Need PSU

[TheDonn]

I have a PC that I leave running 24/7 and the PSU noise is really getting on my nerves. Can someone recommend an INEXPENSIVE ATX PSU? I am not a gamer, I don't need 4GB of RAM, I don't OC my CPU, I just want something extremely quiet AND CHEAP around 250 watts.
THANKS!

 

[Harvey]

Antec Basiq 500W Power Supply
$49.99 - $30.00 Mail In Rebate with FREE shipping.
FRYS.com #: 5045145

Product

Rebate

I've seen a few complaints about failures with some Antec supplies, but several friends and I have been running a different Antec PSU model for over a year with no problems.

If all you need is 250 watts, you won't come close to stressing this one rated at 500 watts.

Here's pages of supplies from newegg between $10 and $25 with shipping from around $5 to a little over $7. Read the specs and check forum posts and reviews carefully before deciding.

 

[TheDonn]

Thank you very much for the reply, that looks like an awesome deal but I would really hate to have a 500 watt PSU running 24/7 eating-up my electric bill if I only need a 250. Any recommendations for a cheap and QUIET 250? The case is very close to me and I really need something very quiet.

 

[Harvey]

Current switching power design is around 80 - 90% efficient, and it doesn't eat full power all the time. I'll try not to get too technical, but essentially, once it charges up the power supply capacitors after turn on, it loafs along until your system demands power. Then, the caps deliver the initial jolt, and the power supply delivers what is demanded, filtered by the output choke and caps.

In other words, it probably won't dissipate much more power when idling than a supply with a substantially lower rating. If you don't need it right away, you can wait for a free after rebate hot deal, but if I needed the supply for the system you describe, now, I'd go for this one.

 

[TheDonn]

Thanks for the reply. I just checked but it looks like they are OOS.
Is this a quiet unit?

 

[TheDonn]

Thanks for your help Harvey. I did as you suggested and looked at the reviews at Newegg and this one had pretty good reviews and seems to be quite.

 

[Harvey]

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: TheDonn
Thanks for your help Harvey. I did as you suggested and looked at the reviews at Newegg and this one had pretty good reviews and seems to be quite.

If you value your hardware at all I wouldn't put that in your PC. A good 500 watt unit is typically going to come in around $75+ so anything that cheap has time bomb written all over it.

If you are looking for an high-quality, inexpensive, quite low wattage PSU I think it would be hard to beat this Forton-Source.

 

[TheDonn]

Thanks Operandi but I'm on a bit of a budget right now. I'm not too worried about this computer as it is a backup unit.

 

[TheDonn]

Thanks again Harvey, the PSU came today and is it ever quiet. I keep thinking the CPU is off because there is no pressure on my ears. I can sleep again!