Why are there no good low power PSUs?

[Fjodor2001]

Hi,

I just wonder why there are so few good low power PSUs? Most seems to be rated 500-600 W or above. That 's totally pointless unless you intend to have some high end GFX card.

A lot of computer systems will only consume around 100-150 W. So why not create cheap, high efficiency, low noise PSUs rated at around 150-200 W?

 

[lehtv]

My guess is that there's a certain minimum cost in making an ATX form factor PSU. The difference in manufacturing cost between a 200 watt and a 400 watt unit is so small that it simply doesn't make financial sense to manufacture low wattage units. What's more, offering low wattage units would decrease the demand for 400 watt units which would in turn become more expensive.

 

[kleinkinstein]

Good question. I ask myself the same thing every time I see a PR on some idiotic new 1000, 1250, and 1500+ unit.

 

[Zap]

Do you mean "good low power CHEAP?"

What is your threshold for "good?" Meets ATX specification and does what it claims on the label good enough? That's no mean feat as many "crappy" PSUs can't.e

Seasonic makes 80Plus Bronze ATX PSUs down to 300W for reasonable prices, and 80Plus Gold down to 360W. There are a few 400-450W 80Plus Gold and Platinum PSUs on the market from several brands.

Going down in form factor, there are decent and efficient SFX, TFX and Flex ATX PSUs down to maybe around 200W. After all, if you are using integrated graphics, why use a big empty case?

Then there are Pico PSUs which are reasonable quality (somewhat relying on the power brick) and which range from 60W-160W.

 

[Fjodor2001]

Well, I'd like them to have an efficiency similar to the better high power PSUs. High efficiency in the really low power range (20-50 W) where the computer idles at is especially important.

By cheap I mean I'd like them to be cheaper than the similar high power equivalents. So perhaps $40-50.

Are there any such silent and high efficiency PSUs in the 100-200 W range that you can recommend? Both ATX and SFX would be interesting.

TFX and Flex ATX PSUs I'm not so sure about though. I like them since they are small. But there are not many computer cases using those form factors, rights? Also, I suspect they can be quite noisy unless they are fanless, since they are not big enough to contain any larger sized fan.

 

[philipma1957]

I have this.

http://www.amazon.com/Antec-EA-450-P.../dp/B0064LWJ3U


I have the gold version below looks like it turned into platinum

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817151097


both are good at low power.

I got an antec for around 85 and I got the gold seasonic for 92.

I like both of them and the antec is a few watts better on idle. both cost more then you want and both are bigger then you want. they are both good at low power.

 

[Fjodor2001]

I have this.

http://www.amazon.com/Antec-EA-450-P.../dp/B0064LWJ3U


I have the gold version below looks like it turned into platinum

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817151097


both are good at low power.

I got an antec for around 85 and I got the gold seasonic for 92.

I like both of them and the antec is a few watts better on idle. both cost more then you want and both are bigger then you want. they are both good at low power.

Thanks for the tip. But they are 400 W (Seasonic) and 450 W (Antec), so as you said they are not really low power PSUs (I'm looking for something in the 100-200 W range). Also, not that cheap either.