I was getting 3.8Ghz out of my Phenom II (Deneb core) X4 940 BE, but @ a cost, 1.55cpuv and temps of up to 60c* when reencoding @ 100% on all cores

I was using a mid sized but quality Sliverstone 650w (54a single 12v rail) modular psu, as I expanded my main rig I augmented my 650w main psu w/ a Thermaltake 5" bay 250w (21a on 2 rails) dedicated gfx card psu for a total of 900w and 75a

The Thermaltake had been annoying me for a while w/ fan bearing whine on startup, I needed to remove it and change out the fan, but I also thought why not just upgrade my main psu, get rid of the aux psu, and free up a bay making room for another HDD

I had been looking @ 1000w psus, but the few that get "5-eggs" @ newegg are EXTREMELY expensive

I decided to go w/ the well reviewed Corsair 850w (70a 12v rail) psu (non-modular), also 30a on both 3.3v and 5v rails

Not only did I free up a bay, but the Corsair non-modular psu actually looks better sitting in my case because of its full length sleaving w/ shrink tube @ the ends (the Silverstone sleaving ends @ the first connector)

I enjoyed increased performance when I first upgraded from my OCZ ModXStream 600w (4x 18a) 12v rail psu to the 650w (54a single 12v rail), after all it was a 50w increase in power and no need to worry about "load balancing"

When I added the dedicated gfx card psu I had a combined 900w and 75a on the 12v rail

W/ the Corsair 850w psu it would seem that I have reduced 50w available power and 5a on the 12v rail, but better ability to distribute that power

In actual practice I have been able to reduce my cpuv "3 notches" from 1.55v down to 1.475v reducing cpu temps 8-9c*

Conclusion: You must have adequate power for stable operation, but for serious oc it pays to have oversized rock solid psu rails

I killed 3 birds w/ 1 stone

1. freed up space for another HDD
2. made stable oc w/ less cpuv for longer life of cpu
3. reduced cpu temps for longer cpu life and reduced risk of crashing on over night reencodes in warm weather or when my wife is baking (PC is upstairs over kitchen)

PC details

https://forum.videohelp.com/topic368691.html

ocgw

peace