Power supply question.

[Salvakl]

Could a very cheap power supply damage any components of the computer?

 

[rockford]

Yes.

 

[AKM880]

If a power supply somehow dies, it could possibly take other components with it aswell.

 

[jsc]

If you are lucky, the PSU will shut down electronically. If you are unlucky, the PSU will quietly die. If you are really unlucky, the PSU can fail catastrophically, like burst into flames or components explode, and take other major components with it.

With major vendors regularly running sales and rebates, if you shop arond long enough, you can find some good deals out there.

 

[Onus]

http://www.corsair.com/cinema/movie.aspx?id=622747

That's worth a smile every time I see it.
Stick to Antec (my personal favorite), PC Power & Cooling, Corsair, Seasonic, or Enermax; perhaps FSP. Check out competent technical reviews (including load testing and waveform analysis) at www.jonnyguru.com, www.hardocp.com, www.hardwaresecrets.com, and also at www.xbitlabs.com.
If it is 80+ certified and has active PFC (no voltage switch), it is most likely reasonable, and could be outstanding. If it has "max" in its name and is NOT Enermax, (e.g. Raidmax, Coolmax, Powmax), the "max" is probably a reference to the magnitude of the pyrotechnic display, or to the number of other parts it will take with it when it croaks.

 

[delluser1]

If it has "max" in its name and is NOT Enermax, (e.g. Raidmax, Coolmax, Powmax), the "max" is probably a reference to the magnitude of the pyrotechnic display, or to the number of other parts it will take with it when it croaks.

That's worth a good laugh, thanx

 

[AKM880]

^ Nice one jit283 :lol:, stick to the brand names jit283 has stated. I personally like Corsair and FSP.