Efficient PSU for 24/7 CPU+1GPU folder?

[frontier204]

Hello all,

Question:
I'd like to get a better power supply for my main rig (in MY SYSTEM SPECS), to replace a not-so-good Cooler Master PSU, which I plan to mothball. My main rig's current Seasonic, since it's still good, will go in my home server, which has its specs listed below in the thread. What would you recommend for a high efficiency power supply folding PSU, which will feed 1 CPU + 1 GPU (~500W)? Note I hate "oven" type GPUs, so that GPU will never draw more than a nVidia GTX 470, even when I get a new GPU. My budget is $150 before tax and shipping.
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Backstory:

I just measured the power draw of both my folding rigs (main and home server), and they were about the same at around 260W out of the wall. I just thought 260W was unreasonable for the home server, which has this loadout:
AMD Phenom 9950 (125W) OC @ 2.7 GHz + Arctic Cooler Freezer 7 v.2
Gigabyte MA770-UD3
WD Caviar SE16 250GB IDE + Seagate 7200.10 500GB + WD Caviar Green 1.5 TB (15EARS)
Asus Radeon 3650 passive, IDLE (Linux with no GUI)
Cooler Master Elite Power 400W Power Supply

(note: the first rig is the i5 2500k OC at 3.6 GHz + Radeon 4870 in my sig)

I know the Phenom 9950 isn't an efficiency king by any standards, but my thoughts drift towards the power supply to tell why a CPU-only folder is drawing the same amount of power (actually, a little more) compared to a Core i5 2500k and an OC'd Radeon 4870.

I did some math, and if Ontario's power bills go up or stay around where they are right now, the PSU will pay for a good chunk of itself after 1.5 years of 24/7 folding when compared to my CoolerMaster: Cooler Master Elite Power 400 W Power Supply Review | Hardware Secrets
Additionally, I don't know if I should trust the backups of all of my family's PCs to a CoolerMaster PSU
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So the musical chairs I plan for the PSUs is the following:
New PSU: goes to Main rig (in my sig)
Seasonic M12: goes from Main rig to home server
CoolerMaster E.P. 400W: goes from home server to spares bin

I'm interested in this PSU, as it seems to be the least expensive of the high efficiency PSU below 650W:
FSP Aurum Gold 500W: Newegg.ca - FSP Group AURUM GOLD 500 (AU-500) 500W ATX12V v2.3 /EPS 12V 80PLUS GOLD Certified Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply

Note I'm not hell-bent on getting an 80PLUS Gold, because my main goal is to replace the CoolerMaster with something that's orders of magnitude more reliable (i.e. NO fan seizing).

Thanks!

[3.0charlie]

I'm sold to the X line from Seasonic.

Seasonic X-560 560W Review
NCIX.com - Buy Seasonic X-560 ATX 12V 24PIN 560W Active PFC 80PLUS Gold Modular Power Supply W Sanyo Denki Fan - Seasonic Electronics - X-560 Gold - in Canada

[ilya]

+1 on the Seasonic
The X-560 is fully modular and it's only a little bit more: R-X-560-A SEASONIC 560W 80+ GOLD MODULE 12CM SILENT FAN 20+4PIN,ACTIVE PFC,FULL MODULAR CABLING,RETAI - Cendirect Canada

If you're concerned about fan seizing, just remember a lot of these gold units run semi passive. Don't give yourself a heart attack when the fan refuses to spin.

[_dangtx_]

seasonic all the way. hell they even have 100% fanless that could do the jobbe, and do it well

the 650 is semi fanless, so at lower loads the fan wont move.

[chrisk]

I have liked the Corsair AX PSUs but I don't know how they compare to the Seasonic. The HX ones were pretty efficient too, and the 650w can be had for $120:
NCIX.com - Buy Corsair Professional HX650W 650W ATX 12V 52A 24PIN ATX Modular Power Supply Active PFC 120MM Fan - Corsair - CMPSU-650HX - in Canada

[kongfoo911]

My system and current WIP have Corsair AX series...they're both very stable and quiet. It's safe to leave them on 24/7. I just have bad luck with Antec, so decided to switch to Corsair and never look back.

[frontier204]

Thanks for the replies. My current M12 has a temperature controlled fan (a little whining 60mm) that normally doesn't spin, so I won't be alarmed if I don't see a fan spinning on that unit. My CoolerMaster's fan doesn't stop spinning but it makes horrible grinding noises to let me know it wants to stop spinning - in which case I hit it (literally) with a screwdriver .

I'll buy when there's some sale I like (not necessarily the PSU), or when the CoolerMaster acts up again - whatever comes first. The suggested units all look good to me, but I'll choose the Seasonic over the Corsair because I won't use that extra 90W.

Does this ever go on sale? NCIX.com - Buy Seasonic X-460FL ATX 12V 24PIN 460W Active PFC 80PLUS Gold Fanless Power Supply - Seasonic Electronics - X-460FL Gold - in Canada
If it doesn't, I won't shell out an extra ~$35-40 for an estimated 3% more efficiency.

[directc]

I would recommend a Seasonic X-650 or X-660.

[MARSTG]

i would like to change the hd5770 from the system in the specs and get a GTX 460 and a 430GT in the system only for folding, and any additional/occasional gaming. Do you think a brand new Antec Earth watts 500 can cope fine with the load? or should i look for something else? i would consider an XFX core edition 550 or a Corsair Builder series 600W. What do you think, which one from these 3 would be the safest bet?

[Soultribunal]

The antec should do just fine for that.
If you want something a little higher end grab a TX from Corsair.

ST