Is there really a reason to buy higer-end Power Supplies ?

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IRONBATMAN

IRONBATMAN

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Aug 30, 2013
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Hey,

I was wondering if there was a REAL reason to buy high end PSUs. High End PSUs are supposedly more efficient, higher quality, and last longer. But how much longer ?

My father built his first PC 10-20 years ago, and he hasn't changed any hardware in it, and it still runs the first Call of Duty and Medal of Honor. The PSU mustn't have been of high quality and efficiency, in fact, I don't think the 80+ certification was even established and that time.

Any 80+ Bronze PSU shouldn't explode any time soon, so why get a high end PSU ? The only features I see useful , are PWM fans, flat sleeved modular cables, and auto voltage changing thingy XP ( US voltage to 240v )

Are there any other features that would really help ? If not, why get high end PSUs ?
 
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Nathan Willis

Nathan Willis

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Mar 15, 2014
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You get a good PSU becuase you do not want to trash your system.
Cheap unbranded PSUs can fail and take the whole computer with it.
That normally happens when the PSU gets overloaded by high performance hardware.
If you have high end hardware it can pull a lot of power.
If the PSU can not put out enough power it will over current causing failure in some cases.
This can results in shorts ETC in cheap PSUs.
Most people do not run their PSUs to the max, so they can get away with cheap ones.
The 80+ rating just means that they can convert AC to DC with efficiency.
If your computer is on 24/7 you may want to consider that to save power.
Other reasons to get a good PSU are they are modular.
That is great if you care about cable management.
 
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M

mbreslin1954

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Nov 27, 2010
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Read some of the hardware sites that do tear-down analysis of power supplies and you will see the difference in the components and protection features built into the better PSUs. Sure, you can take your chances and you may well get ten years and no damage from yours, but your risk of failure and of damaging other components is certainly higher. You have to judge what the risk is and if it's acceptable to you.
 
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jimthenagual

jimthenagual

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Apr 8, 2012
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The thing is, higher quality doesn't have to mean expensive. Sure, you can spend $200 and get that Platinum PSU, but it's really not necessary. There are plenty of great, HIGH QUALITY psu's at the $50-$60 range, and sometimes even cheaper. The XFX lineup is a good example of a high quality psu that constantly has great deals on it.

You just have to do your homework.

 
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P

Pondering

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Dec 7, 2013
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Low quality ones are priced just slightly under high quality ones.

High quality ones are made to save on electricity and not kill computers.

Super high quality ones are made so that overloaded computers won't blow up and can be overclocked until the power supplies dies without taking the computer with it.

You can never go wrong with a Seasonic

550 Watts - XFX Core/TS 550
620 Watts - Antec
750 Watts+ - check out the list: http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-1804779/power-supply-unit-tier-list.html
 
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