PSU Recommendations

[Planetoa]

I'm pretty new to building custom systems. About eight months ago a friend and I built me a new rig. It was a lot of fun getting everything setup. I was proud of my PC and took good care of it. About a week ago it wouldn't start. I'm pretty sure that it's my power supply.

I bought an Antec Sonata II Tower which came with a "specially designed low-noise SmartPower 2.0 450W ATX12V v2.01 power supply." Turns out it was a piece of crap.

My not sure which companies are reputable, so I'd like some feedback on who makes reliable products. I've been looking at getting a Coolermaster iGreen 500W Power Supply.

Is Antec typically a reliable company? And does anyone use Coolmaster products, if so how would you rate them?

 

[moosey]

Check out this thread at the hardforums
http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1045259

 

[Operandi]

Neither Antec or Coolermaster actually build power supplies. They contract out to actual manufactures and both of them use different sources depending on the particular model so naturally reliability and quality varies.

Overall there are much better choices then either Antec or CoolerMaster. I would suggest Seasonic (builds Corsair, and PCP&C Silencer), Forton-Source, Enhance, or Zalman (built by Forton-Source).

 

[John]

There are a lot of Antec haters on this forum. :roll: I have only had to RMA one out of a hundred or so Antec psu's over the last 4 years. I sell a lot of Sonata II cases as well and the SP 2.0 450w is no slouch. RMA it to Antec since it carries a 3 yr. warranty. Otherwise please do a forum search and read the plethora of "what psu should I get" threads.

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

*hangs head in shame* I'm an Atec PSU hater
Google Fuhjyyu capacitors...then read

 

[John]

Do I look like a n00b? Wait, don't answer that.

I RMA more mainboards with bad caps than I do psu's, and again my success rate with Antec is exceptional considering the number of units that I sell on a yearly basis. I'm not just some random "Joe" that jumps on the bandwagon to bash a reputable manufacturer.

 

[runninkyle17]

Antec is a good brand and they also have good prices. However, with PSU's most of the time you pay for what you get. Seasonic are probably the best in my opinion, but I am not a power gamer like a lot of people.

OCZ also has very good PSU's, but they are pricey. You can probably find a good deal on Antec and Seasonic PSU's if you keep your eyes peeled. Since most of Antec's PSU's are made by Seasonic then you probably can't go wrong getting an Antec.

If you look on the for sale thread there are plenty of guys selling their Antec PSU's for very good prices and they could give you some feedback on the stability of their unit. Good luck!

 

[Gamingphreek]

Seasonic would be your best bet. Quiet and Powerful. Not too exorbitantly priced.

Antecs are normally very solid. You can't go wrong with a Fortron most of the time. OCZ makes a very nice PSU, but its very flashy; they also use a modified ToPower unit as their base.

-Kevin

 

[Operandi]

Fuhjyyu is it what it is.... a low cost capacitor. There are worse (probably much worse) but if Antec is going to use a low cost parts then I would expect a low cost unit. The Antec True Power and Smart Power are cheap units that are being passed off as something they are not.

Newer Antecs are built by Seasonic but they quality is not equal to that of which you will find in Seasonics own units or their other partners.