Curse

Absolute Destiny · Jun 16, 2010, 06:17 AM // 06:17

Okay, got back from a week's vacation, plugged my computer back in (didn't check PSU switch), and after three automatic restarts, it won't come back on.

The theory is that my PSU over-volted the system.
No melting or other signs of overheating is visible.

My PSU's an OKIA...which I'm told is beneath "worthless crap" level.

SO, my question:
What are some reliable PSU brands?

End · Jun 16, 2010, 07:11 AM // 07:11

if I recall correctly...

Thermaltake
Corsair
Enermax
zalman
Coolermaster

were all reasonable quality power supply manufacturers granted...the info is a bit old so it might have changed...

hallucinogenic · Jun 16, 2010, 08:27 AM // 08:27

End is pretty much right.

The past 2 PSU's I've used were

Corsair TX 850W which did me fine, until I built a computer demanding more power.

I now use a Cooler Master Real Power Pro 1250W which works perfectly.

I would personally recommend the both of those PSU's or their brand!

Showtime · Jun 16, 2010, 08:34 AM // 08:34

Power supply companies go from being good to bad to good again. So don't worry about company rep, just the individual ps and read reviews on them. Most companies outsources their power supplies from 5 or 6 companies, but can get them specked differently. Power PC & Cooling used to be the best, but it could be anyone now.

When buying a ps, buy for now and near future upgrades. Don't grab 750+watts etc if you don't need it. Besides power rating and reliability, you might worry about how loud it gets, how efficient it is, and price/performance. Invest/use a good powerstrip/surge protector. To protect the wholes system. Backup power if you live where power goes out a lot...

You can calculate/estimate your power needs online and then go from there. Most dual core with a single powerful graphics card and few drives will get by on as little as 500 watts, but go 600 to be safe and more if you need more. Quad cores with dual or more high powered cards can use 1000 watts.

For deals try fatwallet.com or slickdeals.net
Go to hot deals forums and search for power supplies. If people say it's a good deal, and it's enough power for you, do some research and buy it. DONT buy more than you need and pay for power you won't use.

For power supply info try jonnyguru.com

this site will provide way too much info, but will have something on most all popular ps. You can also google reviews or check newegg or amazon for people's experiences.

silentpc is good one too if you like it quiet. though good silent ps usually come at a premium.

My old coolermaster 520 watt and newer corsair 620watt power supplies were highly recommended and haven't given me any problems over the years. Both I got cuz I wanted quiet ps's that were reliable/built well. Neither was manufactured by their respective companies. The corsair one was supposed to be near silent, but isn't. It's not loud, but not nearly as quiet as in the reviews and that can be from a bad fan etc or just poor qc. I got it cuz it was supposed to be silent and went on sale, but could have got by with less and saved 50 bucks or so.

bsoltan · Jun 16, 2010, 11:47 AM // 11:47

JonnyGuru do pretty well at reviewing power supplies, you can check out reviews here:
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php...&recatnum= 13

I'll add Seasonic into the mix as well as the ones that End mentioned.

I've used Tagans in the past but recently seen two fail on me but as Showtime says they can just come from a bad batch sometimes.

Elder III · Jun 16, 2010, 12:44 PM // 12:44

In no particular order:

PC Power & Cooling (one of the best if not the best)
OCZ (is in a partnership with PC Power & Cooling, which has really made them an excellent buy now)
Thermaltake (I've never bought a Thermaltake product that wasn't quality & most of their PSUs are 5 yr warranty vs 3 or less that is standard)
Corsair (Excellent product but pricy vs the rest of this list)
Antec (see "Corsair")
Enermax (never bought one but they are highly regarded)
CoolerMaster (probably the weakest link on this list imo, but still worthy of consideration of the price is right)
Zalman (tend to be pricy but you get your money's worth for sure)

There are a couple more brands that produce really high end stuff, but unless you want to spend $300+ for a PSU the above list is plenty to get you going.

I'd check the deals on the web and get whatever meets your needs for a good price. Just go with a good name brand and if gaming is your concern, pay just as much attention to the +12volt rail(s) Amperage as you do to the Wattage of the PSU.

Generally speaking a 500 watt should do for most systems out there and if you run SLI/Crossfire or overclock much you likely will want a 700 watt or more. For reference I have a power hungry quad core & 2 HD4850 video cards and it only consumes 440-460 watts during a graphics intense game such as Far Cry 2. But you do need to allow extra room for efficiency rating, wear over time, etc....

moriz · Jun 16, 2010, 03:28 PM // 15:28

might as well throw XFX into the list. their PSUs are pretty good also.

