I'm going to get a new power supply since the one in my computer is fried (its a 400watt that came with the case... I still need to look into if there is any kind of warrenty on it)

But anyway, I'm not setting a minimum or maximum price yet, I'm just wondering if anyone can give me an idea of what a fair price for a good 400watt power supply and maybe point me to one.

Also for that matter, is 400watts enough? Or is that much even nescessary? At the moment I'm running a GigaByte 7N400Pro2 mobo, 1gb of memory, 2 PCI's used one with GeForce FX 5200, other one Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Platinum card, 1 FDD, 2x HDD (1 more sooner or later), 2x cd drives, and the front control panel for the SB Audigy also takes some power. I've also got 2 fans running off the PSU (3 more comin, 2 will run off the mobo) and a 12" cold cathode.

Thanks for the help.

I just bought a Q-TEC Gold Dual Fan 450W PSU off eBay for 20 quid (theoretically = 30 USD, but I wouldn't be surprised if you could get one in the States for less).



That's not really a recommendation btw ... I'll let you know if it's any good when it arrives ... hopefully tommorrow

Just get something cheap, everything in your PC has been designed with voltage fluxuation in mind therefore all the stuff about certain PSU's being better because of constant voltage is pretty worthless, if its on the shelfs chances are its going to be fine, a $150 Antec wont do much more than a $50 CompUSA store brand unless you OC to high levels in which case the tighter voltage will make a difference

I see, so basicly I'm best off just looking around for the best price I can find.

But still... just incase, if you know of any brands that are known to fry or are just crap, please let me know lol.

Also, for what I said about the watts... Is 400watts more than enough? Or should I go with like 450 or 500 if I can find a comperable price?

Please don't post misinformation, Arkangl.

Article on how weight of a power supply directly affects its quality and output:
http://www.directron.com/psu.html

Why you should buy a high quality power supply:
http://www.bjorn3d.com/_preview.php?articleID=214

Comparing wattage ratings on generic power supplies and high-quality ones can be very misleading. Here's a good example of why:
http://www.pcpowercooling.com/pdf/Turbo-Cool_510_vs.pdf

Higher quality power supplies are more stable not only in their voltage fluctuations but also in their rated outputs at each voltage. You will get much more out of a quality power supply than a crappy one. The one I use in my computer now works better than the generic one with a rated output of 50W higher. The generic one caused one of my fans to stop at all times because it wasn't receiving enough amperage and I randomly got BSODs.

Just chucking in a couple of suggestions for discussion :

http://www.directron.com/sl450.html
http://www.directron.com/true430.html

I'm thinking it's a good brand, a realistic wattage for that setup, no dollar-sapping windows or fancy bits, and not too expensive.

"and not to expensive" ... maybe for you

I'll concede that the wattage output varies at different temps but in general it depends on the system you're making;

a basic system (2 opticals, 2 hds, 2 add on cards) and a few basic fans doesnt need a $150 PSU to operate. Maybe if you have a pump and 10 case fans running through one it might...

ever notice how only PSU companies point out why you need to spend more $$$? If you can show me a few articles were the user is unbiased, as its not the case in any mentioned;; 2 of the 3 are from places that are trying to sell you a PSU, the other one the guy is just quoting what Antec says, if there was ever a company trying to convince you to spend less I'd be suprised.

But |ANon| dont say I'm lying unless you can prove me wrong, I dont care about mirth and myth just the facts and the fact is that you truly dont need a very expensive PSU, I get my info from people I know IRL who are electrical engineers for companies that dont make PSU's and they all concede that its just marketing, they dont go for the best PSU because they dont need it.

Quote: Originally posted by mjm953 "and not to expensive" ... maybe for you

It might help if you told us what your budget is.
You asked what a "fair" price for a "good" psu was, that's what I gave you.

If you want cheap, you can look on eBay but you'll probably get caned on the shipping, otherwise you're probably going to have to look at something generic.

I can see why you were interested in the Real PC Power psu with the free shipping ... it seems well specified, but looks pretty nasty to me.

My budget is low at the moment, bit it will go up as I start working again (I just started working again as a cashier coming back from a broken finger :-/ )...

Actualy, that wasn't the Real PC Power that I was looking at. It had the same specs listed as that one except it looks a lot better than that one.. No wires visable on the inside, and it also has LEDs on the fans which adds a nice touch without raising the price.

