Cheap PSU's

[Agent]

x1950pro, it's in the OP

Ah, I read it as he was upgrading from that to something else

In that case, its not an issue

[Hunain]

If its any consolation, ive used non branded, generic PSUs alot...actually, im not recommending them..just that where i live, you dont find branded stuff much (other than processors, boards and a select few video cards, kingston ram is the way to go)....now the trend is up, but im short on budget rite now thats another story....what i meant to say was that ive used generic PSUs practically all my computing life, like 9 years....none of them blew on me ( God please, keep it going this way)....the only problem i had was that they always fail on the fan....thats a big problem....the fan slows down and gradually stops working, thats when you see the BSOD....and ur like, wha? ...n after some checking, you realize the PSU is burning....I know its horrific...but thats just it, next PSU then.......
BTW...in 9 years, only 2 PSUs have died on me....their fan actually.....they cost $8 to $10....
IN NO WAY DO I RECOMMEND GENERIC PSUs...IM SIMPLY WARNING AGAINST POSSIBLE FAN FAILURES SO THAT USERS KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT.

[staffsMike]

There's always going to be examples where you will get lucky, even over a long period of time such as Hunain, but of course everything is put down to the risk rather than the money imo.

Do you risk £300+ worth of hardware over a £10 saving..

If you do find yourself having to use one then try not to push it very hard and as above.. keep an eye on it especially the fan.

[pepsi_max2k]

slightly old but here's a good list of recommended and avoidable psu manufacturers / models:

Official XS Tiered PSU Manufacturer Brand Listing Phase III - XtremeSystems Forums
EXTREME Overclocking Forums - View Single Post - Power Supply Guide for Today's & Tomorrow's Computers

Tier 4 would be the cheapest acceptable ones. also, some models from an otherwise good manufacturer can be and viceversa so always check reviews. and if you dont mind the 20pin and lack of sata devices you can usually pick up good but old models off ebay for around £15.

[Hunain]

Ya staffsMike is right....they dont take alot of load...Im definitely going to get a branded PSU as soon as I have some money....or am I getting an ASUS vento then? ...damn...its so hard...oh I forgot...that 8800GT....what am i gona do?

[this_is_gav]

Ya staffsMike is right....they dont take alot of load...Im definitely going to get a branded PSU as soon as I have some money....or am I getting an ASUS vento then? ...damn...its so hard...oh I forgot...that 8800GT....what am i gona do?

You've just spent the best part of 5 minutes explaining that budget PSUs are viable and now you're saying that a decent one is high-up on your list. What?

If you had less than 25 posts I'd swear blind that you were just after free Scan delivery or access to the classifieds section. That's how bored of your posts I am already.

[Fraz]

You've just spent the best part of 5 minutes explaining that budget PSUs are viable and now you're saying that a decent one is high-up on your list. What?

If you had less than 25 posts I'd swear blind that you were just after free Scan delivery or access to the classifieds section. That's how bored of your posts I am already.

Bad hangover is it?

[Hunain]

You've just spent the best part of 5 minutes explaining that budget PSUs are viable and now you're saying that a decent one is high-up on your list. What?

If you had less than 25 posts I'd swear blind that you were just after free Scan delivery or access to the classifieds section. That's how bored of your posts I am already.

In my first post, i said, " if its any consolation" that means, despite knowing the truth, only to ease you up, you might want to know XYZ....and I also said, I dont recommend them, but since someone is getting them, he/she might want to look out for the FAN!.....thirdly I said, now, in my area, branded PSU's are available, but im out of budget!.......PUT THIS ALL TOGETHER and it is pretty clear, what i mean.....
Secondly I dont know anything about free scan delivery...or classified or whatever...Im not from around UK or US....im here simply to help with somewhat experience I have, share my interests and have fun...if I annoy you, or any such thing, i sincerely apologize...

[this_is_gav]

Unfortunately not, or else I'd have an excuse for misinterpretation. It's just my usual cynical and critical nature combined with my zero tolerance on idiocy, I guess.

[Hunain]

Unfortunately not, or else I'd have an excuse for misinterpretation. It's just my usual cynical and critical nature combined with my zero tolerance on idiocy, I guess.

Well I appreciate a warm welcome like this from a senior member like yourself sir thank you...I am really encouraged now, when you compared my love for computers to some ulterior "free stuff" motive...honored to have posted next to you, Good day.

[Fraz]

if I annoy you, or any such thing, i sincerely apologize...

well... it certainly would be nice... only if you can be bothered like.... but if you could write a proper sentence once in a while... rather than some kind of stream of consciousness babbling... all separated with some dots.... you see it makes my eyes all trying to read stuff like this... and my brain

[Hunain]

well... it certainly would be nice... only if you can be bothered like.... but if you could write a proper sentence once in a while... rather than some kind of stream of consciousness babbling... all separated with some dots.... you see it makes my eyes all trying to read stuff like this... and my brain

Suggestion noted and an apology to you as well, will try to write better next time.

[Blitzen]

Corsair are the best, by far!

Thats a VERY brave statement seeing as how its totally inaccurate.

Corsair PSUs are good..........but they definitely arent the best.

[staffsMike]

Corsair PSUs are good..........but they definitely arent the best.

I don't wish to argue with you over PSU's Blitzen, it's been done to death lol.

Genuine question, what differentiates a good PSU like the corsair and a PSU you would consider to be great or "best"?

[Blitzen]

I don't wish to argue with you over PSU's Blitzen, it's been done to death lol.

Genuine question, what differentiates a good PSU like the corsair and a PSU you would consider to be great or "best"?

Well...(and its a debate again rather than argument )
for starters the best PSUs arent modular as its impossible to get a modular PSU perfect.

I have a Corsair, although i prefer my Liberty in my main rig, and the connectors on the cables for the Corsair look and feel very cheap.
The only way i could see a modular PSU being better is if they started to use the connectors like the ones on Hiper 580's. The PSU is poor but the connectors are the best modular ones out there.

The 520W HX is definitely the best in the Corsair range just plainly because its competitively priced. I dont think its any better than the Antecs/Enermax in the same price bracket though. The components are no better or worse inside. Its certainly no quieter than the Liberty (not sure about the Antec). The build quality isnt any better or worse either.

I also hear alot that the Corsair is best because of its '5 year warranty'. That has no bearing on the unit at all i dont think. Firstly, the unit will probably be obselete in 3 anyway. Secondly, we all know that unless you are from North America, the RMA process for Corsair is useless in any case.

I have heard all the 'for' arguments for the Corsair and although most are valid, there are no stronger than for other manufacturers units.

Im not saying the Corsair PSUs are bad...far from it...they are very good.
How it can be called 'the best' though is clearly wrong.

(I used the Liberty in alot of this post because i can compare the 2 of the as i own both).


AND

to answer your question Staffsmike, this is how i would chose a PSU which i would consider to be the best.

It would have:
- Single 12V rail. We all know they are more stable and deliver better power.
- It wouldnt be modular. Most of us have modular for tidiness but fixed cabling is definitely better.
- It would have a minimum 50a on the 12V for use over the next 18 months.
- Minimum 8 molex connectors
- Minimum 8 Sata connectors
- 2 x PCI-E connectors
- Same country support or at the very least European

The biggest argument for the best PSU is the single 12V rail imho.
A couple of years back, this is where the OCZ Powerstream won over a MASSIVE chunk of the enthusiast market and alot of those sales were for this reason.

[staffsMike]

That all makes good sense cheers for that.

I will debate though that the cables on the corsair HX are very easy to keep tidy, I can't comment on how effective they are in terms of efficiency but I personally quite like them