End · Jun 16, 2010, 08:48 PM // 20:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elder III

PC Power & Cooling (one of the best if not the best)
OCZ (is in a partnership with PC Power & Cooling, which has really made them an excellent buy now)
Thermaltake (I've never bought a Thermaltake product that wasn't quality & most of their PSUs are 5 yr warranty vs 3 or less that is standard)
Corsair (Excellent product but pricy vs the rest of this list)
Antec (see "Corsair")
Enermax (never bought one but they are highly regarded)
CoolerMaster (probably the weakest link on this list imo, but still worthy of consideration of the price is right)
Zalman (tend to be pricy but you get your money's worth for sure)

Thank you for the more complete list I knew I was missing a handful.

Lord Sojar · Jun 16, 2010, 09:02 PM // 21:02

Don't forget ABS.... they make excellent PSUs!

Showtime · Jun 17, 2010, 01:02 AM // 01:02

Don't get too hung up on brand name unless it gives you some sort of better warranty. Most all of the mentioned brand names do not actually manufacture their own power supplies. They outsource it to various power supply manufacturers in taiwan and china. The info you need is which manufactures actually make the ps and are they they a good tier 1, decent tier 2 or crappy tier 3 manufacturer. The corsair I have is manufactured by seasonic (one of the better ps companies). I've had good luck with antecs and enermax, but even they use someone else to make their ps. Even a junky ps will work, but there are lots of deals on good ps so why gamble. I haven't looked lately cuz I bought the right ones and have been lucky. But you should be able to find a decent one on sale for around $60 here in the states. Newegg is pretty good. Frys electronics when they have a sale.

Nerel · Jun 17, 2010, 04:37 AM // 04:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lord Sojar

Don't forget ABS.... they make excellent PSUs!

This ABS ? 'cause they don't make PSUs... rebranded Tagan hardware in the past, ATNG PSUs now?

Most of the 'brands' mentioned by End are just rebranded as well.

Thermaltake? I think I just threw up in my mouth, a company that made it's name with UGLY cases and people confusing it's products with the far superior Thermalright coolers

Hard to recommend a brand beyond PC Power&Cooling, the rebrand crowd have their ups and downs, often changing suppliers etc... Maybe Sparkle (but that's a horrid brand name for PSUs when you think about it) or Enermax.

KZaske · Jun 17, 2010, 06:15 AM // 06:15

I would advise checking Hardocp.com as they do a lot of reviews. It a very difficult thing for a PSU to pass thier testing as they stress they pretty badly.
It is not that have anything against any of the brand names mentioned by Elder or End, but I always try to find hard reviews of PSUs I buy.
One thing to remember, there is a lot of rebranding going on in this specific market, you may get a PSU with a different version number than the one reviewed. For example the Rosewill 530 (twin rails) I have is actually a 750Watt PSU while the newer Rosewill 530s are single rail 550s. My wife's Thermaltake 450 is actuall a remarked 600. Luck does play a part that is far larger than I wish it did.

Bob Slydell · Jun 17, 2010, 07:29 AM // 07:29

Corsair makes some really solid, impressive and reasonably priced products. I'd give them a look too.

Lord Sojar · Jun 17, 2010, 08:17 AM // 08:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nerel

This ABS ? 'cause they don't make PSUs... rebranded Tagan hardware in the past, ATNG PSUs now?

Most of the 'brands' mentioned by End are just rebranded as well.

Thermaltake? I think I just threw up in my mouth, a company that made it's name with UGLY cases and people confusing it's products with the far superior Thermalright coolers

Hard to recommend a brand beyond PC Power&Cooling, the rebrand crowd have their ups and downs, often changing suppliers etc... Maybe Sparkle (but that's a horrid brand name for PSUs when you think about it) or Enermax.

Rebrand or not, that is the brand to which I refer. ABS/Tagan PSUs have been of the highest quality for the last 3 years. They are also very well priced.

And Thermaltake does make excellent PSUs... it's irrelevant how you feel about their case design or their cooling products.

Elder III · Jun 17, 2010, 11:36 AM // 11:36

Aye Rahjah - I should have included ABS too, they would have to go right there with Zalman - "Pricy, but worth it if you have the cash"

End · Jun 17, 2010, 12:56 PM // 12:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nerel

Thermaltake? I think I just threw up in my mouth, a company that made it's name with UGLY cases and people confusing it's products with the far superior Thermalright coolers

Sooo the overall visual appeal of their cases effect performance of their PSu's really? That's very interesting...

Snograt · Jun 17, 2010, 10:19 PM // 22:19

Hey - I happen to love my big-ass, blue-glowy Tt Armor+.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, you know - and I be holdin' on to this one

Elder III · Jun 18, 2010, 12:05 PM // 12:05

if you ever start to dislike the looks of that big azz Tt Armor, well I could take the proverbial bullet for you and take it off your hands...... you know, just 'cuz I'm a nice guy and all.