[SOLVED] Going to build a PC
- Thread starter Ghost
- Start date
That is definitely a budget level PSU brand not known for quality build or efficiency.
Sadly, one of the biggest mistakes new builders or upgraders make is cutting corners in the budgets buying a cheap supply. I like to say you don't buy a brand new Porsche then fill it up at the corner Tobacco and Bait shop. Since everything inside the computer depends on quality, stable power, get a good supply from a reputable maker. I like EVGA, Seasonic, XFX, and the upper lines of Corsair and Antec. And get one that is 80 PLUS certified, at least Bronze - though Gold is preferred. 80 PLUS Certified Bronze ensures the supply is at least 82% efficient across the full range of expected loads, that is from 20% to 100% loads. That "flat" efficiency response is desired because computers constantly present a varying load on the supplies. To achieve a flat efficiency response with varying loads requires a better design and parts that meet tighter tolerances. While 80 PLUS does not guarantee longer life and reliability, 80 PLUS certified supplies generally do provide a longer, more reliable service and generally come with a longer warranty too.
Your supply is not 80 PLUS Certified. That generally means it cannot obtain at least 80% efficiency, and output is typical "bell" shaped efficiency curve - that is, its efficiency "peaks" at just one or maybe two points along the full range of expected loads - dipping significantly from that peak on either side, often into the 60% range, which is the typical (and natural) response for basic supplies. That means for every 100W the supply pulls from the wall, 40W is wasted in the form of heat.
So buying a decent 80 PLUS supply not only helps to ensure you are providing good, clean stable power to all the critical components inside the computer, a quality supply will save you money in energy costs too.
I am saying your power supply is definitely your problem, but it is definitely suspect. And since everything else depends on good clean, stable power, whenever I troubleshoot potential hardware issues, I always swap in a known good supply just to ensure I am providing just that.
Sadly, one of the biggest mistakes new builders or upgraders make is cutting corners in the budgets buying a cheap supply. I like to say you don't buy a brand new Porsche then fill it up at the corner Tobacco and Bait shop. Since everything inside the computer depends on quality, stable power, get a good supply from a reputable maker. I like EVGA, Seasonic, XFX, and the upper lines of Corsair and Antec. And get one that is 80 PLUS certified, at least Bronze - though Gold is preferred. 80 PLUS Certified Bronze ensures the supply is at least 82% efficient across the full range of expected loads, that is from 20% to 100% loads. That "flat" efficiency response is desired because computers constantly present a varying load on the supplies. To achieve a flat efficiency response with varying loads requires a better design and parts that meet tighter tolerances. While 80 PLUS does not guarantee longer life and reliability, 80 PLUS certified supplies generally do provide a longer, more reliable service and generally come with a longer warranty too.
Your supply is not 80 PLUS Certified. That generally means it cannot obtain at least 80% efficiency, and output is typical "bell" shaped efficiency curve - that is, its efficiency "peaks" at just one or maybe two points along the full range of expected loads - dipping significantly from that peak on either side, often into the 60% range, which is the typical (and natural) response for basic supplies. That means for every 100W the supply pulls from the wall, 40W is wasted in the form of heat.
So buying a decent 80 PLUS supply not only helps to ensure you are providing good, clean stable power to all the critical components inside the computer, a quality supply will save you money in energy costs too.
I am saying your power supply is definitely your problem, but it is definitely suspect. And since everything else depends on good clean, stable power, whenever I troubleshoot potential hardware issues, I always swap in a known good supply just to ensure I am providing just that.
Digerati,
I couldnt agree more about the PSU thats in it now. Mitch was cheap and thats what he had me get.
However that was then and this is now and im looking at a Corsair and Thermaltake silver or gold 80 plus 500 watt.
Ill know tomorrow morning and ill post what i ordered.
Thanks for all,
Ghost
I couldnt agree more about the PSU thats in it now. Mitch was cheap and thats what he had me get.
However that was then and this is now and im looking at a Corsair and Thermaltake silver or gold 80 plus 500 watt.
Ill know tomorrow morning and ill post what i ordered.
Thanks for all,
Ghost
Ummm, that's actually how the vast majority of power supplies are - and even those that are not, they typically have extra mounting holes so you can flip them over.
