Why is this Builder PSU so cheap?

kubabaluch2 · Sep 23, 2017

So I found this PSU and I was wondering why it was so cheap, compared to the PSU I was going to buy. Is it a bad company or has it not got some features that the other one has?

Cheap PSU: http://www.ebuyer.com/621475-builder-500w-fully-wired-efficient-power-supply-psu500builderblack

Other PSU: https://www.novatech.co.uk/products/evga-500w-atx-power-supply/100-w1-0500-k3.html

madmatt30 · Sep 23, 2017

Why ?? Because its a 240w PSU with a 500w badge & is plain awful (fire hazard awful) .

Wouldn't trust it to power a light bulb mate .

The evga is at least a real 500w PSU (honestly not incredible quality either though) - I'd at least trust it

I'd still spend a tenner more on a corsair CX 450/450m personally.

jankerson · Sep 23, 2017

Well, it's a fire hazard and or burn up your components quality, VERY low end and poor build quality.

You get what you pay for in the end with very few exceptions.

InvalidError · Sep 23, 2017

jankerson :

And Seasonic's r/m/s12-II series prove that you don't need to spend a fortune to get pretty good PSUs from a top-rated international manufacturer either, which I personally take as proof that most manufacturers are over-pricing most of their products, including countless sub-par ones.

jankerson · Sep 23, 2017

InvalidError :

That was one of the very few exceptions due to the age of the units/platform, the S12II and M12II are some of the best deals out there now for quality units. The EVO is the newer vers of the M12II and more expensive.

Personally I believe for reasonable wattage PSU's in the 550W to 650W range the prices are fine for the newer good high quality units.

The M12II was in the $100 range when it was new, I know because I bought 2 of them over the years.

Normally something around $100 give or take a few bucks is what I would expect to pay for a new high quality unit, that really hasn't changed. A good example is the Seasonic Prime Gold 650W is just over $100 now, under with the rebate.

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151171

kasljc · Sep 23, 2017

Until a couple of years ago, everyone I know and their friends used cheapest possible PSU money can buy. In 23 or so years, few (and I do mean very few) burned out, without causing any damage to the rest of the hardware. Fire was not caught by anything. According to review sites and forums however, fire was evaded by pure fortune by all my friends, their houses, clients and all their stuff.

Recently, the cheap ones became (or were all along) so volatile, it made me feel fortunate to be alive. I've used, what is considered a bomb, as power source since 286/16. So I bought Corsair when I upgraded graphics to r9-290 and I am happy to report it did not explode or put fire into my computer. Neither did any twice as much as needed declared wattage for quarter the price PSU my friends use.
It's there, and it's a box, that doesn't help or hurt. It's more expensive but I rest peacefully that this one, compared to other ones that didn't, wont explode.

I also think, that people to whom PSU's burned property or put fire into computer should sue the manufacturers or retailers who sold them the Mexican firecrackers that do not comply to US or EU standards.

jankerson · Sep 23, 2017

kasljc :

Well human nature being what it really is or so it seems.

I would say more look for the cheapest as in shopping price before quality will normally get them into trouble. Combine that with recommendations of said cheap PSU's on top of that and these things get around.

Way too many of them around on the market IMO.

USAFRet · Sep 23, 2017

Given that there are reasonably priced, good quality, PSU's...there is little need to go super cheap.
If $15 is too much of a difference for a good unit, look to other things in your parts list to change.

I've seen parts lists with $110 mouse, $90 keyboard, $50 in LED lights, $75 in extra RGB fans, $160 case....but balk at spending a very few more $$ on a good PSU.

jankerson · Sep 23, 2017

USAFRet :

Oh yeah, see it all the time.

Doesn't help that we see recommendation for the cheap ones either....

kasljc · Sep 23, 2017

jankerson :

With all due respect. Did it get you into trouble, or anyone you know? That aside, your computer specs put you far above a common gamer. It makes sense to put carbon brakes on a Ferrari, even if you'll drive it within the speed limit. It doesn't make any to do the same on a Ford Fiesta. A set of, let's say 30.000 dollar brakes would probably make the Fiesta just as much safer, but it would cost more then the car and it's assumed, that you will not try to drive it the way you would, or could drive a Ferrari.

jankerson · Sep 23, 2017

kasljc :

jankerson :

With all due respect. Did it get you into trouble, or anyone you know? That aside, your computer specs put you far above a common gamer. It makes sense to put carbon brakes on a Ferrari, even if you'll drive it within the speed limit. It doesn't make any to do the same on a Ford Fiesta. A set of, let's say 30.000 dollar brakes would probably make the Fiesta just as much safer, but it would cost more then the car and it's assumed, that you will not try to drive it the way you would, or could drive a Ferrari.

