Safe to use a cheap 500W PSU for a 250W system?

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Beggelton

Beggelton

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Jun 23, 2013
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Essentially I found a decent bundle that has an okay case, decent mobo and sh*tty 500W PSU all for £70. For that price, it obviously won't supply 500W. But, my system only needs about 250-300 Watts, so will it be safe to use that PSU? Or is it worth taking some money out of my PS4 savings to get a new, Corsair 80+B 430W one?
I'm 14 and on a tiny budget to build this PC because I'm also saving up for the PS4. Main reason I'm building a new Computer is because my currrent one is awful, and I'm sck of the poor graphics produced on the 360 (although it is like 8 year-old hardware haha).
My system is a 65W Athlon ii x4 740, 75W HD 7750, and all the standard things that everyone gets with a gaming PC (CD/DVD Drive, Mouse, Keyboard, Headset etc).
Getting that new PSU will set me back about a month from getting the PS4, so is it worth it or am I safe?
 
Solution
NoOneLt
I think You should be ok, it shouldn't be so awful not to provide ~12A on 12V for CPU GPU. If You don't want to overclock sky high :))

About the safety as wrote above maybe it is not so safe, but it will work.
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clarkjd

clarkjd

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Dec 7, 2005
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Cheap PSU's are never "safe". Will it work? maybe, YMMV.
The PSU is the heart of your system, without it NOTHING works! It is the only component that can destroy all of your other components if it fails.

Never skimp on the PSU, it is false economy.
 
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NoOneLt

NoOneLt

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I think You should be ok, it shouldn't be so awful not to provide ~12A on 12V for CPU GPU. If You don't want to overclock sky high :))

About the safety as wrote above maybe it is not so safe, but it will work.
 
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Solution
maddogfargo

maddogfargo

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Nov 28, 2006
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Obligatory alarmism: ClarkJD is right. It will work perfectly...right up to the point where it burns out and takes your system board, CPU, RAM and video card with it.

Power supply is something you do not want to skimp on. Do your research first.

Hardware Secrets has some of the most thorough and complete power supply tests I've ever read. They have several good recommendations in the 500w range that won't break the bank. I suggest starting there.
 
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Beggelton

Beggelton

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Jun 23, 2013
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Cheers guys, decided to get the mobo, case and PSU separately.
Here's my future build : http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/1hfn2 (note that I already have a HD 7750).
If you look on that, you'll see that W7 64-bit is a tenner. This is because of the (perculiar) prices on Gumtree, eg: http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/windows-7-ultimate/1025288023


Would that build manage games like FC3, Bioshock Infinite, Crysis 3 and future games on low/medium at 1680x1050, at 50-60 fps (obvs not Crysis 3 60fps though lol)?
 
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clarkjd

clarkjd

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Be careful when you buy Windows at such a reduced price. It is possible that it is a pirated version, and therefore may have other unwanted software included(keyloggers, etc). :pfff::no:

 
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Beggelton

Beggelton

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Jun 23, 2013
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Hmm really? Might have to splash out for the product from Amazon.
Grrr. Hate how that's going to be the most expensive part of my computer. I even got my GPU in a deal for £65 a while ago D:
 
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Beggelton

Beggelton

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Actually. You know what? Never thought I'd say this, but M$ have enough money already. Is it really worth paying about £70 for it, or should I just... pirate... it....? Hate people who pirate games/films etc, but having Windows 7 being the most expensive part of my computer is just outrageous (except for obviously the monitor).
 
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clarkjd

clarkjd

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Do you REALLY want to run the risk of buying a pirated copy? The issue here is not whether m$ makes money or not, but what software gets on your PC. Anybody that pirates software and sells it can add Viruses, spyware, keyloggers, etc that can open you up to identity theft or other problems that can take YEARS to resolve.:no:

You pays your money, and you takes your chances!

Good luck!
 
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