Would like advice on a PSU for upgrade

[H3X]

My system specs:
CPU - Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 @ 2.33 GHz
Mobo - ASUS IPIBL-LB (Benicia)
RAM - 4Gig DDR2 RAM
GPU - Nvidia 9800GT 1GB
PSU - 300w

I have 2 SATA HDD's and a single DVDRW+ drive only on top of this.

Recently my system has been playing up and I've tracked the problem down to my PSU. Being a fairly cheap no name thing I got from a friend that's not too surprising, but not wanting to waste chance for an upgrade I decided to swap out my tired 9800GT for an MSI 650Ti PE while I was at it.

What I'd like some advice on is how large a PSU should I really need to run this system with the new card effectively for gaming? The card is reportedly pretty efficient, but I've heard differing opinions on what it needs all over the place.

I was thinking of this OCZ-ZT650W
http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/components/powersupplies/ocz-zt650w-uk.html

Not sure if that would be overkill though.

[Jamebonds1]

Not really. 650 watt is good for proof future upgradeable. OCZ isn't in my trust. I trust those PSU thermaltake, corsair or XFX.

[H3X]

Ok, thanks for the quick reply and recommendations, I'll have a look and see what else I can find from those three manufacturers too. If around 650w should be fine I'll have options I'm sure.

[Jamebonds1]

You will want to post the choose PSU link here so that we can pick one better PSU.

[H3X]

Well I had a look at the same store as the OCZ was in just now, and found these:
Thermaltake Smart Power Series - 650 Watt Modular Power Supply
http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/components/powersupplies/sp-650m.html

Corsair Professional Series HX650 - 650 Watt 80 PLUS® Gold Power Supply
http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/components/powersupplies/cp-9020030-uk.html

I was thinking of modular or semi modular PSU's as my case is on the small side, and it would make life easier (and cooling), even if it costs a little more. Those two are in the kind of price range I can afford without having to scrimp and save, and look to be pretty good, what do you think?

[Jamebonds1]

I had to say go for Corsair. Thermaltake Smart power series SP-650M is not stable and is old model.

[_I_]

hx650 is cheaper from ebuyer.com £99.99
http://www.ebuyer.com/392052-corsair-hx-80plus-gold-certified-modular-power-supply-650w-cp-9020030-uk

or the tx750m is £87.05
http://www.ebuyer.com/279545-corsair-tx750m-750w-modular-psu-cp-9020003-uk

[Jamebonds1]

Overkill to have 750 watt.

[H3X]

OK thanks for that Jamebonds1, I'll avoid the Thermaltake then if it's old and unstable. and thanks for the links _I_ I'll check those out now :)

[Jamebonds1]

No, it is not theramaltake that you should avoid. It is model that you should avoid like Thermaltake Smart SP-650M. Sorry my english isn't very clear.

[H3X]

Maybe I put it wrong too, that's what I meant, that I will avoid the SP-650M. I understood you :)

[H3X]

Been a few days searching around to see what I could find. Came up with these, they're about perfect size for my case, both semi modular, both gold rated.

But I can only find reviews for one, that being the Thermaltake TPG-650M PSU
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/650w-thermaltake-tgp-650-modular-93-eff-80-plus-gold-sli-crossfire-eps-12v-quiet-fan-atx-psu

the other is the Seasonic SS-650RM 650W Modular Power Supply
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/650w-seasonic-g-650-modular-80-plus-gold-eps-12v-quiet-fan-atx-psu

The Seasonic costs about the same, but I can't find anything about how well it performs, anywhere.. would I be better to avoid it or would it be a better option than the TPG-650M?

[_I_]

thermaltake low-mid psus are junk, high end ones arent bad
but for the price id get the seasonic

[H3X]

Cool, thanks for the quick reply :) wasn't sure what'd be best cause I can't find anything on that seasonic online other than the basic specs, but if it'll likely be a better one to go for, I will.

[Jamebonds1]

Цитата допису _I_:

thermaltake low-mid psus are junk, high end ones arent bad
but for the price id get the seasonic

Well... I don't know what to say but you get it wrong about thermaltake. They make great PSU and tower. As well as heatsink. Plus TPG-650M is high end series PSU.

EDIT: I don't know what to say about www.scan.co.uk but it is not useful review information by just show rank like low, mid, high. There is good reason to look at researcher like that.

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2011/09/21/what-is-the-best-600w-psu/11
http://www.techspot.com/products/power-supplies/thermaltake-toughpower-grand-tpg-650m-650w.46319/ (ignore a con about single rail because it is not really con)

[H3X]

scan.co.uk was just a store that had both PSU's that I pulled the links from, it was just convenient for me as I had the pages open. The reviews that you posted are the exact ones I was thinking of choosing the TPG-650M for, it does look very good. I was unsure because I can't find anything about the SS-650RM like that, so can't be sure of how it runs, but I know Seasonic are a good manufacturer.