The Importance of Quality PSU

[AznSensation]

For several builds in the past, I've always used the PSU that came with the case. However, all of those PSU's failed after a few months or so. When my Logisys 500 watt PSU with fancy clear window/blue LED lights failed, I went ahead and got the Enermax PSU.

WoW! I love it. I love the packaging, support, build quality, modular cables carefully organized inside a bag, performance, quiet and even free gifts that came with it.

Do your self a favor and buy a quality PSU next time you build your rig.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

http://www.extreme.outervision.com/psucalculator.jsp

 

[Texun]

I agree. That was a lesson I learned years ago. I don't build anything with a generic PSU. Not even a budget email rig.

 

[Ika]

Originally posted by: The Boston Dangler
http://www.extreme.outervision.com/psucalculator.jsp

That really doesn't have anything to do with what he's talking about.

 

[AllGamer]

Originally posted by: AznSensation
For several builds in the past, I've always used the PSU that came with the case. However, all of those PSU's failed after a few months or so. When my Logisys 500 watt PSU with fancy clear window/blue LED lights failed, I went ahead and got the Enermax PSU.

WoW! I love it. I love the packaging, support, build quality, modular cables carefully organized inside a bag, performance, quiet and even free gifts that came with it.

Do your self a favor and buy a quality PSU next time you build your rig.

i must have some weird luck then, mine is still kicking and going strong it's been over 5 years already, before they were called Logisys it was named Aspire.

 

[acegazda]

Originally posted by: Aflac

Originally posted by: The Boston Dangler
http://www.extreme.outervision.com/psucalculator.jsp

That really doesn't have anything to do with what he's talking about.

I was going to say that... and use that with a grain of salt. It's not always that accurate.
When you get down to it, it's about the quality of the components that go into the psu. For instance: one reason you'll see seasonic psu's recommended pretty much everywhere is because they use teapo and chemicon capacitators, some of the best in the buisiness. These babies will hold up for years on end. They also use huge heat sinks as opposed to the dinky ones used with the "came with the case" psus. Heat can deteriorate the psu, so these are important. The other parts, PCB, switches, are either good or bad, but seasonic are all good. As are many others.
Another thing to check is the ampage on the 12v rails. A 500w case psu may have 20a on the 12v rails combined. This is ridiculous and probably an exaggeration, but it might happen. Quality 500w psus will have ~34amps on the 12v rails. "Watts mean squat" to quote JG.

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Originally posted by: AllGamer

Originally posted by: AznSensation
For several builds in the past, I've always used the PSU that came with the case. However, all of those PSU's failed after a few months or so. When my Logisys 500 watt PSU with fancy clear window/blue LED lights failed, I went ahead and got the Enermax PSU.

WoW! I love it. I love the packaging, support, build quality, modular cables carefully organized inside a bag, performance, quiet and even free gifts that came with it.

Do your self a favor and buy a quality PSU next time you build your rig.

i must have some weird luck then, mine is still kicking and going strong it's been over 5 years already, before they were called Logisys it was named Aspire.

Expire or AssFire :laugh:

 

[Aikouka]

Much agreed, my latest build uses a PC Power & Cooling PSU in it. Such a great PSU and so quiet! My last machine used an OCZ PowerStream PSU in it. Before that, I didn't have many options as I had to "go budget" and use the cheaper PSUs. Guess which PSUs have since died.

 

[Old Hippie]

Do your self a favor and buy a quality PSU next time you build your rig.

You mean you're just learning "You Get What Ya Pay For"? As with anything in life, sometimes you get a bargain, sometimes you may overpay, but 95% of the time, you get what you pay for.

 

[Ika]

Originally posted by: Old Hippie

Do your self a favor and buy a quality PSU next time you build your rig.

You mean you're just learning "You Get What Ya Pay For"? As with anything in life, sometimes you get a bargain, sometimes you may overpay, but 95% of the time, you get what you pay for.

I'd bring that percentage down to around 60%. Cars, audio equipment, furniture, clothing, and "vintage" things usually don't abide by that statement.

I am considering the law of diminishing returns, however.

 

[agathodaimon]

One "cheap" brand that I've had consistent GOOD luck with is Allied.
Granted, I wouldn't put one in my high-end gaming computer, but for most
budget builds, I think the Allied is a good option. Never had one fail on me yet.

 

[Smartazz]

I used to use a crappy power supply for my computer, it was loud and always hot, and my computer would go into random shutdowns. I switched to a Fortron and it has been great, stable and quiet.

 

[Hulk]

I guess I have all the people who make these posts to thank. I bought a Seasonic S430 based on everybody saying "get a good power supply." Yeah, it was hard to swallow when I could have just got and case and PS for the case of my power supply but I can't hear the darn thing at all and my overclock was easy as pie. Definitely worth the lack of hassles I could have had.

 

[hurtstotalktoyou]

I have yet to see any hard evidence that low-quality PSUs cause system instability. I always used cheapies up until last year, when I switched to an Antec (because complicated circumstances forced me to do so). The only problem I've ever had with the half dozen or more generic PSUs I've used over the years is that one of them developed a noisy fan.

