difference between mod and non-mod psu?

[RemJay24]

Looking to get a good deal on a PSU for a while now, but am considering:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817182263

looks like a great deal, but maybe overkill being a gold? The pc I'm building has:
gtx 760, z87 board, i5-4670k, SSD, 8gb ram... according to pcpartpicker - the wattage wasn't even 400w. Though I'm unfamiliar how well Rosewill is, but I would like a 550w+ if I wish to upgrade in the future.

My friend whose going to help me put it together is worried about a modular PSU being riskier to have; even though its more convenient with not needing every cable. Are modular PSU's more prone to issues later on?

[Fluorescent0]

No, modular PSUs don't have higher chance of failing. Rosewill is a solid brand as well, and their Capstone line especially is pretty much the best they have on the market.

[RemJay24]

then whats the advantage of buying a non-mod PSU? Usually cheaper and builders won't need to worry about which cables to use?

[tielknight]

then whats the advantage of buying a non-mod PSU? Usually cheaper and builders won't need to worry about which cables to use?

Non-Modular are usually cheaper and simpler to install as all the cables are ready to go. Modular PSU's are generally more expensive(by a small amount, usually $10+ over the non-modular variant), though they give you the option of only having the cables you need hooked-up and not cluttering up your case(and messing with your airflow).

[chazus]

I know it's not in regard to your question, but personally I wouldn't get that PSU. There are cheaper, just as good, same wattage PSUs out there.

[tielknight]

I know it's not in regard to your question, but personally I wouldn't get that PSU. There are cheaper, just as good, same wattage PSUs out there.

$80 isn't too bad. Cheapest 600W+ 80+ Gold PSU(not counting the Thermaltake TP series, which is $10 cheaper but i've heard bad things about that series). Although, you can get a XFX Pro 750W for about $5 more, but that uses a $20 mail-in-rebate while the Rosewill has a promo code.

Though a 80+ Bronze PSU like the EVGA Supernova 750W(good rebranded* PSU) is generally a decent option as well. Same goes for the Corsair CX series(newer models are a good rebrand* like the Supernova) if I recall correctly.


*going off of what i've heard and form a few reviews i saw in the past, the CX series got a reboot a while back and the Supernova line was a re-brand of something like FSP Group or someone like that.

[chazus]

$80 isn't too bad.

Ah, I didn't see the $20 coupon code. Personally I'd prefer to go cheaper but you can't do much. However XFX 650's are on sale almost constantly for like $55

the Supernova line was a re-brand of something like FSP Group or someone like that.

Correct. All of EVGA's "NEX Supernova" PSU's from 650-1000w are made by FSP and should be considered very good.

[RemJay24]

Now considering going with a lower wattage and cheaper... are these decent enough PSU's:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817116017 (NZXT HALE82-N NP-1BN-0550A-US 550W)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817153172 (Thermaltake SMART Series SP-550PCBUS 550W)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817182199 (Rosewill Green Series RG530-S12 530W)

even the Corsair CX500 is cheap at the moment. ($30 after rebate). You guys mentioned the CX series is a reboot/rebrand? What does that mean?

Thanks!


for reference; PSU is my last item to buy. This what I have:

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler
Motherboard: Asus Z87-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory
Storage: Intel 530 Series 180GB 2.5" Solid State Disk
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card
Case: Thermaltake Chaser A31 Snow White ATX Mid Tower Case
Power Supply: ???
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - OEM (64-bit)

Wattage = 368 (according to pcpartpicker)

[Fluorescent0]

Heh, go for a Rosewill Hive 550W. At 50$, it's a better unit.

[chazus]

You guys mentioned the CX series is a reboot/rebrand? What does that mean?

The Corsair CX line has traditionally been a poor power supply, despite the fact that almost everything else Corsair makes is top notch (effectively tricking people into thinking the CX is good). Reboot/rebrand implies that it's someone elses (a better manufacturer) with Corsair's sticker on it.

However, I can't find much evidence of this, and I hear just as many people saying "Its still bad" as those saying "Its good now that its not made by COrsair, and previous problems are gone"

[Deleted]

I use platinum PSU, its heat waste is so low i can't believe it.

[tielknight]

The Corsair CX line has traditionally been a poor power supply, despite the fact that almost everything else Corsair makes is top notch (effectively tricking people into thinking the CX is good). Reboot/rebrand implies that it's someone elses (a better manufacturer) with Corsair's sticker on it.

However, I can't find much evidence of this, and I hear just as many people saying "Its still bad" as those saying "Its good now that its not made by COrsair, and previous problems are gone"

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...ze,3587-5.html

The CX500 got some good marks and has some decent-quality components(according to the review) as well.

I use platinum PSU, its heat waste is so low i can't believe it.

Heat waste?

[RemJay24]

I went with the Rosewill 550M Captstone.

It was one of today's "shell shocker" on newegg. $55 after the rebate.
Thanks for all the responses and clarifications. I've sure learned a lot these last 2 weeks looking for a PSU.

[chazus]

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...ze,3587-5.htmlHeat waste?

Everything wastes some power as heat. However I don't think this is something documented at all in PSU's. It is not the Bronze Silver Gold Platinum rating system, which is the AC DC conversion. However I imagine a platinum PSU ought to be good on heat regardless

The question is.. How much did he spend on a platinum PSU? It's silly to spend $150 on a 650w PSU when you're only saving about $5 a year.

I went with the Rosewill 550M Captstone. $55 after the rebate.

That's a pretty good deal on there, then. I think I spent about 70 on my Seasonic 520.