Antec Power Supplies

[beckx020]

I have Antec power supplies in my systems. (One Sparkle)

They have always given me clean power and voltages within specs when monitored with the bios or a monitoring program, or a power supply tester. I've replaced some of the other power supplies with Antec when they were out of spec or crashed a system etc.

I finally had one of my Antec's die. It was within warranty and they are expensive. So I thought I would TRY to get Antec to repair or replace it. I thought I'd be in for a fight of some type, just because it seems so difficult to get warranty service for computer items.

I was surprised and pleased. Fax in the request form to get an rma number. Ship the bad PS, form and receipt to Antec. In a week they sent me back a brand new PS in a retail box!

I will continue to use Antec power supplies. You can't get better than clean good power for your system and honest warranty if required.

[Mhollinr]

What brands should I stay away from? (starting another build) I know what the good ones are, but you can get some pretty cheap power supplies out there - money wise that is.
Are PowMax any good? WHat about colorcases?

[Joeberg]

Never heard of them Mhollinr, however, I wouldn't take the risk of buying a non name-brand PSU; No matter what price. You get what you pay for...I'd stick with the well known ones (e.g. Sparkle, Enermax, Antec)...

[morriswindgate]

Powmax is one of the better OEM generic power supplies, however if it all possible buy a case without the power supply and get an after market such as Enermax, Sparkle or Enlight.

[Sanke]

I've heard that Chieftec/Chenming make good PSU's.

[morriswindgate]

You will be lucky to know the name of a half dozen case and power supply manufactures as there are hundreds of manufactures. The only thing you can really go by is the certifications the PSU has and it's load rating. For instance you will see a lot of 400Watt power supplys that have a rating of 12amps for the +12volt power, but you will see 300watt units that have a 15amp or better rating for the same voltage. What this means is that the rectifier circuits, heatsinks, and other componants are a lot larger and higher quality.

[dmt]

What is the Antec psu model the died? I kust had an Antec Smartblue 350w die on me and had no problems returning it under warranty. They let me rma just the psu and not the whole case (lanboy) and it should be back to me sometime this week. I am just currious on the model because lately I have been hearing of a few problems with antec psu's.