Does upgrading PSU to a higher efficiency reduce heat?

[vkvkvvk]

My pc with i5 3570 + gtx 670 is running really hot on my corsair hx520.
I am hoping by switching over to seasonic 660w platinum psu with more overhead wattage and higher efficiency will reduce the temperature.

I know that a higher efficiency psu will reduce heat. But can't seem to get any info on how much temperature it will reduce. Will the drop in temperature be an obvious difference? Is it worth the hassle to change?

 

[jtjt00]

Of course, less heat from platinum PSU.

 

[EienShouko]

My pc with i5 3570 + gtx 670 is running really hot on my corsair hx520.
I am hoping by switching over to seasonic 660w platinum psu with more overhead wattage and higher efficiency will reduce the temperature.

I know that a higher efficiency psu will reduce heat. But can't seem to get any info on how much temperature it will reduce. Will the drop in temperature be an obvious difference? Is it worth the hassle to change?

Higher efficiency will generate less heat.
A 50% efficient 500W PSU would pull 1000W from the wall to give 500W to your PC. The other 500W is wasted as heat.
A 90% efficient 500W PSU would only pull 555W from the wall, and waste 55W as heat.

I don't think your PSU is the one causing your heat issues, though.
Usually, with a bottom mounted PSU, your PSU's heat is isolated from the casing, and does not affect your temperatures.
I recommend looking into your casing's airflow instead.

 

[morgankell]

the higher efficiency psu will generate less waste heat than a lower efficiency one when providing the same amount of power

however it will not make yr cpu/ gpu produce less heat

most casing arrangements have the psu either
a) intake and vent air separate from the rest of the casing
b) intake air from the main compartment then vent out
[i.e. yr system's heat generation will also heat up yr psu)

ivy bridge run hot especially when overclock or on stock cooling
GTX 670 running hot likely an airflow issue but u need to mention which manufacturer to see the type of cooler

 

[Ark Law]

My pc with i5 3570 + gtx 670 is running really hot on my corsair hx520.
I am hoping by switching over to seasonic 660w platinum psu with more overhead wattage and higher efficiency will reduce the temperature

If you intend to switch PSU, I recommend you do not buy the P-660W platinum as they have coil-whine issues. Get the X-650W gold instead. Just as good.

 

[vkvkvvk]

I am using lian li pc-c50 for case as its a HTPC. So I am pretty constricted
I do game on it sometimes though. Whenever I touched my PSU, it feels really hot compared to other areas of my pc.

Would the heat drop be obvious if I change the psu? Thats my main concern before changing.

If you intend to switch PSU, I recommend you do not buy the P-660W platinum as they have coil-whine issues. Get the X-650W gold instead. Just as good.

I was serioulsy planning on getting P-660W
Since I am getting a new psu I would like to get a platinum. The newer batches of p-660w still has this issue?
Googling ax760 coil whine seems that corsair has this issue too...

 

[Maeda_Toshiie]

If you intend to switch PSU, I recommend you do not buy the P-660W platinum as they have coil-whine issues. Get the X-650W gold instead. Just as good.

Seasonic X series is notorious for coil whine. In fact, Seasonic in general has a higher than typical number of complaints on coil whine. If you don't want to risk the Seasonic coil whine, don't buy Seasonic at all.

 

[Maeda_Toshiie]

My pc with i5 3570 + gtx 670 is running really hot on my corsair hx520.
I am hoping by switching over to seasonic 660w platinum psu with more overhead wattage and higher efficiency will reduce the temperature.

I know that a higher efficiency psu will reduce heat. But can't seem to get any info on how much temperature it will reduce.

Will the drop in temperature be an obvious difference?

No.

Is it worth the hassle to change?

No.

-------------------------------------------------

There are only 3 effective ways:

1. Don't play games
2. Use a low TDP video card.
3. Use a custom waterloop for CPU and GPU, and have the pipes go all the way out of your room to a radiator, so that the waste heat is dumped outside of your room.

 

[a562140]

heat generated from psu varies depending on the load. and this varies with different psu with different design and ratings (load vs temp).

 

[Ark Law]

I was serioulsy planning on getting P-660W
Since I am getting a new psu I would like to get a platinum. The newer batches of p-660w still has this issue?

Seasonic X series is notorious for coil whine. In fact, Seasonic in general has a higher than typical number of complaints on coil whine. If you don't want to risk the Seasonic coil whine, don't buy Seasonic at all.

Well at least from what I've read so far, Seasonic's current X-series (KM3) has lesser significantly cases of coil whine than P-series (XP & XP2).

Another brand to consider is Superflower. And don't let that it's gay name put you off, it's one of the quietest PSUs on the market. Don't let 80+ Platinum limit your choices and become your be-all-&-end-all factor.

During my early DIY days, I was really hyped to purchase an Andyson 550W Platinum at $120. Thank goodness I didn't. My current Seasonic X560 (KM2) serves me well with no coil whine

 

[Maeda_Toshiie]

IIRC, Superflower was the first to come out with a Platinum efficiency PSU (Seasonic was the second, I think). Superflower is also the OEM behind the highly acclaimed Capstone and Tachyon PSUs under the Rosewill brand.

 

[jtjt00]

My previous Corsair HX620W also feel hot on the PSU casing. So I am not surprised the smaller brother HX520 is equally hot too. My current Superflower Golden King 550w Platinum PSU is slightly warm on the casing only.

 

[crystalnox]

No, switching from that corsair model to a platinum(~80 -> ~90% I estimate) will maybe save you 30W under full load? Considering how much power the rest of your computer is putting out, that 30W?, you not going to feel it.

 

[Alphas]

If you are referring to the heat in the room, then no matter how efficient the PSU, PC is still going to heat your room. Look at the ventilation of the room and temp of the other devices producing heat, it can be the monitor, router etc.

When the PSU draws 800W, the PC is going to dump almost 800W of heat into the room, of cos the temp will increase.

 

[weione]

corsair RM series?

fan doesnt spin till it hit 40% load

 

[Ark Law]

corsair RM series?

fan doesnt spin till it hit 40% load

Why you might not want to buy a Corsair RM PSU

 

[muddle]

There is a very recent review at anandtech. It's about the corsair rm1000 psu. Similarly, they found that the caps on the secondary side are from taiwanese companies.

Not to say it is bad. It does perform well enough in that review.

Anyway i guess most of the cwt-manufactured psus should feature the same parts.

 

[crystalnox]

Corsair's standard dropping, it used to be only the lower end ranges that used lousy caps like crapXon..

corsair RM series?

fan doesnt spin till it hit 40% load

Personally I don't like PSUs with delayed fan spinup, that just traps heat inside the PSU and cause crappy caps to fail even earlier.

 

[jtjt00]

You need to know high efficient PSU with Gold rating and above rating does not need cooling until certain temperature or load. After all, running the fan does drop the efficient of a PSU. These PSUes produce much less heat compared to low efficient ones.

My SuperFlower GK PSUes fans remain stationary from Day One since Dec 2011.

....Personally I don't like PSUs with delayed fan spinup, that just traps heat inside the PSU and cause crappy caps to fail even earlier.

 

[jtjt00]

My Corsair HX620W exploded in Dec 2011 caused me to avoid Corsair PSU. Beside running hot, a PSU with 5 years warranty exploded in 2 years of usage???

I sold the replacement HX650 and changed to SuperFlower.
Trouble-free till today.

Why you might not want to buy a Corsair RM PSU