Which power supply should I get?!?!

[Guest]

I'm getting a Linkworld brand Case. It'll be a couple of bucks cheaper if I get it with the included 400w P4 approved Linkworld PSU instead of the Codegen brand 350w P4+AMD approved. Is Codegen a good brand? Has anyone used their PSU's? I know they also make cases that have their units bundled but I dunno if they're better than the Linkworld ones. Then there's also a Powmax 400w P4+AMD approved for only $3 more than the Codegen 350w. I plan to use an AMD cpu.

-I'm not stupid, I'm just big-boned!-

 

[error_911]

well you just gotta wonder: if AMD is certifying it, its got to be better than the no-namer... but nonetheless, my opinion still rests with enermax or antec, or even vantec or thermaltake (<- at worst)

<b>people are only idiots when they don't realize - when they do it just gets funnier, like a dog chasing its own tail, or like george bush's public address(es)</b>

 

[brendini]

AMD certifies everything! AMD certification means nothing. I had an AMD certified psu and it can't handle a geforce 4 being added to a barebone system. It was the biggest piece of junk ever. Get an Enermax for about $45 at newegg. Your computer will actually run faster. I gurantee it just like the people at Men's Warehouse

<Brendini>

 

[error_911]

heh, good point

<b>people are only idiots when they don't realize - when they do it just gets funnier, like a dog chasing its own tail, or like george bush's public address(es)</b>

 

[svol]

I don't recommend Codegen PSUs... I have one and it is crappy.
As for the P4 or AMD approved... P4 approved means that it has an additional 12V line and an auxiliry power line used in some P4 systems. And IIRC AMD approved means that it is an dual-fan PSU.

My dual-PSU PC is so powerfull that the neighbourhood dims when I turn it on

 

[Guest]

All good points. I'm really on a budget here and the Enermax ones seem like the middle/high class PSU's. Is Powmax a good value PSU? I mean they have a website with information on returns if anything went wrong.

-I'm not stupid, I'm just big-boned!-

 

[svol]

I did some searching on the forum and Powmax doesn't come out a a good quality PSU brand. You can take a look at the PSU comparison of THG... maybe they show some good not expensive brands.

My dual-PSU PC is so powerfull that the neighbourhood dims when I turn it on

 

[lhgpoobaa]

codegen is NOT a good brand.
Light and cheap.
My friend had a 350W codegen with his tbird 1400C. a month of crashes and heartache followed by a brief puff of bluesmoke.

Replaced it with a whisper 430W enermax and most of his troubles just dissapeared.

<b>Damn War! I'm too young to watch other people die!</b>
<A HREF="http://members.iinet.net.au/~lhgpoobaa/images" target="_new">My Images!</A>

 

[bum_jcrules]

As for the Codegen, it will not give you what you want.


Since you are looking for a good PSU on a tight budget, look at NewEgg.

Here are three PSU's that will give you what you need for a good price.

The <A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=manufactory&catalog=58&manufactory=1446&DEPA=1&sortby=14&order=1" target="_new">Heroichi Electronics HEC-300AR-T</A> is a good PSU. Don't let the 300W rating fool you. It has more than enough Amperes and Watts to supply most systems. THG has given Heroichi good marks. It has <A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/app/Showimage.asp?style=album" target="_new">28A on +3.3V, 30A on +5V, and 15A on the +12V lines</A>.

If you look further down on the NewEgg page only showing Heroichi PSU's you will see a 350W. It only has 12A on +12V. You would be unhappy with that PSU even though it says 350W. +12V is the most important for today's AMD systems.

For $31.00 + $6.00 shipping it is a good PSU.


The <A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=manufactory&catalog=58&manufactory=1831&DEPA=1&sortby=14&order=1" target="_new">Fortron - FSP300-60PN</A> is a good PSU. I have three of these. One still in the box and two being used. Again, don't let the 300W fool you. It also has <A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/app/Showimage.asp?style=album" target="_new">28A on +3.3V, 30A on +5V, and 15A on the +12V lines</A>.

This is $32.00 + $0.00 for shipping. This is a better deal.



However, if you want more juice, look at the <A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?DEPA=1&order=PRICE&submit=manufactory&catalog=58&manufactory=1231&description=&page=1" target="_new">Enlight EN-8420934 420W</A>.

It has <A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/app/Showimage.asp?style=album" target="_new">40A on +3.3V, 30A on +5V, and 18A on the +12V lines</A>. I have one of these running an AMD XP at 1.73GHz. It has a lot of toys and a Gainward GF4 Ti 4200. I am more than happy with this PSU and for $46.00 + $0.00 for shipping it is a good deal.

I hope this helps.

<A HREF="http://forumz.tomshardware.com/community/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=28752#28752" target="_new">THGC meeting? Would you go if there was one?</A>

 

[Guest]

Thanks for that very informative answer(s). The better quality Forton is only like $15 more, I could raid my Dad's wallet or do some sick and twisted bet and win the $$$. I've heard over and over that the PSU really does matter, but then again my parents have gotten 3 pre-built PC's, all with generic dirt-cheap PSU's with brands i've never seen. Those PC's have been lasting forever and have no power problems, one even has a pretty power-hungry Athlon XP. I guess it's better to be safe than sorry though.

-I'm not stupid, I'm just big-boned!-