$100 PSU Options for SLI

[live4game]

Hello all! I look forward to productive interaction with some fellow enthusiasts.

I am in the middle of a $1K Ivy Bridge Build from scratch and I am stuck on a number of PSU options. The PSU must be able to power 1 GTX 570 now, and I would like to power 2 in the near future. For now, here is my wish list:

http://cart.microcenter.com/cart.aspx
Let me know if this list can be viewed. The components are all very power efficient and should allow a quality 750W PSU to drive a dual GTX 570 SLI configuration. For those of you who do not think a 750W PSU would be sufficient, please read: http://www.guru3d.com/article/geforce-gtx-570-sli-review/13

The PSU options I am stuck on:

1. Thermaltake SMART 750W Modular -
Price ~ $99.99 ($79.99 after rebate) http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0383021

Review ~ http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Thermaltake/Smart_M_750W/

2. OCZ Fatal1ty 750W Modular -
Price ~ $99.99 ($74.99 after rebate + $15 off w/ promo code EMCNDHH26, ends 6/28) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341041

Review ~ http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/OCZ-Fatal1ty-750-W-Power-Supply-Review/1019/1

3. OCZ ZT 750W Modular -
Price ~ $99.99 (79.99 after rebate) http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0377236

Review ~ http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/OCZ/ZT_750W/

4. Antec EarthWatts 750W Green -
Price ~ $94.99 ($74.99 after rebate) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371051

Review ~ http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2011/09/21/what-is-the-best-600w-psu/2

5. Sparkle Magna Gold 750W -
Price ~ $114.64 shipped http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817103080

Review ~ http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/38...old_class_750w_power_supply_review/index.html

6. Rosewill CAPSTONE 750W
Price ~ $109.99 (15% off w/ promo code RW15PSU06, ends 6/28) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182073

Review ~ http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Rosewill/CAPSTONE-750-M/
-and- http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story5&reid=266

7. FSP AURIUM GOLD 700W -
Price ~ $130.98 shipped http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104099

Review ~ http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/FSP-Aurum-Gold-700-Power-Supply-Review/1228

8. PC Power and Cooling Silencer MK II 750W
Price ~ $109.99 ($89.99 after rebate) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703027

Review ~ http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/arti...Silencer-Mk-II-750-W-Power-Supply-Review/1030

9. SilverStone Strider 750W Modular -
Price ~ $144.71 shipped ($134.71 after rebate) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256059

Review ~ http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/911

This list is a bit exhausting and I apologize. I prefer modular since I will be building a micro ATX system. Since there are so many models out that are super efficient in the same price range, I am willing to go with traditional cables if it results in better system functionality. The FSP and SilverStone models are quite a bit over my initial $100 PSU limit but I posted them in order to see if you guys really think they are worth springing for. I am open to other PSU suggestions.

 

[Supertrucker]

Well, i dont know about recovering your post, but there are a few nice options around the hundred dollar mark for quality 750w psu's that should run most 2 card/2 gpu setups. Hard to say for sure without knowing what you plan to sli but

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182073

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139021

are both solid units.

 

[manu2b]

For the last gen video cards (AMD 7xxx and nVidia 6xx) they are both very good choices.

BUT, if you run previous gen high end cards (6970s or 580s, 250W each@stock) you'd better go with a 850W unit.

Depending on your CPU of course: an OCed 2500/[email protected] suck around 120/130W, but an OCed [email protected] is more like 200W.

 

[live4game]

Thanks, fellas. I like the 2 750W posted earlier. I prefer modular since the system I am planning will be micro ATX. However, since the Rosewill is gold certified, will it power my system more cleanly, perhaps even allowing for more stable overclocks?

I am in the middle of gathering parts for a $1k Ivy Bridge build. I plan on getting a GTX 570 and perhaps another down the road as games become more graphic intensive at 1080p. There seems to be a large price gap between 750 and 850W PSUs. According to this article, http://guru3d.com/article/geforce-gtx-570-sli-review/13, a 750W SHOULD serve my future needs just fine, especially considering the 77W 3570K I plan on using. I also plan to use an SSD and an external USB hard drive. Is a 850W PSU still a good idea because it wouldn't run as hot and last longer, allowing the chances of fried equipment to be minimized?

On the slightly cheaper side, these 3 PSU are also on my mind:

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0383021

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0377236

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0335913

Are they in anyway as good as the Corsair TX series or Rosewill Capstone?

 

[live4game]

Cheaper Budget Option

Cheaper is also another option. The TX-381 case I am getting includes an OEM 300W PSU for $13 more: http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0330535

I was thinking of saving myself over $200 dollars in power and graphics and just sliding by with an HD 7770 and this crappy 300W unit, until I can get the new 6 series from Nvidia at a cheaper price, or maybe even a $150 GTX 570 down the road .

On an Ivy Bridge build with an 256GB Crucial M4 SSD, 2 x 4GB DDR3 1600, one DVD RW drive, and one HD 7770, would 300W cheap watts be enough?

I realize the night and day difference between the HD 7770 and the GTX 570, but $200 is a lot for me right now. To sum things up: $100 750W Quality PSU + $250 GTX 57013 - $13 300W OEM PSU + $130 HD 7770 = $207 saved.

