Two PSU's

[FuriousGeorge]

Im looking at these two PUS's. Having read the sticky, like a good poster, I know to look for the combined +3.3v and +5v combioned power.

One lists, and one doesnt which as per one sticky makes it "instantly suspect".

The one that lists says the combined power is 200w. (3.3V*28A + 5V*35A someow = 200w?) Its an Allied 350W model AL-350ATX (a brand that may be popular, but I'm not familiar with). My understanding is that 200w is good. I bought it for a dollar on eBay.

The "instantly susect" PSU cost me $18 at Allied Power Supply.com, and is a POWMAX, which I remember reading is a good brand. It doesnt specify a model number but says its 450W. It lists the amps for the +3.3V and +5V as 26A and 35A respectively. Thats sligtly lowered than the Allied brand PSU!

Is it possible the 350W PSU has a higher combined output than the POWMAX 450W, and which would you guys use?

[Electron Chaser]

I wouldn't use either one.

[Know Nuttin]

Wouldn't use either one unless it was going into a year 2000 system.

[FuriousGeorge]

wow. based on what? i heard an output of 200W is good in the case of the allied. One is going into a mobile barton on a dfi mb i plan on OCing, the other was intended for a64 3000+ for which i figured could use the weaker one since i have no plans to OC it.

In light of the resounding negative response, ill get a new psu, but isnt it a bit harsh to say it is for a year 2000 system? I just bought a coolmaster case and it only came with a 300w pus (havent looked at the specs). And both have that newfangled 4 pin connector which i post 2000, isnt it?

[Know Nuttin]

I never said it was for a year 2000 system, I said I personally wouldn't use it in any system newer than a year 2000 system.

I've never had any good experiences with Powmax or Allied. I've changed many Allied PSU's and PowMax is not that far behind.

I definitely wouldn't use either of those for the systems you intended to put them in. That's just my opinion though.

[FuriousGeorge]

so its the brand more than the specs?

[Know Nuttin]

spec's are important, as is the brand. What you'll notice is that if you were to hold a Fortron 350w and the Allied 350w, the Fortron will easily outweigh it. That is because they have much better build quality, with higher capacity capacitors, line conditioners, and beefier heatsinks.

Powmax's are embarassing to be honest. When you open one up, it looked to me like it was a 250w (i opened a 480w Powmax demon). Definitely was not as confidence inspiring and my Enermax 300w easily looked much better, internal-wise.

[Cyrix_2k]

What you'll find is that certain brands don't rate their PSU's properly... Deer/Allied/etc are notorious for this. What you want is a nice Fortron/enermax/OCZ/PCP&C/(sort of Antec. They had been having quality issues, and I don't know if they've fixed that yet). You really can't go wrong with one of those PSU's rated at 350w or above. And as has been said, a good indication of a PSU's quality is it's weight.

[FuriousGeorge]

ok, ill revisit this when i buy my upgraded memory. until then i'm just going to do a little multiplier overclock, maybe raise the fsb just a little, and try to OC my CPU a little too. This is my first delve into OCing, but I've been reading up, and I plan to start conservative. That said, I need a PSU for at least a month or so.

This brings me back to my original question: doesnt it make sense to simply use the 450W powmax, given that both are craptacular, just for the time being

[Cyrix_2k]

Use the one that weighs more.

[FuriousGeorge]

i was just about to say: "p.s. the 350W PSU is noticeably heavier."