Need "budget" PSU advice

[SunnyD]

One of my Antec TruPower 430 watt PSU's finally decided not to play nice anymore, and I've been putting off getting an adequate PSU until now. System is as follows:

DFI Infinity nF4X S754 Motherboard
Sempron 64 2800+
2x PC3200 RAM
2x Seagate 7200.8 SATA Drives
2x Optical Drives
2x 80mm Case Fans (1 motherboard header, 1 molex)
Radeon X1950XTX PCIe Video Card

Now I see the Radeon puts my constraints pretty high to begin with (they specifically request a higher end PSU). But I am on a budget, and have to save my pennies for my upcoming move next month. I know a PSU isn't the greatest place to skimp, but I just need something working until I can put together an updated system early next year.

What can I legitimately get away with on this system?

I was looking at something like this one.

 

[JEDIYoda]

You can legitimately get away with anything that will run your system....from such generic PSU`s as OKIA and Aspire and some of those bundled with cases all the way up to the most expensice "custom made" PSU`s on the market....

Mind you when talking low budget you are more apt to have problems with your PSU than if you save your money and bought a more expensive PSU...
Such as say something under $75. Most people here wil not in all honesty want to recommend a PSU for 30 or 40 dollars...

That HiPro would do....
But give us a dollar amount and it would be easier to steer you towards some of the more descent quality PSU`s!!

Good luck!!

 

[SunnyD]

Originally posted by: JEDIYoda
You can legitimately get away with anything that will run your system....from such generic PSU`s as OKIA and Aspire and some of those bundled with cases all the way up to the most expensice "custom made" PSU`s on the market....

Mind you when talking low budget you are more apt to have problems with your PSU than if you save your money and bought a more expensive PSU...
Such as say something under $75. Most people here wil not in all honesty want to recommend a PSU for 30 or 40 dollars...

That HiPro would do....
But give us a dollar amount and it would be easier to steer you towards some of the more descent quality PSU`s!!

Good luck!!

Under $50... preferable including shipping.

 

[pkme2]

Fortron FSP400-60GLN would be a better choice.

 

[SunnyD]

Originally posted by: pkme2
Fortron FSP400-60GLN would be a better choice.

No PCIe connector and $22 more than my "budget".

 

[Operandi]

Not $50 but this Enhance is the closest thing that I can recommend. You will not find a better PSU for under $60.

 

[gamefreakgcb]

Originally posted by: Operandi
Not $50 but this Enhance is the closest thing that I can recommend. You will not find a better PSU for under $60.

True, unless the OP wants the Ultra V-Series or X-Finity PSUs

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: gamefreakgcb

Originally posted by: Operandi
Not $50 but this Enhance is the closest thing that I can recommend. You will not find a better PSU for under $60.

True, unless the OP wants the Ultra V-Series or X-Finity PSUs

Not even close.

 

[acegazda]

Originally posted by: Operandi

Originally posted by: gamefreakgcb

Originally posted by: Operandi
Not $50 but this Enhance is the closest thing that I can recommend. You will not find a better PSU for under $60.

True, unless the OP wants the Ultra V-Series or X-Finity PSUs

Not even close.

The ultra v series is built by wintech, better than the first generation of xconnects, but inferior to the 2nd gen. and the xfinity. The xfinity is prolly the best, however, it is supposably loud and not made of the BEST components. Just get the enhance 5140gh. It is the best value of the current crop of psus. Why skimp and have to get another psu soon?

 

[gamefreakgcb]

I have an X-Finity and they're quiet. The X-xonnects on the other hand were loud.

 

[SunnyD]

I almost picked up the X-Finity last week when they were on sale at Fry's for $25. Unfortunately I was heading out of town and didn't have the spare money.

The key here is that as I said, I'm on a budget. Literally, it's either a PSU or groceries to a point.

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: SunnyD
I almost picked up the X-Finity last week when they were on sale at Fry's for $25. Unfortunately I was heading out of town and didn't have the spare money.

The key here is that as I said, I'm on a budget. Literally, it's either a PSU or groceries to a point.

See if you can find the Ultra X-Finity for that price again.

 

[gamefreakgcb]

V-series 500Watt 20AR
Shipping also Free (Make sure to select Ground shipping, outpost is always selecting the 2Day option by default)
Review

 

[SunnyD]

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: SunnyD
I almost picked up the X-Finity last week when they were on sale at Fry's for $25. Unfortunately I was heading out of town and didn't have the spare money.

