Question "Budget" Mini ITX Build - Which PSUs should I choose? Or should I explore other options you recommend?
Question "Budget" Mini ITX Build - Which PSUs should I choose? Or should I explore other options you recommend?
Here is the rewritten version:
Hey everyone, I've recently managed to acquire a few "hand-me-down" PC components and am interested in putting together an ITX build. At this stage, my main concerns regarding the build are the power supply options available. When evaluating a PSU, I focus on three key aspects: reliability and warranty (will I be stuck without power? Are there good reviews?), as well as cost-effectiveness and efficiency.
Build Specifications:
- CPU: Ryzen 5 3600
- GPU/GFX Card: Sapphire RX 580 8GB
- Motherboard: ASRock B550M-ITX/AC
- Case (Potential): Cooler Master NR200P (White, SFF ITX)
- Storage (Potential): Kingston NV2 500GB NVMe M.2, Seagate BarraCuda 2TB HDD, Crucial MX500 1TB SSD.
- Country: Canada
- Usage:
- Gaming (Primary)
- Desktop (Secondary)
- Workstation (Tertiary – likely kept for portability since the CPU and GPU aren't ideal for it)
- Due to its compact size, I might use it while traveling.
- Estimated Wattage: Around 384W according to PCPartPicker.
PSU Options:
- My thoughts and some commentary on these PSUs.
Lian Li SP850:
Based on reviews from over a year ago, this PSU had some problems and could pose a fire risk. (Hardware Busters – YouTube links provided). Further investigation led me to the Lian Li subreddit, where a user claiming to represent Lian Li reassured that the unit was pre-production and that the issue had been resolved in mass production. My main concerns are:
- The representative didn’t provide much detail beyond the warning.
- There aren’t many recent in-depth reviews like the one I linked earlier. This PSU fits my wattage and price needs, so it’s the one I’m most interested in.
FSP 450W (FSP450-50SAC):
I’ve only recently learned about FSP, and from the cultist tier list, this appears to be a speculative tier C PSU. There aren’t many detailed reviews available, which is why it’s currently listed as speculative. FSP is an OEM brand I’m familiar with.
EVGA SuperNova 750 GM:
Tier B on the Cultist tier list, from EVGA – a brand I know well. This PSU would be a strong choice considering its price and high wattage potential for future upgrades.
Cooler Master V750 SFX:
Lower priority here; it’s reasonably priced but has some reliability concerns at this price point. High wattage could still allow for future upgrades.
Thermaltake Toughpower SFX 600W:
I’m torn – it performs well overall, but there are some protection issues that don’t seem typical for a budget PSU.
SilverStone Technology 450W (T45SF-V3-USA):
The three-year warranty isn’t very reassuring, but the price and some positive reviews make it worth considering. It’s not on the cultist list, and with the short warranty, it seems unlikely to be a good fit. However, one review does suggest it could be a decent option.
Corsair SF Series SF750:
This is likely the most expensive PSU I’ve mentioned so far, from a brand I’m very familiar with. It offers a long warranty and a high rating on the PSU Cultist list (Tier A). If I were serious about this build and not focused on saving money, I’d definitely choose this one.
Please let me know if you have any recommendations! They should all be SFX or SFX-L compatible to fit in the PC case.
The EVGA SuperNova 750GM is a reliable device that will work well for you. It offers better value compared to the CoolerMaster, matches the same efficiency rating, and includes the same ten-year warranty. You shouldn’t compromise on your power supply, and if SilverStone isn’t confident in extending its warranty, then choosing EVGA makes sense. A 650-watt model would also be suitable, but with a price gap of around 20 USD for a high-quality unit, it’s worth the extra cost for an additional 100 watts. If the price difference for something like the Corsair RM650 is greater in Canada, opting for that model could save you money without significant loss.
For the suggestion, please opt for an SFX/PSU of appropriate size rather than an ATX model since it won't fit in the case you mentioned.
I made an error in seeking a 650 watt PSU that would meet your needs; I overlooked your requirements for a SFX unit. Given the specific form factor, there appears to be minimal benefit from a lower wattage model. Opt for the SuperNova instead.
With a solid 650W capacity you'd still have some flexibility. The SeaSonic Focus Gold SGX-650 SFX is a solid option at $146. Make sure to check customs and tax fees, and confirm the final cost including shipping—especially if you're concerned about staying within your budget: here
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The Corsair SF750 is another strong choice, rated Platinum, which could make it more efficient over time in terms of electricity use. You can find a link with a $170 discount on Amazon here
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The EVGA SuperNova GM 650W is also a decent pick at $105, though it comes with a 7-year warranty versus the 10-year warranty on the SeaSonic. A longer warranty often reflects confidence in product reliability, which might encourage longer use of the PSU.
Unfortunately for me, the SGX-650 is close to 240$, not counting taxes. Seasonic PSUs stand out to me mainly due to their extended warranty and the fact that I used one in my first build. However, I’ve had positive experiences with Corsair PSUs and their support, which gives me confidence in the brand and the models I’ve tried before. EVGA has some bad reviews about certain PSU models and their service, like the PSU that caught fire or the 850W P2 model that ignited unexpectedly. Even though those seem to be a few examples, they still leave a negative impression for me, even though my current EVGA PSU has worked well. The SuperNOVA is also out of stock from usual places and was around 200$ before shipping and taxes.
I understand, indeed I mentioned earlier that all 'better' PSU brands offer quality models while some are mediocre. The choice really depends more on the model than just the make or brand. SeaSonic has had its share of decent and poor options. Corsair also has its bad ones as well.
With SeaSonic, they manufacture their own products from scratch, unlike just rebranding items from other OEMs. Another solid PSU, though not as top-notch in some aspects, is the Fractal Design Ion SFX-L 650G. It's a reliable choice and has been reviewed on TH by Aris. Make sure it fits within your budget.
I searched for the PSU you mentioned, but it doesn't appear to be available in Canada. I checked Fractal's site thoroughly, but it wasn't listed anywhere. Fortunately, I discovered another option that seems promising—it's from a brand I'm unfamiliar with and is the CENTURY MINI 750 GOLD. It's a tier B model with a 7-year warranty priced at $95 USD before tax.
This appears to be a review by Montech, possibly from a trusted source. I could locate a review here. The design and internal components seem similar to those found in the OEM Channel Well, which suggests it's not an unknown OEM and has produced PSUs for several well-known brands over the years. A seven-year lifespan is acceptable, though not outstanding. Still, the power supply unit is considered one of the most important parts in a PC, as its performance and durability significantly affect other components. I’m aware of price variations, but a higher-quality PSU—even if more costly—is worth considering. It may not match the top models, but availability within budget is a key factor. You can keep an eye out for others’ opinions or additional reviews from reliable sources. The link I provided isn’t particularly impressive.
I would choose the SF series if I wasn't searching too hard for alternatives that fit the budget. Is 7 years sufficient? The longest warranty I've seen is 10 years, so 7 might be a reasonable compromise compared to options with 3-5 years. I'm aiming for the most reliable and reasonably priced PSU available. Right now, the SF, SuperNOVA, and Montech models are the top contenders.