please review this power supply

[cheese321]

Hi, There is a CoolerMaster extreme 500w power supply for sale on newegg for $49.99 plus $20 Mail In Rebate. Can you guys give me feedback on this? is it compatible with my upcoming build? is there any way to check if the product is good and not defective without connecting it to a motherboard and case? Can I just plug it in by itself to an outlet and test it? If yes, how do I know if it is perfectly fine? Is the rebate trusted? Did anyone who bought this during the rebate promotion get their rebate? thanks

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817171018



Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 2.66 ghz
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 250GB HD
LiteOn 18x DVD RW
ASUS P5B motherboard that supports 1333mhz fsb
Evga or MSI 256MB 7600GS or GT- not sure yet if price goes down more, then maybe
Coolermaster Centurion Case
Corsair XMS DDR2 2 X 1GB 675mhz
Floppy Drive
Windows Vista 64bit Home Premium

[HarshWinter]

CoolerMaster PSUs are not the best. I think that one would work for that build, but if your planing to later upgraded to a better video card I would pass on it. Its worth getting good psu, so overall I wouldn't suggest it.

so are u going to be upgrading ur gfx card? I'll help u pick a psu.

[freakitchen]

I personally would not buy a coolermaster power supply - brand quality is key for this very important component and it's not something you should consider skimping on. The price is a bit of a giveaway, and you get what you pay for here.

For that system, I'd personally recommend this power supply:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139001

One of the most important specs you should be looking for, beyond wattage, are the number of amps on the 12v rails. The Coolermaster is quite light at 16A on 2 rails. The Corsair has 18A on three rails, and as such is considerably more capable.

Pretty much the only way to test a power supply without connecting it to a motherboard is with specialist equipment. A PSU will not start unless there is load connected to it. I wouldn't have any worries about powering up a system connected to a Corsair unit for the first time.

[HarshWinter]

or here are some good case/psu combos if you haven't already bought your case.

This come with pretty high quality antec psu's, which even with a lower wattage will easly out preform the coolmaster.

SONATA II (with 450w) - $99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129155

TX (with 500w) - $130
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129158

[Mr.Ferrari]

The only decent coolermaster's are the models labeled PCAR, and even those have overrated power numbers. (The 600w is actually a 500w and so on).

If you plan to stick with the 7600-series, you don't really need anything more then a quality 400-450watter.

[cheese321]

so everyone thinks coolermaster has bad power supplies. How come it is in the good list of quality psus?

to harshwinter: I dont think i would upgrade the graphics. I still havent gotten the videocard and dont plan to until Intel Q3, the most i'll get is the 7900gs.

[Mr.Ferrari]

Not all of coolermaster's powersupplies were/are bad as I just said. Their quality can vary from decent to poor. The iGreen series are also good as are the PCAR series, and most of the RealPower series are AcBel.

If you do upgrade to the 7900gs or low end 8600 series. At most you'll need is a 450-500w powersupply.