven Walton @ LegionHardware

PC Power Consumption: How Many Watts Do We Need? - Recommended Reading
By: Oleg Artamonov @ X-bit Labs

Power Supply Fundamentals
By: Mike Chin @ SPCR

Why 99% of Power Supply Reviews Are Wrong - (A number of review sites have improved their method since this was written thankfully)
By: Gabriel Torres @ Hardware Secrets

Anatomy of Switching Power Supplies
By: Gabriel Torres @ Hardware Secrets

OEM Database @ JonnyGuru

XS Tiered PSU Manufacturer Brand Listing
By: perkam @ XtremeSystems

80 Plus Certified PSUs

Test Data From:

Jonny Guru
Silent PC Review
[H]ard|OCP
Hardware Secrets
PC Perspective
OverclockersClub
X-bit Labs


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The List

Power Supplies are listed by brand and important features are noted alongside the listing.
'Quiet' in this case means acceptable for use in what some may commonly call a 'silent' system.
Basically they are quiet enough to be matched with other 'silent' products such as case fans etc. without causing too much of an upset.
Be sure to ask if you are planning a quiet system as even those labelled as quiet will vary in noise level.
(note: Some of the PSUs may be quiet but haven't been labelled as such yet because of the lack of reliable evidence)
'Modular' should be a familiar concept, allowing you to add or remove power cables as needed.
Listings link to the official product page for the PSU/PSU Series in question
Reviews (on which this list is largely based) are listed after each unit (in progress).
I will attempt to keep the list as up to date as possible, I'm sure you realise how quickly things move.

Note: A number of the Power Supplies included on this list will not have been tested in reviews at 230VAC.
230V (or similar) is the standard mains voltage in Europe and large parts of the rest of the world.
As input voltage will effect certain aspects of a PSUs performance, it is therefore worth considering that your mileage may vary.
It is unlikely that any differences will turn a good PSU into a bad one (in fact, efficiency generally improves).
However, members outside the US may wish to further research power supply choices to see if any particular issues arise with the change of input voltage.


Take a deep breath, and begin:


Antec

- Earthwatts 380W - Quiet
- Earthwatts 430W - Quiet
- Earthwatts 500W - Quiet
- Earthwatts 650W - Review
- NeoHE 380W - Modular - Quiet
- NeoPower 430W - Modular - Quiet
- NeoPower 500W - Modular
- NeoPower 550W - Modular
- NeoPower Blue 650W - Modular - Review
- TruePower Trio 430W
- TruePower Trio 550W
- TruePower Trio 650W
- TruePower New 750W - Modular - Review
- Antec TruePower Quattro 850W - Modular - Review, Review
- Signature 650W - Modular - Review
- Signature 850W - Modular - Review

- CP-850 850W - Modular - Review, Review - Important note: Unusual form factor, only fits 3 Antec case models.


BFGTech

- ES-800 - Review
- LS-450 - Review
- LS-550 - Review
- LS-680 - Review
- MX-550 - Modular - Review
- MX-680 - Modular - Review


Coolmax

- CUQ-1350B 1350W - Modular - Review


Cooler Master

- UCP 700W - Review
- Silent Pro M700W - Modular - Quiet - Review
- Silent Pro M850W - Modular - Review
- Real Power Pro 850W
- Real Power Pro 1000W


Corsair

- CX 400 - Review
- HX 520W - Modular - Quiet
- HX 620W - Modular - Quiet
- VX 450W - Quiet
- VX 550W
- TX 650W - Quiet - Review
- TX 750W - Review, Review
- HX 750W - Modular - Review
- TX 850W - Review, Review
- HX 850W - Modular - Review - Review
- HX 1000W - Modular - Review


Enermax

- Liberty ECO 500W - Modular - Review, Review
- Liberty ECO 620W - Modular - Review
- Pro82+ 525W - Quiet - Review
- Modu82+ 625W - Modular - Quiet - Review, Review
- Pro82+ 625W - Quiet - Review
- Revolution 85+ 850W - Modular - Review
- Revolution 85+ 1050W - Modular - Review - Review
- Galaxy Evo 1250W - Modular - Review