I would not worry about it. But if it does really bother you, get a supply with the fan mounted on the rear that exhausts heated air out. They pull in though all the vents and across the heatsinks.
As for Corsair, it used to be if it said Corsair on the label, it was top quality. But in the last few years, they changed OEM suppliers for their lower tier lines and quality and reliability dropped. That's why I said above to look at their upper lines only.
You don't fine too many Silver certified PSUs in this country. I'd go for Gold.
Yeah, as happens too often with major brands, they start living off their name. Same thing happened to Intel year ago and they got spanked by AMD and it took 8 or so year for Intel catch up and leap frog ahead again. They were just lucky AMD was their only competition and that they had deep enough pockets to survive and invest in cutting edge technologies.
digerati,
I think i found what im looking for:
Amazon.com: Thermaltake TR2 Gold 500W 80 PLUS GOLD Power Supply PS-TR2-0500NPCGUS-G: Computers & Accessories
I think i found what im looking for:
Amazon.com: Thermaltake TR2 Gold 500W 80 PLUS GOLD Power Supply PS-TR2-0500NPCGUS-G: Computers & Accessories
I cannot find any professional reviews on it, but it seems like a nice supply. Being 500W means it will be "working" nearer its 50% load mark much of the time, which is a good thing because 80 PLUS certified supplies are most efficient with a 50% load. If you had stuck with the 750W, it could have been working at less than 20% load and the efficiency below 20% is typically poor.
Make sure you shop around. The Amazon price is $71.28 + $6.89 shipping while Newegg has it for $66.99 with free shipping.
Make sure you shop around. The Amazon price is $71.28 + $6.89 shipping while Newegg has it for $66.99 with free shipping.
Digerati,
Spent the better part of this morning looking for a better psu and i think ive found it.
If it will work with my system here it is: EVGA SuperNOVA 550W G2 Power Supply, Gold Efficiency #220-G2-0550-Y1
Ill be back online around 3pm EST and ill check if there any words of wisdom on this choice;-).
Ghost
P.S. weights 6 lbs. wow!
[h=1][/h]
Spent the better part of this morning looking for a better psu and i think ive found it.
If it will work with my system here it is: EVGA SuperNOVA 550W G2 Power Supply, Gold Efficiency #220-G2-0550-Y1
Ill be back online around 3pm EST and ill check if there any words of wisdom on this choice;-).
Ghost
P.S. weights 6 lbs. wow!
[h=1][/h]
As I noted way back in Post #23 above, the EVGA SuperNOVA 550W G2 Gold is exactly the model I have in this machine. But I was lucky to find it when EVGA was offering a $20 mail in rebate so the price did not sting so much.
Hi all,
Received the PSU yesterday afternoon and let it sit overnight to climatize. I couldnt believe how fast it was delivered!
Installed this am and working great but the only thing is its a very tight fit!!
Im going to do the business tower next because its got a cheap PSU in it also and im looking at mid next month to do that one then its my main tower last.
I want to say thank you to everyone who helped this rookie. Very much appreciated.
Ghost
Received the PSU yesterday afternoon and let it sit overnight to climatize. I couldnt believe how fast it was delivered!
Installed this am and working great but the only thing is its a very tight fit!!
Im going to do the business tower next because its got a cheap PSU in it also and im looking at mid next month to do that one then its my main tower last.
I want to say thank you to everyone who helped this rookie. Very much appreciated.
Ghost
Smart! :) An open box and waiting an hour would have been plenty, though a fresh start and rested eyes is always a good idea too. Glad it worked. Thanks for the followup.
Digerati,
Your welcome.
When i get the next PSU im going to have to look for one that isnt so tight of a fit length wise. My 2 plugs into the cd/dvd rom are approximatly 1/4" from the cables at the back of the PSU and the business machine is a mid-tower also.
Thanks again,
Ghost
Your welcome.
When i get the next PSU im going to have to look for one that isnt so tight of a fit length wise. My 2 plugs into the cd/dvd rom are approximatly 1/4" from the cables at the back of the PSU and the business machine is a mid-tower also.
Thanks again,
Ghost
Well, note this just depends on the case and how everything mounts. It just sounds like this is a small case, not a big PSU.
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