PSU confusion, again...

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SuperAntMD

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So how do I go about choosing the right size PSU, is the brand really important?

Spec:
C2Q q9550
Asus P5q-VM
4gb DDR2-800 (2x2)
Samsung OD
Few extra fans etc...

How much power will this rig need, what do recommend in terms of brands at the lowest possible price?

How do people feel about the real cheap stuff?

iSONIC CLASSIC 400WATT R150 here
COMSTAR 450W POWER SUPPLY R111 here

Whats the worst case scenario if these things fail?
 
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SuperAntMD said:
But why is this bad? It is something I don't understand well, what is the difference between an expensive 450W and a cheap one?
Click to expand...

Branded (quality) PSUs = better quality components inside, longer warranty, run cooler, less chance of them breaking and taking some of your other components with it.

It is the assurance that you pay for too. It's possible to buy a cheap PSU and have it run for years without problems.

Do you want to take that risk with a Q9550 and P5Q? No.

Do you want to take that risk with a Celeron and a G31 mobo? Possibly.
 
Cheap PSU = R100
Expensive PSU = R1500

Cost of replacing Mobo, CPU & RAM cause cheep PSU doesn't send through nice stable power? I'm sure way more than the R1400 difference.

Besides you can get a good quality PSU for about R600. I was just exaggerating for effect. :D It's a bit like bying a Lambo and running it on the cheepest oil you can find. i.e. Not wise.
 
You can get a good PSU for like R350-R450. But you don't even need to go that expensive, if you don't have a powerful graphics card.
 
Go big or go home.... and cry because it all gone.
 
Ok, I'm beginning to get the picture, but does anyone have any experience with either of the above? The guy at Zaps says he has had lots of good results with the comstar- any suggestions as to what I should buy if I spend more money, still looking to spend minimal but hit me with your best suggestions please
 
+1

Amazing value for money in the Vantec Ion2+ C 460watt. Solid black casing, 13.5cm blue fan, blue sleeved cables...
 
go for 600 watt vantec ion 2+ from matrix.


:D(I will never stop!):D
 
SuperAntMD said:
Ok, I'm beginning to get the picture, but does anyone have any experience with either of the above? The guy at Zaps says he has had lots of good results with the comstar- any suggestions as to what I should buy if I spend more money, still looking to spend minimal but hit me with your best suggestions please
Click to expand...

Well the cheapest that you are going to get for a better quality PSU is the vantec.
I will never put a cheap crap PSU in my machine. I would rather skimp on other components and buy a decent psu instead. Some of the more expensive psu's even have surge protection built in so your psu doesn't take your components with it when it goes.
Also cheap PSUs are rated according to their peak wattage where more expensive quality PSU are rated according to the continuous power that they supply.
PCformat did tests on different PSUs a few issues back with isonic and a few other no name PSUs and when these power supplies were pushed to and beyond their rated wattages they popped.

My point here is: "Goodkoop koop is duur koop;)"
 
My only beef with the Vantec is the short 24 and 8 pin power cables... I realized this yesterday when i bought my CM690 :D
 
///MoH said:
My only beef with the Vantec is the short 24 and 8 pin power cables... I realized this yesterday when i bought my CM690 :D
Click to expand...

did you have to use extension cables? I'm going to be building a pc soon with the CM690 and the Vantec psu is also on the list
 
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