I'm in need of a budget-friendly power supply to run a secondary setup that I have in mind. I'm considering using it for tasks like hosting a media server or recording content with OBS. I've found two options: the Rosewill VSB 650W priced at $50 and the Thermaltake Smart BM3 650W for $55. I'm leaning towards the Rosewill because it's a bit newer, even though both have a C rating on the SPL list. I'm looking for recommendations on these or other similar models under $60, preferably semi or fully modular. My secondary rig specs are an i7 6700K, a GTX 970, 4 RAM sticks, 1 SSD, 2-4 HDDs, a disc drive, and 7 fans.
4 Answers
I usually check out a PSU tier sorter tool that someone developed. It helps in comparing prices and ratings, and you can find it at cheesysponge.github.io/psuTierSorter. It's pretty handy for picking a reliable PSU.
The Rosewill VSB should do just fine for your setup. The Thermaltake Smart BM3 doesn't seem to offer any significant advantage over it. Another option you could look into is the ASRock PRO-650G since it’s Gold rated, but it may not be ideal given your total component load. Similar alternatives include the ASRock Challenger CL-650B or the MSI A550BN, although they might be a tad less efficient.
If you can find the Corsair CX 2023 near you, it might be worth considering. It's usually close to the same price range as your options, and come in 550W and 650W. It's a solid choice for a budget PSU!
I’d be a bit cautious about the Thermaltake Smart BM3. I’ve heard that the older models had issues, though this one ranks C, which indicates it's safer. The Rosewill VSB is actually rated B-tier, which is better overall. If you're willing to stretch your budget to around $80, the RM750x is a great alternative—it can serve as a backup PSU too!
Just to clarify, only the older Thermaltake Smart model had problems. The Smart BM3 is considered safe since it’s still in the C tier.
Good catch on the ASRock PRO! While the 650W might be limited on PCIe connectors, the 750W model is only $55 and offers more, though you’d lose some SATA connectors. Is there any downside to using a higher wattage PSU in a low-powered system other than potentially wasting energy?