• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Power Supply - Quality v. Quantity

X

xerocool

Senior member
I'm in dire need of a new power supply, my harddrives are locking up and my computer is freezing when I run video games such as UT2k4 and Lineage2 and Warcraft3. My main question, is should I buy a cheapo $20 ps that says it's 550W or should I buy a quality 350W (I probably wouldn't buy a 350, probably a 400+ at least).

I was under the impression that quality ps's just mean smaller deviances in current, but if the power is said to be 550W, it should never drop below let's say 450W right? Or should I be concerned with the actual fluctuations crapping up my system too?
 
Quality without a doubt. I had a cheap one that had a messed up ATX plug (caused arcing between the plug and mobo pin) and killed two motherboards and numerous hard drives. Moved up to a 350W Fortron, then a 380W Antec (in my Sonata) and I haven't had any unexplained failures.
 
550watt for $20 would probably last about 5 months before breaking... not worth the time and money... STAY AWAY!
 
wtf are u running that requires that much power. i use a xp 1800@ 2.4ghz 1.85v 4 7200rpm hd's+2opticals, full pci slots with stuff, 5 case fans etc on a lousy antec 350watt sl series
 
Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
wtf are u running that requires that much power. i use a xp 1800@ 2.4ghz 1.85v 4 7200rpm hd's, full pci slots with stuff, 5 case fans etc on a lousy antec 350watt sl series
Click to expand...

well, My dual MP board with 2x 15k scsi drives killed an ENERMAX 350watt. I had to move to a 460watt PSU.
 
One more vote for quality.

My main system lost it's video card and DVD drive when the cheap power supply I was using blew. 🙁
 
dual Athlon 1800+, 2 HDD, 2 optical drives, 6 case fans (not counting heatsink fans), couple of PCI cards, and a floppy drive, all on an Enermax 330W and running strong for 1.5 years now.

Go with the quality one. Cheap ones come DOA a lot or break in the first few weeks/months.
 
Quality. I use only PC Power and Cooling Power Supplies since 3 years ago and never had a problem yet.
My oc/s are also higher with a regulated steady stream of current with line conditioning.
Don't skimp on the most important part that gets overlooked many atime.
80% of all problems are attributed to a poor power supply.
 
I don't understand why people skimp with generic crap parts when it comes to power supply and memory. Especially when they pick up the latest and greatest motherboard and processors. 😕
 
im running athlon 3000+, radeon 9800 pro, 2 HDs, audigy 2, gig of ram all w/ 300W, and its stable as a rock
that 550w is probably the same one alienware tries to sell to you for $300
 
whoah, what ps are you using? and how much did you get it for?

btw, i know to check the voltage rails first cuz that's more important than the number they label their ps with; however, i'm just wondering if they really could exaggerate a ps that much (like i said, a 550W generic has to be running around 300 no?)

and i'm running:

P4 3.06b HT
4x 7.2k 8MB HDD's (20, 160, 160, 200)
2x Opticals (CDRW, DVD)
Radeon 9700 Pro
10 case fans (mostly 80mm, but also have an HDD fan and system exhaust blower)
2x 5 port USB PCI hubs (all PCI slots are full)
and of course 1x 3.5" floppy drive 😛

it's not that i think i'm overusing my antec 350W, it's just my comp for some reason randomly freezes every time i play a 3D game.

also, if anyone has any good suggestions for a good QUALITY ps that's also cheap like <$50, i'd like to hear what it is and where you got it from.

thanks!
 
Quality...I have an 300W PS brand is Addtronics (I think it's also antec) and has been working for 4 years. Good luck
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top