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POWMAX considered generic?

S

SportyGuy220

Gawd
Joined
Jun 9, 2004
Messages
556
Im just curious. POWMAX is a well known company and maker of PSU's and Case's. However i was wondering becuase ive heard generic PSU"s are bad, if POWMAX PSU's are considered generic?.
 
more or less

what do you expect for $18 retail
if the model is like most retail models, that means it was keystoned and the retailer bought them in bulk for $9 each?
 
My HTPC had a 400W "POWMAX" supply in it. Garbage.

The supply came with a cheap case, which I bought for my HTPC. First thing I noticed about the power supply was that it was *loud*! So, I pulled it open to replace the fan with a L1A.... and laughed hysterically.

You can fairly accurately tell the power output (and quality) of a power supply by the size of the heatsinks and main transformer inside. The main transformer inside was *ridiculously* small; I can't see how the thing could put out anywhere near 200W, let alone 400W. And the heatsink (only one!) was miniscule.
 
We sell them at work. About half of them blow up (not an exaggeration) as soon as they're powered on.
 
Powmax is considered by many to be one of worst PSU makers around, on the same level as makers like Deer...
 
SportyGuy220 said:
Im just curious. POWMAX is a well known company and maker of PSU's and Case's. However i was wondering becuase ive heard generic PSU"s are bad, if POWMAX PSU's are considered generic?.
Click to expand...
POWMAX is a well known company and maker of PSU's and cases, all right - but of the really cheap, low-quality variety. You see, their cases typically sell online for $20 to $30 (though retail stores which may be selling the POWMAX cases jack up the price due to overhead). And their PSU's are equally cheap and crappy.
 
I'm currently using a powmax case for my A64 system...and needless to say...it sucks, pc will randomly restart from either not getting enough power or two voltage flucuation. I can't install certain things that are power hungry right now due to this...and when playing a game the computer just locks...

Save your self the trouble and either buy a case with no psu...or buy a decent company. I fell into the trap because i liked the case but now i regret it and am having to pay ~100+ for a decent psu.
 
litkaj said:
We sell them at work. About half of them blow up (not an exaggeration) as soon as they're powered on.
Click to expand...

I sell them too. Ive noticed there may be a problem with 1 out of 20. But i pretest them all. 1 in 20 is kinda high,but its not aweful.

If you get them from a local warehouse, maybe they're being handled roughly? Dont know, 50% is crazy.

(dont get me wrong, this is not an endorsement, they ARE cheap. If you have the cash get something better obviously)

and with shiping, i doubt youll find a case for less than 30-40ish. even newegg charges 10-15 to ship cases. so a 30dollar case turns into a 45 dollar one.
 
Wixard said:
I sell them too. Ive noticed there may be a problem with 1 out of 20. But i pretest them all. 1 in 20 is kinda high,but its not aweful.

If you get them from a local warehouse, maybe they're being handled roughly? Dont know, 50% is crazy.

(dont get me wrong, this is not an endorsement, they ARE cheap. If you have the cash get something better obviously)

and with shiping, i doubt youll find a case for less than 30-40ish. even newegg charges 10-15 to ship cases. so a 30dollar case turns into a 45 dollar one.
Click to expand...

Yeah, my "half" reference was a bit of an exaggeration. The real number is more like 10% on delivery, 40% within 60 days.
 
tgxiii said:
Aaah! Get that POS out of that sweet system ASAP!
Click to expand...

I plan on it ASAP....gotta save up money to go to the beach with , during the next few weeks....so it'll be a while...but if someone has one laying around they'd lend me i'd be more than willing to accept the offer.
 
Man i tell you guys what. This is my first computer i built so far, and believe me. just when you think "i got a good system" you find some part of the system is obsolete. in my case, PSU and ram is needed upgrade from pc2700 to 3200. but i have a 400w powmax. and i will go crazy if that thing blows up. On that subject what are some things to look for for unstablitly in them? so far i seem to be running fine with that PSU in it. but now that i have this new info. i will replace it asap. probly after my ram is upgraded.
 
SportyGuy220 said:
Man i tell you guys what. This is my first computer i built so far, and believe me. just when you think "i got a good system" you find some part of the system is obsolete. in my case, PSU and ram is needed upgrade from pc2700 to 3200. but i have a 400w powmax. and i will go crazy if that thing blows up. On that subject what are some things to look for for unstablitly in them? so far i seem to be running fine with that PSU in it. but now that i have this new info. i will replace it asap. probly after my ram is upgraded.
Click to expand...
There's three "symptoms" of a cheap power supply that I tend to notice...

(1) Computer randomly shuts off, especially under heavy load (games, folding, etc)
(2) Computer won't turn back on again. Toast PSU.
(3) Computer won't turn back again. After replacing PSU, computer still won't turn back on :( happened to my beloved K6 with a (pre-Fortron) Sparkle PSU.

I can't hammer the point in hard enough - get a new PSU and throw that POWMAX supply out. Want cheap? get an Antec Smartpower PSU; they're excellent supplies.
 
Ive used the same POWMAX case for the last 3 systems ive built.
The case is $32 with free shipping from newegg, comes with either a 400 or 450W psu.
The case with the psu in it weigh less than my 350W antec psu alone. Its a pretty good case, can handle 4 80MM fans and is real easy to use, but i wouldnt use it for anything other than a budget system.
 
Had 1 400watt powmax... lasted less than 24 hours. Got another for free from the place I bought it... that one lasted a week.

They are pure crap.
 
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