[SOLVED] How to pick a PSU for my build without screw up?

[Flonne]

I am making a budget PC build on pcpartpicker, link here: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/bBnXK3

It suits my needs quite nicely (from what i researched) but i am quite concerned about PSUs.

From what i have read a bad PSU could really screw my build (causing freezes, errors, etc) plus a expensive electricity bill and a lot of noise. The cables can be even too short which renders it useless and if it's a shady one it can even create a fire hazard! I 100% want to avoid such a situation.

The problem is, i don't know how.

I have seen the sticky threads...but they are confusing, i understood basically nothing at all, tiers, 12v, rails...it is all alien speak to me.

A quick google search told me to calculate for the wattage of this build which i did.

This is it:

Okay so 222 Watts at least.

The problem is that there are plenty and i don't know hot to discern between a good and a bad one.

There are plenty that meet the watts criteria and fit a budget build:

I chose EVGA one because like one of the reviews of pcpartpicker said "it's EVGA. it has to be good." but i am starting to second guess, with all those options, if i will have problems.

In simple terms (because i didn't understood the sticky threads), how can i know a PSU will properly power a PC, will be efficient, won't be noisy, will have enough pins, will have cables long enough and more importantly won't explode and light my PC/house on fire after prolonged usage?

 

[Koekieezz]

I am making a budget PC build on pcpartpicker, link here: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/bBnXK3

It suits my needs quite nicely (from what i researched) but i am quite concerned about PSUs.

From what i have read a bad PSU could really screw my build (causing freezes, errors, etc) plus a expensive electricity bill and a lot of noise. The cables can be even too short which renders it useless and if it's a shady one it can even create a fire hazard! I 100% want to avoid such a situation.

The problem is, i don't know how.

I have seen the sticky threads...but they are confusing, i understood basically nothing at all, tiers, 12v, rails...it is all alien speak to me.

A quick google search told me to calculate for the wattage of this build which i did.

This is it:

Okay so 222 Watts at least.

The problem is that there are plenty and i don't know hot to discern between a good and a bad one.

There are plenty that meet the watts criteria and fit a budget build:

I chose EVGA one because like one of the reviews of pcpartpicker said "it's EVGA. it has to be good." but i am starting to second guess, with all those options, if i will have problems.

In simple terms (because i didn't understood the sticky threads), how can i know a PSU will properly power a PC, will be efficient, won't be noisy, will have enough pins, will have cables long enough and more importantly won't explode and light my PC/house on fire after prolonged usage?

i wouldn't skimp on psu, so here i edited yours (got better mobo for future use 😀), it got better features for future upgrades and enough power for rtx 3000 series (or any new gpus coming) and a better HDD (dont use wd blue ones that got 256mb,it's SMR and it sucks on writes alot, so i changed it to WD Purple)
https://pcpartpicker.com/list/jZtkxc

 

[Wolfshadw]

There are plenty that meet the watts criteria and fit a budget build:

Words that should never be used in the same context: Budget and Power Supply. You should double if not triple your current power supply budget. Here is a list that I would consider: PC Part Picker - Power Supplies

-Wolf sends

 

[Flonne]

Thank both for your answers.

and a better HDD (dont use wd blue ones that got 256mb,it's SMR and it sucks on writes alot, so i changed it to WD Purple)

Oh so the color does matter, thanks for the suggestion.

Words that should never be used in the same context: Budget and Power Supply. You should double if not triple your current power supply budget. Here is a list that I would consider: PC Part Picker - Power Supplies

-Wolf sends

I see, might i ask, what makes them so different than other PSUs that are also in that price range too? Like these.

What do they miss, if they are in the same price range? I tried to read again the tier list sticky and the google docs sticky, but they make no sense to me at all.

 

[Koekieezz]

Thank both for your answers.



Oh so the color does matter, thanks for the suggestion.



I see, might i ask, what makes them so different than PSUs that are also in that price range too?

What should i be looking for? I tried to read again the tier list sticky and the google docs sticky, but they make no sense to me at all.

i tought i send you a link of my edit, heres anyway (a little edit again :"D): https://pcpartpicker.com/list/jZtkxc or https://pcpartpicker.com/list/3XJT2V

 

[Bob.B]

I am making a budget PC build on pcpartpicker, link here: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/bBnXK3

It suits my needs quite nicely (from what i researched) but i am quite concerned about PSUs.