The key here is that as I said, I'm on a budget. Literally, it's either a PSU or groceries to a point.

See if you can find the Ultra X-Finity for that price again.

The problem was that was after rebate, not out the door pricing, which is why I ended up passing on it.

 

[SunnyD]

This is partially the reason I was considering the HIPRO... I know it's not the same model, but it's a thought none-the-less.

 

[Zepper]

I can recommend this XClio 450: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817189003

It is made by Channel Well and I've not heard of significant problems with non-Antec CWT PSUs.

But for a few bucks more you can get the much better Enhance ENP-5140GH at ewiz.com via Froogle (can save you a buck or two over going direct).

.bh.

 

[eplebnista]

Originally posted by: SunnyD
One of my Antec TruPower 430 watt PSU's finally decided not to play nice anymore, and I've been putting off getting an adequate PSU until now. System is as follows:

DFI Infinity nF4X S754 Motherboard
Sempron 64 2800+
2x PC3200 RAM
2x Seagate 7200.8 SATA Drives
2x Optical Drives
2x 80mm Case Fans (1 motherboard header, 1 molex)
Radeon X1950XTX PCIe Video Card

Now I see the Radeon puts my constraints pretty high to begin with (they specifically request a higher end PSU). But I am on a budget, and have to save my pennies for my upcoming move next month. I know a PSU isn't the greatest place to skimp, but I just need something working until I can put together an updated system early next year.

What can I legitimately get away with on this system?

I was looking at something like this one.

HiPro HP-P500W/TOP-500P5 500W Discussion Thread @ HOCP

Originally posted by: Zepper
I can recommend this XClio 450: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817189003

It is made by Channel Well and I've not heard of significant problems with non-Antec CWT PSUs.

But for a few bucks more you can get the much better Enhance ENP-5140GH at ewiz.com via Froogle (can save you a buck or two over going direct).

.bh.

XClio Dead Thread @ HOCP

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: gamefreakgcb

Originally posted by: Operandi
Not $50 but this Enhance is the closest thing that I can recommend. You will not find a better PSU for under $60.

True, unless the OP wants the Ultra V-Series or X-Finity PSUs

personally those 2 are not IMO in the same catagorie as the Hipro..in fact I would say the HoPro is better than iether of those 2....

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: eplebnista

Originally posted by: SunnyD
One of my Antec TruPower 430 watt PSU's finally decided not to play nice anymore, and I've been putting off getting an adequate PSU until now. System is as follows:

DFI Infinity nF4X S754 Motherboard
Sempron 64 2800+
2x PC3200 RAM
2x Seagate 7200.8 SATA Drives
2x Optical Drives
2x 80mm Case Fans (1 motherboard header, 1 molex)
Radeon X1950XTX PCIe Video Card

Now I see the Radeon puts my constraints pretty high to begin with (they specifically request a higher end PSU). But I am on a budget, and have to save my pennies for my upcoming move next month. I know a PSU isn't the greatest place to skimp, but I just need something working until I can put together an updated system early next year.

What can I legitimately get away with on this system?

I was looking at something like this one.

HiPro HP-P500W/TOP-500P5 500W Discussion Thread @ HOCP

Originally posted by: Zepper
I can recommend this XClio 450: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817189003

It is made by Channel Well and I've not heard of significant problems with non-Antec CWT PSUs.

But for a few bucks more you can get the much better Enhance ENP-5140GH at ewiz.com via Froogle (can save you a buck or two over going direct).

.bh.

XClio Dead Thread @ HOCP

I read hard forums!! Just because 1 XCLIO is dead shouldn`t cast a shadow on others...
also the XCLIO has a 3 yr warranty I believe!!

 

[eplebnista]

Originally posted by: JEDIYoda


I read hard forums!! Just because 1 XCLIO is dead shouldn`t cast a shadow on others...
also the XCLIO has a 3 yr warranty I believe!!

I know and I would personally not hold one or a handful of bad units against them, but it does point out the fact that the XClio uses the same bad caps as the CWT Antecs do. I am currently using a rebadged Topower P5(Athena Power 500W) myself, and it has been humming along 24/7 since February of last year with no problems.

Edit: I am not looking for an argument or confrontation, I was just trying to provide some informational links.

 

[SunnyD]

Well well well, look what I found:
Ultra ULT31846 X-Finity 500 Watt Power Supply (Blue) Retail ***Free Shipping***

$59.99 - $35 MIR, Free shipping.

