I'm in the process of building a PC with a PNY 5070 Ti that I snagged for MSRP, and I'm finally pulling the trigger on this project! I'm considering whether to go with a Corsair RM850e refurbished for $90 or the RM750e for $60. I know it's good to have some headroom, but will the noise difference between the 850W and 750W be significant? Noise management is pretty crucial for me, which is part of my decision to go with a 9700X instead of the 7700X. Just not sure how much the power supply's output will really impact noise levels. Any insights would be much appreciated!
5 Answers
I've never noticed my PSU making any noise at all to be honest. For me, the loudest components are usually the GPU fans and CPU cooler. That said, if you're aiming for a super quiet build, that’s a different story!
You're building a pretty high-end rig, so spending an extra $30 for the 850W seems a bit overkill. You might not need to cut corners on your PSU when your total budget is already around $1500. Just something to think about!
Honestly, I doubt you'd notice much difference in noise levels between the 750W and 850W. In most setups, the GPU and CPU fans produce way more sound than the PSU, so it might not matter too much either way.
Either PSU will work fine, but I'd lean toward the 850W since it offers plenty of headroom for potential upgrades down the line. It's a good rule of thumb to double your system's rated power draw for peace of mind. Plus, PSUs tend to be most efficient between 40-60% load. That said, you could run this setup comfortably on a 500W if it's ATX 3.1 rated, which can handle spikes well.
750W is more than enough for your setup. Technically, the 850W could run quietly at low loads, but if your system is drawing enough power to need more than that, you'll probably hear the fans from your CPU or GPU way before you notice the PSU fan. Just go for the 750W unless you anticipate big future upgrades!
Good to know! I was worried about the PSU noise affecting my quiet setup.