The PSU Thread

JungleMan · § #1 03-11-2003, 04:55 PM

In my opinion, purchasing a power supply is one of the most ocnfusing decisions one can make about their new computer. There are a lot of brands, a lot of tempting deals, and this is a component that is necessary to the operation, well-being, and even cooling of your computer.

Obviously if we're covered in money, we can buy PC Power and Cooling 550w for all our computers and call it a day...but not everyone can do that

In this thread we're going to sort through ALL the PSUs that we encounter, in stores, on the Internet. If you know anything about Brand X or Manufacturer Y, list it, and we will use this database as a reference for when we see a PSU that may suit our needs, whether it is a diamond in the rough (hey, there are a lot of cheap but well-made brands out there) or if we should avoid it like the plague!

Who makes all the other PSUs out there? What other brands does Deer make? What brand makes Antec, and what else do they sell their units as? Contribute your info and we will finally get through the confusion of purchasing a quality made PSU!

-------------------------------

Fortron - FSP-XXXX
- Fortron
- Sparkle
- Verax
- AOpen

Channel Well Tech - CWT-xxxx
- Antec TruePower (CWT does not make SmartPower)
- TurboLink

TTGI
- Superflower

Deer/L&C - DR-xxxx or LC-xxxx
- Deer
- Austin
- Foxconn
- L&C
- Q-Max

Deer/L&C make some of the worst PSUs out there...though their quality HAS improved, it would be a safe bet to avoid these brands. I speak from experience, owning a Q-Max which FRIED ITSELF when I was running 3DMark! What a piece of junk.

Not Sure
I would appreciate info on any of these brands.

High Power - HPC-xxx-xxx
- High Power
- Thermaltake

Allied - AL-BxxxEATX

Also note that Antec SmartPower and TruePower are two totally diferent PSUs. The TruePower sports better voltage regulation but all I have seen so far are lower voltages than the SmartPowers. Neither is bad though, both are high quality PSUs.

PokPok · § #2 03-11-2003, 05:14 PM

Turbolink PSUs come with the Aspire TurboGamer (basically a chenming case)
and i think they come with chenming dragons...not sure.

and yes stay away from deer. my old system when through 2 deer psus(250w) last year, its now running with some other generic...gota open it up to see

JungleMan · § #3 03-11-2003, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PokPok
Turbolink PSUs come with the Aspire TurboGamer (basically a chenming case)
and i think they come with chenming dragons...not sure.

and yes stay away from deer. my old system when through 2 deer psus(250w) last year, its now running with some other generic...gota open it up to see

Thanks...any idea who makes Turbolink?

Also just found out that Fortron and Sparkle have the same PSUs, with the same model numbers.

TinCanGenie · § #4 03-11-2003, 06:40 PM

Antec just released their controllable 550watt PSU that has a fan controller and individual external pots to control the 3.3v 5v and 12v lines..about $160 from their website, beats the PC Power and Cooling PSU price wise...tho i dunno the performance on the new Antec..sounds very nice tho =) TTGI also make excellent power supplies.

XTCgr · § #5 03-11-2003, 07:21 PM

i believe that Antec's PSU are based on HEC's PSU (www.heroichi.com.tw) . I had bought for my previous case HEC's 300LR-PT..after a while i bought Antec's case that i still have now...guess what.. Inside the case there was a PSU that eventhough it had Antec's stickers and so far there was written with very little letters this; 300LR-PT !!!! The performance was identical in papers and in action.

Now i use Antec's 412XF...dont know if it is HEC's....just re-labeled

JungleMan · § #6 03-11-2003, 07:33 PM

Thanks XTC! That'll be very useful...we know that Antec has some pretty good PSUs and if we can find any more brands that are relabeled HECs, we can add them to the "Good stuff" list

Anyone else that can confirm that..?

§ #7 03-11-2003, 07:40 PM

Suggestion: Make a list of recommended PS's and PS's to avoid. The format you have right now isn't very clear.

JungleMan · § #8 03-11-2003, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tawcan
Suggestion: Make a list of recommended PS's and PS's to avoid. The format you have right now isn't very clear.

Good suggestion. thanks

BTW i love the new beaver pic.

Stang Man · § #9 03-11-2003, 08:11 PM

TTGI:

JungleMan · § #10 03-11-2003, 09:34 PM

Good input Stang thanks

I did a bit of research and found that Channel Well or CWT is the company making Antec's TruePower PSUs. They look identical, and their 430w model is rated identically to my 430w sitting in my case right now.

I am pretty sure it is probably HEC making the Antec SmartPowers but i'll have to look. can anyone else confirm XTC's findings?

Also, with further research...CWT is also making TurboLink PSUs, which are those found in the Aspire TurboGamer

So here's a big A+ for Channel Well

§ #11 03-11-2003, 09:38 PM

Once you have a rather complete set of list post it on the sticky.

Thanx.

jmicaelk73 · § #12 03-12-2003, 12:18 AM

Yes Channel Cell is making the Turbolink, and also several of Antec's, just look at the True Power 430W, 480W, 550W, they are identical. You can also check them out at the CWT's Page, just go to the second ATX link and there you'll find both of them in the middle of the list.

Will order one of them tomorrow, as soon as I have decided for the 480W or the 550W, will post some results as soon as I get the PSU.

Thanks Micael

XTCgr · § #13 03-12-2003, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by JungleMan
Thanks XTC! That'll be very useful...we know that Antec has some pretty good PSUs and if we can find any more brands that are relabeled HECs, we can add them to the "Good stuff" list

Anyone else that can confirm that..?

Users of "old" Antec's cases can confirm this... recently Antec renewed its own case series- think they r call these new series Performance Plus-so i dont know if they still have HEC's PSU

Mongo · § #14 03-15-2003, 11:47 AM

Don't agree with your view of the Allied PSU. Neither do 18 other owners with Allied AL-B450EATX True 450w reviewed at Newegg. I have Soyo KT400 Black Dragon mobo which likes GOOD PSU's, mine has never had PSU related issue, or any other issue for that matter. Have seen plenty of problems with this mobo caused by some of the GOOD PSU's you list. Suggest you look at Soyo mobo thread here. Don't know where you get your info but the Allied that I use is a damned good PSU and has been since build in Nov. '02

Regards,

Mongo

JungleMan · § #15 03-15-2003, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mongo
Don't agree with your view of the Allied PSU. Neither do 18 other owners with Allied AL-B450EATX True 450w reviewed at Newegg. I have Soyo KT400 Black Dragon mobo which likes GOOD PSU's, mine has never had PSU related issue, or any other issue for that matter. Have seen plenty of problems with this mobo caused by some of the GOOD PSU's you list. Suggest you look at Soyo mobo thread here. Don't know where you get your info but the Allied that I use is a damned good PSU and has been since build in Nov. '02

Regards,

Mongo

Well, maybe I'm wrong...how are your voltages, what model do you have?

I've just heard so many bad things about Deer, that I would avoid them at all costs...even saw one that literally snapped in half

BTW, Newegg reviews mean nothing. A lot of newbs post there and they don't know what they're doing...

edit: Allied is showing AL-B450EATX and not DR as the first two letters...maybe it isn't Deer?