PSU advice

[DodgerLD]

Hi,

I think my PSU might be the cause of the problem I'm having where my system is rebooting itself every once in a while. (see here)

So, I'm looking to purchase a new one -- any advice, suggestions, etc.?

Using this calculator gives me a figure of about 270W. My current PSU is a 450W Antec that came with my Sonata II case about 3 years ago, so it's obviously aged a lot.

Do you think this 460W Cooler Master Extreme PSU would be sufficient? (Link) Or should I go for higher wattage (550)? There's a 390W as well. Is it a good brand?

System specs:

- Asus P5Q m/board
- Intel E8500 CPU
- Asus Radeon HD3450 g/card
- 2 x 2GiB DDR2-800
- 1 SATA drive
- 1 CD-ROM drive
- 19" LCD

Thanks,

D.

 

[theAnimal]

A decent 300W PSU would be plenty. The Cooler Master would suffice, but I would recommend better quality such as Antec Earthwatts or Corsair.

 

[DodgerLD]

You're sure that's enough?

An Antec 380W Earthwatts is more than double the price of a 390W Cooler Master -- I'm not sure I can justify paying that, especially since the problem might not be the PSU.

Thanks,

D.

 

[theAnimal]

Originally posted by: DodgerLD
You're sure that's enough?

Your calculator said 270 was enough.

An Antec 380W Earthwatts is more than double the price of a 390W Cooler Master -- I'm not sure I can justify paying that, especially since the problem might not be the PSU.

Better quality equals higher price.

Maybe borrow another one to try out before you buy a new one.

 

[Yellowbeard]

There have been some articles done on good PSUs that can be had for low prices, such as $50 etc. If you are on a tight budget, do some research before you buy or you could end up in the same boat you are in now.

 

[DodgerLD]

Originally posted by: theAnimal

Originally posted by: DodgerLD
You're sure that's enough?

Your calculator said 270 was enough.

Right, but I'm not sure I trust it.

Originally posted by: theAnimal

An Antec 380W Earthwatts is more than double the price of a 390W Cooler Master -- I'm not sure I can justify paying that, especially since the problem might not be the PSU.

Better quality equals higher price.

Maybe borrow another one to try out before you buy a new one.

I tried, but couldn't find one to borrow.

I've gone with a 460W, mostly because there is only a small price difference between the 390 and the 460.

Thanks for your help.

 

[DodgerLD]

Originally posted by: Yellowbeard
There have been some articles done on good PSUs that can be had for low prices, such as $50 etc. If you are on a tight budget, do some research before you buy or you could end up in the same boat you are in now.

Unfortunately I live in South Africa, so I don't have access to such prices ... the Antec Earthwatts 380W is about R820 / $90 here.

D.

 

[Yellowbeard]

Originally posted by: DodgerLD

Originally posted by: Yellowbeard
There have been some articles done on good PSUs that can be had for low prices, such as $50 etc. If you are on a tight budget, do some research before you buy or you could end up in the same boat you are in now.

Unfortunately I live in South Africa, so I don't have access to such prices ... the Antec Earthwatts 380W is about R820 / $90 here.

D.

Even if the prices aren't the same cost, you can use the article as a guide to find good PSUs in the lower price segment. As I said, if you don't do your research, you may end up in the same situation.

 

[s44]

Enhance deal in the Hot Deals forum.

 

[Yellowbeard]

Originally posted by: s44
Enhance deal in the Hot Deals forum.

The OP is in South Africa. Do the vendors in Hot Deals ship there?

 

[s44]

Oops. No idea, probably not. Wonder what brands are cheap there...