Low-cost ATX Power Supply Fail - Crash Test

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We reviewed 14 low-cost - less than 30€ - Power supply in our labs. Only 2 out of 14 successfully delivered their rated power. All others failed when loaded at 30-75%. Let out the Magic Smoke !

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>When you're actually using one of the PSU on the Video.

tellthex

these companies should be sued and fined for false advertising

tehhaldiniho

On my first budget gaming build about 7 years ago I purchased a Chiefmax "650 watt" dual-fan power supply for only $25. I thought I got a good deal since it had two fans and most other PSU's in that power range were at least $75 and only had one fan. Boy was I wrong! When I got the box in the mail I thought it was empty because it was so light! Then, as soon as I booted up the machine there was a burning smell. Then when I started playing a graphically intensive game I heard a loud bang and the PC shut-off and the PSU was toast!
I then bought a Corsair 650 watt unit and I am still using it in my new build today.

ryantoomey

Because cheap PSU are rated by "peak power" and not real continuous power, for example, those "rated 400 / 500 watts" actually only capable to deliver 150 - 250 watts continuously while it can deliver peak power for few milliseconds to 1 or 2 minutes.

BTW, what did you expect from $5 - 30 PSU ?

ErnestJay

You guys don't specify how the wattage was distributed and what each PSU was rated for on each rail. I'd suggest doing so.

JWSpradlin

Generally a PSU is going to be rated in total output, and then rated in amps per rail. Were you staying inside the rated current limits per rail? Or were you just throwing a big fat half-ohm resistor on the 12v line and letting 'er rip? The methodology matters

TechHole

Just received my recently bough Seasonic TX-1000 PSU a couple hours ago. Many a folk told me that was overkill and 750-850 titanium certified PSU would be enough with room left for future upgrades in my build (it's a very high-end one, well, will be, after Ryzen 5000 series and Radeon 6000 series hit the market), but I think you can never go wrong with "too much" unless it's a ridiculous rip-off straight and through.

enricofermi

Was the load drawing an even amount of power across all the rails?

Mdudeman

Downloading a copy of this for use when explaining to people who get me to build computers for them why they should get a quality PSU. Credit will go to you guys of course.

sagegeas

lol LC power :D I went through 3 of these(550w rated ones) back in the mid 00s. Powered up my Athlon 64 3000+, K8NF9 mobo, 2GB of rams, GF 6600 GT and 250GB HDD, . Had my PC on 24/7 and each one lasted me for about 3-4 years. They would ussually go byebye when the electricity went out.

mesicek

My Dad: "Son, why was the power bill so high??"
Me: 1:00

ConversusVans

Unfair tests, none of these PSUs had a FCC rating or some safety certifications.

ncg

Sounds like he's expressing frustration each time they pop.

rarler

I would have loved to know which 2 cleared the test! I had Corsair/Coolermaster/EVGA 500-700w PSU fry just after 1-2 years of use, i am very happy with my current XFX Pro Series 850W Black Edition, but it was quite expensive!

mayday