Is there a more neglected component than the PSU?

Cutshaw · 31 May 2008 at 22:28

Graphics cards and processors clean the proverbial clock, but is there anything more commonly overlooked than the power supply?

Ben M · 31 May 2008 at 22:29

What's the point in this thread?

milkinc13 · 31 May 2008 at 22:31

to get more respect for PSU's?

Nitrojan · 31 May 2008 at 22:32

/fail tbh

Cutshaw · 31 May 2008 at 22:59

Ben M said:
What's the point in this thread?

Genuine interest.

Monkeynut · 1 Jun 2008 at 00:13

People (i.e the ones who go to certain famous overpriced computer superstores) seem to be fooled by the ratings and only think of the wattage and their wallet. They think a 600W Q-Tec is more powerful than a 550W Antec.

This naivety often results in their PC's demise.

james.miller · 1 Jun 2008 at 00:14

yes. psu's are critically overlooked and misunderstood.

Monkeynut · 1 Jun 2008 at 00:18

Q-Tec PSU's are like emos. They complain all the time and are cheap and tacky, and when put under stress kill themselves.

/dum tish

sanofi · 1 Jun 2008 at 00:27

I'd have to agree, even though I have been on the end of a blown PSU, thankfully it was a quality brand which meant it didn't take any components with it.

neoboy · 1 Jun 2008 at 00:30

Well frankly my current setup which I had now for around 4 years was running on a cheapo PSU that came with a case for 3 years. Only branded PSUs I've had were 2 Enermax ones, one I couldn't even get to work out the box (bought second hand, was RMA replacement) and now the second one seems to be packing in after less than 3 months. Currently have a Sumvision PSU in (basically cheapest thing in my local PC shop) until I sort out the Enermax, but in my experience cheapo PSUs have proved to be more reliable for me :?

P.S. I'm not advocating that people use cheapo PSUs I just seem to be having bad luck with Enermax.

Glaucus · 1 Jun 2008 at 00:33

In the past I would have said yes. Not know with people wanting silent computing and graphics cards being very demanding and needing certain pins. It's something that is much more focused on these days.

Psypher5 · 1 Jun 2008 at 01:45

imo powersupplys are getting too expensive. :/

Monkeynut · 1 Jun 2008 at 02:08

That's because they have to keep getting better with Nvidia releasing these power monsters.

Psypher5 · 1 Jun 2008 at 02:19

but they make you think you need 400 jigawatts of power when you could live on a 500watt

Monkeynut · 1 Jun 2008 at 02:22

If you mean NVidia and ATI that's so they can cover their bums against low quality PSUs that don't output what they say they do.

MikeHunt79 · 1 Jun 2008 at 02:46

milkinc13 said:
to get more respect for PSU's?

They deserve respect!

HangTime · 1 Jun 2008 at 10:13

Soundcards maybe.

Glaucus · 1 Jun 2008 at 10:24

if we are talking about pre-built systems. Then it has to be motherboards. There the heart of any computer.

semi-pro waster · 1 Jun 2008 at 10:47

HangTime said:
Soundcards maybe.

Possibly but then again how many people actually run their PC through a decent sound system(and can tell the difference compared to slightly lower end)? Onboard sound is pretty good nowadays, certainly compared to a few years back anyway.

Cutshaw, you are almost preaching to the converted here, I'd guess that most people who post here anywhere near regularly either already knew how important PSUs are or have had it drummed into them. There is still a tendency to overestimate what will be required in terms of capacity but that is better than the alternative.

Glaucus · 1 Jun 2008 at 10:49

semi-pro waster said:
Possibly but then again how many people actually run their PC through a decent sound system? Onboard sound is pretty good nowadays, certainly compared to a few years back anyway.

I run on board sound through an amp. onboard sound is so good these days. Especially the ones with optical outs. Something not even creative cards have. There really isn't much point on sound cards these days.