Modular vs Non-Modular PSU for a first build system

[sannta]

Hey, I'm going to be building my first system and have been reading around and asking plenty of people and I've got 90% of my system set in stone, what it's come down to is the PSU. I was set on the 650TX from Corsair, but I'm now not sure if I'm going to want the modular SeaSonic X650 or the Corsair. I would love to have your advice on this, here is my system build:

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

GIGABYTE GA-P55A-UD3 LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

SAPPHIRE 100314SR Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity

Intel Core i5-760 Lynnfield 2.8GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80605I5760

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

ASUS Black 24X DVD+R

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7 compatible RR-B10-212P-G1 120mm "heatpipe direct contact" Long life sleeve CPU Cooler

and

CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
vs
SeaSonic X650 Gold 650W ATX12V V2.3/EPS 12V V2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

Thanks in advance for any responses, and if you have any questions for me, feel free to ask!

 

[mjw21a]

I've personally found in many cases a modular PSU can be more messy than a regular fixed cable PSU. This tends to come down to the cable configuration options though. After Recently upgrading to a Super Flower Golden Green PSU I found that the included modular cables did allow me to cut down on the cables in the case for a change. Also, it seems to be completely inaudible, just as my old Corsair HX520 was (a Seasonic made unit).

I can confidently recommend the Super Flower Golden Green series and and other series based on it (NZXT Hale90 or Kingwin Lazer Gold series).

Both the NZXT Hale90 and Kingwin Lazer Gold series have been tested by JonnyGuru and done extremely well in testing. The Kingwin unit in particular is much better value than the Seasonic. You can actually go for an 850W unit for around the same price.

650W NZXT Hale90 - $119.99 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817116010&cm_re=hale-_-17-116-010-_-Product

700W Kingwin Lazer Gold - $119.99 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...077&cm_re=kingwin_gold-_-17-121-077-_-Product

850W Kingwin Lazer Gold - $144.99 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...076&cm_re=kingwin_gold-_-17-121-076-_-Product

Out of the two units you listed I'd go with the Seasonic unit, or if you wanted to go Corsair look at the HX modular series. These are 80+ Silver rated PSU's, made by Seasonic up to the 850W model.

 

[Exempt]

I would go with the Corsair hands down, not sure if it's just me but I've never heard of the seasonic, however I love modular over fixed cables, for the price of the sea sonic thoughnyou should easily be able to get a reputable name brand psu.

 

[mjw21a]

I would go with the Corsair hands down, not sure if it's just me but I've never heard of the seasonic, however I love modular over fixed cables, for the price of the sea sonic thoughnyou should easily be able to get a reputable name brand psu.

You're joking right? Half of Corsairs units are made by Seasonic. Seasonic makes some of the best power supplies on the market.

The X series is particularly good

 

[RollingThunder]

Hey, I'm going to be building my first system and have been reading around and asking plenty of people and I've got 90% of my system set in stone, what it's come down to is the PSU. I was set on the 650TX from Corsair, but I'm now not sure if I'm going to want the modular SeaSonic X650 or the Corsair. I would love to have your advice on this, here is my system build:

Antec Nine Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

GIGABYTE GA-P55A-UD3 LGA 1156 Intel P55 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

SAPPHIRE 100314SR Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity

Intel Core i5-760 Lynnfield 2.8GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80605I5760

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

ASUS Black 24X DVD+R

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7 compatible RR-B10-212P-G1 120mm "heatpipe direct contact" Long life sleeve CPU Cooler

and

CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
vs
SeaSonic X650 Gold 650W ATX12V V2.3/EPS 12V V2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

Thanks in advance for any responses, and if you have any questions for me, feel free to ask!

Sannta,

"A rule of thumb:" If you're not going SLI, modulars are just fine. If you're going to ever go SLI, then you'll use most all of your cables anyhow so it makes no difference.

For my light-duty machines, I'm modular on both (HX520 Corsairs). Unused cables are packed away in the bag and out of the way. This works for me.

Seasonic or Corsair are top end so that choice is easy.

 

[mjw21a]

Sannta,

"A rule of thumb:" If you're not going SLI, modulars are just fine. If you're going to ever go SLI, then you'll use most all of your cables anyhow so it makes no difference.

For my light-duty machines, I'm modular on both (HX520 Corsairs). Unused cables are packed away in the bag and out of the way. This works for me.

Seasonic or Corsair are top end so that choice is easy.

Agreed, though I still think you get the best value with one of the Kingwin units. Check out the review by Oklahoma Wolf over at JonnyGuru:

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=206

 

[sannta]

Thanks for all the advice guys, I think I'll be going with the KINGWIN LZG-700 GOLD 700W ATX 12V v2.2 mjw21a. Regarding SLI RollingThunder, as you can see I'm going with the 6870, and have no plans of going crossfire or getting nVidia and going SLI in this system, but thanks for the tip, that's good to know.

 

[RollingThunder]

Thanks for all the advice guys, I think I'll be going with the KINGWIN LZG-700 GOLD 700W ATX 12V v2.2 mjw21a. Regarding SLI RollingThunder, as you can see I'm going with the 6870, and have no plans of going crossfire or getting nVidia and going SLI in this system, but thanks for the tip, that's good to know.

You made a good choice, there are many. Many ask about a power supply after they bought one but you did your homework beforehand.

Nice rig you're building and good luck with it. Post back when it's finished?

 

[mjw21a]

Very nice, I hope we some some pictures of your build when its finished hey? Looks like a pretty sweet little system you're putting together.

 

[sannta]

absolutely I'll post back with some build pictures, and potentially cookies for you mjw21a and RollingThunder!

 

[mjw21a]

So long as they're not tracking cookies

Look forward to the build pics though.