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Part 1: Four Cheap 80 PLUS Bronze Power Supplies, Reviewed

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Power supply manufacturers condition us to think that efficiency is the one variable you need to pay the most attention to. But we have a suite of tests that more thoroughly taxes PSUs. Can these four inexpensive units under $70 make it through unscathed?

Model Comparison Table

Overview: Efficient Budget PSUs
MakeAntecChieftecCougarEnermax
ModelHCG-400Nitro 2 85+ BPS-550C2A350Triathlor 385W
Price~$45N/AN/AN/A
Certification80 PLUS Bronze80 PLUS Bronze80 PLUS Bronze80 PLUS Bronze
Dimensions (WxDxH)6" x 6.3" x 3.4"6” x 6.3” x 3.4”6” x 5.5” x 3.4”6” x 6.3” x 3.4”
Weight5.7 lbs.6 lbs.4.6 lbs.4.4 lbs.
Operating Temperature32-104 °F32-104 °Fup to 122 °F32-104 °F
Warranty3 years2 years3 years3 years
Specifications
SpecificationATX12V v2.3ATX12V v2.3ATX12V v2.3ATX12V v2.3
Nominal Power400 W550 W350 W385 W
Maximum Power440 W650 W for 60 sec-425 W
AC Input100-240 V100-240 V100-240 V100-240 V
AC Voltage SelectionAuto voltageAuto voltageAuto voltageAuto voltage
DC Output +3.3 V20 A25 A21 A20 A
DC Output +5 V20 A25 A15 A20 A
DC Output +12 V (#1)30 A45 A14 A20 A
DC Output +12V (#2)N/AN/A14 A20 A
DC Output +12 V (#3)N/AN/AN/AN/A
DC Output +12 V (#4)N/AN/AN/AN/A
DC Output -12 V0.8 A0.8 A0.3 A0.5 A
DC Power +12 V Combined360 W540 W276 W384 W
PFCactiveactiveactiveactive
Specified Hold-Up Time17 ms16 ms>17 ms16 ms
MTBF100,000 hours>100,000 hours100,000 hours100,000 hours
Cooling
Main Fan135 mm140 mm120 mm120 mm
Speed of Main Fan400-1400 RPMUp to 2300 RPM600-1800 RPM500-1800 RPM
Aux. Fann/an/an/an/a
Speed of Aux. Fann/an/an/an/a
Cables and Connectors
20+4 pin Motherboard1x (55 cm)1x (55 cm)1x (45 cm)1x (55 cm)
CPU1x (60 cm)2x (55 cm)1x (45 cm)1x (60 cm)
PCI Express 6-pin/6+2-pin (Graphics)1/0x (55 cm)0/2x (55 cm)1/0x (45 cm)0/1x (50 cm)
Molex 4-pin (Peripherals)4x (50 - 80 cm)4x (55 - 70 cm)3x (80 - 95 cm)4x (70 - 80 cm)
SATA Power5x (50 - 80 cm)6x (55 - 95 cm)4x (50 - 65 cm)4x (50 - 60 cm)
4-pin Floppy1x (95 cm)1x (85 cm)1x (95 cm)1x (90 cm)
Special Features
AccessoriesScrews, Cable TiesN/AN/AScrews, Velcro Strips
Cable ManagementNoYesNoNo
56 Comments Comment from the forums
  • wolley74
    no love for the EVGA 500B?
    Reply
  • computer_nugget2
    ALWAYS judge a power supply by its weight. especially if its Chinese.
    Reply
  • InvalidError
    11435905 said:
    always judge a power supply by its weight.
    Some Chinese OEMs put rocks, small concrete blocks, lumps of steel or other stuff like that disguised as a transformer with bits of wire that aren't connected to anything to trick people into believing their heavier PSUs are better.

    So weight alone is not a reliable indicator.

    Also, at high frequencies and high efficiencies, the size of inductors, capacitors, transformers and heatsinks along with the associated weight shrink. While light weight and high quality may rarely be seen together, they certainly are not mutually exclusive.
    Reply
  • dudewitbow
    11435841 said:
    no love for the EVGA 500B?

    a good chunk of Tom's physical hardware reviews generally are conducted in europe. This goes for a good handful of the gpu tests as well. EVGA rarely ever shows up on review sites because of it(and possibly due to lack of EVGA response to a hardware review pitch)

    Reply
  • computer_nugget2
    11435944 said:
    11435905 said:
    always judge a power supply by its weight.
    Some Chinese OEMs put rocks, small concrete blocks, lumps of steel or other stuff like that disguised as a transformer with bits of wire that aren't connected to anything to trick people into believing their heavier PSUs are better.

    So weight alone is not a reliable indicator.

    Also, at high frequencies and high efficiencies, the size of inductors, capacitors, transformers and heatsinks along with the associated weight shrink. While light weight and high quality may rarely be seen together, they certainly are not mutually exclusive.

    do you have pics to prove this?
    Reply
  • envy14tpe
    This is PART 1. Which means more PSUs to come, so let's hope for no dumb comments asking why not this PSU or this one...
    Reply
  • jimmysmitty
    11436142 said:
    This is PART 1. Which means more PSUs to come, so let's hope for no dumb comments asking why not this PSU or this one...

    They have already listed the PSUs for part 2 and I didn't see a part 3 listed. I wonder where the Corsair CX430 is. Its a 85+ Bronze PSU and is $39.99 on Egg right now. Its one of the best entry level PSUs I have actually used as well and compared to other PSUs at the same price point or higher (within 550W and may or may not be 80+ at all) I have seen less of them come back bad.
    Reply
  • razor512
    11435905 said:
    always judge a power supply by its weight.

    While weight is an important factor, overall weight is 100% useless

    for example check out the SIGMA SHARK SP-635

    http://www.ocia.net/reviews/sigma635/page2.shtml

    it is probably one of the heaviest power supplies you will find (with the exception of some of the 1200 watt ones)

    I purchased it a while back and was disappointed at the internals. they used an insanely thick case that made the power supply weigh a lot but the insides were were the result of the owner of the company asking while walking around china, what are the cheapest items we can find on the shenzhen market today.

    (at least the power supply can double as a flail or a boat anchor)
    Reply
  • pyro226
    Hoping to see the CX430 and other corsairs reviewed. I like the little thing since it powers my PC. :D It originally rang a bit when the computer was suspended or at random after a few hours of use, but that went away with age.
    Reply
  • sanilmahambre
    Nice basic testing method
    Reply