Need some microATX PSU recommendations

[ahurtt]

So the the other day my wifes computer wouldn't turn on (an eMachines T-4060, low end general use system) and she called me in to have a look. I unplugged it, opened the case and took a look. Didn't see anything obvious. Plugged it back in and watched inside to see what was going on but when I pushed the power button there was an audible POP and then that acrid burning plastic electrical smoke smell. So much for that power supply, and the motherboard too as it turns out. The motherboard no longer works when a known good PSU is hooked up and the PSU no longer powers on a known-working system either. Looks like it took out the southbridge chip on the motherboard when the PSU blew. So I'm going to go ahead and upgrade her to a better system as this one was about 4 or maybe 5 years old now anyway. It is a microATX case so here's what I'm planning on putting in it:

Abit KV-80 microATX motherboard (for integrated video / audio. . .she doesn't play games or anything)

512 MB Corsair Value select PC3200

AMD Sempron 64 3400+

The original PSU was a 250 Watt some brand I never heard of. I'm looking for a good micro ATX PSU replacement in about the 300 W range. One that is by a good, reputable quality maker that will last. I just don't know who is considered to be quality makers besides OCZ and Antec and they don't seem to have any offerings in the category I'm looking for. So I come to you, the Anandtech community for guidance. What say you? Please post your good/bad experiences with various brands of PSU manufacturers and what mATX PSU's you can recommend in the 300W-350W range that have been great performers for you. Thanks!

[EDIT] found this one: Coolmax CM-300 on newegg but I never had any experience with Coolmax PSU's and it only had 3 user ratings. . .but they were good ones. What do you all think of Coolmax? I don't HAVE to buy from newegg if somebody knows of someplace that has a better one.

 

[BTA]

Emachine power supplies always die.

Otherwise they really arent bad little machines.

Back when they first came out and I was working at a shop having to replace them all the time, we used some HEC branded mATX psu's to replace them with. They always worked quite well. I've got one in a little box of mine right now actually. 180watts only but it doesnt have any problems.

Directron.com usually has them but I couldnt find them. I looked on newegg and this one seems to be almost exactly like the HEC's we used
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104999

Not that I'm recommending it, since I havnt used it before. But it probably is fine.

 

[ahurtt]

Thanks for the pointers. I'll check them out. I mainly want go get something tried and true that won't fail and take out the motherboard along with it if it fails like this old one did. I'm afraid the on on the link is a little underpowered at only 180W because the original one I am replacing was 250W.

 

[Silversierra]

I think enermax is a reputable brand.
Here's an enermax matx psu, although it's not quite a 300w, it's 270w.
http://www.directron.com/eg285sxvbwsfm.html

 

[Zap]

The Fortron should be good quality. The Enermax really puts out the amperage, and is good quality.

Why don't you get a new case to go with the other parts? There are mATX cases that take standard ATX PSUs.

 

[ahurtt]

Because there's really nothing wrong with the eMachines case, it's just a mATX is all. I am only buying replacement parts for what was already a lower end machine anyway and I don't want to put more than about $250 into it. This machine doesn't need to be a workhorse or anything, it's mostly going to be used to read email, web surf, light word processing, and maybe some cd burning on occasion. And my wife likes the smaller case because space is an issue in her office. Thanks for the recommendations so far

 

[BTA]

Really for most mATX systems a good quality 180watt psu will be fine.

The HEC I have is only 180 and it's running a 2500+ barton overclocked to a 3200+, 5700Ultra, gig of ram, seagate 60gig HD, a cd burner.

I guess if you were gonna put a high end 6000 series video card in it it might need a bigger power supply, but I doubt that'd be something your girlfriend needs. (not that any of us really NEED a lot of the stuff we buy hehe).

I really wish I could find a link to the HEC. It's a damn fine little power supply. (I actually try to use nothing but HEC power supplies and theyve always served me well).