300W Sparkle Power Supply for $15 Shipped

[KC5AV]

Shows to be back in stock. I already have two of these, and they are great.

 

[Replay]

Originally posted by: KC5AV
Shows to be back in stock. I already have two of these, and they are great.

OOS again? I don't see the 300W unit, just the 250 watt piece. Not found on Pricewatch, PCDirect, or the MicroTech site at 5:30pm est.

 

[bpctech]

I bought a really cheap computer case a while back for the system i'm using now. I probably should've put a better PSU in it, but I was lazy and kept the generic 350W. Anyways I guess it used a sleeve bearing fan because the fan is nearly dead now, it hardly spins. Since the 300W is out of stock, I ordered the 250W. My system doesn't have a whole lot, K7S5a, amd 1500+, gf2mx, 2 hard drives + dvd. It should be enough, but I compared the specs of the 2 power supplies anyways just to be sure:


Crappy generic 350W
+3.3V = 14A
+5V = 40A
+12V = 12A

Sparkle 250W
+3.3V = 20A
+5V = 27A
+12V = 13A


The sparkle 250W actually has better ratings than the crappy one i'm using now except in the +5V rail, do you think i'll have any problems?? I Read reviews for this unit at several sites and many people with similar systems to mine seem pleased. Thanks for any input!

 

[xenolith]

Originally posted by: gaidin123
Most InWin cases use these same powersupplies under the brand name of "Powerman". They're all made by the FSP Group if you compare model numbers. I use the 300W version on a pretty heavily loaded Athlon 1900 system (Epox 8kha+,512,2 HDs, 2 CDs, GF4 Ti4400, NIC, SB Live, etc.) and have used this same PSU for 3-4 years now. Tomshardware did a nice power supply review a while back and the FSP ones came out very high for their rather low cost.

We buy the Sparkle 300W ones from newegg at work and use them to replace blow PSUs (mostly old Deer <shudder> ones from a bad batch of OEM machines) and haven't had any problems with them though most of those machines are older P3s.

If you can get this PSU for $15 it's a great deal. Newegg has it for $27 or so from what I recall.

Be careful. The PSU that is highly rated at THG and is selling @newegg for $27 is the better FSP300-60ATV with the +3.3V/+5V rail rated at 200 watts. This looks like a cheaper FSP version that has the lower 175W rating.

Edit: Looks to be now OOS anyway.

 

[verydryice]

I recieved the PS and it's running quietly in my setup.

Thx for the deal.

-ice

 

[pxc]

I got this Sparkle 300W yesterday and it's pretty heavy. It doesn't feel cheap at all. Plus it runs pretty quietly.

 

[bpctech]

I ordered the 250W sparkle from them and got it today.

http://www.microtechcomputers.com/product.asp?Sku=250ATX

if you go through pricewatch it's only $12 shipped. This thing is solid, nice and heavy, runs super quiet and very cool. MUCH cooler than the crappy generic 350W i was using before. good deal for anyone who needs a solid psu and doesn't have tons of hard discs and fans.

 

[pxc]

Originally posted by: yodayoda
sparkle 300W = powerman 300W = inwin 300W = antec 300W, all the same OEM PSU.

sparkle 300W != antec 300W, not even the "OEM" versions.

 

[blueribb]

Yes, you're right - according to Sparkle they do not supply OEM units for ANTEC.

 

[bunker]

I have this running an xp1800, 2 optical drives, 2 hard drives, several fans and a radeon 9700 pro. No problems at all, great psu.

 

[Lanyap]

Here is an alternate Sparkle 300W PSU since MicroTech is OOS. It's $22 shipped. I ordered one from here last week. It's heavy, all power leads/wires are 24" and the model number is ATX-300GT.

 

[frankqfrank]

can someone tell me how to get the 250 watt for $12 shipped (the pricewatch price) from pcdirect?

 

[mindless1]

According to Pricewatch you can get a 250W Sparkle for $10 shipped at USSA

 

[bpctech]

Originally posted by: frankqfrank
can someone tell me how to get the 250 watt for $12 shipped (the pricewatch price) from pcdirect?

I got mine from microtechcomputers.com

you have to click on the pricewatch link to get it for $12, but read the post above mine. save yourself 2 bucks

 

[doinmybestatlast]

Tried USSA and no Sparkle

 

[pxc]

SPI = Sparkle

 

[blueribb]

Link for $10 PS

 

[frankqfrank]

USSA has atrocious ratings.

I'll try for a $12

 

[geek0rama]

This power supply sucks with AMD machines. Mine died in about a month. Got a replacement. Same thing.

 

[frankqfrank]

Originally posted by: geek0rama
This power supply sucks with AMD machines. Mine died in about a month. Got a replacement. Same thing.

the 250 or the 300?

 

[bpctech]

Originally posted by: geek0rama
This power supply sucks with AMD machines. Mine died in about a month. Got a replacement. Same thing.

what difference does it make if it's an amd system or an intel?


i've heard lots of good things and for $12 you're aren't going to get any better.

 

[xkenny013]

Originally posted by: geek0rama
This power supply sucks with AMD machines. Mine died in about a month. Got a replacement. Same thing.

What's your rig look like?

 

[ThisIsMatt]

Originally posted by: geek0rama
This power supply sucks with AMD machines. Mine died in about a month. Got a replacement. Same thing.

Sounds like an EBCAK problem to me.

 

[mindless1]

Originally posted by: geek0rama
This power supply sucks with AMD machines. Mine died in about a month. Got a replacement. Same thing.

What, EXACTLY was the failure point on your dead PSU(s)? If you don't know, odds are you'd see some damage if you remove the cover(s).

 

[Naruto]

Originally posted by: geek0rama
This power supply sucks with AMD machines. Mine died in about a month. Got a replacement. Same thing.

I disagree. The 300W sparkle I used for my cousin's comp ran flawlessly on her xp 2000+, although I was somewhat skeptical at first. It even had enough molex connectors for the 6 case fans that came in the case, but that was too loud.