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Cheap PSUs?

S

SomeoneWhoIsntMe

Limp Gawd
Joined
Aug 13, 2005
Messages
362
I need to know a few cheap PSUs that will power socket A systems with two harddrives, two opticals, a few fans, and a decent graphics card, but be able to power better systems, and not die.. I was looking at aspire PSUs, anything else I should look at?
 
SomeoneWhoIsntMe said:
I need to know a few cheap PSUs that will power socket A systems with two harddrives, two opticals, a few fans, and a decent graphics card, but be able to power better systems, and not die.. I was looking at aspire PSUs, anything else I should look at?
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Ehhhh.......Aspire pass. Without knowing exact systems SuperFlower makes good budget units http://www.directron.com/sf350stainless.html Can you give us the actual system specs?
 
Well that's the problem, one will power a XP 1700+ with a Radeon 9000 and 512mb ram until we put it in a 2u case and use it for a server at LANs, but what we really want is spare PSUs that we know work, because the overwhelming majority of problems we see with computers is the PSU, and it will be nice to have two extras.
 
SomeoneWhoIsntMe said:
Well that's the problem, one will power a XP 1700+ with a Radeon 9000 and 512mb ram until we put it in a 2u case and use it for a server at LANs, but what we really want is spare PSUs that we know work, because the overwhelming majority of problems we see with computers is the PSU, and it will be nice to have two extras.
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Well then the SuperFlower I linked or a good Fortron/Sparkle unit is what you are going to want to look at IMO.
 
It looks like the Smart Power 2.0 350w is a pretty good spec'ed unit, and Antec PSUs are pretty good. Should I get these?
 
SomeoneWhoIsntMe said:
It looks like the Smart Power 2.0 350w is a pretty good spec'ed unit, and Antec PSUs are pretty good. Should I get these?
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It depends.....are those AXP's 5v or 12v regulated?

As a rule though Antec branded PSU's are good....the smartpower being their "economical" line of PSU's.
 
Of course it matters. If they're regulated by the 5V rail and you get a PSU with a dual 12V rail then you're going to have a 12V rail that isn't even doing anything and you'll only be able to use half of what your power supply is capable of.

Also, a power supply engineered for a 12V regulated CPU can go into crossload hell if used on a 5V regulated motherboard.

Sooo... What kind of motherboard are you using?
 
The Thermaltake Silentpower http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817153006 for $36.99 shipped is a tank of a PSU and runs in all of my systems. NewEgg also sells Rosewill brand PSU's for pretty cheap and they have been of pretty high quality. I personally think that the Thermaltake is really the best overall value as far as build quality, performance, and power and for under $40 it isn't expensive in the least. The Rosewills come in at around $22-28 but the extra $10 is well worth it in my opinion.

Hope it helps.
 
bruenor said:
Rosewill brand PSU's
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pass, thats Russian Roulette
they have been spotted with ULs from Deer, ATNG, Wintech, Leadman/Powmax

I second the FSP recommendation
and you can tell if the CPU is powered off the +5V or +12V by looking at the mobo
if there is a 4 pin auxillary connector, its the +12V otherwise it isnt
all P3 are +5V all P4's are +12V, AMD K7 vary with the mobo, K8 are +12V

and as mentioned in the sig, for old school....

"A PSU isn't worth using unless its weight is sufficient to crush small pets" - Elledan

:p :p :p
 
Ice Czar said:
pass, thats Russian Roulette
they have been spotted with ULs from Deer, ATNG, Wintech, Leadman/Powmax

...

"A PSU isn't worth using unless its weight is sufficient to crush small pets" - Elledan
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I agree that Rosewill can be a bit spotty, but as I stated of the four or five I have seen from NewEgg they have all been of pretty high quality... now I could have just seen a small sampling, I don't claim that you couldn't get a lemon, just that from what I saw I was impressed for ~$20.

