[SOLVED] Can a cheap $20-30 4.5 star PSU power any 50W device without blowing up or wearing out quickly?

[s355]

Which is better: this or that? The device that I'm powering will be planned later. Powerful and expensive PSUs are a waste of money and power for me because they're more inefficent at 50W.

 

[bccorrupt]

EVGA B-stock when they're in stock. They're dirt cheap and you don't have to worry about damaged components or a house fire.

https://www.evga.com/Products/productlist.aspx?type=8&family=Power+Supplies

If you're fast there are some in stock right now starting at $19.99 with free shipping.

 

[--SID--]

Both garbage!

 

[NightHawkRMX]

Both garbage. We need more information.

What are the specs of the planned PC?

If you care about power efficiency you shouldn't be looking at such cheap junk PSUs.

 

[chaoyang]

Never ever cheap out on your PSU. It better to be safe than sorry.

 

[USAFRet]

Which is better: this or that? The device that I'm powering will be planned later. Powerful and expensive PSUs are a waste of money and power for me because they're more inefficent at 50W.

I wouldn't trust either of those to run a LED desklamp.

What, exactly, are you wanting to power with these?

 

[s355]

Never ever cheap out on your PSU. It better to be safe than sorry.

Most PSUs that explode on YT are tested at 100W or more; so will it explode at 50W?

 

[s355]

Both garbage. We need more information.

What are the specs of the planned PC?

If you care about power efficiency you shouldn't be looking at such cheap junk PSUs.

The PC will also be cheap, if used in a PC.

 

[s355]

I wouldn't trust either of those to run a LED desklamp.

What, exactly, are you wanting to power with these?

Undecided yet.

 

[chaoyang]

Most PSUs that explode on YT are tested at 100W or more; so will it explode at 50W?

I don't think PSUs tends to explode when something is wrong, but it would surely short circuit your components, including under 50W. Beside, you can't run anything with 50W.

 

[chaoyang]

May also catch on fire sometime, if the PSU is poor quality and is counterfeit.

 

[s355]

Both garbage!

Why do they have good ratings?

 

[USAFRet]

Undecided yet.

Then what prompted the question?

 

[chaoyang]

Why do they have good ratings?

Lying? Fake ratings?

 

[s355]

I don't think PSUs tends to explode when something is wrong, but it would surely short circuit your components, including under 50W. Beside, you can't run anything with 50W.

If not used in a PC, I have fuses to protect my components.

 

[USAFRet]

Why do they have good ratings?

Fake/paid/lies....

 

[chaoyang]

If not used in a PC, I have fuses to protect my components.

If the PSU itself short circuit and catch on fire, no fuses are going to stop fires from spreading afterward.

 

[chaoyang]

In other word, not safe.

 

[s355]

Then what prompted the question?

Probably a cheap PC or a laptop motherboard of unknown make and model that I got in the mail via 12V to 19V adapter. If for the laptop, the power jack is missing.

 

[logainofhades]

Both garbage!

Garbage is too kind of a word, for those things, especially Logisys. Spend a little more and get something that won't burn your house down. This isn't the greatest unit, but far better quality than those so called PSU's.

PCPartPicker Part List

Power Supply: EVGA BR 450 W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $34.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2021-07-23 15:53 EDT-0400

 

[USAFRet]

Probably a cheap PC or a laptop motherboard that I got in the mail via 12V to 19V adapter.

Just....no.

 

[NightHawkRMX]

Just because you have a light load and the PSU might not explode doesn't make it a good idea.

You can get a much better PSU for cheap. The efficiency will be strong relative to the units linked since these are 80+ Bronze.
https://www.newegg.com/evga-450-br-100-br-0450-k1-450w/p/N82E16817438144
Amazon.com: Corsair CV Series, CV550, 550 Watt, 80+ Bronze Certified, Fixed Cable Power Supply (CP-9020210-NA): Computers & Accessories
Not the absolute best units on planet earth for sure, but plenty fine for a low end computer.
Edit: just realised those are 3rd party sellers. and changed links.

 

[punkncat]

Without knowing what you are planning to use these for, it's almost pointless to discuss.

Obviously PC power supplies put out an amount of voltage/amperage to rails of different ratings. 12V/5V, etc.

If you are looking to do some science experiment and don't need all the voltages, purchasing a step down transformer, or AC/DC converter, etc. are going to be cheaper and more reliable.

If you are doing a PC, even a cheap one, try to at least purchase a cheepy one that is a brand you recognize. I also suggest trying to target no more than around 50-60% of RATED output. (It's a really good idea to double check that on cheap ones too). At least this way you have the illusion of some manner of warranty.
As a for instance, I purchased quite a few of the really poor quality refurbished EVGA 600W white units. They were $25 and I utilized them on systems with average draw in the 2-300's. I won't say they were trouble free in the long run, but they were cheap.

 

[Bazzy 505]

i wouldn't trust any of those enough to even use as a doorstop.

The way you generate those fancy reviews is by shipping random garbage to random people. Once you have proof of shipping the product (the package of course doesn't contain anything of value, normally random seeds, can opener, bottle caps crap like that). They will pose as a buyer with throw away email account and post a review as verified customer. One of the oldest scamms around. Pretty much that's what all those random unsolicted packages you never ordered are about.

 

[carocuore]

Short answer: yes.
You don't need a $2000 PSU to power up some LEDs, fans or whatever.

 

[Bazzy 505]

Short answer: yes.
You don't need a $2000 PSU to power up some LEDs, fans or whatever.

no you really don't need 2 grand for PSU to power a few leds, but there are many better options under 50 bucks that have proper IP rating and don't come with risk of burning down your house while you are at work and your led strips are flashing up your front porch