Most reliable low power PSU

DevPete · 11 Dec 2016 at 20:32

I want to try a different PSU in my computer as I have stability problems. I obviously want to make sure that the replacement is reliable. My current PSU is 380W Antec EarthWatts. It's a low power system:
i7 3770k
mATX
SSD
(no dedicated graphics)

I'd like to allow for expansion, so I probably want around 350-400W.

pastymuncher · 11 Dec 2016 at 20:41

There is not much of a selection of quality low power psu's on here but these Superflower units are very good. They have a 5 year warranty as well. If you want modular though it's going to cost a lot extra and at this end of the power capacities I am not sure that it's worth paying so much extra for modular.

My basket at Overclockers UK:

1 x Super Flower Golden Green HX 350W "80 Plus Gold" Power Supply - Black= £39.95
1 x Super Flower Golden Green HX 450W "80 Plus Gold" Power Supply - Black= £55.99

Total: £107.04
(includes shipping: £11.10)

DevPete · 11 Dec 2016 at 21:02

Are the Be quiet PSU's good? The 500W one is a similar price to the Super Flower 450W. Which one would be better?

pastymuncher · 12 Dec 2016 at 11:15

The Superflowers are better. Which Bequiet as there are one either side of the 450w Superflowers price, the System power 8 500w at £50 and the Purepower 9 500w at £64? The answer is still the Superflower in either case. It's Gold rated compared to either bronze or silver depending on which BeQuiet you mean. The BeQuiet Pure Power 9 500W has 480w on the 12v rail (The Superflower 450w has 444w on a single 12v rail) and has poor voltage regulation while the System power 8 500w is a budget range and only has 456w on the 12v rails and is built down to a price with cheap internals. I rarely recommend BeQuiet psu's as they tend to be overpriced or not particularly good. There are always better units from other manufacturers available for similar or less money.

DevPete · 12 Dec 2016 at 18:05

pastymuncher said:
The Superflowers are better. Which Bequiet as there are one either side of the 450w Superflowers price, the System power 8 500w at £50 and the Purepower 9 500w at £64? The answer is still the Superflower in either case. It's Gold rated compared to either bronze or silver depending on which BeQuiet you mean. The BeQuiet Pure Power 9 500W has 480w on the 12v rail (The Superflower 450w has 444w on a single 12v rail) and has poor voltage regulation while the System power 8 500w is a budget range and only has 456w on the 12v rails and is built down to a price with cheap internals. I rarely recommend BeQuiet psu's as they tend to be overpriced or not particularly good. There are always better units from other manufacturers available for similar or less money.

I have a 450W Super Flower on order. We'll see if it improves things.