I'd like to locate an OK ATX power supply for relative cheaps. I've been buying inexpensive ATX cases with PSs at computer shows for $23-30 and generally they have worked fine.
Generally, when I buy a case I check the power supplies for national quality-certification "bugs" (I don't know what you call them, the little acronyms on electronic components that signify that they have met a certain standard; I understand that the U.S. UL is one of the weakest standards, while the German TÜV and European Community CE are more exacting). Anyway, at the last computer show I bought a $26 case even though the vendor wouldn't let me look inside it at the power supply. Predictably, the PS died within 2 weeks. For the record, the PS was an L&C "Deer" and the only bug it had on it was a RU, which I gather is the ISO 2-letter country code for the Russian Federation.
Anyway, I don't feel like shelling out $40+ for a high quality 300 W Sparkle, etc. for this cheapo case which is housing a machine that will probably never be called upon to do more than reliably boot the computer once every other Sunday to check email. Most online vendors of generic power supplies want ~$10 to ship the buggers, so I may just have to wait for the next computer show and pressure the guy to replace the defective unit.
Generally, when I buy a case I check the power supplies for national quality-certification "bugs" (I don't know what you call them, the little acronyms on electronic components that signify that they have met a certain standard; I understand that the U.S. UL is one of the weakest standards, while the German TÜV and European Community CE are more exacting). Anyway, at the last computer show I bought a $26 case even though the vendor wouldn't let me look inside it at the power supply. Predictably, the PS died within 2 weeks. For the record, the PS was an L&C "Deer" and the only bug it had on it was a RU, which I gather is the ISO 2-letter country code for the Russian Federation.
Anyway, I don't feel like shelling out $40+ for a high quality 300 W Sparkle, etc. for this cheapo case which is housing a machine that will probably never be called upon to do more than reliably boot the computer once every other Sunday to check email. Most online vendors of generic power supplies want ~$10 to ship the buggers, so I may just have to wait for the next computer show and pressure the guy to replace the defective unit.
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