Soldato
Ok, I haven't read the whole thread, I wouldn't game on a cheap psu. Sometimes it's fine, but cba with the voltage drops and risks of reboots and corruption and popping the PSU.
Worth risking cheap PSU for 2/3 days?
- Thread starter Anxiety86
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when I first started out with building my own PC's on my first build I used a cheap PSU.
after a few weeks I started getting random freezes, BSOD's and sometimes it wouldn't boot. I went through everything else as I kept thinking.. the PSU is only a few weeks old!!
this went on for about 2 weeks then I was sitting at the PC and there was a bang and a flash and my machine died.. I was very lucky it only took out a hard drive the rest of my components weren't touched..
I hadn't been gaming on the PC it had just been standard internet use nothing heavy.. the PSU was a 750 watt cant remember the name of it.. but things could have been a lot worse.
now Im using corsair PSU's in both my machines and I wouldn't even put a cheapo near my system and I tell everyone the same...
ask yourself.. how old is this CIT PSU? how long have you had it sitting about? how much would it cost to replace other parts of you're system if it goes and takes out other components with it.
after a few weeks I started getting random freezes, BSOD's and sometimes it wouldn't boot. I went through everything else as I kept thinking.. the PSU is only a few weeks old!!
this went on for about 2 weeks then I was sitting at the PC and there was a bang and a flash and my machine died.. I was very lucky it only took out a hard drive the rest of my components weren't touched..
I hadn't been gaming on the PC it had just been standard internet use nothing heavy.. the PSU was a 750 watt cant remember the name of it.. but things could have been a lot worse.
now Im using corsair PSU's in both my machines and I wouldn't even put a cheapo near my system and I tell everyone the same...
ask yourself.. how old is this CIT PSU? how long have you had it sitting about? how much would it cost to replace other parts of you're system if it goes and takes out other components with it.
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Well I have used a lot of low end stuff myself, but never had a PSU go on me so far, touch wood!
I threw a good number of PC's out these last couple of years, none had any issue with their OEM PSU's. I even chucked a Hiper 480w out, it still worked, but only had molex, and I replaced that with a VS350. It's for playing around with budget and old parts.
My old Hiper 580w Type R is still powering my sisters PC, E-7400, 4gb of ddr2 and a HIS 3850 AGP. Would not use it in anything new or valued though.
Such is fine for playing with old bits and such that your not duly concerned about, but if it is a nice PC, thinking about it, why bother with the hassle, plugging in an old PSU, just to ponder and worry, then unplug it all again to fit one that gives you a sense of security.
I threw a good number of PC's out these last couple of years, none had any issue with their OEM PSU's. I even chucked a Hiper 480w out, it still worked, but only had molex, and I replaced that with a VS350. It's for playing around with budget and old parts.
My old Hiper 580w Type R is still powering my sisters PC, E-7400, 4gb of ddr2 and a HIS 3850 AGP. Would not use it in anything new or valued though.
Such is fine for playing with old bits and such that your not duly concerned about, but if it is a nice PC, thinking about it, why bother with the hassle, plugging in an old PSU, just to ponder and worry, then unplug it all again to fit one that gives you a sense of security.
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if 20 plus years of computing has taught me anything its not to scrimp on your PSU and memory (not so relevant for the memory these days as the overall quality seems to have improved?). I (like many people) used to think that the cheapo PSU's that came with cases with big wattage figures but little in the way of quality components to back it up were 'fine' but not anymore
Pretty much all of the instability I have experienced in the past came down to a dodgy PSU or memory in the end. Never had a PSU go pop on me and hope never to have one pop on me.
Personally it would cost me thousands to replace the hardware in my PC. I spend a lot of time testing my rig if I change the watercooling to try and minimize any risk there and always buy quality PSU's for the same reason. I would not even keep a cheapo PSU as a backup just not worth it. A good PSU is not cheap but its an investment that should last a number of years hence why the quality brands come with long warranties 5years +. Its always tempting to spend your money on the 'performance parts' of a PC such as the CPU and GPU as a quality PSU doesn't provide that feel good faster feeling but its ultimately a false economy for many in the end.......
Pretty much all of the instability I have experienced in the past came down to a dodgy PSU or memory in the end. Never had a PSU go pop on me and hope never to have one pop on me.