Nevertheless, I agree that they do pose some danger. I'd just like that danger quantified before I spend oogles of money on minimizing it.

 

[Smartazz]

Originally posted by: hurtstotalktoyou
I have yet to see any hard evidence that low-quality PSUs cause system instability. I always used cheapies up until last year, when I switched to an Antec (because complicated circumstances forced me to do so). The only problem I've ever had with the half dozen or more generic PSUs I've used over the years is that one of them developed a noisy fan.

Nevertheless, I agree that they do pose some danger. I'd just like that danger quantified before I spend oogles of money on minimizing it.

The peace of mind knowing that your PSU isn't likely to fail might be worth it. I was really worried when I had a crappy PSU, it's just not worth the risk.

 

[AznSensation]

Like I've mentioned before, I didn't know the importance of using quality PSU's before. I didn't understand the people's motiffs of buying PSU's that cost >$50. I mean... it's the same 500 watt. How would a PSU affect performance, right? Well, I've realized how important PSU's are in a computer. I mean... it connects the components to the power outlet. After learning my lesson of buying several cheap psu's and having them fail, I went ahead and bout a good one. So far zero regrets. Next time I build my computer, I'm buying either Enermax/Enhance/Seasonic/OCZ/PC&Power/Zalman PSU and nothing else

Thanks Anandtech forum members. I'm glad that you guys have convinced me to do the right thing: BUY THE QUALITY PSU.

Srsly, if you buy enermax PSU, they give you free flashdrive lanyards too.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

If you don't understand the need for a high quality power supply, hang out in the Tech Support forum for a while.

You will find out

1. A large percentage of PC problems are PS related
2. All PS's fail, quality ones at a less frequent rate but they still fail
3. The main difference in higher quality PS's is that they incorporate circuitry that protects the components in case of failure, cheapo's dont. When a cheapo PS dies it is many times more likely to take out the mobo and/or any attached components


If you look (search engine sucks) you can find several cases documented here on Anandtech where a blown cheapo PS wipes out all the components in a $1500 rig.

 

[jgigz]

Originally posted by: Smartazz

The peace of mind knowing that your PSU isn't likely to fail might be worth it. I was really worried when I had a crappy PSU, it's just not worth the risk.

QFT....It sometimes bothers me that people are willing to dump 3grand into a computer but they try to cut costs on the PS when (not likely but possible) the PS can take out almost all the other parts in the system

 

[cubby1223]

Seriously, power supplies are the most mis-evaluated component on these forums.

You never want to go ultra bargain basement cheap.

But there's a big difference between bad cheap, and good cheap.

You don't need $70-$100 psus for your typical computer setup. Don't even need $50 if you do your research.

I've got an A64 4000+ & 7900gs running on a $45 psu. Before that I had an A64 3200+ & 6600gt on a $25 psu.

There is a major difference between the requirements for $1500 overclocking masterpieces, and the $400 basic systems that most people use. And this is not brought up when people get on their high horse about their personal experiences with power supplies. Look at this thread alone, 6 of 7 people who have their rigs in their signature are overclocking - and that 7th person has the top end equipment anyways.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

its the difference between kias, hyundais, and some 'american' cars compared to the quality of japanese cars

 

[Oxaqata]

I dont get it, all the computers my family and I have ever owned (except this system) have used Generic power supplies with no problems whatsoever. Hell I still have a working PSU from an old Pentium 1 System around somewhere.

 

[Hulk]

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS
its the difference between kias, hyundais, and some 'american' cars compared to the quality of japanese cars

Ouch!

 

[AznSensation]

Kia/Domestic cars I agree.

Hyundai? not so much. They are pretty good.

 

[hurtstotalktoyou]

Originally posted by: Oxaqata
I dont get it, all the computers my family and I have ever owned (except this system) have used Generic power supplies with no problems whatsoever. Hell I still have a working PSU from an old Pentium 1 System around somewhere.

I hear you. I've had the same kind of experiences. The argument against us is three-pronged:

1) Low-quality PSUs allegedly affect system stability. Hang-ups, crashes, freezes and various other glitches are often attributed to bad PSUs. Despite these claims, however, I've never seen any hard evidence behind them.
2) Low-quality PSUs are either missing overvoltage protection, or else their overvoltage protection is not reliable. Therefore, the argument goes, a power surge or PSU malfunction is more likely to damage or destroy other components. This is a reasonable claim, but it is unknown what measure of danger cheapies actually pose. In other words, is the price premium worth minimizing the risk? And if so, where do you draw the line?
3) Low-quality PSUs die sooner, causing irritation, inconvenience and additional expense. This claim is obviously true, but for some it may not be a big deal.

 

[fire400]

Aspire 500w

powering Core2 1.86, x1900XT 512, 2 IDE, 1 SATA, X-fi, wirelessG, fans, lights

$59.99 on newegg.com

Originally the PSU was for a P4 Prescott system. However it runs a Core2 with a highend video card. It works!