**Good for o/cers** Results showing the difference between a Generic and Name Brand PSU

[jiffylube1024]

I just encountered a problem with a faulty PSU so I got to testing a couple of other PSU's in the same system to compare to the first one (which is defective). In the process, I really learned quite a bit about why you pay for those name brand PSU's, and what you get. Here are some results I found interesting, and should provide helpful if you're into overclocking (and need every bit of stability you can get).

I booted into the main BIOS screen and here's what I got (it would fluctuate a lot more under windows under heavy load btw):
These results are from a P4 2.4B and an ASUS P4PE motherboard.

(defective) Enermax EG365-VE (at 1.80 GHz, anything higer won't even POST):

Vcore: 1.55-1.58
+3.3V 2.83-3.34
+5V 4.99-5.26
+12V 11.13-12.90

My 1.5 year old trusty Enermax EG365-VE (at stock 2.4 GHz):

Vcore 1.55-1.56
+3.3 3.39-3.40
+5 5.13 constantly
+12 12.28 constantly

A new, Generic, 350W "P4 approved" PSU (at stock 2.4 GHz):

Vcore 1.55-1.58
+3.3V 3.26-3.28
+5V 5.18-5.21
+12V 11.45-11.52

New: Enermax EG-465VE 431W

Vcore 1.53-1.58
+3.3V 3.31-3.45
+5V 5.10-5.18
+12V 12.28-12.48

These results are interesting, because you can see that the generic 350W PSU (with very few components added) outputs lower and more variable voltages across the board than the name brand Enermax. The Enermax's power outputs stick like glue to nice, high numbers. Also note that the shaky (and low) voltages prevent the unstable defective PSU from even posting over 1.80 GHz. This is interesting because it shows how having a better PSU can sometimes allow you to POST at a higher frequency with the exact same CPU!

I have a bunch of other generic PSU's sitting around, mostly 300W, and could test this setup with them if anyone cares to ask, but otherwise I probably won't. If you have no idea what any of this means, that's fine... Go about your business as usual and ignore me .

Edit: they didn't have any more EG-365VE's to replace my defective one, so I had to get a EG-465VE and pay the difference :| . Anyways, this one doesn't seem that special; my 365VE has more constant ratings than it...

 

[Elcs]

Test more. Id say get a spread of results from various manufacturers and sizes.

Say a 250W Generic PSU might do for a basic setup without overclocking. Then a large brand 250W could settle on more stable voltages + a slight overclock.

Even with this info, its still not a 100% science but Im sure that newbies, price-concious people and even hardened PC experts would benefit from a rough study.

 

[bgeh]

i agree with elcs
my old psu(generic)
3.3v-3.24-3.28
5v-4.92-4.97
12v-12.11-12.18

but it died soon after.
now i've learnt my lesson.
never buy a generic psu

 

[THUGSROOK]

nice results.

very "on par" with tests others have run here in the past.

 

[jiffylube1024]

Originally posted by: Elcs

Even with this info, its still not a 100% science but Im sure that newbies, price-concious people and even hardened PC experts would benefit from a rough study.

I think that hardcore PC users benefit the most from data like this because if you extrapolate the data and apply it to running a higher speed CPU or a more power draining system, you can see just how important it is/will be for you to get a better PSU if you want to o/c higher or run more stably. Sure, 99% of "hardcore" users won't even use up a 430W or 550W PSU, but just the stability it gives their voltage rails may give them more o/c headroom.

Newbies and non-techies benefit most from: "Buy a good power supply if you don't want your computer to die in a couple of years."

 

[kadajawi]

yes, I think more testing would be interesting.

 

[pbroussard]

Gotta agree with the essence of the post. This morning I was curious about a cheep L&C 350W psu I picked up, and tried it out on my fairly stressed main tbred box... the thing wouldn't post. So the Sparkle 300W psu went right back in..... Really need to get a heftier one, though.

Paul

 

[Nardman]

yah, I had a sparkle 250W on my old system for over 4 years. Never had one problem with it, and my system was slightly *massaged* with a little OC as well(450 - 504 MHz). I have a quiet PSU now from Q tech(I believe) and it is rock-solid so far...I've seen a lot of my friend's computers crap out over the same time due to cheap PSUs bundled with cheap cases, my advice to anyone thinking about using them...don't.

 

[JuicyFruit]

Merry Christmas everyone.

I just posted in the video forum too but this totally applies in this thread. I have this Turbolink 420W ps that came with my Chieftec case (Alienware knock-off) and my computer keeps beeping. When I check Asusprobe, the 3.3V is very low and rarely ever gets over 3.0V.

I'm guessing my motherboard (P4B533-E) is telling me that that's not enough juice?

I guess what I'm wondering now is if 420W is really enough for me or would I be okay with the same wattage but better ps. Something like an Enermax or Antec.

More money to be spent when I've spent a bunch on Christmas presents. argh

edit: Is the 3.3V line for agp?

Forgot to list my specs-

420W Turbolink
P4B533-E
2.53 at 3Ghz
512 Corsair 3200 cas2
80G WD with 8mb
2 40G 7200rpm Maxtors
16X Pioneer slot DVD
48X Lite-On burner
Alpha Pal 8942 with YStech fan
Abit GF4 Ti 4200 128mb
SB Live 5.1
4 case fans
Cold cathode

Is that too much for a 420W? Oh wait, is this supposed to go in the General Hardware section? Oops.

 

[Big8oy]

bump

 

[Elcs]

Im running an Advance 375w PSU.

Seems fine to me. Since i stuck my WD SE 80 gig in, I havent installed anything like MBM, SiSoft Sandra or Prime95.

Better start looking for them

 

[jiffylube1024]

Originally posted by: JuicyFruit
Merry Christmas everyone.

I just posted in the video forum too but this totally applies in this thread. I have this Turbolink 420W ps that came with my Chieftec case (Alienware knock-off) and my computer keeps beeping. When I check Asusprobe, the 3.3V is very low and rarely ever gets over 3.0V.

I'm guessing my motherboard (P4B533-E) is telling me that that's not enough juice?

I guess what I'm wondering now is if 420W is really enough for me or would I be okay with the same wattage but better ps. Something like an Enermax or Antec.

More money to be spent when I've spent a bunch on Christmas presents. argh

edit: Is the 3.3V line for agp?

Forgot to list my specs-

420W Turbolink
P4B533-E
2.53 at 3Ghz
512 Corsair 3200 cas2
80G WD with 8mb
2 40G 7200rpm Maxtors
16X Pioneer slot DVD
48X Lite-On burner
Alpha Pal 8942 with YStech fan
Abit GF4 Ti 4200 128mb
SB Live 5.1
4 case fans
Cold cathode

Is that too much for a 420W? Oh wait, is this supposed to go in the General Hardware section? Oops.

No, that's fine for 420W. 350 name brand could run that pretty well too, but chips ~3 GHz and above really are better fit for >400W PSU's.

 

[JuicyFruit]

Sweet. Thanks for all the good replies and bumps.