Personally it would cost me thousands to replace the hardware in my PC. I spend a lot of time testing my rig if I change the watercooling to try and minimize any risk there and always buy quality PSU's for the same reason. I would not even keep a cheapo PSU as a backup just not worth it. A good PSU is not cheap but its an investment that should last a number of years hence why the quality brands come with long warranties 5years +. Its always tempting to spend your money on the 'performance parts' of a PC such as the CPU and GPU as a quality PSU doesn't provide that feel good faster feeling but its ultimately a false economy for many in the end.......
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ive used various cheap power supplies, be it ones that originally come with the computer or ive brought used/new on the cheap for a build(or ones i got from tip ages ago), other than i shorted one(no effect on the computer) and another working when it could be bothered ive had no issues so have no problem buying them, ive gamed, movies, left on for however long and nothing. ive had more problems with other hardware..
fs my computer uses a vs350 and ive been gaming and left on for 2-3 days and many occasions and no issues, still going strong considering its meant to be the worst model range..
now im not saying long term for mid-high machines because i myself am looking to replace mine with a 500-600w and something quality, just because its my main rig and may upgrade in future, but for a temporary thing cheap is good..
however while i say all this, if you going to buy a unit for 30 or less you might aswell buy quality as a 500/550w evga on amazon is under £40, so pay the extra otherwise dont use your computer and buy a cheap laptop if you need windows.
fs my computer uses a vs350 and ive been gaming and left on for 2-3 days and many occasions and no issues, still going strong considering its meant to be the worst model range..
now im not saying long term for mid-high machines because i myself am looking to replace mine with a 500-600w and something quality, just because its my main rig and may upgrade in future, but for a temporary thing cheap is good..
however while i say all this, if you going to buy a unit for 30 or less you might aswell buy quality as a 500/550w evga on amazon is under £40, so pay the extra otherwise dont use your computer and buy a cheap laptop if you need windows.
well i look at it this way,if a shop well know and trusted, is willing to sell a cheap name psu then they must think its ok and fit for purpose,anything other is irresponsible.
and if it does go pop and takes out your stuff you can always claim back for those items thru the manufacturer(not ideal but thats the law),i would ask the shop in question if they think the psu you are looking at buying will do the job,if they say no then ask yourself why are they selling it in the first place and shop elsewhere for a better psu.
i ran with a cit 600w gold psu for 2 years and had no problems but sometimes its the luck of the draw,just because its a ferrari doesnt mean its not going to break down.
and if it does go pop and takes out your stuff you can always claim back for those items thru the manufacturer(not ideal but thats the law),i would ask the shop in question if they think the psu you are looking at buying will do the job,if they say no then ask yourself why are they selling it in the first place and shop elsewhere for a better psu.
i ran with a cit 600w gold psu for 2 years and had no problems but sometimes its the luck of the draw,just because its a ferrari doesnt mean its not going to break down.
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some shops sell what is 'their own' brand thats why you see cheap units, but they also know not everyone can afford the top stuff or probably need them and most likely someone will come in not knowing much, so taking the word of the seller or playing the 'chance' game..
i know G7 or what are crap and sumvision, no expericence with them just go from reviews, but if i needed something very basic/budget for movies or general for couple hours a day or so then id buy them, but not for main machine.
The reason a lot of cheap PSUs blow your motherboard up is generally down to the 5VSB. More expensive ones (all 80 plus PSUs basically) use an integrated IC to supply the 2A (10w) when the system is switched off. No name junk uses a 2 transistor circuit - and part of this is a critical capacitor which helps regulate the voltage. This is why the Bestec 12E used to blow motherboards up - the cap failed, the 5VSB line went to 12V, blew the southbridge up and god knows what else, and the 12Z revision didn't and would fail gracefully.
Don't forget the standby rail is live all the time, and so if there's a cheap cap there (which there will be) it will gradually cook and the voltage will go sky high.
I've took apart a CiT 450w unit before and it doesn't look like any no-name manufacturer I've seen before (SunPro or any of those guys) and uses junk "BH" branded caps that like to fail quickly and without venting.
Don't forget the standby rail is live all the time, and so if there's a cheap cap there (which there will be) it will gradually cook and the voltage will go sky high.
I've took apart a CiT 450w unit before and it doesn't look like any no-name manufacturer I've seen before (SunPro or any of those guys) and uses junk "BH" branded caps that like to fail quickly and without venting.
