Cheaper option to Corsair CX400W

[NL mkII]

I have a friend I'm trying to help fix up their pc, and it seems that while it was factory built they provided a 220W psu for a system that requires a lot more than that. In fact with PSU wear and tear I would say a 350W minimum would be needed.

My obvious choice for them would be to purchase a Corsair CX400W, which is $45 as tigerdirect.com. They are okay with this but they dont have a lot of money and would like to see if there was something cheaper. I'm not au fait with anything lower than this price at all, plus I like in the UK so I'm not sure on the prices of various PSU's across the pond.

Is there anything around the $25-$30 mark that would work acceptably. Its not an amazing pc with highly expensive components either.

 

[lsv]

Check the Antec Basiq series, they have a 350W for like $35?

 

[RaistlinZ]

Wow, just how old is this computer? What kind of problems are they having with it?

 

[NL mkII]

Its not horrendously old, its an Acer x3200 Aspire that came with a Phenom x3 8450 (and Nvidia 9200 on board graphics). It seems just stuck with the basic x3200 system while upgrading and seem to have added more powerful components each time without upping the PSU ever. It was bought factory refurbished though, so maybe they upgraded parts in the factory to sell it more easily and just left the PSU alone hoping noone would question it.

 

[faxon]

antec earthwatt 380w (80+ bronze) $44.99 @ frys, prolly cheaper online. basic 430w as well for $5 less but it has less usable 12v power than the EW and the EW is efficient enough to make up for the difference in price by power savings

 

[lsv]

If it's an Acer you should double check that it doesn't use some proprietary connectors. That Earthwatts 380 is a great choice btw

 

[Rifter]

seriously how much cheaper do you want? thats the lowest priced PSU i would go, my local store has them for 35-40 all the time. they have them for 39.99 this week after rebate.

 

[veri745]

There's a Rosewill on the egg for $25 + shipping. It's got pretty good reviews, although only 15A on the +12V rail.

I wouldn't recommend it over the Corsair or the Antec EW, but if you need cheaper, it's there.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817182006

 

[M0RPH]

That's a small-form-factor PC so it may not accept a standard size psu. Anyway, what makes you think it needs a larger psu?