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Looking for a 500w for under 50$

ExcaliburMM

ExcaliburMM

Senior member
Topic pretty much describes the problem folks. I need a 500w PSU for under 50$ on Newegg. I've been looking around but so far all I've found are PSUs from names I don't trust, and the reviews are always filled with people either completely satisfied or complaining of DOAs and shorts in wires. I figured since I'd already tried my hand and not had much luck, I'd come in here.

Also I'm not sure if I'm over what I need to power the build this is going into:
E5200 (Will be OC'd, not sure how far yet.), HD4830 or 9800GT depending on what I can get cheaper. Really hoping for the HD4830 though. 2x2GB GSkill DDR2 800. WD 250GB HDD.
 
I am doing a budget build for a friend, I've cut every possible corner to fit his budget and am continuing my quest to bring the price down further.
 
Originally posted by: ExcaliburMM
I am doing a budget build for a friend, I've cut every possible corner to fit his budget and am continuing my quest to bring the price down further.
Click to expand...

IMHO, Cut corners elsewhere, get a decent PSU.
 
I really wish I could, but this is the last area to be cut. Every other component I've gotten down as far as I can. Open box motherboard, Kingston value RAM, nearly everything is low price and free shipping, but it's still coming out a little bit over. I know that seems like the point where you have to say 'Well I guess I've got to start looking at lowering my expectations for the build' but being that I only need to cut another 20-40$ to get it in the range needed, I really want to keep trying.
 
Tell your friend to work 4 hours of overtime in the next month. :beer:

Alternately, get that Antec EarthWatts 430W, or even the 380W. Either will run an overclocked E5200 with 9800 GT or 4830 just fine. Both are great quality.

If you and your friend has to keep the price down, then he will have to settle for a lower wattage number. That's all there is to it. He doesn't have to sacrifice quality nor will such a power supply lack the ability to run his proposed setup with full overclocks. It will only lack in that one magical number.

Okay, if it makes your friend feel any better, photocopy the label off a 500W PSU and tape it to an EarthWatts 380/430W. 😀 That's almost what a lot of companies do already with those crappy and cheap 500W units, except they start with units much crappier than the EarthWatts.

Seriously though, it will work fine.
 
Aren't the Antec Basiq 500W PSUs around $40 at NewEgg?

Nevermind. Newegg wants $65 for retail (WTF???), and no longer seems to carry the OEM version. Once upon a time, they used to have the OEM for $40, which was a decent deal on a quality 500W PSU.

I picked up several retail-boxed versions for $30 at Microcenter some months back.

OP, go with the Antec EA430, it's a quality PSU for $50. It will easily power your rig.
 
I agree with the choice of the Antec EA430. You want quality not quantity. This power supply is more than enough for your current build and video card choices.
 
OP,

The Basiq PSUs aren't close to the same quality as the EA series - even the new Delta made EAs seem to be good. As everyone says, you aren't likely to come up with 500W in a decent brand/model PSU for $50. or less unless on a VERY special deal. I see an EA500 on fleaBay with a starting bid of 25.00 and less than half a day to go (no bids as yet, but most smart bidders try to snipe 'em off at the last minute, but you never know... You could try to snag that one. It is used and shouldn't cost more than $10. to ship by Priority Flat Rate Box (yup he has it at 9.95 by Priority).
.

I also found a Topower 500W on the Egg right at $50. It doesn't have 80+ cert. nor the auto universal voltage of the Antec EA series, but may be the best 500 you can get in your price range right now. Topower OEMs most Enermax and Tagan/ePower PSUs. The Egg also has the EA430 at under $50 w/ free ship right now. You could also check the For Sale/Trade or Hot Deals sections here and/or Dealighted.com for more shopping ideas. Unfortunately I can't sell you my Zippy HP26500PE(G1) for anywhere near $50... :-( (see link below)

You might want to check your nearest Craigslist nodes as well - depending on your level of risk tolerance...

.bh.
 
Hard to go wrong with the Antec PSUs. I tend to be more a fan of their cases than their PSUs, but I recall them being solid back when I was building systems for a university.
If you catch it on sale, I've seen the Corsair 400w go as low as $40 on Newegg.

It's pretty quiet (if that matters).

Unless you're running a crossfire or SLI configuration of ultra high end cards, you don't need much more than 350 watts on your PSU (from a quality name brand PSU)
 
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