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I have read about PSU's, but it's still hard to choose. Help!
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webcram
Newbie
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29. April 2006 @ 13:10 |
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Needless to say, I am confused. I have spent countless hours of my life reading about PSU's and which ones may be good and in what price range, but when I look at the choices I find that there are far too many. It would be best to narrow my search down a little. I have three brands at various wattages and prices, and all I would like to know is which price sounds the most reasonable to you for that wattage, and which brand is best. When I see a psu of 650W for $20, I figure it likely isn't very good.I currently have a 350W psu but I know it isn't very high quality, and so I think an upgrade is in order.$=euros
Sweex, Q-tec, Super Flower
All Dual Fans
350W $25
400W $25-30
450W $25-35
500W $25-40
550W $25-45
Q-tec Tripple Fan 650W $50
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Zeyf414
Member
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29. April 2006 @ 13:31 |
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Here is the important question: What do you use your computer for? It would be helpful if you could list your PC specs, i.e., CPU, motherboard, amount and type of RAM, and current video card.
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webcram
Newbie
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29. April 2006 @ 13:49 |
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I thought someone might ask that. I wasn't sure how necessary that was. I think I have a pretty average computer.
mobile AMD Athlon 2800+ 2.13Ghz 512mb DDR
Asus K7 (or PC chips if that is a brand, cause that is on the driver cd but I think it is Asus)
ATI Radeon 9250
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Zeyf414
Member
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29. April 2006 @ 13:55 |
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If your PSU is stable and you are getting no issues with it and it does for you what it can, then there is absolutely no need to upgrade your PSU. Save your money this year and watch all the new releases coming for both AMD and Intel in the next 3 to 12 months. Then when things settle down and clear look at the offerings for 2007.
If you want to upgrade I'd get another 512 of RAM which will give you a Gig.
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webcram
Newbie
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29. April 2006 @ 14:13 |
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I can't thank you enough Zeyf414. I do know that waiting is in my best interest, but from what I have read, I gather that a low quality psu is doing some sort of damage for the long term. I have actually seriously been considering buying new ddr ram, but the ram I have now is pretty noisy, much like my psu. Doesn't my motherboard need to be capable of handling extra ddr ram? Is there some sort of program I can run which checks the brand names and types of hardware I have or do I have to open it up? I also noticed that ddr ram has a certain format, so do I need to watch for that when buying? I can read about all this but it tends to cost me alot of time. Again thank you.
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Zeyf414
Member
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29. April 2006 @ 14:52 |
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First, you are welcome. Second, read all you can! I understand your confusion because the last build I did was back in the Pentium 3 days (which I still use extensively). I didn't keep up with the PC market at all and when I went to research last November for a new PC build man was I lost. But, I kept at it. I went to various online sites like AnandTech, Toms Hardware Guide, and others and read their forums. I took 6 solid weeks and spent more time online than I had a right too. When I found a part I thought would work I did more research on it, asked questions, etc.. It took searching and reading and searching reading to finally come to the parts I wanted.
I know this careful research pays off because my Pentium 3 from 6 years ago, i.e., motherboard, power supply, cpu, etc., are still stable, never giving me an issue (except needing an ew vid card, CD drive dying, etc.).
Now..
1. Yes, a low quality PSU will cause several issues so don't be in a rush to buy just anything. Again, if your present build is stable then there is no need to get a new one. Remember this: The power supply is the backbone of every build. It doesn't matter what other high quality parts you have, if this is poor or faulty the system won't work right. And do you know where most people try to cut corners cost wise in building their PC? Right, the power supply. If I had a dollar for every time I suggested someone to get a good power supply I'd be rich.
2. Good PSUs are the following: Enermax, Fortran, and Antec. There are other really good PSUs but they can be considerably more expensive. And here is another sound piece of advice: 99% of the time the power supply that comes with a case is garbage. People think, "Wow, I've saved money by buying a case with a power supply." Now the case may be great, but the PSU is a problem waiting to happen." I'd also could have some serious cash for everytime I had to tell somebady that they need to ditch the power supply that came with the case and buy a good name brand.
