[jqp]

From what I have read on the internet, which is where we probably get 99% of our PC knowledge, there is little understanding of the power supply in our PC's.

Being good audiophiles, we know the importance of a power supply, but the PC's switching power supply is a different animal than most power supplies we may be familiar with. Some of us are EEs (not I  ) and may be familiar with switching power supply concepts, but what do you know about your PC's power supply? What power supply would you recommend/purchase for a new PC?

The reviews on the web are not very helpful, with test results and conclusion all over the place. Many reviews are just pure bunk, reviews published by someone who knows a lot more about HTML than electronics, with conclusions based on the manufacturers marketing materials and the looks of the power supply, not on the performance of the power supply.

And it is difficult for most to measure a PC power supply, just like for audio equipment. And when they try, they don't know what they are doing...

Ever heard of Active PFC? You should have it. But you most likely don't. And how efficient is your PS? And does it really perform according to claims at real internal PS temperatures? You have no idea...

I have been doing some research and have had to punt in my choice for my latest PC. I picked an Antec Case/PS package that seemed to be pretty nice.

My ancient server (Dual P3 1GHz on a SuperMicro board with 1GHz RAM) is about 5-6 years old IIRC. It has a heavy duty case and I think 6 5.25 exposed bays, but makes enough racket that I am going to replace the PS before I do anything else.  So I am going to upgrade to a really nice 500 or 600Watt PS.

I think I will go with the CORSAIR HX520W 520W or maybe the CORSAIR HX620W 620W, based on a few recent reviews that are pretty credible reviews with real testing and dissection of the PS.

I don't want to waste money or electricity, but an efficient PS with Active PFC can save money over the months, not to mention improve reliability and component life.

Has anyone researched power supplies lately? The average powersupply comes with the system and is is overrated (literally) generic junk. I have had several die on me and have replaced several with the same overrated generic junk.

Here is an excellent site to get started

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/410/1

and here is a review of the 520W power supply

http://www.jonnyguru.com/review_details.php?id=28

I hate to get a PS that is overkill, but in the future I plan to have 4-6 SATA drives and possibly drive 2 LCD monitors, so it may not be overkill at all.

[brj]

I think I will go with the CORSAIR HX520W 520W or maybe the CORSAIR HX620W 620W, based on a few recent reviews that are pretty credible reviews with real testing and dissection of the PS.

An excellent choice!  The Corsair power supplies are brand new, but OEMed by Seasonic, known for the efficiency and quietness of their products.  I will probably pick up a HX520W myself within the next few weeks as part of a PC build I've been trying to start for months.

One tip, don't buy more PS that you need.  Even if the PS is really efficient overall, the higher power units are still less efficient at lower power settings, which is where they spend most of their time anyway while your system is idling.  Unless you are using a ton of hard drives or dual video cards, 520W is more than enough.  (I had been considering a 430W Seasonic, but like the removable cords of the Corsair enough to jump to the 520.)

Another good source for PS data is www.silentpcreview.com.

Good luck!

[jqp]

Yeah the power draw at idle is one missing piece of the puzzle for me. Really 90% of the time the PC is idle if it is on 24x7, so you have to think about that.

I too would rather draw more power for the benefits of some of the nice units - cords, quiteness, heat, etc. Also I will surely have 4-6 SATA drives on at least 1 system as prices change / sizes increase.

The Seasonics actually seems to be not as nice as some of their OEMed Corsair units from what I am reading.

Yes need to check out the SilentPC site also.

[Joules]

I'd like to battery power my pc. Trickle charge when I'm not using it. Maybe switch over to standard PS during not so important times. Maybe a couple of car batteries, for all the world looking like a UPS. If one could switch back and forth, a cheap disposable PS would act somewhat like a  surge protector to help protect the PC.  --  just random thoughts --

[shokunin]

Another good source for PS data is www.silentpcreview.com.

I second the spcr site as an excellent source of PSU reviews, they've been doing it right longer than anybody else, simulating airflow similar to a case, measuring efficiency and power output at varying loads, not just maximum or at idle. 

My main storage server a (core duo mobile) motherboard and CPU at idle taks about 60-65w on an FSP Zen PSU. according to a basic Kill-a-watt, even with a generous +/- 10% error ratio is good enough for me.  Another PSU I tried (an OCZ) on the exact same setup was 95-100w, a seasonic S12-600 80-85w.  Efficiency is all over the place and is dependent on how you use your system.