Rating PSU quality

[Jud666]

My bro has updated his mobo and processor recently, hes also gonna get 800mhz of ram and looking at an 8800gts in the future, so that 350w psu with 1 12v rail aint gonna cut it.

My question is is the old psu good enough? 550w its got 2 12v+ rails at 18A+17A, enough to power a gts, but is that the only thing to take into account when judging the quality? I know its important getting the right one im slightly worried as it came with my 'old' pc, but i cant find much wrong with it.

I dont know if this is the branding label but it says HEC on it, so does a brand make a crappy psu? Or will it cut the mustard?

[DataMatrix]

A brand name means a lot (especially for PSUs), try and find out more info on it. 350w wont be sufficient for a GTS, they draw 75w from the motherboard and 75w from the PCI-E power connector.

That doesn't leave you with much headroom on the 12v rails.

[Clunk]

Never use cheap PSUs. Ever....well, apart from maybe as a weapon when returning it, when it has fried all your components.

[Pob255]

From a quick search, HEC = not a good brand.
Should be passable untill a 8800gts goes in, depending on current specs

[Jud666]

its currently running an abit ip35-e/e4300/7300gs heats at idle seem to be fine, although he does crash a lot in BF2, struggling to believe its overheating issues due the fact there are no sid epanels on the case

[hse180]

Never use cheap PSUs. Ever....well, apart from maybe as a weapon when returning it, when it has fried all your components.

Agreed..........this is most probably the most over looked component.