Best power supply?

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dkslim
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2011/07/14 00:01:57 (permalink)

Best power supply?

I see several pro-audio computer makers using Coolermaster Silent Pro power supplies for their build. Why this particular power supply? The reviews I see on it are just average. Why not something more popular, like Seasonic or Corsair? Is it because Coolermaster power supplies don't make any electrical buzzing noises? (I'm having a very difficult time finding a power supply that won't make electrical buzzing/chirping/squealing noises, have tried many Seasonics, Corsairs and Antecs)
post edited by dkslim - 2011/07/14 01:08:58
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    fireberd
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    Re:Best power supply? 2011/07/16 06:41:11 (permalink)
    I have an 750 watt XFX "modular" power supply in my DAW system.  No noise - I can put my ear up to the power supply and do not hear the fan.  I have an Antec Tru Power Trio 550 watt in an old BTX style Dell and no noise.

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    Old55
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    Re:Best power supply? 2011/07/16 07:32:27 (permalink)
    PC Power & Cooling used to be very reliable.  Maybe not as quiet as Seasonic or Corsair.  I haven't heard anything about them lately.  I've also used Seasonic, Corsair and Adaptec--no complaints about any of those. 

    Should auld acquaintance be forgot--hey, who the hell are you guys?  
     
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    dkslim
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    Re:Best power supply? 2011/07/16 10:37:33 (permalink)
    fireberd


    I have an 750 watt XFX "modular" power supply in my DAW system.  No noise - I can put my ear up to the power supply and do not hear the fan.  I have an Antec Tru Power Trio 550 watt in an old BTX style Dell and no noise.

    I have tried an Antec Trio before and it made the electrical high pitch static-like noise. I haven't tried the XFX, as it's not a popular brand in Australia. However there are too many factors involved - maybe Antec Trios are made not to buzz anymore, maybe your motherboard doesn't trigger the buzzing problem in power supplies, maybe our hearing is different... 
     
    Just wish there's a power supply brand or model that's guaranteed not to make any weird noises, regardless of what the motherboard is.
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    dkslim
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    Re:Best power supply? 2011/07/16 10:43:07 (permalink)
    Old55

    I've also used Seasonic, Corsair and Adaptec--no complaints about any of those.
     
    Nice feedback :)
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    fireberd
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    Re:Best power supply? 2011/07/16 12:23:37 (permalink)
    I am very particular when it comes to "noise" from PC's.  I'm also a PC tech and both of the power supplies I noted are very clean.   I could record a vocal next to my PC and I would not have any PC "noise" on the recorded track.

    The Antec Tru Power Trio 550 watt is an "older" power supply that I bought before CompUSA filed for bankruptcy (and later bought by Tiger Electronics).  That has to be at least 4 and maybe 5 years ago.  I didn't buy it for any reason other than I needed an upgraded power supply for the Dell and it happened to be "on sale" at a reduced price when I was looking.  But, it has worked well and is a lot quieter than the OEM Dell power supply's fan.

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    slartabartfast
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    Re:Best power supply? 2011/07/16 16:50:52 (permalink)
    I'm having a very difficult time finding a power supply that won't make electrical buzzing/chirping/squealing noises


    ???
    Are you saying these noises come out of the power supply case when it is running, out of the computer case when the power is on, or out of your speakers or headphones when they are connected? In other words are you talking about electrical interference with audio, some kind of bizarre digital audio anomaly or physical noise (sound) generated by the power supply itself or some other component in the computer when there is no audio transducer attached?
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    dkslim
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    Re:Best power supply? 2011/07/17 04:15:08 (permalink)
    slartabartfast


    ???
    Are you saying these noises come out of the power supply case when it is running, out of the computer case when the power is on, or out of your speakers or headphones when they are connected? In other words are you talking about electrical interference with audio, some kind of bizarre digital audio anomaly or physical noise (sound) generated by the power supply itself or some other component in the computer when there is no audio transducer attached?

    I'm saying the noise comes out of the power supply box when it is running. Before people start suggesting it's something else like the hard drive or graphics card, NO it is not anything else, I had the power supply outside the case and had my ear right up to it only.
     
    I haven't recorded stuff yet (I use virtual instruments exclusively) so I don't know whether the power supply noise is causing any interference with recorded audio or not.
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    Old55
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    Re:Best power supply? 2011/07/24 00:40:49 (permalink)
    I guess you should try recording to see if the PSU will cause any interference.  I would think that if you're hearing physical sound from the PSU, that you won't hear any interference.  It's just a feeling.  The components that usuall cause interference don't usually have moving parts like the fan does, so they don't cause physical sound.  If you were going to have interference, it probably isn't coming from the component that's causing the physical noise. 

    On the other hand, you'll probably want to replace that PSU before the fan dies--the bearing is probably what's causing the noise.  It's wearing out and likely to seize and cause the PSU to overheat.  You could lose date or a few tracks it you don't resolve the problem. 

    Good luck,
    Jan

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