The Thermaltake Silentpower easily handles the second part of your rating criteria as it could easily damage most small pets with ease, the thing is freaking heavy! Easily on par with PSU's I've held that come in the $100+ range. :)

I agree that there are better, but for $36 I find the Thermaltakes to be a hard deal to pass up. I have been a system builder for the better part of 11 years and I also have a solid EE background, enough to know a lot of the PSU's that are so highly touted are really not much different in any meaningful way from a lot of the lesser products. PSU's are quickly becoming another status aspect of the PC, but their job is fairly simple and not involving much in the way of technology, In my opinion the Thermaltake is as solid a choice as any for the average PC and have served a wide array of duties for me without fail.
 
Ice Czar said:
pass, thats Russian Roulette
they have been spotted with ULs from Deer, ATNG, Wintech, Leadman/Powmax

I second the FSP recommendation
and you can tell if the CPU is powered off the +5V or +12V by looking at the mobo
if there is a 4 pin auxillary connector, its the +12V otherwise it isnt
all P3 are +5V all P4's are +12V, AMD K7 vary with the mobo, K8 are +12V

and as mentioned in the sig, for old school....

"A PSU isn't worth using unless its weight is sufficient to crush small pets" - Elledan

:p :p :p
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acutally yeah, the CPU is 12v powered. I'll get those antecs, in that case.
 
The TT SilentPowers aren't bad PSUs. They're way better than the generic junk you'd get with cheapo cases. 18A on the +12V and lots of power on the +5V, good for Socket A systems. What I don't like about them is the whole "Silent" thing. That's bullshit. It's a loud PSU, no doubt about it.
 
hiredgun2112 said:
im also looking for a cheap psu...about $40 - $45.
i have an Athlon XP rig with 2 hd's. Im going to upgrade to a geforce 6800NU soon.

Would you recommend any of these:
Fortron AX400-PN

Enermax Noisetaker 370W


I'm open to any other suggestions...also, is it safe to buy a psu OEM?
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Both are good but how is your AXP regulated off the 5v or 12v?
 
hiredgun2112 said:
Im not sure about that. the model is A7N8X-LA made by asus.
Does that help, or do i have to open it up?
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That is a 5v. You would want to look at a non ATX12v2.0 PSU then. Look for a PSU that has a hefty 5v rail and a single 12v...otherwise it will be in crossload hell.
 
bruenor said:
The Thermaltake Silentpower http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817153006 for $36.99 shipped is a tank of a PSU and runs in all of my systems. NewEgg also sells Rosewill brand PSU's for pretty cheap and they have been of pretty high quality. I personally think that the Thermaltake is really the best overall value as far as build quality, performance, and power and for under $40 it isn't expensive in the least. The Rosewills come in at around $22-28 but the extra $10 is well worth it in my opinion.

Hope it helps.
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I'm using the SilentPower and I hate it. It's decent but it is by no means silent, very annoying. Just my 2 cents.
 
Hmm I'm using a DFI Ultra Infinity NFII board and I just ordered a S12-500. This board does have the extra 4pin 12v connector, so this means I will not have problems right?
 
MetalX said:
I'm using the SilentPower and I hate it. It's decent but it is by no means silent, very annoying. Just my 2 cents.
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I never said it was silent. The OP was looking for advice for a cheap solid Socket A system with the possibility to grow. The TT Silentpower Line is available for 37 bucks and provides decent power on the 12v rail as well as 5v. I'm not saying it's going to be the best PSU someone could buy, just that as an economic, solid, PSU that isn't going to fail and bring your PC with it. The fact of the matter is the TT has tons of connectors, is heavy as a cinder block, has beyond adequate power for the OP's needs, and is very affordable. No more, no less.

