Q-Tec PSU's?

I've been re-arranging my systems for the last few days, swapping components about between cases and stuff.

In one set up I'm using an Nvidia FX5200 Ultra video card. This system has a Generic 300W PSU.

I loaded latest V50.53 Detonator drivers and to my surprise, on boot, I was informed my PSU didn't have enough power for the FX5200 Ultra and so it would be 'throttled back' to a setting compliant with the current supplied by the PSU I'm using.

So, I just ordered a Q-Tec 550W PSU from Kustom PC's.

Question is, this thing only cost £30.00, which is far far cheaper than, say, an Enermax or Antec Truepower. Are any any of you using this brand of PSU? Is it any good? Does it deliver the current?

I ask, as being sceptical, this thing seems too good to be true. 550W with two fans for thirty quid?

Interested to hear your experiences & POV. I figure even if this PSU doesn't truly deliver 550W, it should be good to power this Nvidia card.

STAY AWAY IMO ... it took out my K7N2G-ILSR back in the summer when I left it on for more than a few days!

There cheap - and cheap for a reason! I've now got a 480Watt Enermax (cost around £70) and I'm well happy!

Also the dual fans are really noisy, there powerful (and still use them for overclocking projects) but very noisy! I would prefer a Generic PSU to Q-Tec, at least the 4-5 of them and are still running in various PCs!

Stay well away.

Me and serveral others have had them go up in smoke, often taking other equipment with it.
They are cheap for a reason : You get what you pay for.

"550 watt" Q-tec at ebuyer = £20
Antec TruePower 550 at ebuyer = £98.39

The prices should speak for thereselfs !

Oh poop :(

Wonder if I can cancel the order?

Using Antec Truepower in other systems, happy with them.

Wish I'd asked first before ordering.

erm I have had different experience with QTec.
I have used a 550watt QTec for some time. It only broke as I attached a floppy drive while it was on, I really didn't want to switch off my PC.

Now I'm using a 400Watt PSU, with 2 Hard drives, 2 CDRW's.

Its made me happy and I havnt had any problems.

To sum up - some people have had no problems - some have had endless problems (including me). Seems they aren't too fussy about their quality assurance.

Also Qtec quote watts as max peak - where everyone else quotes them as max. So Qtec 550W = Anyone elses 420W...

If your Qtec powered PC starts crashing or blows up - you know where to look.

Personally my q-tec 550w is perfectly ok running 24/7 for the last 6 months, anyway check this thread

Thanks for the feedback, all.

I've also read good things about the Q-Tec PSU, must be luck of the draw or something.

I understand about peak current, I thought that may be the case with Q-Tec PSU's, that's why I ordered the 550W version and not a lower one.

Interestingly, the 550W version is the only model that Kustom PC's stock.

Anyway, I have just e-mailed Kustom PC's and asked them to substitute the Q-Tec for an Antec Truepower 430W. More than twice the price of the Q-Tec, but the above posts have put me right off it.

Kustom PC's have been good in the past, let's hope they pick up on my e-mail before sending the order.

Just an update.

Kustom PC's just e-mailed me, have cancelled my original order and have asked me to place a new order.

That's a bit of alright then :)

(and no, I'm nothing to do with Kustom PC's, I usually buy my stuff from overclockers.co.uk but on the stuff I wanted, Kustom were offering a better deal this time around)

i think the Qtec PSU question will be one that will carry on as much as apple vs PC or Intel vs AMD, not just on these forums but others as well. some like/trust them, some dont.


my personal opinion is that i have had 2 and have been fine, BUT spending the extra money on an Antec gave me more peace of mind for no real factual reason apart from it cost more :)

I have just got another QTec 550 watt, for this computers replacement but the 400 watt is doing fine so i might leave it.

I replaced the fans on my Q-tec 550W for quieter ones, makes a world of difference. The original fans are unbearable

floppybootstomp if you havent ordered another yet, scan sell CWT 450 psus for about £30 which are exactly the same as the antecs but a lot cheaper, have a look in the other threads about it. im wainting for them to get stock on the 550w models :)

mr_roll a qtec 550w is ONLY a 400w with exaggerated ratings. it seems they might not have the ovp/ocp/scp or thermal protection in them which makes them unreliable. i would prefer an unbranded 300w psu over a qtec, as it will be more reliable, and though the max output might be less, it shouldnt explode if it ever reaches it :)

thanks for the pointer there Silent Death, but I just ordered the Antec Truepower 430W.

Hit me deep in the wallet, but at least I'm getting something I can rely on.

I'll have to check out those CWT PSU's for the future.

I've been using my Q-Tec 550w for over a year now and never ever ever had a problem with it.

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