Cheap PSU's

[r_j_k_p]

a friend of mine is wanting a small upgrade so hes going for:

a cheap psu: Extra Value 550W ATX Silent Neon PSU - 12cm Fan/PPFC (no power cord) - Ebuyer

a x1959pro

and some pc3200 ddr ram


i've told him that buing a cheap psu like in the link will just cause it to break especially if put under pressure with a mid level gfx card. I've also told him that it may literally blow up and take some other components with it.

He wants to know why the psu in the link above is not as good as say as a branded one. He wants a better response than "the ebuyer one is too cheap to be good"


many thanks in anyone that can help!!!!

[staffsMike]

Cheap PSU's are built out of cheap components. They are not built to be stressed, to last and they certainly are not built to prevent blowing up every component they are attached to if they should (will) blow up. Good PSU's do not take anything else with them if they blow up.

If he's willing to risk every other component then it's perfect for him. Stupid but perfect lol.

You can get a qualitly PSU ~400W for around £30 from the likes of FSP etc.. and they are much better than the 500w (if it really does give that) generic junk.

[Sprite]

Many cheap PSU are cheap because they:

Don't provide as much power as advertised
Have low efficiencies
Lack things such as aPFC
Have bad stability
Use low cquality capacitors that are likely to blow up
Dont have many volts on the 12v rail which is important for gfx cards

EDIT: Damn it, beaten !

[r_j_k_p]

thanks guys.
he now knows the errors of his ways and would like a suggestion for a cheap psu for:

p4 3.2ghz,
2 x 512 ddr pc3200,
x1950pro,
1 dvd combo,
1 DVD rw,
1 sata drive

[staffsMike]

I've used one of these and it's a fantastic PSU
Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK

This is the cheapest I would go I think
Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK

Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK - go to the bottom of this page and the above PSU's are a few quid cheaper a piece on special. You also qualify for free delivery from scan if you dont already know.

[r_j_k_p]

his current supply is a
FSP 350-60MDN( R)
DC - output 350W


is that good enough for the gfx and extra ram he wanted?

[Koolpc]

Corsair are the best, by far!

[Sprite]

I would go for the 400w FSP, Its on the Today Only section for £27ish sometimes

[staffsMike]

Might be worth giving the 350w a go to be honest. Possibly pushing it though.

[wazi]

there is an i-cute 400w reduced from £30 to £20 at maplins ?

[t0v3]

if you buy a cheap crappy psu dont be surprised if your pc randomly restarts, especially when doing tasks which strain the system

or even worse if a cheap psu goes then it will take the motherboard with it. a quality expensive psu on the other hand if it actually blew it wouldnt render any other parts of your computer dead

funnily enough its the one part of the whole pc where a lot of people try to save money, without realizing its the one part (along with the motherboard) which is most important and key to system stability

[Koolpc]

Always go for a named PSU. A well known and highly recommended brand.

[Agent]

his current supply is a
FSP 350-60MDN( R)
DC - output 350W


is that good enough for the gfx and extra ram he wanted?

A 350watt FSP (a decent PSU!) should be plenty for that system
See : http://forums.hexus.net/hexus-hardwa...-readings.html

Its very unlikely he will have issues. Although what graphics card will he be using?

[staffsMike]

Its very unlikely he will have issues. Although what graphics card will he be using?

x1950pro, it's in the OP

[r_j_k_p]

he is buying an ati x1950pro (256mb) card

[Pob255]

If you want to use ebuyer.com then I'd also sudgets looking at the Antec Earthwatts range and the Silverpower (although they tend to be a little low on the +12v, with a single 18a rail)

A decent 400w PSU should be all you need to power that system, however I agree with staffsMike that you should give that 350w FSP psu a try.

Annoingly I cannot find that exact model number on the FSP website probably one of there normal models re-numbered for OEM
PS I think I've loacted a pic of that psu
Link
Was it a Medion pc bought from aldi ??
Looks like 19.5a on the +12v rail (max not sustained)
Some FSP models are better than others, the cheap ones tend to be basic no frills workhorses designed to run the PC they are put in so the 350w might not be enough.

Cheap PSU's tend to use cheap components that age badly and they use alsorts of little tricks to scrape through test and make there numbers look better.
eg yes it can supply 550w, at 10c for under 5min when you add up all the seperate numbers