Another couple of options:

1. Go without discrete graphics with that 300W POS (HD 4000 is playable until I save more money, right?)

2. Scrap the SSD and get a $100 HD, maybe a hybrid drive.

3. All of the above, which would result in a highly upgradeable build of a bit over $500. The reason it would be that cheap is mainly due to Micro's deal on the i5 3570K ($189.99) and an ASRock Z77 micro ATX board for $59.99 with the purchase of any K series cpu. This is no longer advertised on the website but when both are added to the cart, the Z77 board displays its discounted price from $109.99 to $59.99

 

[manu2b]

I would TOTALLY avoid this 300w nonsense: a good way to take your mobo and cpu with it when it dies!

 

[GoD_tattoo]

Agreed, it's like buying a brand new Ferrari, but putting in a Prius engine. Don't take chances on ruining the rest of your equipment by buying a cheap PSU. It's not worth it. If it is that tight, just wait a bit and save up some more money.

 

[live4game]

OK 300W OEM PSU idea scrapped. $100 is worth it to maintain system integrity. I would just spend $50 on a Corsair Builder Series or something but that would inhibit a future SLI upgrade, while also being a lower quality unit.

I have a bunch of options in mind:

1. OCZ Fatal1ty 750W Modular - $99.99 ($74.99 after rebate + 15% off w/ promo code EMCNDHH26, ends 6/28) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341041

2. Thermaltake SMART Series 750 Watt Modular - $99.99 ($79.99 after rebate) http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0383021

3. OCZ Technology ZT Series 750 Watt Modular - $99.99 ($79.99 after rebate) http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0377236

4. Sparkle Magna Gold 750W - $114.64 shipped http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817103080

5. FSP Group AURUM GOLD 600W - $114.64 shipped http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104098

6. Rosewill CAPSTONE 750W - $109.99 (15% off w/ promo code RW15PSU06, ends 6/28) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182073

7. PC Power and Cooling Silencer Mk II 750W - $109.99 ($89.99 after rebate) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703027

8. SilverStone Stryder Series 750W - $144.71 ($134.71 after rebate) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256059
*850W is only $5 more http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256058

All seem like quality PSUs to me. I prefer modular so I am leaning towards some of the first ones I on the list. I will sacrifice this preference if you guys think that the Gold and Silver rated PSUs would be better for my system. Are they truly better (cleaner power, perhaps allowing for better OCing?)? Are they just simply more efficient, allowing for only a bit of money saved on electricity? If it is the latter then shouldn't I just go with modular? Right now I want the Thermaltake SMART 750W because I can just pick it up at Micro with all my other parts. I read a couple of reviews that said the fans in both the OCZ ZT and Thermaltake SMART are both noisy. Is this an indication of a hot PSU?

To reiterate an unanswered question: According to this article, http://guru3d.com/article/geforce-gtx-570-sli-review/13, a 750W SHOULD serve my future needs just fine, especially considering the 77W 3570K I plan on using. I also plan to use an SSD and an external USB hard drive. Is a 850W PSU still a good idea because it wouldn't run as hot and last longer, allowing the chances of fried equipment to be minimized?

 

[Knufire]

I'd go with the OCZ ZT. If you're getting a new build, you can get that+120GB Agility 3 for $50 off on Newegg.

 

[live4game]

I'd go with the OCZ ZT. If you're getting a new build, you can get that+120GB Agility 3 for $50 off on Newegg.

It's really a 240GB!

Good find! This is the combo advertised: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.979974

I want to jump on that but I don't have the cash right now. I won't have the money until the middle of July. Maybe this, or a similar deal will be available at that time.

I've been shopping for a cheap SSD at this capacity for a month now. I read on another forum that the new Sandforce SF-2281 controllers are failing at a much higher rate than Marvel, and other controllers. Can anyone confirm this? Or is the failure rate not enough to be concerned with? I didn't see any warranty information about these drives, while the Vertex 4 has a 5-year warranty advertised: http://www.ocztechnology.com/ocz-vertex-4-sata-iii-2-5-ssd.html#overview Wassup wif dat?

 

[Automata]

Live4game, I got your first post back. Sorry about that, sometimes our spam filter is a little too zealous.

 

[Knufire]

It was an issue a few months back, they solved it with firmware upgrades.

There's three combos. $70 off the 240GB, $50 off the 120Gb, and $30 off the 60GB.

 

[wingman99]

+1 ZT Series 750 Watt Modular ATX Power Supply is a good PSU.

 

[Bobnova]

I'd go with the OCZ ZT 750 as well. I've tested two from that series now, they're good.

 

[live4game]

Thank you Thideras! From now on I won't be editing a post more than a few times. That should prevent losing everything. If I do I will just copy a long post onto a Word Doc. A quick message about this to new members would be helpful. Perhaps you could make this happen? It would be easier than restoring noobs' posts, after all ; ).

Would everyone here be comfortable powering a GTX 570 SLI configuration using the OCZ ZT 750W? The system shouldn't pull more than 600W according to this: http://guru3d.com/article/geforce-gtx-570-sli-review/13

I don't really need to spring for an 850W do I?

 

[wingman99]

The 750w will work fine for GTX 570 SLI .

 

[Mjolnir]

OCZ ZT 750w is plenty for 2 570s.

+1 to it's recommendation as well.

 

[live4game]

Thanks Bob. Your recommendation has a lot of weight considering your experience. Excellent work on your recent 7970 mod BTW. Thanks for posting a work log. I found it very interesting.

Thanks every one else for posting your opinions, as well. I'll keep my eyes on the OCZ ZT. It's a shame I can't jump on it right now.

 

[diaz]

If bob likes it, I would go with it.