What 1KW PSU to get when fan-noise is the only issue?

[MMhardKy]

I sold my HX620 today because I switched to 2x GTX280 OC from 2x 8800GTX and as I have an soundcard with an external box, Raptor, powerfull WC etc., I thought it is necessary to switch to a more powerfull PSU. It is also very possible that a third GPU will be added in the near future.
Besides playing GPU-killing FPS games, working with sound - mixing and mastering - is the main function of the PC. I did everything to keep this monster quiet as possible and the HX620 worked perfectly well. When working with sound and music, power consumtion is below 350-300W I suppose, so that is the load I need the PSU to be quiet as possible, yet I need it to handle 2x (or 3x) overclocked GTX 280.

I was almost 100% to buy the HX1000, I already ordered it and its waiting for me at a shop, but now I have read that Zalman ZM1000 is supposed to be better regarding fan noise. It is also 50 euro more expensive than HX1000. I was also thinking that a 850w PSU would be enough, but then I've read about most of the 850w units to be actualy louder than 1KW models. Could you guys please recommend the most quiet 1KW PSU to a confused geek? I would love my PC to be running by the end of this week.
Many thanks!

[Tonucci]

If you care about noise, sometimes having alot of headroom, like running at 50% of the unit capacity when in full load, will yield better results than just having an good fan/control. So an 1kw PSU will run quiet comparing to an 850w unit, all things being equal. Most PSU dont ramp up fan speed very much before ~50% load.

If money is no problem, get the zalman 1kw...Looks like its the most quiet indeed... if not, the corsair 1kw. Looks like you researched well lol, these 2 PSU's are top dogs in terms of quietness.

[MMhardKy]

Thank you.
So the question is if I should get the Corsair HX1000 or the Zalman ZM1000. In my current financial situation, those 50 euro (or ~$75) is quite a large amount. However I have invested 10x more to keep my system quiet. If there indeed IS a real life difference at idle<350W load noise between those two, I may be able to scrape those 50 euro somewhere... Although I was almost 100% sure I will go for the HX1000 because all the reviews are describing it as the best PSU ever.. I know there are some people here who do a lot of extensive PSU testing and maybe even had both of these PSU's under their hands. Could someone be kind enough to give me his personal experience regarding this topic?:)
That would really be highly appreciated and I may even sacrifice a lamb for him:)

[tiro_uspsss]

any 1kw PSU with a big (120mm or bigger) fan is gonna be relatively quiet.. dunno what the Corsair has.. I know Ultra X3 & TT PSUs all have big fans yaddayaddayadda :up:

[MMhardKy]

Well I have now read reviews of the ZM1000, everyone is raving about how quiet it is (20db up to <500W!!!), but even though I said noise is the only thing that matters, I am kind off dissapointed that it has no on/off switch (I use that a lot) and only 4 (2x 8pin + 2x 6pin) PCI-E connectors (I may want to add a third GPU to my system later). HX1000 has everything and is also 20% cheaper. But 20db vs 24db at idle seams to be quite a difference. This is why some personal opinions about ZM1000/HX1000 would come really handy.

[tiro_uspsss]

Well I have now read reviews of the ZM1000, everyone is raving about how quiet it is (20db up to <500W!!!), but even though I said noise is the only thing that matters, I am kind off dissapointed that it has no on/off switch (I use that a lot) and only 4 (2x 8pin + 2x 6pin) PCI-E connectors (I may want to add a third GPU to my system later). HX1000 has everything and is also 20% cheaper. But 20db vs 24db at idle seams to be quite a difference. This is why some personal opinions about ZM1000/HX1000 would come really handy.

correct me if I'm wrong, but in ur OP u implied that ur HX620 was nice'n'quiet... if the HX620 can handle ur rigs load, & do it quietly, then really, any 1kw PSU can do it & perhaps better ;)

I'm afraid I have no personal experience with either PSU.. *many* ppl around here would choose the corsair.. its the brand ur last psu was ;)... I havent heard much about the zalman, here or anywhere tbh :shrug:

:up:

[tiro_uspsss]

what about one of these?:

http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=320&zenid=4518e4feee11f8c1ca0af6dbc6a36d19

:D:D:D

[darkbladez]

How about the Thermaltake 1000W? Its the same as the corsair.. Not too sure about the fan..

[Tonucci]

any 1kw PSU with a big (120mm or bigger) fan is gonna be relatively quiet.. dunno what the Corsair has.. I know Ultra X3 & TT PSUs all have big fans yaddayaddayadda :up:

There is a big noise difference among 120mm PSU fans and fan speed control according to sites like silentpcreview....

He should do like he is doing and look for concrete info out there....like I said, the differences are substantial.

[LonghornN]

The Enermax Galaxy 1 Kw DXX is a nice PSU, very quiet, powerful and suports even 5 GPUs!!

[MMhardKy]

Bump. Anyone with a HX1000 or ZM1000 here?

[SNiiPE_DoGG]

I have the Hx-1000, Ive never heard the thing since I put it in, My d12sm12's make more noise....

[Giannis86]

i have the Zalman ZM1000..
i love its quietness and efficiency..

as about the 3gpu thing, you do know that you can use molex connectors too right? :D

[Hazzan]

I use Corsair HX1000 Power Full and Quiet...my systems E 8600 + ASUS RE + ASUS HD 4870X2 CF no problem.....!!! daily use on on 4.5Ghz.....:D:D

[turtletrax]

I have an HX-1000 and it has a 140MM fan and I can hardly hear it. I am very impressed with the price and the quality. Nice and quiet, solid PSU.


I would say it rules at the pricepoint. But that is only my personal opinion.

[Reckless187]

I bought the HX1000 because of the decent reviews it got and as it was so much cheaper than other similar spec'd psu's, also because of the near silent 140mm cooling fan. I've had no problems with it and love the look of it. It replaced a 600W OCZ SilentXtream which was anything but silent.

Is a 4dB difference worth the extra 50 euros? You could spend that 50 on some other decent goodies for your pc? new gaming mouse or something?

[Tonucci]

I just want to point out that ~3Db higher is about twice the perceived noise. So its not like 4Db is an slight increase...

[STEvil]

I'm using an Antec Quattro Pro 1000w with a single 80mm fan and i've not had any noise problems with it.

Currently powering:

Dual Xeon E5450's @ 3.6ghz
4x1gb 667mhz FB-DIMM's @ 400mhz 1.9v
Asus Z7S-WS
HD4870X2
4 hdd's
X1950XTX (3rd monitor)
8 fans 80-120mm in size

[Rattle]

hx1000 here thing is as quiet as its little brother the hx620

[Mike44]

How about SilverStone's PSU's? They seem to have some pretty decent ones. Noise wise, this 1000W is rated only at 19dB with a 135mm fan: http://www.silverstonetek.com/products/p_contents.php?pno=st1000-nv&area=usa. Not sure if you've already got your PSU, but it's worth a look here I guess!