Power Supplie Brands

[desert_gold_hound]

I know that this has had to have been covered before, however; I didn't find it during a search but I am probably blind. I do feel that things change and this would probably be good to get updated views anyhow.

What PSU brands do you LIKE and What ones do you DISLIKE. Details are ok.


I ask because I have not had to buy a separate PSU in a while. I am now back in business and have to order a couple. I have some A Powers on the shelf but I am questioning weather or not I should sell them or if I should get say Thermaltake.


I would start it out but I cant really say anything other than one dislike and I don't remember the brand right off my head. Its the ones they put stock in eMachines I almost always suspect the PSU in these machines. If they run when they come in I always suggest replacement PSU. Now I need to know what to suggest I used to like Thermaltake.

 

[tek9]

There was a hardware survey done here about 3 yrs ago and it included power supplies. Antec, Thermaltake, and CoolerMaster ranked highest. Things probably changed since then, but it should give you an idea.

link: http://www.technibble.com/technibble-hardware-survey-results/

 

[joydivision]

I am a big fan of FSP because I can get them cheap. I can buy a decent 400w one for about £25 which is fine for the vast majority of PCS.

Mid range I tend to buy Corsairs as they do some excellent value ones in the £50 range.

I tend to buy a lot of Coolermasters as well as they are brilliant value for money. My own PSU needs changing as it has a minor fault and it will be either a Corsair or Coolermaster most likely.

Antec are brilliant but they are just so pricey here.

I avoid brands like CIT unless I state it is a temporary repair there is just too many variables with them.

 

[iisjman07]

Like: Corsair, Antec, CoolerMaster & OCZ.
Dislike: Casecom, Sumvision, Winpower.

Avoid anything that is unbranded or quoted as 'Extra Value'

 

[joydivision]

OCZ - Another great brand, have bought a couple in the past never had any problems and always been very impressed.

I find that with any of the well known brand ones in the mid range bracket, they are all very highly machined pieces of electronics.

With Antec though just can't see what I am gaining over a much cheaper FSP.

FSP not that well known in the PC repair industry but they are one of the worlds largest OEM supplier of power supplies. Many monitor transformers are made by them and they have more certifications than Stephen Hawking.

 

[d3v]

I like any re-baged Seasonic's so that includes most of the Corsair's, OCZ are mostly made by Seasonic, too. I hear FSP are brilliant, but they arn't readily available in the UK.

I always use the Corsair 450w CX for customer replacment's, justifying the £45 price tag by informing them that it is a vital component and underpins the reliability of the entire machine. I do give them the option of a cheaper powersupply but by the time I've finished my lecture they go with the Corsair!

Oh and the best site for proper PSU reviews has to be http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/

 

[joydivision]

I use a lot of Corsair 430 CXs, cost around £35.00. My supplier Microdirect sell FSPs but they often sell out and don't get new stock in for a few weeks.

 

[d3v]

I use a lot of Corsair 430 CXs, cost around £35.00. My supplier Microdirect sell FSPs but they often sell out and don't get new stock in for a few weeks.

Ah yes my mistake, I'm getting confused with the VX line which CX recently replaced. Thanks for the tip of where to get FSP's!

Hey here's a 400w FSP for only £20.. what's the catch here? How cheap is that! http://www.microdirect.co.uk/Home/Product/42755/FSP-PSU-VR400A-400W-ATX

 

[desert_gold_hound]

Thank you all

I appropriate the comments on like and dislike. This helps me out as like I said I just don't know anymore. I talked the customer into spending an extra $50 on the power supply other wise I would not sell an extended warranty. Now I have something to work with.

 

[d3v]

It's definately a good idea to stick with what you know best when it comes to power supplies. Other components you can get away with using this and that, such as RAM.

 

[joydivision]

Ah yes my mistake, I'm getting confused with the VX line which CX recently replaced. Thanks for the tip of where to get FSP's!

Hey here's a 400w FSP for only £20.. what's the catch here? How cheap is that! http://www.microdirect.co.uk/Home/Product/42755/FSP-PSU-VR400A-400W-ATX

It is not full size, it fits standard ATX cases but it is not as deep. I use these in low spec systems, never had to replace it and I know the PSU complies and exceeds all the safety regulations.

The full size FSPs are better quality but cost nearer £30.00.

 

[Bobbing]

Who's Who In Power Supplies: Brands, Labels, And OEMs

Antec=most failed PSU to come through my shop, along with generics.
I usually install Corsairs in clients computers.

 

[d3v]

Who's Who In Power Supplies: Brands, Labels, And OEMs

Antec=most failed PSU to come through my shop, along with generics.
I usually install Corsairs in clients computers.

Hey I've been disgusted with Antec ever since my expensive gamer modular PSU I bought for my old gaming rig developed a faulty 5v rail less than a year into using it.
Oh and good link, thanks.

 

[sys-eng]

Seasonic - all
PC Power & Cooling - all
Corsair - except builders series
OCZ - they had a troubled series which I had several but they did replace all of them
Antec - 80+ rated
Enermax - 80+ rated


Newegg has Corsair on sale every week. OCZ on sale too.

 

[d3v]

How come not the builder series by Corsair?

 

[Rob]

Replacing power supplies is one of our main jobs in our area. We get a lot of brown outs, lightning strikes and power fluctuations which knock PSUs around a lot, especially the cheap crap generic ones.

For the first couple of years we used Antec, but found we were having to replace a fair amount of them under warranty a few months later. We switched over to Thermaltake and found our return rate dropped dramatically.

 

[gikstar]

I keep a 'Power Supply Wish List' on Newegg and when I'm running low on power supplies, and I find one of my favorites on sale, I purchase it. I read through the ratings and decide what fits best with the systems I build and some general ones that I repair.

Love a recent Corsair HX1000W that I 'found' at the trash bin which didn't work. Was covered by their 5Yr warranty (Value $230 on Newegg).

Also check out the length of the warranties on the different P/S.

 

[KompuKare]

How come not the builder series by Corsair?

I've actually used the Corsair 430CX a few times but compared to the older Corsair 400 it's not as good (the 400 was made by Seasonic while the 430 isn't). There was some forum discussion (sorry forgot where) on the quality of the 430s vs the older 400s and the consensus seemed to be that the Antec Earthwatts Green 380W was better (seems the 430CX and that 380W are about equal in actual output wattage BTW). But it is another £5. And for a another £2 I can get a Seasonic 85+ supply...

Like d3v I tend to steer people clear of budgets PSU - after my spiel they never go for the cheap ones. Margin-wise it's all the same for me (I don't make much more selling a £40 one vs a £20 one), but at least hopefully don't have to sort out any warranty on some cheap part.

So far the only warranty replacement I've had to do was for an OCZ drive luckily I didn't have to send it back to the Netherlands but between that and two RAM RMAs, I've gone totally off OCZ.

 

[sys-eng]

How come not the builder series by Corsair?

Based upon user feedback on sites such as Newegg and some PSU reviews I have read (where they actually take them apart), the Corsair Builder Series is no better than the average PSU. I want better than average. There is a reason that Corsair sells these for about 40% less than their better PSU's.

 

[sys-eng]

Hey I've been disgusted with Antec ever since my expensive gamer modular PSU I bought for my old gaming rig developed a faulty 5v rail less than a year into using it.
Oh and good link, thanks.

Antec is probably the most common PSU on the market. That helps explain why they have more failures. When I say Antec, I do not buy the cheapest versions.

Did you get Antec to replace your PSU? It was still under warranty. I have never had any problem getting them to honor their warranties.