Thread: Massive CPU Upgrade

One is gold eff; the other is plat

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Originally Posted by DJ Mr. White

One is gold eff; the other is plat

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I feared I would get this kind of answer, so I'll answer the question my self.

This wiki page describes what the different efficiencies are.

80 Plus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

One has Corsair Link, the other doesn't.

Originally Posted by WileECyte

One has Corsair Link, the other doesn't.

A quick google search shows that I wouldn't really care about that anyway. It's just for monitoring multiple Corsair products, right?

The i model has digital monitoring of itself to regulate its own voltages. It has significantly less fluctuation because of this.

The AX1200 (sans i) was the original model and is the one I currently use in my computer. I highly recommend it and unless you are super into monitoring every little thing wouldn't be tempted by the price premium the digital model gets you..... though admittedly I am tempted to upgrade cause I gatta have the best!!!!

Originally Posted by rush2049

The i model has digital monitoring of itself to regulate its own voltages. It has significantly less fluctuation because of this.

The AX1200 (sans i) was the original model and is the one I currently use in my computer. I highly recommend it and unless you are super into monitoring every little thing wouldn't be tempted by the price premium the digital model gets you..... though admittedly I am tempted to upgrade cause I gatta have the best!!!!

I just ordered the regular model. I couldn't justify the 70 buck increase JUST to get some monitoring stuff. Whoopty freaking doo, it saves me .50c a month in power /lol.

Originally Posted by Imisnew2

I have no clue what you mean by modular. What is the difference between gold and platinum? What is the standard % for efficiency?

80+ is the standard. I think the calculation for PSU efficiency DC output/AC input. Basically, the system power output from the PSU/AC power draw from wall. For example, if your system requires 500w at full load, yet you are actually pulling 600w from your wall, you would be at 83% efficiency. Energy itself cannot be "wasted", so the extra 17% would simply come off as heat. Cheaper, lower efficiency PSUs typically give off a lot of heat.

80 Plus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

So the difference between "Gold" and "Platinum" is 2% more efficient, so the question is, does it cost more than 2% than the gold? If not, how long will it take in electricity cost in order to make up the difference. To figure that out, just do some quick math based on some information in your area:

Variables (assume full load @ 100% usage):

Corsair Gold 850w PSU - $169.99
Corsair Platinum 860w PSU - $199.99
Price Difference = $30.00
700w Platinum PSU Output @ 91% = 756w AC Input
700w Gold PSU Output @ 88% = 784w AC Input
AC Input Difference = 28w, or .028kWh
Florida cost/kWh = $.09
PC Power Management | Energy Cost By State | Energy Enforcer

With a $30 difference in cost, it would take 333kWh @ the rate of $.09/kWh being charged by the electric company to make up the difference in the price of the PSUs. 333kWh/.028kWh (difference between the two PSUs) would make the total number of hours to make the up the $30 difference to be 11904 hours, which means it would take 496 days or 1.35 years to make up the the $30 difference in price, if you are running your PC at full load 100% of the time. Seeing how you are not likely to be running your PC at full load but a fraction of that time, it will likely take 3x that long to make up the difference.

In summary, the efficiency gains from a Platinum PSU are actually minimal (2-3%), with a 10-20% increase on price, where it will likely take the average consumer 3-5 years to make up the cost. A Gold rated PSU should be just fine. People that own the Platinum rated PSUs either haven't done the math, or they live somewhere where electricity is crazy expensive (Hawaii, maybe?).

In addition, I am currently running an 80+ Bronze 1000w PSU, and it seems to be doing just fine. I did the calculations years back and the 1000w Gold PSU was $50-60 more than the Bronze. The math didn't add up back then, but the cost between Bronze and Gold has decreased with the release of the Platinum certified PSUs.

I really recommend putting that money elsewhere instead of getting the Platinum.

Thanks for the help everyone.

I'm now the proud owner of:

a Corsair 1200W Power Supply,
an Intel i7 3770K
and 2x EVGA GTX 680 Classified 4GBs.

Originally Posted by Imisnew2

Thanks for the help everyone.

I'm now the proud owner of:

a Corsair 1200W Power Supply,
an Intel i7 3770K
and 2x EVGA GTX 680 Classified 4GBs.

This will decimate all and leave nothing in it's path!