Quick PSU Question?

[Katreat]

I have seen it suggested over and over to use a lower level video card as a place holder and wait for the new 10x cards to hit the market later this summer before upgrading. Assuming I follow this advice on a basic C2D/P5B gaming build what size PSU are you recommending to make sure the computer is ready for the upgrade to an 8800 type card?

I am assuming from posts that something over 500 watts would be safe, and I have seen the following 3 PSUs suggested. Since they are all within $20 of each other does anyone want to recommend one over the rest, or are they all about the same?

CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 520W Power Supply - Retail $129.99

FSP Group (Fortron Source) FSP600-80GLC ATX12V / EPS12V 600W 80 plus Power Supply - OEM $114.99

XCLIO GREATPOWER X14S4P4 600W ATX12V 600W Power Supply - Retail $109.99

Kat

[Mr.Ferrari]

Corsair...$106 at zipzoomfly. Free Shippin.

[Katreat]

Thx for the answer, so the Corsair even though smaller is a better PSU overall? Is it features or just overall a better quality build? I understand the need to go with quality in the PSU. It is not as simple as watts / dollar spent. But once you chose quality builders, what makes the Corsair (with fewer watts) outperform the other name brands?

I know I ask alot of questions, but am really trying to understand the reasons behind the suggestions I am getting on this forum and am finding PSUs reasoning less clear than recommendations on other components.

[Staren]

There are three main reasons why the Corsair PSUs have become so popular here fairly quick.

They are built by SeaSonic which is right up there in quality with FSP, Antec, PC Power & Cooling, ect. Your right this in and of itself isn't enough to only look at Corsair.

They have multiple 12 volt rails and a large number of amps on the rails that spreads the power load out. One of the big problems with the cheap high wattage PSUs is that you have one or two rails that puts more strain on the PSU.

These for the power are fairly quiet PSUs. Usually if you want a qualit PSU that runs silent or very quiet to go along with the rest of a build designed to absorb noise, you have to pay a bit of a premium. While not up to Seasonics silent line, the Corsairs are pretty good for not that much more money. That alone everything else being equal is worth taking a second look at the brand for most people. Specifically if their first gaming build while running great, tends to do F16 impressions because sound issues wasn't something they spent money on the first time around.

[Mr.Ferrari]

Actually the Corsair is a single rail psu truthfully, infact all of seasonic's new psu's are single rails. Even though they state 3 or 4 rails on their UL Specs.

The Corsair is based off of Seasonic's M12 platform. Which is higher end then their S12 platform.

It offers alot of power without sacrificing silence. And good modular cabling too.

[Katreat]

Thank you both for the explanation. I have no trouble taking the experts advice but I like to understand the basis to further my knowledge. Thank for the help.

Kat