Will using a lower Volatage power supply be better?

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xAbre1200

New Member
Im building a PC of my own and its going to be a low budget $500 PC. Its processor is a AMD 64 X2 4200 and its not going to be using that demanding video cards. Im not sure if I should get a 500V PSU or just stick with a 300V.
 
It's not voltage, it's wattage. 500 watts and 300 watts. But regardless, wattage really means very little. You should be looking at the amps in the 12 volt rail(s). A 400 watt power supply with around 30 total amps on the 12v rail(s) should be plenty. That is unless you want some higher end video card.
 
First of all you will want a supply 350 "watts" or larger with either the 24pin or 20+4pin main power connector. You won't find those on 300w supplies. 400+w is the range to start in. The prices seen on a good brand supply will start around $60 unless onsale or with a rebate. Below is a list of generally recommeded brands as well those that have heard complaints about.

Good:
Akasa PaxPower - Antec(except Smart Power models) - Astec - AOpen - Channel Well - Coolermaster - Enermax
- Enlight - Fortron Source (Sparkle) - HEC - Hi-Power - Jeantech - NSpire - OCZ Technology - PC Power & Cooling - PowerMan
- Seasonic - SilenX - SilverStone - Tagan - TTGI/SuperFlower - Vantec - Zippy / Emacs - Verax - Zalman
- Corsair

Bad:
Allied - Antec Smart Power models(recommend True Power or NeoHE) - Aspire - CoolMax - DEER - EYE-T
- KingStar - L&C - Linkworld - Logisys - PowerMagic - PowerUp - Powmax - Q-Tec - Raidmax - Skyhawk - Star
- Turbolink - Ultra - ThermalTake

(Note that the list above does not contain all makes available)
 
PC eye said:
First of all you will want a supply 350 "watts" or larger with either the 24pin or 20+4pin main power connector. You won't find those on 300w supplies. 400+w is the range to start in. The prices seen on a good brand supply will start around $60 unless onsale or with a rebate. Below is a list of generally recommeded brands as well those that have heard complaints about.

Good:
Akasa PaxPower - Antec(except Smart Power models) - Astec - AOpen - Channel Well - Coolermaster - Enermax
- Enlight - Fortron Source (Sparkle) - HEC - Hi-Power - Jeantech - NSpire - OCZ Technology - PC Power & Cooling - PowerMan
- Seasonic - SilenX - SilverStone - Tagan - TTGI/SuperFlower - Vantec - Zippy / Emacs - Verax - Zalman
- Corsair

Bad:
Allied - Antec Smart Power models(recommend True Power or NeoHE) - Aspire - CoolMax - DEER - EYE-T
- KingStar - L&C - Linkworld - Logisys - PowerMagic - PowerUp - Powmax - Q-Tec - Raidmax - Skyhawk - Star
- Turbolink - Ultra - ThermalTake

(Note that the list above does not contain all makes available)
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At Electronic Frys, they had the ULTRA 500W PSU for $0 after M.I.R.
 
That would be the V-Series 500W, and yes it includes a PCI-E connector. Ultra make a lot of very good PSUs, it's really only the Youngyear built X-Connect that's bad. That unit would be more than adequate for what you're after. I'd go with it.

The prices seen on a good brand supply will start around $60 unless onsale or with a rebate.
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No need to spend that much for a $500 system. XClio offer great Channelwell built units at $40-$50. Hipro aren't quite as good, but offer reasonable units that are cheaper still.

24pin or 20+4pin main power connector. You won't find those on 300w supplies.
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http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...Value=2954:18939&PropertyCodeValue=2954:18938 :D
 
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ceewi1 said:
No need to spend that much for a $500 system. XClio offer great Channelwell built units at $40-$50. Hipro aren't quite as good, but offer reasonable units that are cheaper still.http://
Click to expand...

Don't forget it depends on where you are located and the vendors you can order from if you buy online. If you go to a retail outlet you're going to see a bigger tab just for "cheapie" supplies let alone a good make.
 
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