Arkangyl:

We are in the habit of recommending quality parts because we build quality machines. We intend to push our equipment way beyond spec.

We have, as a collective, ten case fans ....... and many have a pump!

We need a quality PSU.

I agree that the average Joe computer user will get by nicely with a generic 400 watt PSU for $40.

The average computer user isn't likely to stumble into the PR forums looking for hardware advice.

Edit:

Also, the PSU's JTP suggested have been closer to $60 dollars ..... not so much $150.

Quote: Originally posted by Arkangyl I'll concede that the wattage output varies at different temps but in general it depends on the system you're making; a basic system (2 opticals, 2 hds, 2 add on cards) and a few basic fans doesnt need a $150 PSU to operate. Maybe if you have a pump and 10 case fans running through one it might... ever notice how only PSU companies point out why you need to spend more $$$? If you can show me a few articles were the user is unbiased, as its not the case in any mentioned;; 2 of the 3 are from places that are trying to sell you a PSU, the other one the guy is just quoting what Antec says, if there was ever a company trying to convince you to spend less I'd be suprised. But |ANon| dont say I'm lying unless you can prove me wrong, I dont care about mirth and myth just the facts and the fact is that you truly dont need a very expensive PSU, I get my info from people I know IRL who are electrical engineers for companies that dont make PSU's and they all concede that its just marketing, they dont go for the best PSU because they dont need it.

Generic power supplies have cheaper parts, smaller capacitors, smaller heatsinks, and fewer fans. I can persoanlly attest to this since I've opened over half a dozen myself. Generic PSU's look hollow inside. They have a shorter lifespan and warranty as quality PSUs.

As for proving you wrong....like I said earlier i have personally experienced the effects of a cheap PSU, not to mention thousands of others. Go to almost any large overclocking/modding site and you will see testimonies from people who used generic PSU's and the problems they experienced because of it. Here are a couple reviews:
http://www.procooling.com/articles/h...hlon_syste.php
http://www.extremeoverclocking.com/a...y_Guide_1.html

I don't know where you got the idea that I told him he needed a $150 PSU either. You can get a 450W brand-name PSU for about ~$60 and good 300W for ~$30. I'm saying those few extra bucks will pay off in the long run. He obviously has a custom-built system and is on a modder's website, like putwig pointed out, so I doubt he is just planning on running stock and using MSpaint and Office all day.

I believe it is Fortron that many around here swear by.

I am perfectly happy with my 431 watt Enermax. Great quality and a user defineable fan speed. Never had any problems with it.

I to have to agree with the majority here. i have had about every PSU you can think of. Codgen(cheap), Antec, Enermax, Sparkle, JGE,Etc..... the sparkle is a 250 watt PSU that will power anything i put in front of it. It also is built like a brick hhit souse. the codgen is a 400 watt that will barely power a kt333 board and a 1800. the antec i have now is a true 430. i can kick n the cathodes while looking at my voltages in BIOS and there is not even a noticable drop. the JGE 350 i had prev. would cause my HDD's to restart and possibly lock up the machine.

Like i say about MOBO's. you cant build a house without a strong foundation. a power supply is part of that foundation. and you cant have a []D [] []V[] []D system with out it.

Maybe I've just been lucky then but a 300 watt CompUSA PSU and a 430 watt Foxconn that came with my case have powered all I've needed thus far and have proven stable enough for a 500mhz OC on the CPU.

I dont want to really say I know this %100 but I highly trust the people that told me that there wont be much difference

hey neo i got the same psu as you.

i cant really comment on anyhting here because i have never oced with a cheapo psu. but i have used one, in my hp and its got 9 fans and 2 ccs and the system is perfectly stable when all of it is going.

PC Power and Cooling makes the best PSUs. otherwise id go for an antec or enermax. try to get something 400 watts or more since new stuff is pulling alot of juice.

i got a 360watt Tt PurePower i think i got riped off but its not gonna be used for at leat a year I herd they are good psu's


This is the local shop where i buy my crap

http://www.otvtech.ca/pricelist/otvpricelist.pdf

Its canadian prices

Arkangyl, you might want to give your opinions on cheap psu's to the t-bird 900 my cheap psu killed. I have used Enermax ever since and havn't had a lick of trouble.

Quote: Originally posted by HoJo havn't had a lick of trouble.

No. 1 rule with PSU's DO NOT LICK! I thought you would know that?