Nope, just seen way too many things over years personally, one learns by others mistakes.

I always shopped quality 1st within reason that is.

As far as my machine goes I normally build higher end because I keep them for awhile, I don't upgrade/build new every few years.

My last machine before this one is a 1st generation I7 and I still have it.

kasljc · Sep 23, 2017

jankerson :

kasljc :

Nope, just seen way too many things over years personally, one learns by others mistakes.

I always shopped quality 1st within reason that is.

As far as my machine goes I normally build higher end because I keep them for awhile, I don't upgrade/build new every few years.

Ok, i have like stated since 286/16 experience, I have worked as PC repair person, and have 4 close friends who still do. None of us knows of any computer burning up itself or the house over PSU. None of us, however would recommend buying a cheap one though. It's all over the internet, those put fire into computers, better be safe.

jankerson · Sep 23, 2017

kasljc :

jankerson :

kasljc :

Nope, just seen way too many things over years personally, one learns by others mistakes.

I always shopped quality 1st within reason that is.

As far as my machine goes I normally build higher end because I keep them for awhile, I don't upgrade/build new every few years.

Ok, i have like stated since 286/16 experience, I have worked as PC repair person, and have 4 close friends who still do. None of us knows of any computer burning up itself or the house over PSU. None of us, however would recommend buying a cheap one though. It's all over the internet, those put fire into computers, better be safe.

I used to do PC repair also for a living so I have seen things. LOL

Learn by others mistakes.

I have personally seen a few burned PC's.

USAFRet · Sep 23, 2017

The problem comes in after a PC is bought and built.

A 500watt PSU is recommended for a certain parts list. Even giving quite a bit of headroom.
So the builder buys a crap one, saving a few $$.
And it works just fine.

Because all the online calculators vastly overestimate the power draw.
The PC only actually needs 275 watts, and the "500 watt" PSU shaped object is putting out 325watts. (even though it says 500).

Next year, when they add a new GPU and a liquid cooler, and OC the CPU a bit..."Well, I'm still safe. These additions only take another 100 watts. 275+100 = 375. So still well within the "500watts".

Poof, smoke check.

jankerson · Sep 23, 2017

USAFRet :

Yep, save a bucks will end up costing one a lot more in the long run usually.

kasljc · Sep 23, 2017

jankerson :

I honestly believe, that the whole PSU will burn your stuff thing started simply because it was an untapped market. Seriously, anywhere in the developed world, stuff needs to meet standards. Granted, if you buy top end PC and intend to OC it I'd agree that quality PSU is a good idea. For majority, good enough is exactly that. Saying cheap PSU will put fire to your house is real danger, as is the fact that 13 people this year will die to vending machines. One in a million is a lot when you have 6 billion people.

InvalidError · Sep 23, 2017

kasljc :

The problem with PSUs from brands such as Diablotek is that the vendors have no presence outside of China and when their products cause damage to people, people are sorry out of luck even if the products are found to be criminally negligent by most civilized countries' standards. Tons of products get sold every year in the USA and elsewhere with fake UL, CE and other certifications. Chinese and other knock-off companies get away with it because they have no physical presence in those countries.

jankerson · Sep 24, 2017

kasljc :

Well, some actually will burn depending on various situations, dust, lint etc in and or around the PSU and computer. Not to mention when they go they can take the whole PC with them.

A PSU just isn't a PSU, there are many different grades and each one is ment for a different purpose. And with some older models still around and lower end units not ment for more strenuous use people really need to pay attention to what they are buying.

The Corsair Rep even had to come in and tell someone what not to buy because they wanted to use a low end unit for a gaming machine. Different units for different uses.

Never saw an OEM computer that had those types of problems personally. Saw some with dead PSU's but they were old so that wasn't surprising.

Most of the real issues I saw were machines that people built themselves and made bad choices when choosing parts.

We can see that here on a daily basis it's so common, nothing we can do about that other than try and figure out what they need to replace parts etc. That and try and point them in the right direction when choosing new parts.

Why is this Builder PSU so cheap?

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