It's back... so it's a tossup between this one and the HIPRO for me. The HIPRO has the benefit of slightly stonger +12V rails, and under $50 OTD pricing. On the other hand, the Ultra is SLI cert'd, has 4 SATA connectors, 2 PCI-e connectors, and better cabling, and ends up cheaper in the long run, but again, it's MIR, and I hate MIR's.

Like I said, I'm going to be putting together a new system early next year, which will mean a new case and PSU...

 

[996GT2]

Fortron AX-400 PN or AX-450 PN...not the same models as the Fortron recommended earlier.

The AX400 is $40 and has dual +12V at 16A/18A with PCIe/SATA
The AX450 is similar, costs $50, and has dual +12V at 18A/18A

I suggest you check them out; I have one myself, and 2 of my friends use Fortron AX series PSUs with no problems...and one of them is running a X1900AIW with an OC'd E6300 on a AX450

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: SunnyD
Well well well, look what I found:
Ultra ULT31846 X-Finity 500 Watt Power Supply (Blue) Retail ***Free Shipping***

$59.99 - $35 MIR, Free shipping.

It's back... so it's a tossup between this one and the HIPRO for me. The HIPRO has the benefit of slightly stonger +12V rails, and under $50 OTD pricing. On the other hand, the Ultra is SLI cert'd, has 4 SATA connectors, 2 PCI-e connectors, and better cabling, and ends up cheaper in the long run, but again, it's MIR, and I hate MIR's.

Like I said, I'm going to be putting together a new system early next year, which will mean a new case and PSU...

There is a reason the Ultra needs rebates and cleaver marketing to sell; they are not particularly good PSUs.

The HI-Pro is probably decent, I've seen a couple opened up and they look like they are fairly well put together. At that price point though the component quality might not be the best.

Of those two I would go with the HI-Pro but for $15-20 more the Enhance I linked to is 10x the PSU of either the Ultra or HI-Pro and could be the last PSU you need to buy.

 

[SunnyD]

Originally posted by: Operandi

Originally posted by: SunnyD
Well well well, look what I found:
Ultra ULT31846 X-Finity 500 Watt Power Supply (Blue) Retail ***Free Shipping***

$59.99 - $35 MIR, Free shipping.

It's back... so it's a tossup between this one and the HIPRO for me. The HIPRO has the benefit of slightly stonger +12V rails, and under $50 OTD pricing. On the other hand, the Ultra is SLI cert'd, has 4 SATA connectors, 2 PCI-e connectors, and better cabling, and ends up cheaper in the long run, but again, it's MIR, and I hate MIR's.

Like I said, I'm going to be putting together a new system early next year, which will mean a new case and PSU...

There is a reason the Ultra needs rebates and cleaver marketing to sell; they are not particularly good PSUs.

The HI-Pro is probably decent, I've seen a couple opened up and they look like they are fairly well put together. At that price point though the component quality might not be the best.

Of those two I would go with the HI-Pro but for $15-20 more the Enhance I linked to is 10x the PSU of either the Ultra or HI-Pro and could be the last PSU you need to buy.

Well, before the wife decided to spend today's paycheck, I ordered the HIPRO and figured that lunch for the kids next week was more important than a higher-end PSU.

As I said, I will be putting together another system early next year... and that will include a new case and power supply (I won't be replacing my current system, I will be putting together a second system).

Hopefully all will go well and I can stop using my work laptop for my gaming needs at home.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: eplebnista

Originally posted by: JEDIYoda


I read hard forums!! Just because 1 XCLIO is dead shouldn`t cast a shadow on others...
also the XCLIO has a 3 yr warranty I believe!!

I know and I would personally not hold one or a handful of bad units against them, but it does point out the fact that the XClio uses the same bad caps as the CWT Antecs do. I am currently using a rebadged Topower P5(Athena Power 500W) myself, and it has been humming along 24/7 since February of last year with no problems.

Edit: I am not looking for an argument or confrontation, I was just trying to provide some informational links.

Yes but you know we have always had the bad CAp argument for years now.
A lot of the bad CAP issues can be properly dealt with by having proper airflowing through the unit...

But YES - I do agree with you!!
Also it would seem that heat is a CAP`s worse enemy especially those CAP`s that are not of sufficient quality.

Now of course we could gt into define quality...lol......