Following on from these earlier threads http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=267651 and more recently http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=270375 I have decided that I am not completely comfortable with my present PSU wattage (SST-ST60F-P PSU) so looking to upgrade. I have three that I have short listed: Be Quiet! Pure Power 730W http://www.cclonline.com/product/95...ower-Supply-730-Watts-80-Plus-Bronze/PSU0455/ Corsair CX750M http://www.cclonline.com/product/10...0-Watt-ATX-Modular-Power-Supply-Unit/PSU0532/ Silverstone Strider Plus 750W http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-231-SV I will add that I have the Short Cable Set for SilverStone PSU Strider Series which with the size of the Corsair 540 I do not currently use. But this case is perhaps bigger than I would like in fact I am looking at the new Parvums. So buying the Silverstone would seem the logical choice. But I am prepared to be convinced otherwise. The prices for the above is around where I want to be so anything else around that point also considered. Thanks.
What in particular are you concerned about matey? By my rough calculation you will struggle to get your rig to drink much over 450W from the wall, and your PSU is guaranteed to output 600W at 40°C, 24/7. It can even push to 700W for short periods of time. That's essentially what most PSU manufacturers class as a 700W unit. As far as I can see, the reasons for upgrading would be: 1) Features 2) Efficiency 3) Noise 4) Power In that order. Still, I'm hardly one to talk with a £100 460W PSU, so upgrade away! One thing I would say is that Silverstone are wonderfully honest with their PSU specs, and if they can't guarantee every unit will hit a certain level of performance, they downgrade the whole product line for transparency.
I think if you read my thread (first link) above there is conflicting advice. And although I respect your superior knowledge I am just a little bit uncomfortable with 600W as opposed to a 700W PSU. So whereas one side of me is saying that you and others are very likely right in your assertion that my PSU is adequate another side is saying why take even the smallest risk, plus I had a little windfall so have some spare cash. Cheers Nick, I will give it a day or so for other views and then make a decision. I am trying to be a little more diserning in my purchase/upgrades as I recently bought a V Gene and I am uncomfortable with the sandwich positions of the GPU's so it might mean that I will need to resell the V Gene. LOL.
Of course Glenn, I am fairly new to the topic myself. However, at the likely loads you will be drawing during gaming you will be hovering around 89-91% efficiency on the Strider. My advice would be to drop a tenner on something like this, and monitor just how much juice your rig pulls - you'll be surprised just how little it actually is! It took Metro: Last Light at max settings to coax over 300W out of my sig rig (and I was including the monitor and speakers in this figure, which obviously aren't drawing load for the PSU). Assuming your rig draws about the same + 150W for the extra 670, that's where I landed at 450W. You might get closer to 550W if you were mining/benchmarking, but your current PSU would still be happy with that.
I'd like to recommend the EVGA PSU in my sig. Been fantastic so far and is a decent price, is quiet, stable and fully modular.
To be honest, you would know if your PSU was at its limit because it would shut off under load. So you are worrying over nothing mate. If you read the spec on the side of your PSU it will tell you what the maximum capacity it can produce. Mine is actually rated to 1250w even though it's marketed ss a 1KW PSU. I'd imagine yours will say 700w at a guess.
Right, a quick search, and the maximum power out put combined is 739w. These guys did some test and pulled 720W from the PSU and it still remained cool and quiet at 42C. Clicky It's up to you, but I personally think you would be wasting your money.
I have probably decided not to go the upgrade route guys. I am going to hammer the PC with some stress testing once my new toy as suggested by the shirty fellow arrives. I am somewhat glad as a PSU is not upgrade that gives much pleasure as a bigger monitor would or some extra bling. Which I am trying to add with a chromed/mirrored 92mm fan. Thanks all again.
No worries, don't forget to post some pic's on the power draw when stressing it hard. 3DMarks and the like are very good at stressing the GPU's hard.
