EVGA 430W Power Supply Review @ [H]

FrgMstr

FrgMstr

Just Plain Mean
Staff member
Joined
May 18, 1997
Messages
55,620
EVGA 430W Power Supply Review - EVGA has been hit and miss when it comes to PSUs. While it has produced some stinkers in the past, we have recently seen at least one excellent quality product from EVGA. So when we saw its 430W unit billed as having "UNBEATABLE VALUE" and is rated at 40C for full power operation, we knew we had to buy it and pu it on our test bench.
 
I think a testing of the XFX Core Edition 550 watt is in order. JonnyGuru did one, but the hot testing didn't reach the 45 C of [H] testing levels. And it has been regularly going for $25 after rebate recently.

Then again, it's just the Seasonic S12II platform.

Corsair CX430 for $15 AR would probably be better than this as well.
 
Been a while since I've seen a straight up Fail. Thanks for the review.
 
Yeah at least a few of the EVGA power supplies aren't good. However, some are well reviewed and good valued.

I own this unit and it's been FLAWLESS and it was also pretty cheap for what I got (10 year warranty too I believe)

Part Number: 120-G2-1000-XR
Part Desc: EVGA SuperNOVA 1000 G2 Power Supply
 
Great test!

I have 2 of these and both are doing really well. I got both for $20 at different times. Each one is powering small systems used by 2 kids.
 
Every time I see HEC mentioned, I get that "is that thing gonna pass, I wonder" feeling. I know that they actually can do fine if they put their mind to it (the "real" Cougar), but often it just ends up in a "meh" or it fails.
 
I just skimmed the test, but good stuff. One thing I noticed was it stated the 430w is EVGA's smallest psu? Maybe I read wrong? They do have a 400w. http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=9161448&CatId=1078

I've used two 750w SuperNova units and have liked them both. Specifically, the G2 model as it's produced by SuperFlower. I bought one for $33 after rebate/coupon and the other for around $37. Both semi modular. The value of the units made by SuperFlower when found on a sale are pretty hard to beat.

I agree with a review of the XFX 550w 80+ Bronze. I've used 5 of them (one Gold) and the price to performance when bought on sale (usually $25 after rebate) is unbeatable to me. I'd love to see what [H]ard thinks of them.
 
Kalmado said:
I've used two 750w SuperNova units and have liked them both. Specifically, the G2 model as it's produced by SuperFlower. I bought one for $33 after rebate/coupon and the other for around $37. Both semi modular. The value of the units made by SuperFlower when found on a sale are pretty hard to beat.
Click to expand...

I also picked up one of the EVGA 750 B2's when they were 33AR, and I felt like it was an absolute steal.

I used it to replace an OCZ ModXStream Pro 700W in my brother's computer that was, funny enough, a part I rejected after I saw it fail the [H] review years ago.

That said, nice review. It was impressive to see a $19 dollar part come so close to passing. Maybe if they sold it as a slightly lower wattage unit it could pass the 100V test? But I suppose then it wouldn't compare as favorably to a CX430 while window shopping...
 
I think I'd use the 430w or the 400w for a build that is very basic and nothing more. And definitely only a Nvidia card such as a 750 ti. It's not a bad product, but I'd feel better spending $6 more after rebate and/or coupon for a XFX 550w Bronze made by Seasonic.
 
EVGA should have just called this a 350 watt PSU and it would have passed testing and been called a decent/OK, CHEAP PRICED, low power unit by the pros @ [H]ardOCP. EVGA could have sold a bunch of these to cheap bastards who won't spend $80 of a PSU even if they have $100k in the bank.

But, hey, 430 watts "sounds better to reach that target demographic....yada, yada, yada..." so they have a turd that FAILED and more people associate EVGA with SHIT PSUs. Even if it ain't true, and EVGA has decent units, you don't want a FAIL in your lineup. They ain't making a ton of dough on it and it can only hurt your rep. <cough> Corsair <cough>

Oh wait. Sorry. My bad. EVGA doesn't have proper in-house testing QA engineers and testing equipment to be assured that their OEM isn't giving them shit to sell. My bad. I'm sorry. EVGA just took the word of their OEM and is doing the best they can.

Come on EVGA you can do better.
 
kindasmart said:
EVGA should have just called this a 350 watt PSU and it would have passed testing and been called a decent/OK, CHEAP PRICED, low power unit by the pros @ [H]ardOCP. EVGA could have sold a bunch of these to cheap bastards who won't spend $80 of a PSU even if they have $100k in the bank.

But, hey, 430 watts "sounds better to reach that target demographic....yada, yada, yada..." so they have a turd that FAILED and more people associate EVGA with SHIT PSUs. Even if it ain't true, and EVGA has decent units, you don't want a FAIL in your lineup. They ain't making a ton of dough on it and it can only hurt your rep. <cough> Corsair <cough>

Oh wait. Sorry. My bad. EVGA doesn't have proper in-house testing QA engineers and testing equipment to be assured that their OEM isn't giving them shit to sell. My bad. I'm sorry. EVGA just took the word of their OEM and is doing the best they can.

Come on EVGA you can do better.
Click to expand...
I'm not defending EVGA, but this psu is their budget line at a budget price. They use some buzzwords and typical PR speak for advertising. Are the results really that surprising?

Joe Tech knows better to go with this, but Weekend William that goes to Best Buy and sees this will buy it after the "expert" talks it up.
 
I bought two of these in the past 2 months, both are being used in AMD x4 mATX builds using onboard video. With that hardware, these are ideal budget PSUs, as no one will be gaming on them. They are basic Mom n Pop rigs, and for under $20 each, I couldn't be happier.

Let's face it - no gamer will be buying one of these for a build. But if you are running integrated video with a mild OC, I think they are ideal for a budget build. I'd take one of these over any Raidmax, Diablotek, Logisys PSU any day of the week.

If you want a solid budget PSU, look for that XFX TS 550 PSU for $25 AR. They are very good Seasonic built units, and I bought two of them last year before buying the eVGA units. They will power a 7970 or 280 card, so they represent a very good budget PSU purchase.
 
"This may actually be the best ~$30 power supply sold currently."

14234515760UD3a4STlT_9_1.jpg


great review!

I love that conclusion.

I take from it that under $30 Sub 500W PSUs are all fails.

So can you tell us what is the cheapest sub 500W PSU that is a PASS?

What I mean is, if someone wants me to build them a "quality budget" build, what PSU should I get.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top