Newegg has a case with 350watts for $9.99

[Karaktu]

Originally posted by: mindless1
RobsTV,
Over and over again I've seen those junk PSU fail. The user is lucky when it simply won't POST a system but more often it just frys a hard drive or motherboard. You've had a PSU running for two weeks and you are convinced it's "OK"? Take a car and redline it, it too will run a while.

The problem is not total wattage most often, rather the particular rail most demanding on a particular system. The major problem there is that these generic PSU aren't worth their rated wattage and/or not clean power. They may CLAIM 300W but that doesn't mean they can deliver 200W with much stability. IMHO, it's fraud how they're labeled. Show us generics that are rated accurately and can sustain clean output over a period of time (over a year of run-time) and we may have a better picture of viability.

Just to chime in, I have and continue to use both "quality" and "generic" PSUs. My only real observation is that the name-brand, quality PSUs weigh more.

For real, if you're doing serious overclocking, you're going to want a good PSU with a higher efficiency and stable rails. This said, I've severely overclocked an AMD mobile 2500+ on a $7 Powmax 9900D PSU without a problem. But in the long term, having an Enermax, Antec, etc. is probably a good idea.

 

[spanky]

price went up $10... now its $19.99

 

[mindless1]

Originally posted by: cpotter
I'm doing my first build. I've decided on an AMD Athlon 64 2800+ and SolTek MOBO. Have not decided on other components yet but will likely also be running a DVD writer, DVD rom, 60 to 80 Gig hard drive, floppy, low end video card, and potentially a card reader. I do not do any high end gaming.

Need a case with PSU but don't want to spend a ton. Have had mid range Compaq's and IBM's in the past and never had a PSU fail. Have read many posts here that suggest Antec or better cases. Just not sure if I need that much for my system given my usage. Read somewhere that Powmax is horrible, but Dynapower, Athenateh, and Rosewill are reasonable for the price.

In particular looking at Dynapower for $39 with free shipping and overall good reviews.

http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=11-138-039&depa=1

To me this seams reasonable. Any thoughts from thos with this or a similar Dynapower? Or others who frequently build with non-exotic cases? I've done a fair amount of research and the 430W PSU with 17A on the 12V rail seems reasonable for my needs.

Thanks for your input. Chad

The Compaqs and IBMs were certainly better quality cases and power supplies than the one you linked or the Dynapower. "Some" of the OEM cases have PSU that don't have very high capacity yet are still well-made in contrast to most generics. One of the easier ways a generic achieves a higher amperage is simply reduction (or almost elimination) of the inductors. I find it hard to believe the PSU can then possibly adhere to Intel's ATX guidelines unless the motherboard itself is considered a part of the power-smoothing of the PSU (in other words, massive ripple wears out motherboard caps).

Even so, the crucial thing is true capacity. Most people do not need 430W of true capacity, though the PSU you linked doesn't even have 17A of 12V capacity, that is a peak value... other name-brands have peak values above what's listed as the sustained rating on their labels. In short, these cases ARE a deal for $10-30, but the question remains, is the box needing to run long enough or will it be holding valuable enough components that it shouldn't be left in a fimsy case with margin power supply. IMHO, a power supply + case should cost at least as much as the 2nd most expensive component in a system, and if it's a decent pair it may be one of the few things kept for primary use when the (rest of the) system is upgraded next time.

Hey, it's your gamble, good PSUs aren't just for overclockers. OEMs don't like throwing $$ away and they don't use these lower quality PSUs even if there isn't a name-brand on the label that everyone recognizes. I have 10 year old 200W AT power supplies that look really good compared to the typical generic 350W, which they definitely shouldn't since they don't even have standby or 3V circuitry, even ignoring that they're rated for only 57% of the wattage.

 

[thegimp03]

lol, generic 350w...hmmm...wonder how great that thing REALLY is.

 

[RobsTV]

Received my $9.99 case.
Power supply is fine.

But.............
Case front was smashed towards one side, and plastic retainers were broken off.
Shipping box was perfect, so damage happened prior to boxing.
Not worth the cost to send it back. Sorry I ordered this.
Glue will save the day, but still sucks that I should have to do this.

Will stick with the $22 (+ shipping) CG cases w/PS, since after a few dozen purchases, they always arrive fine and work great.

 

[cpotter]

Mindless. Or anyone else. Can you suggest a reasonable case for my setup? The other case I was looking at was:

ANTEC Solution Series Mid Tower Case with 300W Power Supply, Model "SLK2600AMB" -RETAIL $54.99

Overall peak voltage is less than other cases at 300W, but given its an Antec, I'm assuming its a decent case and is resonable for the equipment I listed in my previous post.

Again, thanks for the help. Chad

 

[apunahus]

rather spend the extra and get somethin prettier. cases make the comp these days.

 

[mindless1]

Originally posted by: cpotter
Can you suggest a reasonable case for my setup?

The Antec isn't bad but I suggest one with 120mm fan in rear and 350W PSU, though 300W should be sufficient for the parts described.

 

[oogabooga]

Originally posted by: apunahus
rather spend the extra and get somethin prettier. cases make the comp these days.

i dunno if that's true, but the case is becomming increasingly more important.

 

[STotaro]

for me, the smaller and quieter the better.