The Importance of Quality PSU

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: 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!

I have never seen a good or even fair review of an ASPIRE PSU by a reputable reviewer such as JonnyGURU....

BTW-- NewEgg does NOT do reviews or have reviews posted! Thise are cistimer comments at best!

 

[fishmonger12]

Been running my a64 rig for 2 1/2 years now on a 350 watt coolermaster that came with the case. System has 9800 pro, gig of ram, 2 hd's, 2 opticals, case fans, 2 pci cards, a64 3500+. Have been running it nearly 24/7. Given my personal experience, the experiences of my friends, and the advice of a veteran electrical engineer, and the total lack of data to back up the arguments of the people on this forum, there's no need to drop 100$ on a power supply for an 800$ rig.

 

[AlgaeEater]

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.

There isn't any hard evidence, just lots of people experencing the same problems. Random computer shutdowns, inability to start up the computer one day for no apparent reason, random blue screens of death in Windows.

I go through generic power supplies like they're going out of style, out of 5 computers in my house, 2 are "Frakenboxes" which are on 24/7 downloading/uploading or being utilized. (Converting massive video files or huge lists of audio files)

I go through a generic power supply every 4-14 months on either computer, up to this date changing out approximately seven failed power supplies. So someone has to ask why don't I switch to high end power supplies for my frakenboxes? I simply save the fancy expensive ones for my gaming and video computers, and buy generic power supplies from other people for $5-10 bucks local pickup. One quality PSU is $80 or above.

 

[gerwen]

Personally I've never used a quality PSU. My experience:
I have been building my personal systems for years, probably used a dozen and a half power supplies. Failures->2 Not a good rate. I've bought low end systems where i work, usually incorporating cheap psu's. Probably 2 dozen or so. Failures->4 Also not a good rate.

It's easy to NOT have a cheap psu fail on you, especially if you replace it in a couple years. Luck of the draw. However their failure rate (in my experience) is horrible. My next PSU will be a quality PSU.

 

[Genx87]

With the rising energy requirements of CPUs and GPUs and Memory. I have been using high quality PSU's for a few years now on all my builds. Back in the 1990s when total system draw was < 200 watts you could get away with the 220-300 watt PSU that was shipped with the case provided it wasnt a total POS.

I also buy higher end stuff because if you have a bad PSU, the whole deck of cards comes falling down very fast.

 

[tgunner]

How good is the Thermaltake 430 watt that everyone seems to buy on newegg for $40? This one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817153023

 

[loafbred]

Originally posted by: tgunner
How good is the Thermaltake 430 watt that everyone seems to buy on newegg for $40? This one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817153023

Not enough amperage. This Fortron 400 watt is light years better, but be aware that the leads aren't very long, it has one short SATA cable, and no PCI-E cable. You can use adapters for those connectors, if needed.

 

[Avalon]

Yep, gotta have a good power supply.

Of all the PSU's I've had fail, two were generic and one was an Antec 300W. I usually outfit midrange machines with Enermax PSU's, and I can't remember a single one dying or causing system instability over the past few years.