Hello,
I'm in the (slow) process of building a PC, and while I know most of the hardware I'll use, the PSU is one of those parts I'm not yet sure about...
I thus am wondering about 2 things:
a) Since my rig will evolve around AM4, is there a point in going after the new(ish) kid on the block, namely ATX 3.0 ?
I can imagine that there's always the benefit of having the most recent technology and components, but would I "waste" those on not having state-of-the-art parts ?
There's also the matter of price, but we're not there yet 🤑
b) What wattage should I go after, considering my rig ?
Specifically:
- Ryzen 9 5900X
- Radeon RX 6900 XT
- GeForce GTX 670
- CPU Cooler: TBD, but possibly Noctua NH-D15
- 4 SSDs (mostly NVMe, possibly one SATA), give or take 1
- Maybe 1 phat SATA HDD 7200rpm
- Possibly a DVD (or BR) player
- Case fans: 6x140mm and 1x120mm (I might keep my ancient Scythes, even though they can get noisy if not kept in check)
- In case it can be relevant: on my current rig I'm using a Lamptron FC Touch to manage the fans
Most people will most likely get puzzled at the sight of mixing a GTX 670 with a 6900 XT, but the idea is to do some VFIO magic: the host will use the GTX 670 (I may have even older and less power-hungry GPUs lying around, but at least I know the 670 actually works), while the VM will have the 6900 for the heavy lifting.
When I enter those bits in Seasonic's <a href=" removed link " target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wattage Calculator (that's the only one I tried), they list a couple of
1200W models, and then goes all the way up to 1600W... 😣
If I remove the 670 (for the sake of trying to figure out the calculator), the "offers" start at 850W (still up to 1600W... milkers gotta milk).
I'm defiantly leaning towards 1000W, but if I knew what's what, I wouldn't be here, would I ? 😜
The corollary would then be to pick a model (I've been checking a few listings, including on Cultists Network, which it seems I'm not allowed to link 🤔), but I'll elaborate on that in due time.
I would go for a 1000W unit, at least. Having an ATX v3.x unit is an asset since it can withstand high transient loads. A very good ATX v3.x unit at a low price is the Thermaltake GF3 A3 1050W
Thanks for your input.
I assume you meant "GF A3", though 😉
While the price is nice indeed, I couldn't find it easily in my usual stores (even when broadening my search in contiguous countries), and I intend to stay away from Amazon.
How do you like the Corsair RM1000e and RM1000x (2021) ?
Noob question: would the RMe be able to "handle" 2 GPUs properly ?
In the specs listed in one of my shops, there's a "Multi-GPU" field, where the RMx has "CrossFire/SLI/NVlink", but the RMe has "none".
As I mentioned in the OP, I don't intend to use CrossFire or SLI, but I don't know what that "none" means... 😥
Looking at something else, what about the MSI MEG Ai1000P ?
It's well placed in your "Best PSU Picks", even in the "Average Efficiency" table, but I couldn't find it in the "Best 100x PSUs in efficiency".
I would have thought that all of the PSUs listed in the short list of "Best PSU Picks" would be in the bigger list, but maybe the MSI plummets under light and super-light loads, while still having high average efficiency 🤓
Both are fine PSUs. The MSI MEG is quite expensive; if you go into this territory, also look at the TT unit I suggested before.
It would seem that the MSI can't be an option in the end: it has only four (4) 6+2 pins blocks, and I'll need at least 5 to accommodate my 2 GPUs and the CPU...
Regarding the 12VHPWR socket, apparently some companies have different connectors on the GPU side of their cables, but from what I can see on the MSI MEG official page, it's the same 12+4 connector on both ends.
The Corsair RMe is entry-level quality (I understand you didn't have any issues with it), but when added to the reports of coil whining (even on the 2023 model), I'd rather avoid it.
I looked at the Corsair RMx Shift as well, which looks like it's a good model (albeit pricey), but I don't think I'd be able to actually use it, since my case is a Corsair 800D:
- The whole Shift idea is nice, but that means a longer path for cables to take, and I'm already very tight (on my "regular" current PSU) with some cable length, typically the mobo one
- The fan is on the "wrong" side for me: With the connectors towards the side and the power socket to the left, it means the fan is facing up, where there is a full metal plate ("full" as in "no holes") with about 2cm clearance. On the 800D, the exhaust happens at the bottom with a dust filter and all. If the fan is put towards the bottom, the connectors would then be facing the backplane of the case, which can't be removed and have less clearance than the "openable" side anyway
As I mentioned yesterday: TT = Amazon = not happening.
I'll keep looking 😓
Well, if I'm honest, I've fallen in love with the FSP Hydro Ti Pro 1000W...
The holy trinity of performance/silence/efficiency definitely appeals to me.
Sure, the price stings, but it can be seen as an investment of sorts.
However, in your review you mentioned "increased inrush currents at 230V" in the Cons.
How much of an issue could that be ?
What does that mean on a day-to-day basis ?
Anything to watch for or be careful about ?
