The Big Giant Power Supply Thread

[Angry_Games]

Please bear with us as we change the format of this thread to include power supplies for ALL platforms and motherboard brands.

 

This guide was originally built for DFI-Street and most for DFI Lanparty NF4 customers. Since we have expanded our format, all of the information is still very much valid, but we have to keep this as a work-in-progress to help it move away from DFI-specific into a more general guide.

 

Thanks!

 

Angry_Games

[Angry_Games]

UPDATE: October 20th, 2006:davidhammock200, Happy_Games, ExRoadie

 

This list of recommended power supplies only applies to hardware available in North America and tested by DFI-Street.

 

Enermax Liberty 620w PSU is no longer on our recommended list. Way too many issues with this power supply. DO NOT BUY TO USE ON DFI SYSTEMS!

 

Also note we've added the Corsair HX-620 (620w) psu and I can honestly say it is EXTREMELY recommended as a top psu, and we've added 3 Antec units, and a Hiper unit!

 

UPDATE: June 14th, 2006

 

DFI-Street.com Certified (ie: HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION)

 

OCZ GameXStream OCZ600GXSSLI ATX12V 600W Power Supply

(personally tested by Happy_Games. This and the OCZ 700w GX are my two favorite psu's!)

 

OCZ GameXStream OCZ700GXSSLI ATX12V 700W Power Supply

(current top-rated, top-recommended psu by Happy_Games and majority of the forum!)

 

FSP Group (Fortron Source) Epsilon FX600-GLN ATX12V/ EPS12V 600W Power Supply

 

FSP Group (Fortron Source) Epsilon FX700-GLN ATX12V/ EPS12V 700W Power Supply

 

Corsair HX620w ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 620W Power Supply (Active PFC)

(quickly becoming Happy_Games' favorite psu. Modular, strong rails, low-heat, nearly silent...excellent excellent unit!)

 

PC Power & Cooling TURBO-COOL 1KW-SR SLI, EPS12V, SSI 1000W Power Supply 90 - 264V

 

Antec True Power Trio TP3-650 ATX12V 650W Power Supply with Three 12V Rails

(personally tested by Happy_Games...excellent choice for X1900 Crossfires / 7900 SLI's!)

 

These PSU's are all very very capable of powering up the latest 7900GT and 7900GTX SLI, 7950GTX, X1800XT and X1900XT Crossfire, AMD AthlonX2/Opteron Dual Core cpu's, and ALL current DFI motherboards including the following:

 

DFI Lanparty NF4 series original

DFI Lanparty NF4 Expert

DFI Lanparty NF4 Venus

DFI Lanparty RDX200 (ATI)

DFI Lanparty CFX3200-DR (ATI)

DFI Lanparty future AMD socket AM2 motherboards of all chipset flavors

DFI Lanparty future Intel Conroe motherboard of all chipset flavors

ALL CURRENT DFI MOTHERBOARDS AND ANY DFI MOTHERBOARD FOR AT LEAST ONE MORE YEAR FROM THE DATE OF THIS POST UNLESS SOMETHING DRASTIC CHANGES IN POWER REQUIREMENTS!

These are very reliable psu's that are more than capable of doing the job.

 

Notice that the top 4 are almost identical (the OCZ and Fortron/FSP psu's). They are all manufactured by Fortron, and are the highest recommended psu's in the forum as they have the largest user base, and the least amount of complaints.

 

I always recommend the OCZ psu's since we have a few OCZ reps in this forum who have always been more than willing to help out mutual customers (and they have even helped out non-OCZ customers!). The only real difference between the OCZ and FSP power supplies is the OCZ psu's have a blue LED fan, and the Fortron psu's do not have any LED fans.

 

And finally, the 1000w PCP&C psu. Everyone should by now know that PCP&C is the maybe the top name in power supplies...but you pay a premium for them.

 

The 510w version is extremely solid, but we simply cannot recommend it for the highest high end setups like those mentioned above. For that, you want to have any of the psu's on this list, including the PCP&C for your ultimate power needs. If you can afford this thing, you definitely want it.