I'm sure there may be better deals even out there, I was simply stating that I have 4 of these units and they have all been working flawlessly and I have taken one apart and actually looked at the build quality and it is nothing short of amazing for the price of the unit. And for the record, I don't find them to be very loud... the fan is thermally controlled and mine very rarely spins at a high RPM. It could be you are in a hot environment and the fan is running full tilt 24x7. Not Silent by any means, but not leer jet loud either.
 
hiredgun2112 said:
Thanks for the suggestion..but why fortron over coolermaster?
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The Fortron units are known quantities....the coolermaster Real Powers are also...the eXtreme power I have not seen a competent review of yet....so they could be a different pedigree than the Real Powers.
 
bruenor said:
I never said it was silent. The OP was looking for advice for a cheap solid Socket A system with the possibility to grow. The TT Silentpower Line is available for 37 bucks and provides decent power on the 12v rail as well as 5v. I'm not saying it's going to be the best PSU someone could buy, just that as an economic, solid, PSU that isn't going to fail and bring your PC with it. The fact of the matter is the TT has tons of connectors, is heavy as a cinder block, has beyond adequate power for the OP's needs, and is very affordable. No more, no less.

I'm sure there may be better deals even out there, I was simply stating that I have 4 of these units and they have all been working flawlessly and I have taken one apart and actually looked at the build quality and it is nothing short of amazing for the price of the unit. And for the record, I don't find them to be very loud... the fan is thermally controlled and mine very rarely spins at a high RPM. It could be you are in a hot environment and the fan is running full tilt 24x7. Not Silent by any means, but not leer jet loud either.
Click to expand...

It has "silent" in its name, therefore me offering my input on its noise level.
 
Tov said:
Hmm I'm using a DFI Ultra Infinity NFII board and I just ordered a S12-500. This board does have the extra 4pin 12v connector, so this means I will not have problems right?
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You shouldn't have any problems. ;)
 
Look at products by Fortron-Source Power, which are sold under many brands, including Fortron, Sparkle, Trend, Hi-Q, PowerQ, Powertech, and Powerman (latter may now be by another company), because they're not only cheap but also first-rate and very conservatiely rated (a 300W Fortron can outdo some other brand 400W PSUs).. Most have model numbers starting with FSP, but a few start with ATX (but ATX is also used by some other manufacturers). The company's cheaper brands, like Hi-Q, use sleeve bearing fans, but ball bearing fans don't cost much.

Why buy junk PSUs when really good ones are so cheap?. The only junk ones I have are a very old Powmax (my most expensive PSU, but at least it's built better than today's Powmaxes) and a MaxPower that came with a case that was free after rebate, and I use them only for testing purposes.
 
Spectre said:
That is a 5v. You would want to look at a non ATX12v2.0 PSU then. Look for a PSU that has a hefty 5v rail and a single 12v...otherwise it will be in crossload hell.
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Would i encounter any problems if i use a psu with 2 12v rails AND a hefty 5v rail? assuming that one 12v rail wont be in use?

My specs are ASUS A7N8X, AXP 2800+, Geforce 6800, 2 hd's
 
hiredgun2112 said:
Would i encounter any problems if i use a psu with 2 12v rails AND a hefty 5v rail? assuming that one 12v rail wont be in use?

My specs are ASUS A7N8X, AXP 2800+, Geforce 6800, 2 hd's
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Yes, cross-loading hell!

Single +12V rail ONLY when the CPU is powered by the +5V rail. ;)

nas82 said:
My suggestion.

+3.3V@28A, +5V@35A, +12V@27A

Good unit if later on you want to add some more things.
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This is a good & reasonable suggestion. :D
 
Hey, thanks for your tip. Do you have any other recommended psu's for my setup? Budget is around $35-$40

Also, it may be a nice idea to mention crossloading in that sticky you got up there. :p
 
hiredgun2112 said:
Hey, thanks for your tip. Do you have any other recommended psu's for my setup? Budget is around $35-$40

Also, it may be a nice idea to mention crossloading in that sticky you got up there. :p
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My PSU Guide is for today's & tomorrow's computers.
As no modern PC uses the +5V rail to power the CPU, this is not an issue with modern PC's.

Cross-loading is discussed & linked when required, such as with the Zeus 650W.

Dave ;)
 
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