350W Generic vs. 550W Generic

[Elfear]

I know the choice should be obvious but I'm trying to decide which PS to use for a computer I'm building for a buddy. They are both power supplies that I got with two cases I ordered. The 550W PS is made by L&C Technology and came with a cheap $30 case I bought. The 350W PS is made by Turbolink and came with an X-Dreamer II case I got for $60. I trust the PS I got with the more expensive case but maybe it doesn't matter? My buddy's rig will have a 2500+ Barton oced to a 3200+, a 9800Pro, and two optical drives. He's not an ocer so he won't be messing with it much.

 

[Ryoga]

Use whichever one is heavier. Seriously. Higher quality components generally weigh more. Off hand I'd go with the 550, simply because generic PSU's can't be trusted. Ultimately, though, I'd never want a generic PSU in my system. That's just asking for trouble. But then, so is overlocking the processor. I'd just pay for an Antec TruePower series PSU.

 

[Mem]

I'd never want a generic PSU in my system. That's just asking for trouble. But then, so is overlocking the processor. I'd just pay for an Antec TruePower series PSU.

Yep!....Always go quality where possible,however back to your generic PSU problem,there should be a label on the side of the PSU giving rails specs in amps for 12v,3.3v etc..go with the one with the better rail specs.

 

[killedradiostar]

neither!

 

[CraigRT]

Originally posted by: Mem

I'd never want a generic PSU in my system. That's just asking for trouble. But then, so is overlocking the processor. I'd just pay for an Antec TruePower series PSU.

Yep!....Always go quality where possible,however back to your generic PSU problem,there should be a label on the side of the PSU giving rails specs in amps for 12v,3.3v etc..go with the one with the better rail specs.

Yeah, if you have to use one of the 2, just check the specs.. that's what I'd do.

 

[Lonyo]

A 400w PSU I have is worse than the 300w PSU I use, it has a poorer 12v rail, and my 12v rail is already straining.

Wattage means little when it comes to generics, the 12v rail can be pretty important, with higher end hardware.

 

[3chordcharlie]

Originally posted by: Ryoga
Use whichever one is heavier. Seriously. Higher quality components generally weigh more.

There's a lot of truth in this.

 

[NeonFlak]

I would also go with whichever is heavier. Generic powersupplies scare me though, I think they get their wattage rating right at the second before they go nuclear.

 

[jacktesterson]

The Power supplies that come with X-Dreamer II's are actually not that bad

choose the 350, I know from experience

Edit: always use Antec though if possible



but out of those two I bet the 350 will work better any day

 

[DreamInBlue]

I agree with the above post go with the 350w turbolink i used one in my parents pc with similar specs and no problems. From my experience the higher the wattage on a generic PS the crappier it is.

 

[dmw16]

Generic is always risky. I lost a motherboard to a generic power supply. Anyway, go w/ the heavier one. But if you can, get an Antec or something w/ a reputation.

 

[konakona]

another vote for neither. my roomate had to RMA 2 mobos in a row thanks to a POS generic PSU he got from ebay. *shudders*

 

[Elfear]

Thanks for the help guys. My buddy's rig is already $100 over budget so I think I'll try the 350W PS (it is slightly heavier) and see what happens. The rails by the way are as follows:

350W- +3.3 +5 +12 -12 -5 +5SB
______24A 35A 12A 0.8A 0.5A 2.0A

550W- +3.3 +5 +12 -12 -5 +5SB
______28A 50A 18A 0.8A 1.0A 2.5A

Will the 350W be up to the task?

 

[Mik3y]

wuts his budget? we can help you decide wut to get if you give us the price and wut he needs. also, tell us wut he has already.

 

[Elfear]

I've already bought everything and all I'm waiting on is the OS and optical drives to get here. Basically he hasn't budgeted for a new PS and I was just going to give him one of mine that I have laying around. He will probabaly game occasionaly and surf the net a bit. His system includes:
2500+ Barton
9800Pro
K7S8XE MB
2 optical drives

The only thing he's planning on ocing is the processor to a 3200+.