Efficient, stable, budget PSU?

[AnotherMuggle]

Hi All,

I bought a Corsair CMPSU-400CX PSU a few months ago as advised by these forums. Unfortunately it has failed and I have returned it to the company that sold it to me. They have informed me that it is now end of line and they have offered to replace with a Corsair CMPSU-430CX. I have done a small amount of reading and it looks like this new model is nowhere near as good for the money as the one I purchased originally.

I am thinking of asking the company if I can buy up to a better model and I'm willing to pay around £50/60, including the £35 I already paid. My computer is not a gaming machine so I am more interested in stability and efficiency rather than raw power.

Can anyone offer advise on current models that are good quality and in this price range?

Thanks,
Tom

Computer Specs: Intel i3 530 (using integrated graphics), Asus P7H55-M SI, 4GB Corsair XM3, 500GB WD Black, SATA 80GB Maxtor IDE, 2x Optical drives

[Sourtop]

Newegg.com - Antec EarthWatts Green EA-380D Green 380W Continuous power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

Would be an option. It doesn't come with a power cord though, but you can just reuse your old one.

[AnotherMuggle]

Originally Posted by Sourtop Newegg.com - Antec EarthWatts Green EA-380D Green 380W Continuous power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply Would be an option. It doesn't come with a power cord though, but you can just reuse your old one.

Looks nice and is in stock with the supplier!

[glc]

The Earthwatts 430 would give you a bit better headroom.

[AnotherMuggle]

Originally Posted by glc The Earthwatts 430 would give you a bit better headroom.

Cool, that model is also in stock.

How would this compare to something like:
450W Enermax ENP450AGT
400W Silverpower SP-SS-400

These are also in the same price bracket.

[glc]

Get the Antec.

[AnotherMuggle]

Originally Posted by glc Get the Antec.

I have just noticed that the supplier is actually selling a 430W unit with a slightly different model number:

"EA 430 - GB" as opposed to "EA-430D Green"

Are both good? From the Antec website it's not easy to tell what the differences are, apart from the 80+ bronze certification and the colour of the unit.

[Sourtop]

From what I can tell looking up the "EA 430 - GB" is that its an older model Antec PSU. Seems Newegg doesn't even sell it anymore.

[AnotherMuggle]

Originally Posted by Sourtop From what I can tell looking up the "EA 430 - GB" is that its an older model Antec PSU. Seems Newegg doesn't even sell it anymore.

That seemed a possibility to me, but checking the Antec website it looks like both models are current?

I'm not sure what to do now, take the Corsair, the 380W one you recommended or the 430W which doesn't appear to be the exact same product range?

[Sourtop]

Check out Newegg.com - Antec EarthWatts Green EA-430D Green 430W Continuous power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS 12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

[AnotherMuggle]

Originally Posted by Sourtop Check out Newegg.com - Antec EarthWatts Green EA-430D Green 430W Continuous power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS 12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

That's the model I would prefer to go with but I am limited to what this company has to offer:
Scan.co.uk

[glc]

I just went and looked at Scan's site, and THIS is the unit I'd recommend:

Scan.co.uk: Seasonic S12II-430 Bronze 430W Power Supply (PSU) - S12II-430Bronze

[AnotherMuggle]

Originally Posted by glc I just went and looked at Scan's site, and THIS is the unit I'd recommend: Scan.co.uk: Seasonic S12II-430 Bronze 430W Power Supply (PSU) - S12II-430Bronze

I like the look of that one a lot and have emailed scan to see if they will let me pay the extra to get that one as a replacement.

Thanks both for your time and help, very much appreciated!