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kevin_watters
Jun 2, 2008 3:20 PM
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I have seen as many dead 'high quality' power supplies as cheap ones. A power surge/spike will kill a 'good' one as fast as a 'cheap' one. The trick is to put a good quality uninterruptible power supply on your system. That will stop almost all power related problems dead in their tracks.
Comment made about the PC Authority article:
Power Supplies?
If you value the stability of your system and want to minimise your electricity costs, invest in a high-quality power supply.
What do you think? Join the discussion. |
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.:Cyb3rGlitch:.
Jun 2, 2008 4:14 PM
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PSUs don't just die from power surges, they die from overload as well. Cheap PSUs often have low current on the 12v rails (which coincidently are the most used) but place more current on the 5v. This allows them to claim that the PSU is really 500W when in fact they cannot provide 150W under load. When the system draws more current, the PSU usually fails. This often causes system component damage.
On the other hand, high quality PSUs are more efficient, and can provide ~80% of the advertised wattage (e.g. 80 plus branded PSUs). |
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Dinks-c
Jul 10, 2008 10:09 PM
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Purchased an Enamax 720watt PSU 12 months ago for the Home Server. At $300 you would expect something decent. I have had it replaced twice under the 3 year warranty in that time. Both times I shut the computer down for maintenance and it wouldn't re-start. I do have filters on the fuse box of the house. next I suppose is an UPS.
I also have a couple of Zalman 500watt noiseless PSU's in other computers and they are fantastic. |
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.:Cyb3rGlitch:.
Jul 10, 2008 10:17 PM
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Always go for the single +12v rail '80 plus' certified PSUs. They're the best bet. |
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tony_stamo
Jul 18, 2008 5:32 PM
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With a UPS, if you're budget ain't that big, try the "PrOffice" model from Upsonic. http://www.upsonic.com.au/products.asp
We bought a heap of them for our company at just over $100 each and they work great.
They're 650vA and have the standard 3pin "wall outlet" type sockets rather the "D" style sockets you see on UPS's from the likes of APC, etc. |
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Slatts
Jul 20, 2008 1:01 PM
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As with any component, you buy the best part that your budget will allow. That said, I'd tend to weight power supply and mother board more highly in my budget than say ram, graphics card or even CPU. These are components more likely to be changed in an upgrade as more funds become available.
Off topic now:
I've been using a Sola 400VA UPS for a 4 years now and only had to replace the battery in it last year. It will run my main system for about 5 minutes allowing for a controlled shut-down. If the main system isn't booted up it'll keep my ADSL router and wireless access point powered up so I can keep my laptop on line for all but the longest blackouts ;)
Edited by Slatts: 20/7/2008 01:04:06 PM |