Seasonic focus gold or platinum?

[860lacov]

Bith 850W
I Can get
gold for 191 USD
Platinum for 220 USD

Is it worth to buy Platinum?

Home use
Especially photo editing and 3d modeling
Some games but not often

850 because price difference from lower power psus is not big

 

[DrCR]

Gold

 

[860lacov]

Gold

Could you just in a few words say why?
Please
Is it only about the money or is there another difference?

 

[iuliug]

Well since i'm sure you are number guy ofc, plat is 2 % more efficient at best efficiency curve, so depending on the price of Mw/h price and average pc consumption you can calculate if you can save more than 30 $ on the average lifespan of the build. I am convinced you are pulling out your calculator as we speak .

 

[Caring1]

If you can afford it, go Platinum, there might only be a slight increase in efficiency but the peace of mind from having the best is worth it.

 

[860lacov]

I started to search a little.
I run across an information that Focus PSUs have some problems with some Nvidia and AMD cards. I can't confirm that information.
Do you know anything about this?

 

[Caring1]

Old issue.

Seasonic FOCUS PLUS PSUs Encounter GPU Compatibility Issues

It has been confirmed by Seasonic that their FOCUS PLUS power supplies are experiencing potential conflict with a select number of graphics cards. In regards to NVIDIA, the compatibility issue is currently limited to the ASUS GeForce GTX 970 STRIX. In limited instances, this particular graphics...

www.techpowerup.com

 

[860lacov]

I checked the whole thread.
Not sure if I understand correctly. It was problem with FX and FM series and GX is not affected?

 

[joemama]

I checked the whole thread.
Not sure if I understand correctly. It was problem with FX and FM series and GX is not affected?

Didn't hear any issues with these recently.

You can go for the platinum one if you have the money, but the gold one should be good enough. They usually use better components on higher grades like platinum while the efficiency difference isn't large, but since Seasonic is already a top tier PSU brand, I would recommend gold.

 

[ColinB123]

I think Seasonic, from what I can gather, did have some issues about 3 years ago, maybe longer. Their more recent offerings have put them back into Tier 1. I have a Seasonic Gold, and am very happy with it: a 650w, that powers a RTX3070 (240w+), but a low power (65w) processor. Reviews indicated it would switch off at about 730w load. So I think that unless you're into 3090 SLI, you're pretty good-to-go at 850w. I have a Kill-A-Watt meter, that rarely exceeds 400w at the wall, including 2 monitors.

 

[Gwenved]

I think Seasonic, from what I can gather, did have some issues about 3 years ago, maybe longer. Their more recent offerings have put them back into Tier 1. I have a Seasonic Gold, and am very happy with it: a 650w, that powers a RTX3070 (240w+), but a low power (65w) processor. Reviews indicated it would switch off at about 730w load. So I think that unless you're into 3090 SLI, you're pretty good-to-go at 850w. I have a Kill-A-Watt meter, that rarely exceeds 400w at the wall, including 2 monitors.

Hi all, I was using outervision to calculate my PSU and with my system they gave me a 550W PSU, the same with the Seasonic calculator. My thoughs come about how much system are overpowered and how it affect really the consumption of electricity as if I had a 850W PSU I would be all the time using my PSU at 40% maybe less so far away from the best my PSU can give?

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

Yes Gold will suffice, yea Platinum is better, if you can afford it. If you plan on leaving your PC on for extended periods of time, Platinum. I recommend a threshold of 800 watts when deciding between gold and platinum, also depending of the up-time. If you think you will be using the majority of that 850watts, I'd still recommend platinum.

Last, when researching brand and models series, look up complaints too,

 

[860lacov]

Ok
I'll see if I can get any discount and then decide.

One last question.
What kind of cables are should be in platinum version?

When I look at pictures it seems that gold has pci and cpu flat cables and platinum has braided rounded cables

 

[ColinB123]

If you're "showing off" your nice PC (through a window), then braided cables are a good addition as they just look neater. Technically, you could replace the flat cables with Amazon/EBay braided ones, but I think Seasonic use a specific connector (Antec?) at their power-supply end, so you have to find the right ones - too much hassle in my view. You can also buy braided extensions, but then have to deal with all the extra volume of cable that needs to be tidied away. Either way, you're getting a good power supply.

