[franz]

This is for my dedicated folding rig. It currently has a Corsair VX550.

I bought a cheap voltage monitor and found out my rig, with 3 9600GTs, uses ~350W. So that would be around 64% load 24/7.

Now I am planning on using 3 8800GTSs. A quick check showed a load of 420W with quick spikes to 460W. That would be a 76-84% load 24/7.

My question is what are these PSUs designed to run at, or what do you recommmend as the maximum load for 24/7 use.

 

[Ladiesman101]

it will run those 3 8800
dont worry, corsair makes VERY reliable PSU's, so keep going man

 

[Lxcivic2k1]

I'd say that's a good load, between 70-80% should be fine especially for a folding rig which is already going to be putting out a lot of heat. I like to keep mine down for regular use just so the PSU runs cooler(plus room for expansion like CF

) but you're already running multiple cards for folding so your good!

 

[franz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lxcivic2k1 I'd say that's a good load, between 70-80% should be fine especially for a folding rig which is already going to be putting out a lot of heat. I like to keep mine down for regular use just so the PSU runs cooler(plus room for expansion like CF ) but you're already running multiple cards for folding so your good!

Yeah this is what I am trying to say. Why have a 700W PSU running at 50% all the time. But at the same time I want to have a safe buffer zone.

70-80% seems perfect to me. Anyone have any further info on efficiency etc.?

I will keep pushing the PSU and see how things go.

 

[Fitzbane]

Corsair can be run 80% easy...highest quality parts you will find.

 

[linskingdom]

70%-80% load should be fine.

 

[rambow70]

its 80+ which means it can handle 24/7 on 80% easy so yea it can, over that i would say as long as its cool

 

[shinji2k]

Well first, the Corsair isn't the best ever. It's a good PSU, but nothing special. It's based on the ubiquitous Channel Well PSH.

Second, what you are reading is AC wattage. You need to take into account the efficiency of the Corsair. At ~350W it would be around 84%. So it is supplying ~300W DC which is 55% of it's max capacity. You should generally stay below ~70-75% max load especially if you are running 24/7. A load of 420-460W AC would be 350-380W DC assuming 83% efficiency for that load. 380W is still only 69% of it's max capacity. I wouldn't be too concerned running the Corsair for long periods of time at that load.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rambow70 its 80+ which means it can handle 24/7 on 80% easy so yea it can, over that i would say as long as its cool

Lol no. 80+ means it is at least 80% efficient at 20%, 50% and full load.

 

[franz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by shinji2k Well first, the Corsair isn't the best ever. It's a good PSU, but nothing special. It's based on the ubiquitous Channel Well PSH. Second, what you are reading is AC wattage. You need to take into account the efficiency of the Corsair. At ~350W it would be around 84%. So it is supplying ~300W DC which is 55% of it's max capacity. You should generally stay below ~70-75% max load especially if you are running 24/7. A load of 420-460W AC would be 350-380W DC assuming 83% efficiency for that load. 380W is still only 69% of it's max capacity. I wouldn't be too concerned running the Corsair for long periods of time at that load. Lol no. 80+ means it is at least 80% efficient at 20%, 50% and full load.

Thanks for that post. I have very little knowledge when it comes to these things, and you explained everything very well. I am also glad you cleared up what the 80+ rating meant. I was getting confused on that as well.

 

[Bima Sylirian]

Quote:

Originally Posted by shinji2k Well first, the Corsair isn't the best ever. It's a good PSU, but nothing special. It's based on the ubiquitous Channel Well PSH.

I agree with you.
People often narrow minded to think that Corsair is a godlike PSU. It's true that Corsair PSUs are good. They are even more than good. They are great!.
But I found the PSUs released under Channel Well brand are more expensive than the ones released under Corsair Brand. They offer much better efficiency and I'm sure they're also more reliable.
The other brand like PC Power and Cooling, FSP, OCZ, Cooler Master, etc are also good. Maybe they are not as famous as Corsair PSU but they aren't bad.
All of them are world class product and they wouldn't be world class product if their aren't reliable, right?

Oh yeah, running your PSU near its limit for 24/7 isn't recommended. It might decrease the Lifespan or Performance faster. And one more thing, PSU often lose the efficiency when the temp is hot.

 

[shinji2k]

It goes in phases. Years ago PC Power was only game in town for high end units so of course they were recommended all the time. Antec had it's period when that's what everyone recommended. Now it's Corsair. It's not like it's a bad thing though. They offer solid PSUs (some are even some of the best like the HX750/850) for a reasonable price with good customer service. It's hard not to recommend them.

 

[franz]

I finally received 3 511 WUs at the same time. Basically what that means is the worst possible load on my PSU.

The Amwatt load tester is showing 475-485W. If I am not mistaken that would be around 400W DC, so around 73% load worst case scenario. I can live with that.

I dont have any way to measure temps on the PSU, but just holding my hand in the back it feels slightly cooler. I believe that is due to the heat being pushed directly out of the case by the newer dual slot GPUs. The old GPUs were single slot, and kept most of the hot air in the case.

Most people seem to be in the 70-80% camp. Which is good info. When I upgrade my PSUs I will keep this in mind from now on.

 

[parityboy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rambow70 its 80+ which means it can handle 24/7 on 80% easy so yea it can, over that i would say as long as its cool

I think you'll find that "80 Plus" is related to its efficiency, not its "round the clock" credentials.

 

[sLowEnd]

PSU's get loud and hot at max load

Heat isn't good for the PSU, and loudness isn't pleasant (at least for most people)

70% load

 

[qaz393]

its a seasonic unit. corsair gets this psu from seasonic and seasonic usually overbuilds their psu. how were u measuring the power cause it should do 675 at the wall assuming its at 80% efficiency.

 

[shinji2k]

The vx550 is from Channel Well (CWT).

 

[franz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by qaz393 its a seasonic unit. corsair gets this psu from seasonic and seasonic usually overbuilds their psu. how were u measuring the power cause it should do 675 at the wall assuming its at 80% efficiency.

I was using a Reliance AmWatt Load Tester. Very similar to a Kill a Watt, but less bulky and easier to use around the house. I am not sure if it is a good tester. I saw it at Lowes and said to myself "Self lets buy that thing"

Also how do you figure it should be drawing 675 watts? It only pulls the power that it needs. It doesnt run at 550W all the time.

Now maybe if I throw some GTX 260s in there in SLI with the 8800GTS for physx then I might draw 675W.

 

[shinji2k]

I'm sure it's no different than a Kill-a-watt. Anything under ~$50 should be pretty much the same the circuitry.

 

[qaz393]

Quote:

Originally Posted by franz I was using a Reliance AmWatt Load Tester. Very similar to a Kill a Watt, but less bulky and easier to use around the house. I am not sure if it is a good tester. I saw it at Lowes and said to myself "Self lets buy that thing" Also how do you figure it should be drawing 675 watts? It only pulls the power that it needs. It doesnt run at 550W all the time. Now maybe if I throw some GTX 260s in there in SLI with the 8800GTS for physx then I might draw 675W.

im saying at around 675 at the wall, the psu is working at 100% of its rated/ outputing at 100% of what its ratee for because it is not 100% efficient.

 

[Hueristic]

YOU know what I chose!