Good quality but cheap PSU?

[cowface3]

I'm currently helping a friend buy a PSU for his new computer and his price range is like $30-50 dollars. He might pay $60 but he doesn't want to spend that much. I'm not sure exactly what his rig is but i know he needs to power an 8800 gts nvidia card.

What power supply is good enough to power an 8800 gts but cheap enough to accomplish his goal of spending $30-50?

 

[MegaVovaN]

Antec Earthwatts when they have rebates

Corsair VX450

both top notch PSUs.

if he has like 10 hard drives, 450w may not be enough.

 

[JustaGeek]

http://forums.slickdeals.net/s...d.php?sduid=0&t=724522

 

[cowface3]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817153023

Heres the one he alrdy bought but i told him to send it back because the 12v is only 18amps. Am i wrong in thinking its unsafe to power his rig?

And I have his rig specs now:

1 80 GB western digital hard drive

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822135106

1 DVD burner

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16827151153

2 GB of G skill DDR2 ram

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820231098

ASUS M2A-VM AM2 AMD 690G Micro ATX AMD Motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813131172

1 8800 gts nvidia card

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814130082

1 AMD2 2.1 GH processor

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819103774

 

[MegaVovaN]

Yeah tell him to send that PSU back.
It may have been a decent idea in the days of 6800 series, not 8800.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: cowface3
What power supply is good enough to power an 8800 gts but cheap enough to accomplish his goal of spending $30-50?

Any of the Antec Earthwatts, though the 380W model might be cutting it close for long-term stability. I can't think of any other PSU under $50 (with or without rebates) that comes close.

 

[cowface3]

ok I've decided on this one http://www.newegg.com/Product/...m=N82E16817371005#spec

Do you think that will be powerful enough, or does he need more wattage?

Again the specs are:

1 80 GB western digital hard drive

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822135106

1 DVD burner

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16827151153

2 GB of G skill DDR2 ram

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820231098

ASUS M2A-VM AM2 AMD 690G Micro ATX AMD Motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813131172

1 8800 gts nvidia card

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814130082

1 AMD2 2.1 GH processor

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819103774

 

[MegaVovaN]

That 380 antec is barely making it, I'd want more wattage (since PSUs age, they become weaker over time...the day might come when that antec will not put out enough power for the GTS).
Besides it's out of stock on newegg.

Buy the PSU JustaGeek linked, or VX450 I linked to above.

 

[cowface3]

the VX450 is too expensive and he cant wait for a rebate to be available because he wants to order it tonight

 

[cowface3]

What about this one? 500w and pretty good 12v raitings, but can any testify to its quality?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...m=N82E16817148027#spec

 

[MegaVovaN]

Originally posted by: cowface3
What about this one? 500w and pretty good 12v raitings, but can any testify to its quality?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...m=N82E16817148027#spec

No.

Aprevia != quality.

As for VX450, tell him to stop being a cheap bastard and buy it. 60 bucks shipped is a kickass PSU.

You aren't going to buy a high quality PSU for 30 bucks NOW.
It is possible (quality for 30) but involves rebates and days of hunting for hot deal.


cheap PSUs die fast, unless he wants a PSU die on him in couple months tell him to spend more and get quality.

 

[JustaGeek]

Don't be skimpy, Cowface!

And tell your friend the same.

60-day wait for the rebate means absolutely nothing if you can get a few years of trouble-free computing out of it.

The promo codes are not valid anymore, but the final price of $60 is still within the budget you mentioned.

The $20 PSU will perform exactly according to the price paid.

Get the 500W Earthwatts - unless you want to spend the countless hours troubleshooting, only to discover that the PSU is the culprit.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...A&Item=N82E16817371007

Or get a real good one here: 650W, $69.99 AR, Antec TruePower Trio:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817371001

Believe it or not - the PSU might be the most important part of your setup!

 

[JustaGeek]

:laugh: Quite a co-ordinated response here...

 

[MegaVovaN]

Originally posted by: JustaGeek
Don't be skimpy, Cowface!

And tell your friend the same.

60-day wait for the rebate means absolutely nothing if you can get a few years of trouble-free computing out of it.

The promo codes are not valid anymore, but the final price of $60 is still within the budget you mentioned.

The $20 PSU will perform exactly according to the price paid.

Get the 500W Earthwatts - unless you want to spend the countless hours troubleshooting, only to discover that the PSU is the culprit.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...A&Item=N82E16817371007

Or get a real good one here: 650W, $69.99 AR, Antec TruePower Trio:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817371001

Believe it or not - the PSU might be the most important part of your setup!

:thumbsup:
I agree 100%

Originally posted by: JustaGeek

:laugh: Quite a co-ordinated response here...

 

[cowface3]

http://www.buy.com/prod/Corsai...loc/101/205466485.html

ok i got him to stop being a stingy bastard and get this power supply,

but just one last thing, will it fit in his case?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811156011

I don't see why it wouldn't but he wants me to make sure before he buys.

 

[JustaGeek]

Holy crap... has he already bought this case...?

The PSU will obviously fit, but with this case no one will believe him that he is running the 8800GTS and Corsair PSU...

 

[JustaGeek]

Why don't you get this case - it comes with the fans, a window, and has a great airflow.

I use it on 2 of my computers.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811119077

EDIT: 60 bucks delivered.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: cowface3
but just one last thing, will it fit in his case?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811156011

:shocked: That is, ahem, a low end case he got... or did he order anything yet?

Antec Sonata III case with EarthWatts 500W power supply for $68 after rebate with free shipping

 

[cowface3]

Ya its all purchased alrdy. What happened was he asked this idiot friend of mine for help on purchasing a comp for 500 dollars and the guy buys him that beast of a video card and then doesn't check if the power supply had a strong enough 12v rail to power it. In his defense though he was rushed and the guy was being super cheap so he had to get the cheapest stuff possible.

 

[JEDIYoda]

talk about being cheap....

 

[MegaVovaN]

no, if someone asks for advice they should know better than buying stuff beforehand. That Antec Sonata III with quality PSU for just $68 shipped AR is a steal!

 

[nerp]

I recommend any FSP model. they're all good and nice and inexpensive. Get the 430 or 450 watt verisons. They'll own you. Most high end gaming rigs barely use more than 250 watts at load and buying a 600 watt gamer PSU is a waste of money.

 

[Rottie]

I am lucky one I bought an Antec TruePower 2.0 500watts for 38.00 on sale last summer. It has been running so strong.