About the 550w v 850w: I'm an old computer engineer, and I'm used to REALLY beefy power supplies (as in thick copper bus bars running under the computer hall floor: rule number 1, when working on them - make sure you and your partner engineer know where the room's emergency off button is.....these were 3-phase power supplies). So I'd always add 100w to the recommendation - just because there are significant power spikes in new graphics cards.

At the end of the day, if you're using 300w of a 850w power supply, that's sitting in the 'most efficient' part of the power supply's efficiency curve, and with a platinum, you're 'losing' the least amount of power irrespective of whether it's a 450w or 850w platinum supply. You're spending money, once, on the capital outlay, for peace of mind with the bigger supply (and those braided cables!); you're not spending any more on an on-going basis: you're paying for the 300w of use, not the 850w of potential use.

I try to be cost-effective in my choices of PC components, but I'm willing to shave money off my other components in order to spend 'a little more' on power supplies. One other point: check that the larger supply fits! The plug-in cables take extra room, and you don't want severe bends putting a strain on the cables.

 

[860lacov]

Thanks
To be honest I asked about cables with assumption that there ahold be same cables in gold and platinum (not talking about quantity)
And after asking I realised that in the shop there is older platinum version
Focus plus.
Newer one is called Focus PX and it has little difference in painting.
Thats outside.
If I'll find new version of platinum I'll consider buing it.
If not I'll go with gold

 

[Bill_Bright]

If you can afford it, go Platinum, there might only be a slight increase in efficiency but the peace of mind from having the best is worth it.

But this is misleading. It suggests Platinum PSUs are better than Golds just because they are certified Platinum. That is not true.

The 80 PLUS certification program does not work that way. The 80 PLUS certification is all about a PSU's efficiency and nothing else. There is nothing in the certification criteria or process to suggest a Platinum (or Titanium) PSU is more reliable, more stable, better regulated, maintains tighter tolerances, has longer "hold-up" times, outputs a cleaner waveform with better ripple suppression, or anything else. It is only about efficiency - or how much energy is wasted in the form of heat.

As iuliug correctly noted, it only means the Platinum provides just 2 percentage points higher efficiency values. And when already at 90%, 2 more is insignificant.

Do the math.

The givens: PSUs at 50% load with the computer (CPU, GPU, motherboard, RAM, drives, fans, etc) pulling 350W.

Gold with 90% efficiency: the PSU will be pulling 389W from the wall (389 x .9 = 350.1W).
Platinum with 92% efficiency: the PSU will be pulling 380W from the wall (380 x .92 = 349.6).

That's just 9W difference at 350W load and any one who has been around for even short time knows that 350W demands on a PSU is (1) a lot! Get a decent UPS with a LCD display or a Kill-o-watt meter and see for yourself.

(2) Computer demands sit closer to idle than maxed out the majority of time when running.

And (3), on average per day, computers sit off or in sleep (standby mode) more hours of the day than they are running.

So it would take years of heavy use to make up that $30 higher price energy savings. Years!!!

Is it only about the money or is there another difference?

Great question! Typically, it is only about the money. But you would have to properly test and compare two specific PSUs to accurately answer that question. But for sure, if the Platinum turns out to be a better supply in a proper test/review, it will NOT be simply because it is Platinum.

So I say go Gold - unless you can find a Platinum that has been deeply discounted and comparable in price. Then use the $30 in savings for more RAM, a better graphics solution, bigger SSD.

BTW, it is highly unlikely you need a 850W PSU. That is HUGE! Another common misconception is that bigger is always better. Not so! You might want to plug your components into the eXtreme OuterVision PSU Calculator. This will calculate your minimum needs and recommend a suitable size for those needs.

Plug in all your current components. Be sure to plan ahead and include all the hardware you think you might add in 2 or 3 years (extra drives, bigger or second video card, more RAM, etc.).

I recommend setting CPU utilization to 100% and Computer Utilization Time to 16 hours per day. These settings will help compensate for component aging, and add a little extra padding to the results.

 

[ColinB123]

BTW, it is highly unlikely you need a 850W PSU. That is HUGE! Another common misconception is that bigger is always better. Not so! You might want to plug your components into the eXtreme OuterVision PSU Calculator. This will calculate your minimum needs and recommend a suitable size for those needs.

I recommend setting CPU utilization to 100% and Computer Utilization Time to 16 hours per day. These settings will help compensate for component aging, and add a little extra padding to the results.

