Good, cheap, PSU for doing computer builds?

[VirtualLarry]

Since NewEgg no longer seems to carry their $40 OEM Antec Basiq 500W PSUs, what are other GOOD-QUALITY options, that are also CHEAP, and work well with a single high-end GPU along with an OCed CPU?

Prefer ones that I can purchase in qty, not one-off special deals that require rebates (although I've done plenty of those in the past).

I really wish Microcenter would put the Antec Basiq 500W PSUs back on sale for $30 ea, I picked a few up then, but now they are all allocated for builds, and I could use a few more.

Or perhaps those ThermalTake 430W units, if I could find a source for those cheap WITHOUT rebate. Still, I have my doubts about them handling an overclocked C2D AND a 4850/4870. (I could test that, actually, I guess. I have one rig with a C2D E2140 @ 3.2Ghz, which currently has a Radeon X1950GT in it, I could swap in the 4850 and run the OCCT PSU test.)

Maybe I should wait until the EarthWatts 380/430/500 go on sale again without rebate. Happens once in a blue moon.

Would an EA430 work for an OCed CPU and a 4850, or would I need the EA500? (I'm using an EA650 for an OCed Q6600 and CF 4850s. Haven't tested that with OCCT PSU test either.)

Edit: My price range is maximum $50, the lower the better. ($30 for a Basiq 500W is what I would consider a Good Deal. How about $40 link)

How are these PSUs:
HEC 585W link
CoolMax 500W link
Cooler Master eXtreme Power Plus 500 link
PC P&C Silencer 420 link

 

[theAnimal]

Antec Earthwatts 380 is $40 at newegg. Plenty of power for OCed dual core & 4850.

 

[BladeVenom]

I haven't seen a review for it, but the Enermax Tomahawk 405 Watt for $39.99 at Microcenter might also be worth considering.
http://www.microcenter.com/sin...tml?product_id=0299460

 

[vailr]

nm

 

[theAnimal]

Originally posted by: vailr
I have one (very minimally used) Ultra X-Finity 600W PSU, model #ULT-XF600 for sale.
$40 shipped.
Has 2x 80mm fans (intake and exhaust) and a glossy mirror finish.
4x SATA power, 8x IDE power, 2x 6-pin video card power, 1x 8-pin ATX connector (can be split for 4-pin requirement).
Has less than 20 hours total run time on it.
Photos & review: http://xtreview.com/review42.htm

He said he would like a good PSU.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: VirtualLarry
Or perhaps those ThermalTake 430W units

No. Those only put out 18A on +12v, which is terrible. more info

Originally posted by: VirtualLarry
Would an EA430 work for an OCed CPU and a 4850

Yes.

Originally posted by: VirtualLarry
How are these PSUs:
HEC 585W link
CoolMax 500W link
Cooler Master eXtreme Power Plus 500 link
PC P&C Silencer 420 link

Blah
Blah
Mediocre
Good

 

[Zepper]

Heroichi PSUs (HEC) used to be on my list of good brands (reliably capable of putting out at least 10% over rating - on par with the FSP goup units) but I haven't seen any reviews of them on a trusted PSU review site in a long time. Other than that, I'd generally agree with Zap.

The Egg used to have some nice iStar low end units that were 80 Plus rated - now all they seem to have is a 1.2kw turkey. Personally I haven't heard enough about the Antec Basiq line to judge them - with Antec's spotty PSU history, I wouldn't use them until I do.

I've been using the Antec (OEM by Seasonic) EA380 on my own system and it has been very nice - quiet and stable, but then I don't stress my PSUs much. I'll probably have a couple of the EA380s for sale soon. Both refurbs that I've repaired myself (simple mechanical shipping issues) and tested in my own system for at least a week each. The one I'm using now has been in there a good while. Not sure whether I'll sell one of the 380s and keep trying to move my new 500W Zippy or sell both the 380s and use the Zippy. Never took more than a month to move a Zippy in the past, must be the economy...

.bh.

 

[cusideabelincoln]

Once every blue moon? The Antec EAs go on sale about once every full moon 😛

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: Zepper
Heroichi PSUs (HEC) used to be on my list of good brands

That was back when they called themselves "world famous." :laugh:

These days their 485/585W units are what is typically found at resellers, and those are meh. They put out more power than crap units, but seem to be older/cheaper designs that aren't super efficient. Also, they're loud. I've had several of their 585W units and being noisy was pretty consistent.

Originally posted by: cusideabelincoln
Once every blue moon? The Antec EAs go on sale about once every full moon 😛

LOL, that rings of truth!