How are PSU's tiered?

[blockedSounds]

Hi all. I bought an XFX TS 420 for a low power server and within 6 months it's blown up (complete with dramatic cloud of smoke). I was lead to believe it's a "Tier 2" re-badged Seasonic and of very good quality. Needless to say I won't be replacing my PSU with the same model as my trust in the unit has been shaken. I do wonder though, how is the Tier system calculated and is it really worth paying attention to when choosing a PSU?

edit.. should be a TS 430 as pointed out by satrow.

[EndlessWaves]

Hi all. I bought an XFX TS 420 for a low power server and within 6 months it's blown up (complete with dramatic cloud of smoke).

Everything can fail. Even the highest quality PSUs will have occasional units fail within six months and all the extra quality gets you is a reduced chance of that happening.

The real test of PSU quality is whether it took anything else out with it. If the rest of the system is undamaged then that's a good PSU.

As for the various tier lists floating around they seem to be judged based on the reputation of the components used and the hardware manufacturer of the PSU rather than individual implementations.

[kalniel]

Hi all. I bought an XFX TS 420 for a low power server and within 6 months it's blown up (complete with dramatic cloud of smoke). I was lead to believe it's a "Tier 2" re-badged Seasonic and of very good quality. Needless to say I won't be replacing my PSU with the same model as my trust in the unit has been shaken. I do wonder though, how is the Tier system calculated and is it really worth paying attention to when choosing a PSU?

Who classified it as 'Tier 2'?

[jim]

Hi all. I bought an XFX TS 420 for a low power server and within 6 months it's blown up (complete with dramatic cloud of smoke). I was lead to believe it's a "Tier 2" re-badged Seasonic and of very good quality. Needless to say I won't be replacing my PSU with the same model as my trust in the unit has been shaken. I do wonder though, how is the Tier system calculated and is it really worth paying attention to when choosing a PSU?

People will use good third-party reviews (e.g. JonnyGuru) and what they know about rebadging etc most of the time to come up with those 'tiering' lists.

If you really want to specifically buy a great PSU, I would look for one that has been reviewed on JonnyGuru and come out with a great score. For a more speedy check, the tiers are helpful - in the main they help people to avoid really awful PSUs.

As for yours blowing up, it's not necessarily a sign that you made the wrong decision. If the rest of your PC is fine, then it has done its job in protecting it.

[jag272]

Who classified it as 'Tier 2'?

Most likely referring to this PSU Tier list over on Tom's

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/...tier-list.html

Its a relatively useful piece of info to have, but I wouldnt use it as the sole decision maker for what I buy.

[kalniel]

Most likely referring to this PSU Tier list over on Tom's

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/...tier-list.html

Its a relatively useful piece of info to have, but I wouldnt use it as the sole decision maker for what I buy.

So just one user's opinion? I would certainly be wanting to investigate more myself, but any queries could easily be directed at that user I guess.

[jag272]

So just one user's opinion? I would certainly be wanting to investigate more myself, but any queries could easily be directed at that user I guess.

Ye, when I was picking my PSU I googled around and found this one suggested, then found that list and then finally also checked out Jonnyguru. Its a nice tool, but its worth looking to proper reviews like Jonnyguru for proper analysis. I believe the list focuses on the same criteria as said reviews, but doesnt include any of that info in the post itself.

Its more of a shortlisting tool than a decision making tool really.

[blockedSounds]

Thanks for the replies.

I used the list that jag272 linked to (good detective work ) and thought it was some mysterious insider info type of list made by an industry authority. Tier 1, 2, 3 etc sounds so official, you know. To find out it's just user generated based on reviews is a bit of a surprise.

Cheers for the JonnyGuru suggestions, I'll take a look and see if I can find something else I like on there. Also I hadn't really considered that if the PSU has blown without killing the rest of my system then it's not a bad PSU - totally logical. I haven't had chance to test the system out yet, hope it's not damaged. If it's survived I'll still look for a different PSU however as I don't like the way this fits in my Fractal Design Node 304 (the plug socket is too restricted due to orientation).

[satrow]

Many reviews linked from here: http://www.realhardtechx.com/index_a...wDatabase.html

More info on who really builds what: http://www.orionpsudb.com/ (Related - new XFX budget XT line made by Seasonic subsidiary, Hydance)

Was that a typo in the OP, there's a TS 430?

[blockedSounds]

Many reviews linked from here: http://www.realhardtechx.com/index_a...wDatabase.html

More info on who really builds what: http://www.orionpsudb.com/ (Related - new XFX budget XT line made by Seasonic subsidiary, Hydance)

Was that a typo in the OP, there's a TS 430?

Thanks for the links, they look great. There is indeed a TS 430, I believe it's end of life but still available to buy online from some places. I think that's why I was given a refund for my faulty one rather than a replacement.

edit.. lol yes it was a typo and I misread your post just to make things more confusing! I blame the weather and the direct sunlight on my monitor.