Well Bill, you have a HUGE 550w supply for a 1050Ti and i5! The 1050Ti barely pulls 75-77w through the PCIe slot.
Now add 200w for a 3060-3080 (or RX6xxx), and another 50w for a beefier processor, and you're already looking at 800w. I used to run a 1050Ti off a 350w supply, with HDDs, CDRoms etc.

You are correct that the Platinum series doesn't imply a 'better' PSU. But the suppliers themselves provide better regulation through tighter-specced components (and more complex design), and generally, they provide better quality components in these 'Premium' PSUs. Yes, they leverage the Platinum name, but reputable suppliers aren't going to fill their Premium PSUs with no-name components. If you think that's the case, give an example.

 

[Bill_Bright]

Well Bill, you have a HUGE 550w supply for a 1050Ti and i5! The 1050Ti barely pulls 75-77w through the PCIe slot.

So what? I also have 4 other computers here with various demands. And I am directly responsible for dozens more client (business and personal) computers too. "So what" for them too! Your point is pointless. And for the record, PCIe slots are limited to 75W. That's exactly why more hungry graphics cards require supplemental power directly from PSUs. So again, so what?

Now add 200w for a 3060-3080 (or RX6xxx), and another 50w for a beefier processor, and you're already looking at 800w. I used to run a...

NO!!!!! I will not add 200W because the OP never said he has a 3060-3080, or RX6xxxx, or a beefier processor! You can just as easily put in an i3 or R3 with integrated graphics and the point is the same.

It does not matter what you used to run. This thread is not about your anecdotal system or your anecdotal, one off experience. Don't assume or imply your anecdotal sample size of one example renders the whole point moot. It doesn't at all.

You are correct that the Platinum series doesn't imply a 'better' PSU. But the suppliers themselves provide better regulation through tighter-specced components

NO again!!!! You don't know that. You are only assuming and that is wrong. You are suggesting any no-name generic "Platinum" certified PSU has better regulation and tighter specs than every "Gold" rated Seasonic, EVGA, SuperFlower and every other PSU from every reputable brand. One might hope that is the case but it would be huge mistake to assume that. This is why I said you have to be specific about which two PSUs you are comparing.

 

[ColinB123]

No example then.

 

[Rei]

Well Bill, you have a HUGE 550w supply for a 1050Ti and i5! The 1050Ti barely pulls 75-77w through the PCIe slot.

There is nothing wrong with speccing his PC build with 550 Watts PSU. He might have lots of "stuff" plugged into his system so that 550 Watts EVGA PSU of his might be correctly specced for is build or there could be other reasons.

Now add 200w for a 3060-3080 (or RX6xxx), and another 50w for a beefier processor, and you're already looking at 800w.

Just so you know, a 3060 Ti is only 200 Watts TDP while a 3080's TDP is 320 Watts & a RX 6800/6900 XT has TDP of 300 Watts while an non-overclocked i7 shouldn't go higher than 150 Watts, add in 100 Watts from other components & peripherals, I don't see how you could get 800 Watts from? Seems like an exaggerated number there.

But the suppliers themselves provide better regulation through tighter-specced components (and more complex design), and generally, they provide better quality components in these 'Premium' PSUs. Yes, they leverage the Platinum name, but reputable suppliers aren't going to fill their Premium PSUs with no-name components.

I doubt that's how it works. Certification is given AFTER speccing a PSU design with components. What use is there in decking out PSU design with high quality components if it turns out that it couldn't meet the Platinum/Titanium certification & got a Gold or lower certification instead. At least those Gold/Silver/Bronze/Normal PSU would have the same quality components as those on Platinum or Titanium rated PSU.

Back to OP! @860lacov Seriously dude! You have created three other threads concerning which PSU to get & you still have not come to a conclusion?!? Let me make this easy for you without making anyone else here in this forum unknowingly chase their own tail!
Since I likely already know what your upcoming specs is, all that's left is the PSU. Just get a 700-750 Watts Bronze/Gold-rated PSU from a reputable brand for somewhere between $120-150. Find it at an online store if you have to.
That SeaSonic 850 Watts is a bit too excessive for your needs but if you are willing to spend that much on PSU then you should go for it. Get the Gold-rated one.
If you have further question or seek additional advice concerning PSUs, then ask away, but please keep it to the previous PSU threads that you have already created before to make it easier to follow.