Good, Cheap and Quiet PSU

[Gunbuster]

Hi All,
I'm looking for a good cheap and especially a Quiet PSU. Around the £30-35 mark and 300-350watts.
Aopen, Q-Tec and Levicom all seem to meet these criteria, but I know from the past many 'quiet' components really aren't.

My Current PC Spec:
AVGS-CyberCool
Bob's Emporium 300watt psu
Athlon XP 2000+ Palamino (Zalaman Flower full copper job)
MSI K7T266 Pro2-RU
512mb Crucial DDR
MSI ti4200 8x 64mb (replacement for a previous card I nailed installing a heatpipe, doh!)
40gb Barracuda 4
TDK Vortex 12x CDRW
Samsung 16x DVD

I realise that this could also go in the Bargain Hunt Forum, but I'm also interested in your personal experiences.

[madmaca]

<Dons Flameproof Jacket>

The Q-Tec 550w is a good, cheap choice. I have one that I had modded to run a Silent Ys-Tech Fan (very easy to do - no soldering) and it is virtually silent. I wouldn't go for the lower wattage Q-Tecs as they ain't as good.

Contrary to popular belief - I have had NO PROBLEMS. Last time I posted about the Q-Tecs I was linched

</Dons Flameproof Jacket>

[Gunbuster]

Thanks, tho I think 550watt might be overkill for me.
Does anyone know if these are any good?
http://www.aria.co.uk/ProductInfoCom...497&Opener=DFT
They are on special today.

[no1sdn]

The Qtec 550 is actually a 400watt psu.

[Austin]

When buying a PSU brand counts for a LOT, in many ways you get what you pay for, I'd rec Antec or Enermax with cheaper good alternatives being Sparkle, ToPower, S.Flower and ThermalTake. IIRC QTW (or something) are rebadged Antecs, well worth a look. It does make sense to future proof your purchase a little, 350-400W would be more advisable. A speed adjustable PSU is probably best, esp if you're only going to be placing a light demand on it. Since noise is the biggest factor definitely seek out reviews, don't trust manu's claims ... obviously users' opinions are also a great way to decide.

As a bit of a side note, K7T266 Pro2-RU is based on the KT266A, it should handle the TbredB cores and they will run a LOT cooler than your current CPU (even o/c'ed to XP2600+) and that will also aid your desire for quietness. With Single Channel nForce2 coming in as low as £40 it may make sense to grab one of those, but more for perf and o/c'ability than cutting down on noise ... unless your current mobo can't take TbredB.

[SittingBull]

I agree with Austin definately. I've tried to save money in the past on power supplies but usually the power supplies had unstable rails and a Q-Tec of mine surged or something and I ended up having to replace my motherboard, CPU and ram which had all fried. Get an Enermax of some sorts. If you want it cheaper try looking through the For Sale forums or on ebay.

[fondie]

if you can stretch to £45, then a 300w QuietPC PSU is probably just what you're after - http://www.quietpc.com/uk/psu.php - in my opinion, better to spend the bit extra now, if you can, on something that you'll be pleased with!



another possibility is the 300W Zalaman, £46 from QuietPC, but only 52euros (£36) here - http://www.pcsilent.de/en_pdet_zm300apf.asp - delivery is 10euros (£7)

[Gunbuster]

Austin: My board is incompatible even with bios updates hence why my cpu is a 2000+ strangly it runs cooler than my previous 1600+
http://www.msi.com.tw/program/suppor...ail.php?UID=29

Fondie: I have already got one, it sets of a warning alarm in my Seagate Barracuda which is vastly more irratating than the generic psu I have in now. Full marks for the dancing Badger
p.s. Opps missed that zalman, ta fondie.

[no1sdn]

Originally posted by Austin
IIRC QTW (or something) are rebadged Antecs, well worth a look.

That would be the CTWs which are sold at scan.

[Agent]

Originally posted by no1sdn
The Qtec 550 is actually a 400watt psu.

Its closer to 350 in real use - and several people have had them start to smoke (myself included)

Get a ThermalTake - SUPER quiet (i mean, barely audiable) and voltages are the best ive had on any PSU (and ive delt with a lot)

[madmaca]

It must just be me with the working Q-Tec PSU then. Had mine for about 8 months - modded it with a quiet fan (disconnected the other as it has 2), and had no trouble whatsoever. I'm just lucky I guess

madmaca.

[Gunbuster]

Has anyone actually used the Levicom PSUs?

[no1sdn]

Originally posted by Agent
Its closer to 350 in real use - and several people have had them start to smoke (myself included)

Get a ThermalTake - SUPER quiet (i mean, barely audiable) and voltages are the best ive had on any PSU (and ive delt with a lot)

Heh, thanks i was trying to choose a psu and it was down to these two.

[Byatt]

in my experience, my advice would be to not scrimp on a PSU...

of the non antec/enermax lot, I think I'd be happy with thermaltake/cwt/hiper...the 420w hiper psu is uber quiet on the quietest fan setting...kinda put off hiper by two of their units failing on me though...

[blockers]

Hi mate.
I recently got a levicom 450watt psu. As i got my new PC-60 case .

It is a damn good power supply, it was on special offer at aria for £45-50. definatly worth the money.

I was stuck with a generic 300watt psu, which barely survived. Dont get a Q-tec, as a) they have a bad a press, b) how can them knock out a 550watt psu for £30 or something crazy.

I was looking at the enermax 431watt, but i think i made the right choice. As i have been told in the past, there is not point trying to get a cheepy, low voltage PSU. Try to aviod getting anything under 400watt's as if u up grade, say with another hard drive, CD/DVD drive u'll want the power.

Finally, although i had no idea what this levicom was gonna be like. However i throw away everything i have done before (researching lots.) and went for it. I have not been sorry.

And.....it German, so u know it is gonna be good. (voltswagon, mercedes, BMW, bosch, braun all come from Germany!!)

Go the whole 9 yards on a PSU..

Will

[Gunbuster]

Thanks all, I put an order in for the Levicom 350watt blue light twin fan PSU. I'll let you know how I get on.