PSU for i3 or i5??

[Troy22]

I'm planning to upgrade to core i3 or i5 sometime soon. I liked their power efficiency compared to AMD. I believe true performance lies also on the processor's ability to save power without compromising performance. Now since these new processors sips less power, what's the recommended PSU wattage to use if I'll use a H55 mobo & a Radeon HD 5570 midrange card? Is a 500W 80+ certified PSU too much for this set-up? My priority in assembling a new rig is geared towards power efficiency. Please help..Thanks!

[D.8080]

About right.
Good way of thinking, forests say thanks Lol

[max3]

Its relatively simple to count power needs, however, components, that you have mentioned would not be enough to properly calculate wattage needs.
Usually, the most powerful units in common pc are:

CPU
VIDEO CARD
MOTHERBOARD

being said that, if would specify models of what your components will be we can calculate some sort of your pc closest watts needs.

p.s. you dont want to have your PS unit to work with load, close to the top it can provides, there should be some extra *space* for peaks / noise etc factors