How bad are CoolerMaster PSUs?

[VirtualLarry]

I was looking at the "Elite 460".
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171046

Newegg lists it as 460 "max" power. Which means it's not a true 460W.

I picked up one of them, for a build with a single-core A64 S939 CPU and a GF 6200 PCI-E.

I decided against using them for my upcoming semi-used gaming-rig builds, and got a few Antec VP-450 units instead.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371045

The $6 shipping was kind of a deal-killer, but I got them anyways.

Did I make the right choice?

Gaming rig is going to have Q9300 @ 3.0, VisionTek HD4850, 8GB DDR2, 500GB WD HD, 30GB SSD, and DVD burner.

Or should I put these EarthWatts 500W PSUs in, instead of the VP-450s, and save the VP-450s for builds in the future?

 

[sunny4691]

Its not one of the best, you could have gone for seasonic.

 

[fffblackmage]

The Elite 460 looks kinda bad from the hardwaresecrets.com review. It can't handle more than 420W. Ripple is rather high at higher loads. No OCP.

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Cooler-Master-Elite-Power-460-W-Power-Supply-Review/1005/9


The VP-450 looks to be a much better PSU, despite being made by FSP like the Elite 460. It can even output up to 553.6W.

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Antec-VP450-Power-Supply-Review/1487/11

 

[VirtualLarry]

Thanks for pointing out those reviews. It looks like a made a decent choice going with the VP-450 for the gaming rigs. Didn't realize that they didn't have PFC though. Hmm.

The computer that the Elite 460 is destined for, would probably run on a PSU that comes with a case. I was hoping that the Elite 460 was one step above those kinds of PSUs. Maybe not.

 

[Fallengod]

I just dont know why youd bother..... And yeah, earthwatts is better.

Anyways, those XFX Core units are seasonic and often pretty friggin cheap. Ive seen those seasonic earthwatts also on sale for $30-$40 for the 600 watter a few times.

Ive learned my lesson. I only buy corsair,seasonic,xfx, antec.

To be fair, ive only used 1 coolermaster PSU and never had a problem.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Well, I was going to get those XigmaTek 700W units, but they sold out, and I kind of need these soon, so I can't really just wait for a nice sale.

Although, they did have the Antec HCG 620W units for $60 FS too. Was debating getting some of those.

I guess I decided to cheap out slightly. Well, this is to put together some rigs to sell, so spending more on a PSU might not result in getting more money for the rig when I sell them.

 

[sunny4691]

Don't put much stress like above 400w on it as its rated max power 460w, so keeping it at a little lower will be better.

 

[Zap]

Ive seen those seasonic earthwatts also on sale for $30-$40 for the 600 watter a few times.

The Seasonic made Earthwatts were discontinued a few years ago, so extremely unlikely that you can buy one new today. Also, the 650W Earthwatts was made by Delta (there was no 600W, at least in the USA). AFAIK Delta now makes all of the Earthwatts.

 

[HOOfan 1]

Neo Eco are made by Seasonic though, they are decently priced too.

 

[leper84]

I had a week old Coolermaster (~400Wish) die on me from a power outage- hooked up to a surge protector, not a single other electrical appliance on the strip or in the house had issues.

I decided against using them in the future before they cost me more than $40...

/anecdotal

 

[HOOfan 1]

Seldom can you judge the quality of a power supply based on the name of the company selling it. You might judge the warranty and customer service of the company though.

Coolermaster sells some junk, and they sell some extremely good stuff made by AcBel and Enhance.

Thermaltake has sold junk and extremley good stuff.

Antec ditto, Tagan ditto

 

[FalseChristian]

I think CoolerMaster makes great PS. I have mine for over a week now and it's still performing admirably.

 

[aaksheytalwar]

Stick only to Silent Pro Gold or at most Silent Pro M if you want CM. Not Extreme, not GS/GX, and maybe not even Real Power any more.

 

[lehtv]

I think CoolerMaster makes great PS. I have mine for over a week now and it's still performing admirably.

I usually replace my PSU twice a week, that's pretty impressive :thumbsup:

 

[Smoblikat]

Coolermaster makes cheap budgest PSU's. My friend bought one rated for 500W (it barely did 400w) and it died on him and took out his RAM, mobo, and obviously itself.

 

[aaksheytalwar]

Coolermaster make cheap as well as quality PSUs, but their quality PSUs are as expensive as Corsair or XFX.

 

[HOOfan 1]

Coolermaster doesn't MAKE any PSUs....they are made by the likes of AcBel, Enhance and Seventeam

How does your friend now how much power his PSU could output, unless he had a $1000+ PSU tester?

 

[lehtv]

maybe he read a review of the unit

 

[HOOfan 1]

maybe he read a review of the unit

Maybe he should have done that before buying it...

 

[Fjive]

Seems like Elite series are the cheapest build from coolermaster...
check out their GX series...seems like they do have something decent from their line of PSUs..

http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/product.php?product_id=2973&product_name=GX 650W

 

[aaksheytalwar]

Gx is crap as well

Silent pro gold is excellent, comparable with the best in the world. They are not exact,y cheap but worth every penny, comparable to corsair hx series.

Silent pro m is decent, but preferably for mid loads, cant max out on them. But they are cheap and very good at low to mid loads

The rest are a waste of money

 

[GoSharks]

I have a Coolermaster RS450 that has been running 24/7/~350 since mid 2005. No problems.

 

[aaksheytalwar]

Real Power Pro used to be good, no idea how it compares to newer CM psus.

However, all extreme series PSUs are crap. Most GX PSUs are completely crap as well.

Real Power doesn't come in higher power amperages so no point any longer.

If you want SLI or CF go for a CM Gold 800-1000+ and for any single GPU a CM Silent Pro M 850 should be fine for $120-150.

 

[Smoblikat]

Coolermaster doesn't MAKE any PSUs....they are made by the likes of AcBel, Enhance and Seventeam

How does your friend now how much power his PSU could output, unless he had a $1000+ PSU tester?

lol, volts times amps its not exactly rocket science, plus.....coolermaster put max output shall not exceed 430w on the side of the PSU.

 

[HOOfan 1]

lol, volts times amps its not exactly rocket science, plus.....coolermaster put max output shall not exceed 430w on the side of the PSU.

Well you can't just add up the outputs from the different rails shown on the badge anyway, but if you do and it less than 500W...well then obviously the PSU is less than 500W. There were a few extreme power PSUs made on a Seventeam 400W platform and named various different wattages...at least up to 550W.

Coolermaster was rating on Peak output, instead of maximum continuous. Or they were just making crap up. Still doesn't deny the fact that some PSUs with Coolermaster's name on them are very good.