Need replacement Power Suppy 350-400W range

[techwanabe]

I've had problems with my system built in a Antec LANBOY case that came with a Smart Blue 350W power supply. Having gone through 3 video cards in the first year, and a 4th video card failing now, and having replaced the motherboard once, about the only thing left to blame is the power supply.

What I need is a 350-400 watt P/S that is solid and moderately priced to replace the Antec P/S. Suggestions?

 

[Bobthelost]

fortron, very very solid and good value for money

 

[Ricemarine]

Originally posted by: Bobthelost
fortron, very very solid and good value for money

I say get a forton 450w for $50, the extra $10 is worth it IMO.

 

[techwanabe]

$50 is probably about the most I'd like to spend on this system. Mainly want something reliable and stable.

 

[Bobthelost]

Then the fortron is perfect. Look at any of the budget build threads or "What PSU should i buy" threads.

450W fortrons can run any SLI system under the sun (excluding ones that double up as 10 HD servers) so it'd be overkill.

 

[techwanabe]

Sounds like a sale to me.

Thanks.

this the one? Same form factor as my Antec SmartBlue?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104954

 

[techwanabe]

Noticed several reviewers reported low voltages on the Fortron 450W P/S.

 

[Bobthelost]

Really? I've only heard good things about them myself, links if you've got them to hand?

 

[modedepe]

Originally posted by: techwanabe
Noticed several reviewers reported low voltages on the Fortron 450W P/S.

Depends who is measuring them and with what. Most users will use software to measure voltages, which is absolutely worthless.

 

[techwanabe]

Originally posted by: modedepe

Originally posted by: techwanabe
Noticed several reviewers reported low voltages on the Fortron 450W P/S.

Depends who is measuring them and with what. Most users will use software to measure voltages, which is absolutely worthless.

Could be mode - the comments were from NewEgg customer reviews (3 pages listed for that P/S). Maybe it's ok.

 

[Ricemarine]

Originally posted by: techwanabe

Originally posted by: modedepe

Originally posted by: techwanabe
Noticed several reviewers reported low voltages on the Fortron 450W P/S.

Depends who is measuring them and with what. Most users will use software to measure voltages, which is absolutely worthless.

Could be mode - the comments were from NewEgg customer reviews (3 pages listed for that P/S). Maybe it's ok.

For $50 its better than any other one you can find for that price. Unless you can find a sale on Antec Neopowers.

 

[PingSpike]

Originally posted by: techwanabe

Originally posted by: modedepe

Originally posted by: techwanabe
Noticed several reviewers reported low voltages on the Fortron 450W P/S.

Depends who is measuring them and with what. Most users will use software to measure voltages, which is absolutely worthless.

Could be mode - the comments were from NewEgg customer reviews (3 pages listed for that P/S). Maybe it's ok.

I agree with modedepe...unless you're reading with a voltmeter, the software readouts are all over the map. I think that much ends up being more a function of the motherboard then the PSU. My asrock 939dual reports rock solid voltages that hang right around spec with my old fortron 350w. But using that same powersupply on an abit nf7 they were a bit low, same deal on the shuttle an35n-u I broke that I had before that.

So its really hard to say whether those reports were useful or not.

 

[essasin]

Originally posted by: Ricemarine

Originally posted by: Bobthelost
fortron, very very solid and good value for money

I say get a forton 450w for $50, the extra $10 is worth it IMO.

But i think the amps are almost identical as the forton 400w

 

[chocoruacal]

Originally posted by: techwanabe
Noticed several reviewers reported low voltages on the Fortron 450W P/S.

Probably just how the board reports them. I've used mine on 4 different boards, all 4 boards reported different 12v values.

 

[pkme2]

Fortron, Enermax, Seasonic, PC Power & Cooling. Good, better, best, excellent. Lowest, medium, higher, highest. Your choice.

 

[alimoalem]

yup 450w fortron all the way. if you really want the $10 though, go with the 400w

 

[techwanabe]

Originally posted by: alimoalem
yup 450w fortron all the way. if you really want the $10 though, go with the 400w

Ok, I'm convinced. I suppose it is worth the extra $10 in case I re-use that P/S in a computer with more demanding power needs.

Time to order up.

 

[dogmir]

yeah i agree the forton is a cheap but safe bet....on a side note i gave up along time ago on trusting anything software or the bios can report for voltages...i just use my fluke and all is well...

 

[t3h l337 n3wb]

I wouldn't say Fortron is below Enermax. Fortron >= Enermax.

 

[techwanabe]

Ordered.

Thanks for the input guys. Next thing to do is find a replacement video card for the one which is flakey and starting to fail (Occasional corrupt 3-D game screens and frequent 3-D game screen freezing.

Thanks for the feed back guys and gals.