Re: Computer turns on and then just dies

Paul <[email protected]> wrote:

> We don't know who makes the $20 units. Those have all the protection
> circuitry removed, and also the supply has no certifications (no TUV).
> If such a supply has a 500W rating, then testing will show the
> supply is actually a 350W unit. Attempts to draw 500W don't end well
> in such a case. As a result, as long as you have some idea how
> kit like that behaves, then go ahead, spend $20 on one :-)

Or load it only to 70%, or even less, of its rated loads figuring they
bloated their ratings, especially regarding sustained loads.  Don't know
for sure which OEM is inside the PSU the OP got branded Sharkoon.  He
had a 350W PSU before, so me might not need more.  70% of the 500W
rating for Sharkoon puts it at 350W recommended which is close to the
380W rating for his old Antec PSU.

I don't recall spending less than $80 on a PSU.  Typically I'm well over
$100.  While I try to stay with FSP/Fortron/Sparkle and Enermax (and the
rebranders that use those as OEMs), and Corsair is generally okay as a
rebrander, I stay away from the low-end models even with the good OEMs
and rebranders.  I did once buy a $50 Corsair on sale ($85 list).  That
went into my prior build before I gave it to a family member 11 years
ago to replace a 6-yr old Dynapower (acquired by Sensata Tech in 2022
for $580M, but I haven't bothered to look into Sensata).  Dynapower was
not a good PSU OEM except for some models, so I researched the model to
find it had positive reviews (by tech sites, not so much for user
reviews since those are often too flaky and non-technical).  Even some
Corsairs aren't great.  I stay away from the bargain PSUs models.  I try
to build for an 8+ year lifespan, or longer, for my builds.