Why does everyone hate Powmax?

[joelslaw]

I know I'm just asking to be flamed with this one, and that's fine but please restrain yourselves long enough to answer my question. And btw, I'm not a powmax fanboy or anything (do those exist?) I ask because I happen to own a powmax (480w "Demon"), I know I should've researched more before I bought it, but it was cheap and fit my case scheme. But if powmax really do have bad problems, I will invest in a better psu.

But here is my problem with the whole "all powmax suck" theory: no one ever gives any concrete evedince! I have looked at quite a few powmax reviews (for the one I own) and the reviewer will say nice things throughout the whole review, then at the end be like: "but it's powmax, so it must suck" or "but it, doesn't weigh enough, so it gets a bad rating" WTH??? Since when does that constitute a fair review?

On the "user review" front powmax seems to do quite well, and I have certainly never had problems. On the contrary, mine is quite stable, and I've been very pleased with it!

It's true that all psu makers are gonna turn out a dud here and there, but I haven't seen proof the powmax turns out anymore than any other maker.

So please, either prove me wrong (so I can buy a different psu) or start keeping the "powmax sucks" comments to yourself (it scares those of us who own them )

 

[drpootums]

If u check the voltages and they dont fluxuate at all/much, and are where they should be, then i wouldnt worry. However, that said, i would invest in a new one over time, as i'm not sure how long it would last.

 

[stevty2889]

Powmax is one of the most generic PSU's out there. You may be ok, depending on what your system is, but they highly over rate their wattage. I had a 400w powmax PSU, and I figured out where they got the name from...it went pow and took out my $180 motherboard...if it has 18a or less on the 12v rail..I would definatly not trust it with your rig..not that I would trust it anyway..

 

[Ike0069]

Stable voltages is the key. Your system may be stable with unstable voltages for a while, but eventually you will have problems. If your voltages are steady, no worries for now.

 

[joelslaw]

thnx for the help guys, what you've all said sounds much more reasonable than just: "powmax sux"

but with your replies in mind, I think I will consider a new psu soon. what do you think of this one?
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-101-513&depa=1
I have heard good things about Tagan.

 

[0010010110]

Originally posted by: joelslaw
thnx for the help guys, what you've all said sounds much more reasonable than just: "powmax sux"

but with your replies in mind, I think I will consider a new psu soon. what do you think of this one?
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-101-513&depa=1
I have heard good things about Tagan.

Tagan make very good psu's, infact they just won a 19 psu round up.
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=27&threadid=1514145&enterthread=y

 

[VirtualLarry]

Yeah. PowMax gives the appearance of being a "brand name", but they are really more of a generic, and most generics are over-specced and use cheaper components (meaning, lighter in weight), and therefore, should not be trusted to deliver stable power at the sort of max loads suggested by the ratings. If you run them with a lighter-then-specified load, you may be ok, although there are many reports of sudden failure as well, that tends to have chain-reaction results with the rest of your system.