 

Again, if you want a solid power supply that is reliable, trustworthy, and a growing majority of the users here are turning to, choose one of the OCZ GamerXstream power supplies. My personal favorite is the 700w (see the sig of Happy_Games)

OCZ BleedinEdge Support Forum

 

Andy@OCZ

Ryder@OCZ

Tony@OCZ

Marcus@OCZ (EU)

All of the above are EXCELLENT PSU's & are THE MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

 

My personal choice for the most demanding systems is the Corsair HX 620W from only $150!

 

If you are NOT running UBER SLI/CF, then the Corsair HX 520W is my #1 choice from only $105!

 

If you have the bucks ($549!), the new PC P&C 1KW-SR (Single Rail: +12V@72A) is one of "THE BEST PSU's MADE".

 

My personal choice for "BEST BANG for the BUCK" is the OCZ GXS 600W for about $85!

 

One special note, if you require extreme quiet the the new Seasonic M-12 600W/700W should be available soon!.

 

DFI REQUIRES native 24-pin ATX molex & 480W for all the DFI N4 mobos.

http://www.dfi-street.com/forum/showpost.p...22&postcount=34

"A" List for SLI & Expert PSU's:

These are KNOWN to work well with DFI N4 mobos, DFI ATI motherboards, including Expert, Venus, RDX200, CFX3200-DR!!

 

Antec True Power Trio TP3-550 ATX12V 550W Power Supply with Three 12V Rails

(Personally tested by Happy_Games...excellent psu. Can easily recommend for X1900/7900 Crossfire/SLI!)

 

PC P&C 510 ASL: http://www.pcpowercooling.com/products/vie...&view=techspecs

Only the 510 ASL model has the 8-pin (+12V) EPS connector REQUIRED for newer mobos!

$229: http://www.pcpowercooling.com/prices/

 

OCZ PowerStream 600W WARNING: The OCZ Powerstream 600w is a fantastic power supply but it is NOT recommended for X1900XT/7900GTX or newer Crossfire/SLI. Avoid if you plan on using them in X1900XT Crossfire or 7900GTX SLI, or any newer Crossfire/SLI setup! Other than this particular combination (Crossfire X1900 / SLI 7900 or newer), the OCZ 600w Powerstream is a fantastic psu and is highly recommended.

http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/powe...am_power_supply

From $179: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?tiled=1&...=Search+Froogle

 

These power supplies are MORE than capable of ANY setup with a single video card, 7900GT SLI, X1800XT Crossfire, or lower.

 

Enermax 600W (New) Noisetaker 600W EG701AX-VE (W)

From: $145: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?tiled=1&...=Search+Froogle

 

OCZ PowerStream 520W SLI Ready

http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/powe...idia_sli_ready_

From $109: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?tiled=1&...=Search+Froogle

 

Enermax 535W FMA 535W

From $61: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=Enerma...ne&sa=N&start=0

 

Sparkle 550W (EPS) FSP550-60PLG

http://www.sparklepower.com/pdf/FSP550-60PLG.pdf

From $71: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?tiled=1&...=Search+Froogle

 

Fortron 550W (EPS) FSP550-60PLN

http://www.home2000.net/client/fspgroupusa...?linenumber=126

From $79: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?tiled=1&...=Search+Froogle

"A" List for Non-SLI / Non-Expert PSU's: These are KNOWN to work well with DFI N4 mobos using mid-range to low-end SLI/Crossfire:

 

Antec NeoPower NeoHE 550 ATX12V 550W Power Supply

(personally tested thoroughly by Happy_Games and it is an excellent psu. Not recommended for highest-end SLI/Crossfire (X1900 / 7900))

 

HIPER HPU-4K580-MS ATX12V 580W Power Supply

(personally tested by Happy_Games. No 8-pin EPS connector so not recommended for any board with the 8-pin EPS connect. Works most excellent in any other system. Not recommended for high-end Crossfire/SLI but will handle any overclocked system with any single high-end video card, or any mid-range to low-end SLI *7600, 6600, X1600 Xfire, etc*)

