Best power supply

[SunnyRabbiera]

I dont know where I should put this but I might as well ask.
You see I need to replace the power units in both my computer and another.
Our problem: Bestec
I have heard all over the place that they have limited lifespans and can fry a hard drive, its a bit late for the other computer as I am more then sure the hard drive is probably wasted on her but I am hoping the mother board has been spared.
Now most likely I can probably attempt to recover the hard drive and hopefully worse case scenario on it only the OS is wiped, I am not sure on the condition of either or but fingers crossed I can make it running again with a new power supply.
My own computer is still probably in the safe zone as bestecs have a five year lifespan but still I want to replace both of them and work from there.
So yeh, there is my situation and any suggestions are welcome.

[svtfmook]

depends on what you want to spend, what you need to power, and what you want. there are a lot of 80%+ efficiency PSU's out there ranging from $40-$1000. you just need to first figure out how much power you need, how much amperage you need to pull from the rails, then figure out if you want modular or traditional, then you have your color choices.

a good relatively cheap psu is the mushkin 550w psu. also, the Hyper PSU's are rated as one of the best tier 2 PSU's. PC Power & Cooling are nice high end PSU's.

lot's of choices.

[SunnyRabbiera]

I just want a decent one at a decent price.
my hopeful price range is anywhere from $20 (as i know they can come that cheap) to $80
I dont want to go over $100 but if its needed then its needed... if its any more then $200 forget it as I can get a new computer for that.
I just need one that works and is of relative good condition.

[svtfmook]

what type of hardware?

80+ certified low power:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703010
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151035

80+ certified higher power:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371007
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256027

decent cheapo's:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817170012
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817159043
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817170010
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817709011
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817128005
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153052
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817189013

good not-so-cheapo's:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817128002
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817812002
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703011
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153059

what you want to look for as far as power needed, is if you are just running a basic system (cpu, ram, a few drives [5 or less], cards, single video card, no overclocking), or if you are running a ton of stuff (basic + lighting, SLI/Xfire, powerful sound card, fan controller/controller panels, etc). if you are running an 8800GTS+, it's a good rule of thumb to make sure that you have over 40A combined on the 12v rail(s). a basic system would need no more than a 400w psu, if you have a more powerfull system or overclock, i would recommend 500w+.

[SunnyRabbiera]

here are the specs of the computer I want to repair:
Intel Celeron D
256MB of memory
a intel motherboard
I CD writer
1 60 GB of disk space

the current wattages according to the bestec range anywhere between 100 and 240 volts.
I cant really see much on it as there is this giant plastic thing covering the sides of the fan, once I get some tools I can pull the stupid thing out of there and look at the wattages and junk.
I just need a brand name and junk, names of decent brands with decent prices.

[SunnyRabbiera]

bump

[Bartender]

Sunny -
This is just my personal opinion so take it for what it's worth -
The power supply is the last place to try and save a buck. I know that's exactly where the big box builders scrimp but the power supply is the heart of your PC. Good PSU's are built to provide clean, stable DC even when there's some wobble in the incoming grid power. That keeps all of your expensive components happy. Cheesy PSU's don't provide good quality DC. I'll betcha cheap PSU's have ruined more expensive hardware than anyone realizes or is willing to admit.

My P4 3GHz with 2MB RAM runs happily on a Seasonic 330. That would be more than enuf for you.

An efficient 350W 80+ PSU provides more usable power than an inefficient 400W unit.

[Fred_E _krugar]

I totally agree with bartender DO NOT get a cheap PSU.

I use and recommend any of the OCZ power supplies, I am a hardcore
gamer, I run Dual 7900GTX cards 6 HD's In raid O, 7 fans and overclock every single part and have never had a problem with my PSU giving me good quality power.

[SunnyRabbiera]

Bartender: well I have looked up your model and that too doesnt seem bad, they seem to cost around $50 according to the net.
hey I know going dirt cheap might get me into trouble, thats why I have set a midrange like I have.
For me even a unit that will cost like $100 will be alright but you must understand that I can get a brand new computer for any higher then that.
If there is a way to balance price with quality I will find it.

[Fred_E _krugar]

This is probably your best bet.


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341010

[SunnyRabbiera]

$80 is also pretty reasonable for me.
Like I said I am willing to spend up to $100, however if I find something good but at a reasonable price I will get it.

[svtfmook]

well, with a system like that, i wouldn't spend $80 on a psu. that's more than what the system's worth. also, not sure if any of those psu's will even work with your system. count the pins on the atx power connector.

[Bartender]

you must understand that I can get a brand new computer for any higher then that.

You can get a brand new PC for around $100?? Who do you buy from?

svtfmook has a point about spending too much money on a PSU. On the other hand, the PSU could be re-used in other projects.

My Seasonic came with a "20+4" ATX power connector. I'm pretty sure that's how most of them are built. 20+4 means that the main ATX plug is a "convertible" - you can detach the last 4 pins from the main plug so that it can be used on older 20-pin boards as well as the newer 24 pin boards.

If you're just looking for a replacement, a low-power PSU would be fine for that Celeron. A 600W PSU would make sense for you only if you're considering building a fairly extravagant PC in the future and want to re-use the PSU in that project.

[gn2]

Seasonic are easily the best PSU's available at reasonable prices.

An S-12 II 330 would suit perfectly.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151035

Has five year warranty.

The PSU is the single most important component in any PC, it's a false economy to take shortcuts and get a cheap one, however there's no point overspending either.
A Seasonic S-12 II 330 is as well built as any PSU on the market.

I have the older S-12 330 in a Core 2 Duo E6300 PC and it's excellent.

[SunnyRabbiera]

You can get a brand new PC for around $100?? Who do you buy from?

well we have a hobby shop nearby that have a few computers around $150 that dont come with a OS or a high priced processor.
Of course I would need a CD drive for it but thats an easy fix as I can just use the one from our broken computer.

[svtfmook]

count the pins on the atx power supply on the motherboard. match your psu to that. some older motherboards have less than 20 pins.

[SunnyRabbiera]

well this computers fairly recent so I am sure it has the right amount of pins, but as a safty measure I am gonna drag it around with me when I go window shopping

[igknighted]

I run this one in my desktop (specs below) and I love it, never once had an issue w/ power. Plus it's on sale now. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153023

[southernman]

I run this one in my desktop (specs below) and I love it, never once had an issue w/ power. Plus it's on sale now. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153023

That's the same PSU running in my new rig too. Warning... if your use to loud screaming PSU's... don't buy this one. The silence will be frightening! ;)

[John.Michael.Kane]

Currently running http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817103940

Used in the past.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256019

[SunnyRabbiera]

That's the same PSU running in my new rig too. Warning... if your used to loud screaming PSU's... don't buy this one. The silence will be frightening! ;)

yeh the price seems reasonable either way.
the computer I am trying to repair, shes a 20 pin by the looks of her but that too is an easy fix.
the main power is 20, another is a four pin box type and the rest are the four pin rectangles...
seems like most of the ones you gave me fit the bill.

[svtfmook]

you should have no problem running a sub $20 psu on your system.