New PC Build - Log

[Charlie]

Hi all,


I need to get a new PSU for my main desktop PC and would like to know what you prefer/use in the 600-750W range - Also if you have a less/greater watt+ one, please share your views and experience about it too.

I was looking at the following:

Corsair: CX600, TX650, TX650M, HX650 or HX750 - All increasing in price and specs, my rig is not high spec at the mo' but I am upgrading it step by step due to lack of funds, so getting a too low spec PSU now would mean I would need to replace in 6 months to 1 year as the other old PC parts are upgraded. Budget is £50-75

TIA

[suggsy89]

I would advise a high quality 650w dual rail modular PSU, on average that will be enough.

Modular because you can use the cables you need, and not have any lying around in your case.

650w because you really wont need any more than that, processors are so eficient these days, and the only thing that may eat up the power is if you have a high performance graphics gard for gaming or video processing.

Dual rail because the power output will generaly be more balanced so more stable than a single rail.

I have a 700w unbranded PSU and it has served me well, i ran an overclocked crossfire setup for a while when i re-built my pc last and it was fine. Still using it now lol

[Charlie]

Cheers @suggsy89, I would like a modular PSU, but the cost just goes up a lot, not considered a dual rail one, I think I should be fine with a single rail, unless a dual rail one is the same/cheaper price.

Cable management should not be an issue as I getting a Fractal Design Arc Midi case this week that was on offer and I had a voucher for too. Still prefer to not have excess cables, I am a bit of a stickler for tidy cables.

[Trashcooky]

Hi Charlie, I had to change my own PSU simply because I have so many usb external devices.
I went for a 650 watt from Maplins but as suggsy implies in his suggestions you do get what you pay for.

[Charlie]

Hi Charlie, I had to change my own PSU simply because I have so many usb external devices.
I went for a 650 watt from Maplins but as suggsy implies in his suggestions you do get what you pay for.

Cheers TC, I forgot to factor in external devices, I was focused on the internal ones.

EDIT:- This is the Arc Midi case that I am getting.

[Trashcooky]

EDIT:- This is the Arc Midi case that I am getting.

My Gosh Charlie, eight fan slots!!! just what are you building a hovercraft.

[Charlie]

EDIT:- This is the Arc Midi case that I am getting.

My Gosh Charlie, eight fan slots!!! just what are you building a hovercraft.

Yep, just incase I don't fancy taking the car out, hehe

Not really going to use them all, just 3-4 to start, I like the option to add watercooling with this case, if I get funds to do it and need to at some point.

Edit: Also a good case to mod.

[Charlie]

Sorry of topic here, I have news on the new PC case:-

I ordered the Arc midi case from Amazon late on Monday night and used the free supper saver delivery option and was not expecting the case to arrive until 1st May - Then to my surprise I checked on Amazon this morning and it showed it due for delivery on the 27th April, but it turned up here at 1.30pm today.

Pleased to say the outer box was not damage and checking the case there was no major damage, only a small scratch on the base of the case that can not be seen and I touched it up with a black cd marker pen. Also a little bit of glue residue on the HDD bay that came off easily.

Overall very please with the case, 9.5 out of 10 and a big bonus the case was £65.64 when I bought it (price keeps changing on Amazon) and I had a £25 Amazon gift voucher, so a damn good case for me at only £40.64 & free delivery.

[Mitre]

have you built before from scratch or just upgraded good luck with it all

[Charlie]

have you built before from scratch or just upgraded good luck with it all

Both, but not built from scratch for a fair few years. This project is starting out as a Fankensiten build due to lack of funds, going to be loads of fun tho'.

Here are 2 badly taken photos I have just taken, shows the removable 4 HDD bay out and an extra fan that I brought a few months back too.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18307166/arc/SL272380.JPG

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18307166/arc/SL272382.JPG