Very High Power & Very High $$$

 

PC P&C Turbo-Cool 1KW-SR (Single Rail: +12V@72A)

$549: http://www.pcpower.com/products/viewproduc...&view=techspecs

 

Zippy PSL 6850P 850W (+12V@60A)

Specs: http://www.zippy.com.tw/P_PRODUCT_DETAIL.a...br=3&lv_rfnbr=2

From $322: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?sourceid...nline&scoring=p

 

Very High Power for Fewer $$$

 

PC P&C Silencer 750 EPS12V 750W

Up to +12V@60A: http://www.pcpowercooling.com/products/vie...&view=techspecs

$199: http://www.pcpowercooling.com/prices/

 

PC P&C Silencer Silencer 610 EPS12V 610W

Up to +12V@49A: http://www.pcpowercooling.com/products/vie...&view=techspecs

$159: http://www.pcpowercooling.com/prices/

 

My personal choice for "BEST BANG for the BUCK" is the OCZ GXS 600W for about $85!

These quality brands offer "known good" PSU's,

however not every power supply they offer will meet your needs,

be especially careful to make sure that the +12V rail(s) offer a

Minimum of +12V@26A for Single Video Card Systems & +12V@34A for Dual Video Card (SLI) Systems.

 

Our Most Recommended PSU: OCZ Technology GameXStream 600W/700W

 

Class 1: These are the Best: PC Power & Cooling (All Turbo Cool & ULTRA-QUIET SILENCER 610W & 750W), Seasonic (S-12, S-12E+, M-12), Corsair, Silverstone (Zeus models ST56ZF, ST75ZF, and ST85ZF), Etasis & Zippy.

 

Class 2: Antec, Enermax, Enhance, Fortron (FSP), Hiper (Type-M 670W & 730W & Type-R 730W), I-Star, Mushkin, OCZ Technology,

PC Power & Cooling, Seasonic, Silverstone, Sparkle, Tagan, Thermaltake ToughPower (Only the ToughPower Line!), Vantec & XCilo.

 

Class 3: Hiper (Type-R 580W, 530W & 480W) & Sunbeam.

 

Unless we specifically recommend a PSU, please do not buy it,

as we only recommend PSU's that we have actually tested with DFI mobos!

These are the Modular PS's:

 

PC Power & Cooling Turbo Cool 510 (Modded by Performance-PCS)

+12V@34A, +5VSB@3A

From $279: http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/pro...c79e557c87df484

 

Corsair HX 620W (My #1 Choice for Uber/Quad SLI/CF!)

Specs: http://www.corsairmemory.com/corsair/HX_power_supply.html

Up to +12V@50A, +5VSB@3A

From $151: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?sourceid...nline&scoring=p

 

Corsair HX 520W (My #1 Choice for everything else!)

Specs: http://www.corsairmemory.com/corsair/HX_power_supply.html

Up to +12V@40A, +5VSB@3A

From $105: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=Corsai...nline&scoring=p

 

Antec Neo HE 550W

Up to +12V@42A

Specs: http://www.antec.com/specs/NeoHE550_spe.html

From $96: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=Antec+...nline&scoring=p

 

Antec Neo HE 500W (Best Bang for the Buck!)

Up to +12V@38A

Specs: http://www.antec.com/specs/NeoHE500_spe.html

From $79: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=Antec+...nline&scoring=p

 

OCZ ModStream 520W (Non-SLI/CF Only)

+12V@28A

Specs: http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/powe...am_power_supply

From $80: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=OCZ+Mo...nline&scoring=p

 

Hiper Type R 580W (Not for Highend SLI/CF)

Max Combined +12V@30A

Specs: http://www.hipergroup.com/English/products/hpu-4k580.html

From $95: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=Hiper+...nline&scoring=p

 

NOT recommended for high-end setups (ie: dual core cpu + SLI/Crossfire), but still recommended for most low-end/mid-level setups:

 

XCLIO GOODPOWER 500W ATX 500W

$49: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16817189005

 