FSP

- Blue Storm II 400w
- Blue Storm II 500w


GlacialPower

- GP-AL650AA 650 W - Review


Hiper

- Type R II 880W - Review
- Type M 880W - Review


In Win

- Commander 1200W - Modular - Review, Review


Kingwin

- ABT-1220MA1S - Modular - Review


NorthQ

- Giant Connector 850W - Modular - Review


OCZ

- StealthXStream 600W - Review
- Fatal1ty 700W - Review
- Z Series 850W - Modular - Review


PC Power and Cooling

- Turbo-Cool 510 SLI
- Turbo-Cool 510 ASL
- Turbo-Cool 860W - Review
- Turbo-Cool 1KW
- Silencer 610W
- Silencer 750 Quad - Review - Review
- Silencer 910W - Review


Seasonic

- S12II 330W - Quiet
- S12II 380W - Quiet
- S12II 430W - Quiet
- S12II 500W - Quiet
- S12 Energy+ 550W - Quiet
- S12 Energy+ 650W - Quiet
- M12 500W - Modular - Quiet
- M12 600W - Modular - Quiet
- M12 700W - Modular - Quiet
- M12D 750W - Modular - Quiet - Review
- M12D 850W - Modular - Quiet - Review
- X-650W - Modular - Quiet - Review
- X-750W - Modular - Quiet - Review


Silverstone

- Zeus ST65ZF
- Zeus ST75ZF
- Zeus ST85ZF
- Zeus ZM1200M - Modular - Review
- Olympia OP650
- Olympia OP750
- Olympia OP1000
- Olympia OP1200
- Decathon DA750


Tagan

- PipeRock II 680W - Modular - Review


Thermaltake

- ToughPower 600W
- Purepower RX 600W - Modular - Review
- ToughPower 650W
- ToughPower 700W
- ToughPower 700W Cable Management - Modular
- ToughPower 750W
- ToughPower 750W Cable Management - Modular
- ToughPower 850W Cable Management - Modular
- ToughPower XT 850W Cable Management - Modular - Review
- ToughPower 1000W
- ToughPower 1000W Cable Management - Modular
- ToughPower 1200W
- ToughPower 1200W Cable Management - Modular


Topower

- Powerbird 800W - Modular - Review
- Powerbird 900W - Modular - Review


Tuniq

- Ensemble 1200W - Review


Ultra

- X-Pro 750W - Review
- X-Pro 800w
- X3 1000w - Modular


XFX

- Black Edition 850W - Modular - Review


Zalman

- ZM360B-APS - Review
- ZM600-HP - Modular - Review
- ZM750-HP - Modular - Review
- ZM1000-HP - Modular - Quiet - Review



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Credits:
Many thanks go out to the people behind all of the resources used to compile this list (check out the links at the top of this post), without them it wouldn't have been possible.


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A note on pricing: The cost of power supplies is certainly an important factor when you are going to buy, but as this can tend to vary over time and by region it is given a relatively small consideration when adding units to this list. If a PSU is good, then it's good and I'll leave the shopping around to you.

I hope that reading this has helped you make a decision on which power supply is right for you.
If you're still not sure, then please ask in the forums and we'll be very happy to help.
Even if you have made up your mind, run your decision by us for more input.

Feedback is always welcome.
Disagree with how a PSU is tagged? Think something does / doesn't deserve to be on the list? Then let me know.

This post has been edited by jammin: Oct 21 2009, 06:52 PM

[jammin]

The List has just received a major overhaul.

[Kash]

Wow, that is one good looking guide. Great job Jammin!!

[jammin]

Thanks (and you left out roadkill.. though I'm sure you didn't mean to )

I'll take this opportunity to encourage members to post feedback.

- Tell us what you like and don't like about how the list works (is it easy to use?)
- What other information would you like included (I'll be working on adding tags to PSUs which could be described as 'quiet' for starters)
Other possible information could include efficiency (whether units are 80+ certified) and pricing (though as this fluctuates it may actually be counter productive)
- Even whether colour effects the usability (do you like the neon green btw? I'm not sure if I do)

edit - neon snot green is out and pastel yellow is in, along with a nice lavender for the quiet ones

This post has been edited by jammin: Apr 29 2007, 09:57 PM

[markiemrboo]

Hm... quiet... what does this actually mean? I mean, 'modular' is rather self-explanatory, but quietness.... I dunno.