3.What do you mean your RAM is "pretty noisy?" RAM doesn't make noise. Have you opened up and checked to see where this noise comes from? What does it sound like? Maybe it is your psu or video card fan.
4. If you want to know if your motherboard can handle more RAM and type of RAM there is a GREAT FREE online tool from Crucial's website. Crucial is one of the top leading manufactures of memory in the world. here is what you do:
a. Google Crucial.
b. Go to website.
c. Download free tool and let Crucial run their diagnostic test. You'll receive a free read-out and they will let you know the type and how much more you can add to your motherboard. (Of course they'll try to sell you there's but you are under no obligation)
5. As for finding out more about your motherboard, find the full name of your motherboard and google it looking for reviews. Also go to the forums I mentioned, sign up, and ask away.
6. There are many brands of RAM, many qualities, many types. DDR is PC 3200 (DDR400) and beyond. Now in less than a month motherboards will be released for DDR2.. However, as I have suggested earlier, wait until 2007. Take your time and save all the money you can because anytime you have new technology on the market and changes that are about to take place it takes some time to let the dust settle. Seriously, wait until Spring 2007.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 29. April 2006 @ 14:56
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webcram
Newbie
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29. April 2006 @ 16:16 |
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Fine people like yourself at Afterdawn never sieze to amaze me. I seriously appreciate what you have done for me here. There is no doubt that doing alot of reading since I got my computer has raised my understanding of computers tremendously. I am one who strongly believes in the basic principals of all things, and I find that applying the principals that I have learned up to now regarding computers has been very difficult.
Waiting till 2007 especially moneywise is the best thing I could do. I am not really looking for the most high-end performance, but rather reliability and value. I am a generation behind with most things for that reason. Knowledge envokes value when it comes to buying parts for computers, I know that all too well having wasted alot of money in my day. My fear of wasting money again is almost unreasonable. I find just making decisions has been difficult. Enough of that though.
Shortly after I wrote my last message I came across my motherboards manual which I forgot I had and I found a long list of invaluable information. I think with the info provided in it I can sort what I need to get things runnin smoothly. I think some minor upgrades wouldn't hurt depending on what needs to be spent. Cooling my system is the greatest concern at the moment actually.
Yes, my computer is a little noisy and according to the people I bought it from after taking it in to repair an annoying high-pitched sound which turned was being caused by my graphics card's fan, the ddr ram was by their standards noisy. I thought it was the cpu like you wrote, but when I mentioned noises, they said my psu and ddr ram.
It sounds alot like the sounds I am used to hearing on older computers but my comp casing isn't well insulated and so I hear the inards loud and clear. Everytime I hear it, I see a correspending red light flash on the front. I suppose I was mistaken somehow and it's just the cpu.
Again Thank You.
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webcram
Newbie
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29. April 2006 @ 17:18 |
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Also, I have decided to get a new case. I know you said that the cases that have a psu already included are bad, but that is precisely the quality of the psu I have now. If I get a case with a slightly better psu then the one I have now, would you say otherwise or am I but a simple newbie that doesn't know what's good for him. Sorry to ask in any case, thanks.
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webcram
Newbie
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29. April 2006 @ 18:53 |
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I have been thinking this through. I am sorry I doubted you, and I can see I'd rather save my money and get the best of this year next year. I luckily still got a warranty on this computer till November. I'll just make the most of it and hope it makes it to spring of next year. Thanks again, your words stayed in my conscience.
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novicebb
Member
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30. April 2006 @ 11:50 |
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Don't know if this will help but I have a Hippro 400watt 24pin PSU and I love it. I have had it for about 4 weeks now and not one problem. Plenty of SATA and power connections. Did a dianostic test and it is running at bout 71% effiency so I am happy with that. I am about to purchase a surge protector with EMI and the other electronic noise blocker on it to improve the effiency of the PSU. THe PSU was 25.99 plus 6.99 shipping at newegg.com. I know a lot will kill me for that but I build me a budget machine with room for upgrades and I am happy. WHen I get PCI express card, more harddrives, more fans, plan to overclock my memory, cpu and graphic card, install lights, install flash card reader and other cooling devices then I will spend more money on a more reputable PSU. BUt so far this PSU is supplying my power needs with room to spare and it has a decent rating from newegg.com
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