Enermax 485W Noisetaker EG495AX-SFMA20

From $75: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?sourceid...ker&sa=N&tab=wf

 

Frotron Blue Storm 500W (AX500-A)

http://www.home2000.net/client/fspgroupusa...?linenumber=195

From $75: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=Fortro...=Search+Froogle

 

Antec TRUEPOWERII TPII-480 BLUE ATX12V 480W

From $80: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?sourceid...480&sa=N&tab=wf

 

Antec TRUEPOWERII TPII-550 550W

From $85: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=Antec+...50W&btnG=Search

 

Antec True Control 2.0 550W

From $105: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=Antec+...50W&btnG=Search

 

Antec TRUEPOWER EPS12V/ ATX 12 Ver. 2.0 550W

From $87: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=Antec+...50W&btnG=Search

 

UK/EU Best Punch for Pound PSUs: http://forums.extremeoverclocking.com/show...5&postcount=642

These are Very Quiet PSU's:

 

NOT recommended for high-end setups (ie: dual core cpu + SLI/Crossfire)

 

SeaSonic S12-500 ATX12V 500W

From $105: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=SeaSon...00W&btnG=Search

 

SeaSonic S12-600 ATX12V 600W

From $140: http://froogle.google.com/froogle?sourceid...00W&sa=N&tab=wf

 

One special note, if you require extreme quiet & very high power the the new Seasonic M-12 600W/700W should be available soon!.

 

Seasonic: http://www.seasonicusa.com/

 

REMEMBER NATIVE 24-PIN ATX CONNECTOR & 480W's OR MORE!

 

More info is always available here: http://forums.extremeoverclocking.com/show...02&page=1&pp=20

 

Work in progress ... adding more ... Suggestions welcome.

 

Useful Info:

 

PSU Brands to Avoid! http://www.dfi-street.com/forum/showthread.php?t=29248

 

ALWAYS UN-PLUG THE PSU POWER CORD BEFORE OPENING CASE!

 

Problems? Don't power any fans through the fan headers. This has solved several problems!

 

PSU’s for Future GPU’s! http://www.dfi-street.com/forum/showthread.php?t=65949

 

PSU’s: The Best of the Best of the Best! http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1104880

 

SLI & Crossfire Power Supplies: http://forums.extremeoverclocking.com/show...5&postcount=234

 

Cheap, but Good PSU's: http://forums.extremeoverclocking.com/show...3&postcount=197

(Not for DFI High-Performance Mobos)

 

High Amperage +12V Single Rail PSU's: http://www.dfi-street.com/forum/showthread...7656#post217656

 

Dave's Guide to Modular PSU's: http://www.jonnyguru.com/forums/showthread.php?t=142

 

PLUG IN ALL OF THE POWER CONNECTORS: http://www.dfi-street.com/forum/showpost.p...81&postcount=15

 

Pic of where to plug the 4 power connectors: http://www.dfi-street.com/forum/showpost.p...734&postcount=3

 

FDD Power Cable Splitter ($1.69): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16812101106

 

[Expert] p4 (4-pin, +12V) to EPS (8-pin, +12V) Adaptor: http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/ind...roducts_id=3204

THIS IS NOT DFI RECOMMENDED! Use for testing only!

 

How to Jump-Start an ATX PSU: http://forums.extremeoverclocking.com/show...ad.php?t=118964

 

How to test/read your rails/voltages: http://forums.extremeoverclocking.com/show...ad.php?t=137886

 

How to make fans run at 12V, 7V & 5V: http://forums.extremeoverclocking.com/show...4&postcount=297

 

A64 NF4 and NF3 Power Supply Requirements: Amps and Split Rails:

http://www.dfi-street.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7619

 

Max load on fan headers for N4: http://www.dfi-street.com/forum/showpost.p...58&postcount=12

 

Here is the 'official' DFI way of clearing the CMOS: http://www.dfi-street.com/forum/showpost.p...0&postcount=837

 

Here are the most accurate & respected PSU Calculators on the web &

they allow for OVER CLOCKING which greatly increases the power demands.

