Power supply (PSU) concerns

[edwardallene]

One of the most important pieces of hardware on your computer is your power supply. It runs power to the other components of your computer by switching the power that comes from your outlet (AC) to the direct current (DC) which your computer needs. Without it nothing else would run and a poor quality or failing power supply can potentially put unwanted strain on expensive computer parts and components.
A minimum of 550 watts to 650 watts for high end desktops.

 

[raybay]

Wattage is among the least important aspects of a power supply. If you are using a basic desktop, the power supply doesn't matter much. But if it is a computer you care about and plan to keep for a long time, or use for gaming, photo editing, or design work, you would benefit from reading up on power supplies so you know which ones are good, and what the minimum requirements should be.

 

[Tmagic650]

I'm glad you said this Raybay... Everyone thinks wattage is the first thing to be considered, but we know differently. We know good brands and not so good brands, and models like eMachines and older Dell's have had plenty of power supply issues

 

[Rage_3K_Moiz]

Another reason to be wary of unheard-of PSU brands: Fake PFC circuits.

Check out the story here.

 

[Tedster]

http://www.extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp

 

[LiamD]

Hey guys,

Am looking for a new PSU for the GTX 560, I was considering the Corsair 600W CX Series V2. Would this be good enough?

Thanks!

 

[Tmagic650]

Yes, I think so

 

[raybay]

Yes. We have had good luck with it in our repair shops. However a lot of reviewers have labeled it as too noisy. There are several that are equally good, but much quieter.

However, there are none more reliable. We use a lot of Corsairs and none come back... however the 500, 550, and 560 Seem signifcantly more noisy.

 

[LiamD]

thank you for the good avdice

 

[Great1122]

Hi Guys I'm currently looking for a micro atx power supply and the two good one's I've found are this FSP and this Ultra both cost around the same. So which one do you guys recommend, I'm currently leaning towards the FSP. According to realhardtechx all FSP power supplies are made by FSP, but that ultra power supply is made by ShenZhen RuiSheng Yuan so please let me know your input. Also if you wanted to know the total wattage of my system won't exceed 350 watt at 90% load according to http://extreme.outervision.com/PSUEngine. I'm not using this computer for gaming but even if I do I highly doubt I'll hit that 90% load so I think 400 watt is enough. Alternatively, if you guys have a better micro atx power supply please link me to it.

 

[raybay]

We have used FSP in our repair business for perhaps 20 years. We have never had a failure. But you must remember FSP is a consortium, not a company. Many indpendent companies build them and put the FSP lable on them. Still, they are among our favorites for repair and upgrade work, and quiet. Just about any 450 to 500 Watt FSP should give you good service.
There are so many early failures among some of the name brands...

For my own build, I like to use Corsair.

 

[raybay]

For good reviews on power supplies sometimes, you might want to look on line with a gurgle search, and at Hardware Secrets which publishes a power supply review several times a month.

 

[Great1122]

We have used FSP in our repair business for perhaps 20 years. We have never had a failure. But you must remember FSP is a consortium, not a company. Many indpendent companies build them and put the FSP lable on them. Still, they are among our favorites for repair and upgrade work, and quiet. Just about any 450 to 500 Watt FSP should give you good service.
There are so many early failures among some of the name brands...

For my own build, I like to use Corsair.

I use Corsair too but the don't have any micro atx Corsair/Seasonic power supplies. The fsp is 80 bronze certified (the ultra psu is not) so I'll just go with that one and hope for the best thanks.

 

[raybay]

Take a look at the Seasonic, if you haven't written the check. "Seasonicampnode Seasonic 430W SLI ATX12V Power Supply S12II 430 BRONZE PSS12II430 Electronics Used and New Usually ships in 24 hours" from an online review at Hardware. Seasonics have always matched FSP and Corsair, and this one looks as if it may be special

 

[Great1122]

Take a look at the Seasonic, if you haven't written the check. "Seasonicampnode Seasonic 430W SLI ATX12V Power Supply S12II 430 BRONZE PSS12II430 Electronics Used and New Usually ships in 24 hours" from an online review at Hardware. Seasonics have always matched FSP and Corsair, and this one looks as if it may be special

Unfortunately that won't fit in the micro atx case I have, that fsp I linked is a pretty tight fit at 4.9 x 2.5 x 3.9 (ldw I think). The seasonic is close to twice that size.Plus I think that fsp is the best micro atx psu around so I guess I'll have to go with that one.

 

[Rage_3K_Moiz]

I'd recommend this PSU instead. Top-notch quality and it should provide enough power for your PC. If you're still a little skeptical about 350W being enough though, go for the FSP instead.

Absolutely avoid the Ultra PSU in any case.

 

[ocer9999]

I heard that Seasonic makes a lot of the top PSUs and is probably the best manufacturer, is this true? If yes, how come they also have their own brand? Wouldn't this mean they're competing with their own customers?

 

[Rage_3K_Moiz]

Yes, it's true.

As for your second question, that's like asking why Samsung (who used to practically single-handedly produce the iPhone at one time) released their own phones. Also, the PSU designs aren't completely based on Seasonic's say-so; as far as I know, most of the time the OEM's base design specs are modified by the PSU seller (could be something like choice of capacitors on the primary/secondary or the model/make of FETs used).