For instance, the 92mm Noiseblocker fan on my XP-90 is spec'd "to German DIN standards" at 22dBA. It is silent to me. OT, but I do like how they tell you exactly how the fans were measured too. Very honest!

My friend bought all Akasa Amber fans, 92mm and 120mm, which are spec'd at 18dBA for both. He later changed to Xilence fans, as he just preferred the colour, which are spec'd at 19dBA for the 92mm and 21dBA for the 120mm (according to Aria description). He actually says the Xilence are noticeably quieter, regardless of the specs. I'm not sure if it's just a subjective thing, or if the specs are being measured slightly differently.

So, though numbers don't seem to be entirely indicative of "quietness", apparently, I still think it might be a good sort of "guideline" if they were included? :s Or maybe even a 'Silent' tag, or was that was quiet was meant to mean?



How about a tag indicating if it's single / dual / quad rails or whatever? Or are most dual / quad these days? I dunno!


I do remember when I was looking for a new PSU a while back, I was determined to find out what caps were being used as my current Antec is full of Fuj[something] ( sounds very much like f-you, ironically ) 110% garbage. It's hard to find from reviews what's actually inside, but I do think it would be kinda nice to include it if people want to report it. There might be a problem with varying slightly from unit to unit though, which would be a pain. My Antec TC 550 is purely f-you caps, even on the primary mains side! Most people, at the very least, seemed to have Rubycon's there!


I can't remember what the old list looked like now, but this one looks nice and simple!

This post has been edited by markiemrboo: Apr 30 2007, 02:42 AM

[jammin]

Quiet is a bit different than Silent, even though manufacturers like to exchange the two words as if they were the same.
I should probably add a clear definition as to what the 'quiet' tag means.

Quiet in this case means acceptable for use in what some may commonly call a 'silent' system.
Basically they are quiet enough to be matched with other 'silent' products such as case fans etc. without causing too much of an upset.

I didn't want to tag them as 'silent' because they aren't. Only passively cooled PSUs are truly capable of that and don't really have a place in a list on a forum like this as far as I'm concerned.

You are right that manufacturers numbers cannot be trusted, and they also don't measure the 'quality' of the sound.
That's something that can only be done with subjective testing.


Each PSU that is labelled 'quiet' in the list is done so on the basis of review and consumer consensus.
Therefore some of the PSUs on the list may actually be quiet, but aren't labelled as such because of a lack of evidence (or research on my part).
If members can provide adequate evidence they can then also be tagged.
Most of the current 'quiet' PSUs are based on testing performed by SPCR, who's judgement I tend to trust in that regard.



As for labelling PSUs with multiple rails, that only serves to confuse things further I believe.
Most multi-rail PSUs aren't truly multi rail in any case, with all 12v lines being fed from the same source on the PCB.
I'm just trying to find some sources to refer you to on that one.
(edit - it's something Hardware Secrets refer to in PSU reviews quite often)

This post has been edited by jammin: Apr 30 2007, 05:25 AM

[hardnrg]

edit - neon snot green is out and pastel yellow is in, along with a nice lavender for the quiet ones

oh they are SO you darling

[jammin]

You so can't tell I'm doing a design degree can you.

This post has been edited by jammin: Apr 30 2007, 03:10 AM

[CoolMaster]

why arent the antec truepowers series on there? arent they supposed to be good

[jammin]

I'll be adding the Truepower Trio series actually
They are Seasonic units, but you won't get quite the same build quality you'd get with Seasonic branded PSUs.

Edit - Added Antec TruePower Trio series.

Edit2 - Also added FSP Green PS series. These might be relatively difficult to find (pay attention to the product number in the brackets).
The 300W is currently sold at Newegg

This post has been edited by jammin: May 8 2007, 09:21 AM

[tazwegion]

Hmmmm... there is a noticable absence of Hiper Type M & R series PSU's

[jammin]

Yeah, I have to look into those a bit more.

I've been meaning to do some more updates to the list, so should probably do that in the next few days.
I'm sure there will be a few more I can add.

For example, it looks as though the Seasonic s12 II should be available soon (despite the incredible lack of information about it from Seasonic themselves).

I think an update about once a month to keep it fresh should be alright.

This post has been edited by jammin: Jun 9 2007, 06:21 AM