 

http://takaman.jp/D/index.html?english

 

http://www.extreme.outervision.com/

 

PC P&C Power Supply Selector: http://www.pcpowercooling.com/products/pow...plies/selector/

 

PSU Test You Can Trust, by jonnyGURU: http://www.jonnyguru.com/

 

SLI and CrossFire Push Power Supplies to the Limit: http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,1932949,00.asp

 

Why the 480W Minimum Requirement? These are the Perfect Examples!

 

Thermaltake 480W SilentPurePower: ONLY +12V@18A!

http://www.thermaltake.com/purepower/W001314.htm

 

Thermaltake PurePower 560W: ONLY +12V@22A!

http://www.thermaltake.com/purepower/W0023.htm

 

Why do people buy these? :confused:

 

There are PSU's for under $30/$40 in the "Complete PSU Guide" with more +12V amperage!

 

These 2 TT PSU's are the "poster children" for DFI's 480W+ requirement &

based on these it should be a 600W+ requirement!

 

Roundup: 14 Power Supply Units from Thermaltake: http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/other/dis...su-roundup.html

Enjoy!

[supershanks]

Found this interestingPSU Recommendations for High End Gaming PC's

[Angry_Games]

Found this interestingPSU Recommendations for High End Gaming PC's

 

it will definitely be a nice change to not have to constantly recommend $100+ psu's for DFI systems.

 

I still will refuse to recommend anything like ULtra or Aspire unless they make something quality, but now we'll be able to test the $35-$75 range since we will get to try them on a good number of setups for all range of users.

[supershanks]

I still will refuse to recommend anything like ULtra or Aspire unless they make something quality, but now we'll be able to test the $35-$75 range since we will get to try them on a good number of setups for all range of users.

Sounds like a plan:cool: . Guru runs some interesting reviews.

[thefabe]

Well I don't know how much stock to put into this guide line but here is a power usage estimator link if you'll think it's worth having http://extreme.outervision.com/psucalculator.jsp As well as a basic power supply tutorial. long winded one at that http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/printpage/181/1

[Angry_Games]

I got to admit I just don't put any thought into these 'psu calculators'.

 

I tend to live along the lines of "I will buy something that I know is good, which means a $30 psu is not going to power my SLI or Core2".

 

ie based on the cpu and gpu I am running is how i choose a psu. There's no real rhyme or reason, its just experience.

 

I've seen some kick-butt $50 psu's. I've seen some mega-horrible $120 psu's.

 

brand/quality is more important than the sticker on the psu giving out it's specs.

 

This is why we trust OCZ, Corsair, PCP&C, Fortron, etc, and we don't trust Aspire, Ultra, Rosewill, etc.

[k€lticknight]

got me new ocz gamestream 850 watt psu:)

[Pihrana]

I bought the Seasonic S12 600W, based on reviews from the likes of TomsHardware, Viperlair, bytesizedreviews, Hexus, silentpcreview, custompc and PCSTATS to name a few.......

 

In all these tests its been able to show just how good it is........ However, in the DFI street recommendations its NOT recommended for Dual Core +SLI setups.......... Im not running SLI (Yet) but i am having issues with PRIME95 STABILITY !! Could the PSU be my problem ?

[ZOldDude]

Basicly if it is not DFI accepted it is crap.

 

By the way those Ultra PSU's -ARE- crap and I had two 600's die on me in 24 hours and sent the whole shipment back.

You can't pay me (well perhaps if you offered enough) to even accept a shipment of them for any company I might work for....but I would end up still sending them all back!

[Coors]

Basicly if it is not DFI accepted it is crap.

 

I don't think I would go as far as to say that. Lower end pc's do not have the same power requirements as a DFI.

[ZOldDude]

I don't think I would go as far as to say that. Lower end pc's do not have the same power requirements as a DFI.

 

But that does not make the PSU any better does it?

 

By the way....what is a "lower end" PC today?

 

I used to mostly only use ASUS and Antec to build high end computers yet today I would never use either of them.

 

I would call Antec a 3'rd tier PSU today.

ASUS would be a non use item for me period.