From what i have read a bad PSU could really screw my build (causing freezes, errors, etc) plus a expensive electricity bill and a lot of noise. The cables can be even too short which renders it useless and if it's a shady one it can even create a fire hazard! I 100% want to avoid such a situation.

The problem is, i don't know how.

I have seen the sticky threads...but they are confusing, i understood basically nothing at all, tiers, 12v, rails...it is all alien speak to me.

A quick google search told me to calculate for the wattage of this build which i did.

This is it:

Okay so 222 Watts at least.

The problem is that there are plenty and i don't know hot to discern between a good and a bad one.

There are plenty that meet the watts criteria and fit a budget build:

I chose EVGA one because like one of the reviews of pcpartpicker said "it's EVGA. it has to be good." but i am starting to second guess, with all those options, if i will have problems.

In simple terms (because i didn't understood the sticky threads), how can i know a PSU will properly power a PC, will be efficient, won't be noisy, will have enough pins, will have cables long enough and more importantly won't explode and light my PC/house on fire after prolonged usage?

It's a big enough psu for the parts you have.
Any future upgrade will likely need a psu upgrade.
The 2 yr warranty is a flag.

Perhaps shop for a psu with a 5 yr or greater warranty.

 

[--SID--]

EVGA N1 and W1 are crap. I recommand https://pcpartpicker.com/product/dD...d-semi-modular-atx-power-supply-cp-9020133-na

 

[Tac 25]

just chiming in.. a psu should not be on a "budget". My old pc only had 350 watt stock psu, which eventaully caused random shutdowns. The random shutdowns stoped when I upgraded to a 600w.

definitely, get the best psu you can afford.

 

[Wolfshadw]

I see, might i ask, what makes them so different than other PSUs that are also in that price range too? Like these.

What do they miss, if they are in the same price range? I tried to read again the tier list sticky and the google docs sticky, but they make no sense to me at all.

What is missing and the difference is quality of components. This is why you don't skimp on a power supply. This is the last component you want failing in your PC. What's the point of purchasing $600 worth of new PC components if the $40 power supply burns them out two weeks later?

-Wolf sends

 

[ohio_buckeye]

Also just to add, consider adding an ssd. Even a 120gb would probably be 20-30 bucks, but something like that for a boot drive would make the pc feel much faster.

 

[Colif]

Cheap PSU lack protections that keep the parts inside your PC safe. They promise they can deliver X amount of rarely do.
Good PSU protect the parts and help to ensure they only die of old age

I used to buy cheap not knowing any better, in the days cases came with PSU. No name.. no wonder parts died all the time. I killed 3 hdd in a row and blamed it on hdd. Next PC had a slightly better PSU and different brand drives and for years I blamed the drives, now I realise it was the PSU. Last PC the PSU was almost 1st choice I think, I knew what I wanted.

No one should use a HDD anymore. Once you go ssd, you can't go back.

 

[Flonne]

Thank you everyone for your replies!

I forgot to ask, i do not live in the US, so electric outlets have a 240V here, compared to USA outlets that have 120V.

How can i check if the PSU will resist that or if will need a transformer?

Among the ones you all suggested, i chose this one:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XDHXTB3

I can't see anywhere if it would work with a 240V electric outlets.

 

[Nigel Spike]

I can't see anywhere if it would work with a 240V electric outlets.

The manufacturers product page will tell you almost everything.

 

[John Chesterfield]

I can't see anywhere if it would work with a 240V electric outlets.

The page linked above by Nigel states input voltage of 100-240v so you're good to go. Modern power supplies are capable of working on both the voltages of 110v typically found in the US and Canada and the 220-240v found in places like Europe and Australia.

 

[Koekieezz]

Thank you everyone for your replies!

I forgot to ask, i do not live in the US, so electric outlets have a 240V here, compared to USA outlets that have 120V.

How can i check if the PSU will resist that or if will need a transformer?

Among the ones you all suggested, i chose this one:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XDHXTB3

I can't see anywhere if it would work with a 240V electric outlets.

Find FSP HV Pro 550w, it's a great psu for 230v EU, so it'll do just fine for you.

 

[Vic 40]

just chiming in.. a psu should not be on a "budget". My old pc only had 350 watt stock psu, which eventaully caused random shutdowns. The random shutdowns stoped when I upgraded to a 600w.

This implies that just a higher wattage is better which it isn't. The reason why most above psu's are linked is because they are better quality, not just because of higher wattage.