How to determine a good used powersupply?

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FatheredPuma81

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I see it quite often while watching YouTube videos where someone shows a used powersupply and then says how they're good powersupply's that they picked up for like $10. They are generally some random brand and look like generic cheap powersupplies you see in prebuilt machines (of which they are with the exception of they are of quite a bit higher quality).

I was wondering how they determine this seeing as I am looking for a cheap $5-$10 powersupply to replace the one in a HP prebuilt i'm looking to sell. The one in it feels like it might blow away in the wind it's so light.
 
Solution
CountMike
New or used PSUs are determined by their max power first and than by make and model. If it's some lesser make and/or model, add 50% of power requirements for that system.
Just watch out with those prebuilt, brand name computers, often they have non standard connectors and/or sizes.
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CountMike

CountMike

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New or used PSUs are determined by their max power first and than by make and model. If it's some lesser make and/or model, add 50% of power requirements for that system.
Just watch out with those prebuilt, brand name computers, often they have non standard connectors and/or sizes.
 
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Solution
TomFang

TomFang

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I would advise you to look for PSU that have at least 500W and that are made by a decent company like Corsair or Thermaltake, even if this are not very good PSUs, but usually they are the best ones if they were used. To determine if there are problems with the PSU, you can take some stress tests, does not matter if there are for CPU or GPU, just so you can see if the PC does not shut off, which would mean that there is a problem.

Also, you should look for PSUs that have at least one 6Pin connector, for the GPU and that is not full of dust or burned cables. I bought 5 PSUs in the past year, all used, from 15$ to 50$ and I did not have any problems, just look for common producers and be sure to do some stress tests.
 
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FatheredPuma81

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So no one knows the answer?
I think the 2 posts above probably just copied (and reworded) some generic basics of how to choose a powersupply and completely ignore the question.
I should have probably been more clear so i'll be editing my post.

If you're curious this is what I added: "They are generally some random brand and look like generic cheap powersupplies you see in prebuilt machines (of which they are with the exception of they are of quite a bit higher quality)."
 
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USAFRet

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Firstly, an HP prebuilt may not accept a random ATX spec PSU.
And unless you have specialized testing tools, there really is no way to determine goodness of a random PSU.
Manufacturer and specific model line is all you can go by.
And that does not take into account how the prev owner used it. Did they drop it last week? No way to tell.

The utuber does not come back in 6 months and show you his dead cheapo used PSU.
 
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TomFang

TomFang

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First of all, my answer above is not copied from somewhere, just my honest opinion. There is to "5 tips to determine the best PSU for the money" guide, if that's what you are expecting. You can just have to make sure that the PSU has been used in decent condition, that their airflow is still decent (not filled with dust or other things) and that has at least 450W of power, because the old PSUs, especially the 10$ ones, are at 65% efficiency and are very noisy, so take that in mind.
 
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CountMike

CountMike

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For somebody that doesn't (obviously) know about PSUs, OP is quite opinionated.
Neither is my answer "generic" or copied from somewhere else, it's 30+ years of experience with fixing them that I offered as answer.
It's simple, First part is to determine if a PSU is adequate for your use, adequate in power as well as equipment (Cables and connectors). That goes same for new as well as used ones.
As for used ones.... well that's same as for anything else used, at distance buying only it's age and seller's reputation may mean something, for hands on buying, TomFang already explained. Other than those things only trying and testing could assure you it was a good buy.
Well,those things and/or a crystal ball !!
I'm outta here , good luck.
 
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FatheredPuma81

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I already checked that by putting an ATX powersupply in it when I used it at my main PC luckily.
 
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FatheredPuma81

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Yea I mostly read TomFang's reply instead ended up missreading your reply. Which indeed simply says to get a higher watt powersupply if you don't know the brand which is a fairly good idea now that I think about it.
 
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USAFRet

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Higher wattage crap is still crap.
 
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