Super Cheap PSU for External Testing?

[Guitarman0]

Do you guys think it would be safe to buy an uber cheap eBay PSU for testing stuff outside my case (i.e. 1 fan, or 1 set of cathodes but only 1 at a time)?

I realise cheap PSUs should never be used inside systems but with such a small load do you think a cheapo would be ok?

Cheers

 

[Guitarman0]

Can't you just grab a standard 12 volt power supply for both of those uses? Less likely to explode on you.

I was using a 12v supply until I found it blew one of my LEDs which made me think I was getting something wrong. This is why I want to test using a proper PC PSU.

Thanks for the OcUK Swift PSU link, I think that is exactly what I want

 

[Guitarman0]

I did realise that you weren't going to run a full system off the PSU. I was just saying that it would make sense to buy a branded PSU that you would happily run your rig off.

I see so many threads with people trying to troubleshoot problems but have no PSU spare to test. I'm not trying to jinx your rig, although if you had a fault with your PSU then you would be up and running in no time.

It's your money, was only suggesting a lil forward thinking. Better to have more than you need than be caught short one day...if the price is right

p.s You do know you qualify for free delivery too don't you?

Yep, I know I get the free delivery

Buying a second PSU as a backup would be a great idea for the future, you are right. I had problems with my rig earlier this year and I would have loved a second PSU for testing. However, I have just spend most of my money on a whole pile of water cooling gear so I don't really have the money for a branded PSU as a backup to run my rig from.

Some people take this whole "never use a cheap psu" thing far to literally. They make them for a reason, they come with a 12 months warranty. If they all blew up after 20 seconds of use then OcUK wouldn't sell them in the first place.

While I totally agree you should never use a cheap PSU with any sort of components you value. For testing a few LED's and some Hardrives, optical drives. Then it will be absolutely perfect and do the job nicely. Buying a branded 550W PSU to test an LED is borderline lunacy IMO.

Get yourself a £6.99 PSU to test your fans.

I've used OcUK cheap psu's in many of my older, less valuable builds for years and never had an issue at all. If it did happen to blow up and for some reason it took out everything with it, it wouldn't be an issue.

When you see people using £20 PSU's with a £600 gaming pc running gtx 570's off it. This is the opposite end of the lunatic scale. A major no no.

So to conclude my jibberish.

For running cheapo old computers - £20 PSU is fine

For running a gaming machine with quality components - get a branded PSU with a high efficiency rating, Antec, Seasonic, Corsair etc

For testing LED's - The cheapest PSU you can source will be great!

I think I might just follow this advice and get a really cheap eBay one then. Cheers