Your Opinion on my Power Supply

[mattaggie]

I am building my first computer. I bought a pretty cheap case/PSU, but I thought it would be fine for what I am doing. In a different post I listed my specs and was told that my PSU was trouble, but they did not say why. So could you please look at my PSU and tell me why it is trouble. The computer I am buidling is for a P4 3.0MHz. It will just have the basics in it (DVD, Sata HD). I am not a gamer. I was simply looking for a certain amount of watts and thought 450 was plently. When buying a PSU, what should one look for?

Here is the link to what I bought
http://www.supergooddeal.com/Product...P4&Click=17583

I did not do any upgrades on it, but did have to buy a converter cable for SATA power.

this is what my PSU says on the label.

Okia swittching power supply
Model: Okia - 450ATX (450W max)

AC -I/P 115/230V 10/5A 60/50MHz

DC--O/P +3.3V +5V +12V - 12V - 5V +5VSB
28A 50A 18A 1.0A 0.8A 2.5A

5V + 3.3v combined load 230 W
5V + 12V + 3.3V combined load 422 w
total output is 450W max

[freakitchen]

First, Okia make low quality power supplies. It's important to 'know' what the quality brands are (or check out the power supply reference threads at the top of the general hardware forum).

Second, the specs for that unit are out-dated for a modern build. New systems that use a PCI-E video card require meaty / multiple +12v rails, with over 30 amps. That Okia unit has only 18A. Conversely, newer units need fewer amps on the +5v rail - and that unit has lots, consistent with units designed for AGP-based systems.

Finally, it's not an ATX2 unit - which means its unlikely to have a 24-pin main connector, required for modern systems.

Depending on the specs of the system you're building, that unit MIGHT have the right specs - equally it might have the wrong specs. But the bottom line is I wouldn't use it on any system, because of the low quality manufacturer.

FK

[glc]

It's trouble because it's built by a low end manufacturer and uses substandard CHEAP components. There is no such thing as a quality power supply that cheap. A quality 450 watt PSU will cost you $50 by itself MINIMUM. You paid less than $30 for the whole case INCLUDING that power supply - that makes the PSU by itself worth about $10. This is the cheapest PCI-Express compatible 450 watt unit that I would trust:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817189003

What happens with cheap power supplies? They are very subject to failure under load, and the failure can damage your motherboard and other EXPENSIVE components. Save $40 now to spend $300 later? Not a good way to do things.

Okia is a rebadged L&C. Here's what is said about those:

http://forums.nvidia.com/index.php?showtopic=4146

#5 CRAP! (L&C, Deer, Allied, Eagle, CodeGen/Foxconn, EverPower, Maxpower) If you believe one of these things will power your computer, I have a 7-band underdash amplifier/equalizer that's 250W+250W that I'll sell you for $5. You'll love it. Really, if you have one of these supplies, don't mention it to us. Just silently toss it out and buy one in the #1 category.