PSU From Fry's, what to look for?

[Arkalius]

I think my PSU on my system died. As such I kind of need one quick to replace it. I did plan on building a new computer soon (within a month or so) so it's not a big deal. However I do want to get a quality unit.

I'm going to be going to Fry's after work to find one. I'm curious as to what brands I should stick to, that are likely to be found there. I'm looking for 600W+ and want to avoid something crappy. I don't really have any other specific needs other than that I don't want something super noisy, and I'd like to spend under $100 (closer to $50 if I can get away with it).

[jonnyGURU]

Decent at $100 is hard at Fry's.

The best thing I could find under $100 is the Ultra X-Pro 600W for $90.00. Everything else is crap.

If you're willing to spend a little more $$$, they do have the PCP&C 610W for $119.99 or the SilverStone ST60F for $109.90.

If you think your PSU would work with a 500-600W, I'd suggest the Antec NeoHE 550W for $99.99 or the SilverStone ST56ZF for $99.99.

[Arkalius]

Well I'm heading out now... I'll definitely get something so I can try to get my system up and running. Do you think I can do much better on price buying online, enough to make it worth maybe just returning the Fry's item when I do?

[jonnyGURU]

Fry's is Ok. They're better than Best Buy or Circuit City, but you can do better online.

[brysig228]

i bought my Antec Earthwatts from frys for less than 50 bux when it went on sale.. one of my cousin bought Antec Trio for less than 70 bux too.

[jonnyGURU]

i bought my Antec Earthwatts from frys for less than 50 bux when it went on sale.. one of my cousin bought Antec Trio for less than 70 bux too.

On sale with rebate? Those sound like AR prices.

[xjustice09x]

Sometimes they have stuff mislabeled. I got a cheap Antec trio 650 because they had a couple marked with a price $40-50 lower than the normal price.

[brysig228]

On sale with rebate? Those sound like AR prices.

those where on sale.. i kinda hate buying stuff with rebates..:D so i don't

[delvryboy]

Fry's has plenty of killer sales w/o rebate. I went browsing and picked up nero 8 for $39.99 last weekend.

When they have a lot of overstock, they stick it on an end cap and cut prices drastically.... most of the good sales are not in the ad. ;)

[jonnyGURU]

Cool. I didn't realize they had sales other than what was in the ads. And usually the ads only had one or two crappy PSU's on sale, like Ultra V-Series or Cooler Master eXtreme Powers.

OP: Let us know what you ended up with!

[Arkalius]

I got a CoolerMaster 550W for $70 there... It solved the problem of the computer not turning on. but it won't POST and no error beeps, so I'm guessing the mobo died. I guess it's time to buy my new system now... oh well.

Thanks for the advice though.

[jonnyGURU]

I got a CoolerMaster 550W for $70 there...

So you ended up with a crappy power supply after all. Couldn't get yourself to just pay $20 more?

[Arkalius]

It was cheap, and my original plan was that if it fixed the problem it would just stay with that computer when I tried to sell it, and I'd buy a good one for a new system. Since it didn't solve the problem, I'm just going to return it.

I'd rather get a good deal on a good PSU then pay a lot for a decent one at Fry's. So, I got something cheap that wasn't on the "don't buy this brand list" here on the forum that I could just leave with this system.

[jonnyGURU]

I got something cheap that wasn't on the "don't buy this brand list" here on the forum that I could just leave with this system.

No.. you didn't get something cheap. You got something crappy. An eXtreme Power 550W, right? That list is over two years old. You can't really use that as a reference. IMHO, I think the list does more harm than good because it's out dated and based on one person's opinion.

At least you can return it.

[delvryboy]

Sucks.... they have a Earthwatts 430w on sale for $53 right now.........

[Arkalius]

If that list is inaccurate why is it stickied then? I figured if it's stickied it's good info, and I went with it.

If that list is useless then I have nothing to go by and I can't really be blamed for buying something bad can I? I didn't have the time to do lots of research, and the info I got here was that I'll pay through the nose for anything of quality at Fry's. So, instead of buying quality, I bought something that works, and could help me maybe fix my system. Obviously there's more wrong with it than the PSU. It's going back to Fry's and I'll end up getting something good now that I don't need something urgently, and can buy online.

You seem so offended that I bought this PSU. I wasn't ignoring your advice. I didn't see most of the PSU's you mentioned there and I wasn't going to pay 90+ for a PSU under 600W.

[ordovician]

Stay away from the Cooler Master PSU's that Fry's seems to have millions of. They arenot very good, imo.

[jonnyGURU]

Why would I take offense?

I suggested power supplies that were within your parameters and then you go with something else. You said your budget was $100 and then you say you don't want to spend over 90. You went with something that wasn't on "the list", not realzing the date on "the list"... what happens if something is released after the date the list was made? It's still safe because its not on the list?

Return the Cooler Master ASAP. Thanks.

[popowrx]

They sell the Corsair PSUs at Fry's now so if you can spring a bit more, that would be my recommendation.

[farfromhome]

You can also sometimes find really good deals on the Thermaltake Toughpowers there (note: Toughpowers; the other Thermaltakes are generally crap). You just have to be willing to deal with rebates.