PSU tier list 2.0

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Replaced more just because they are very common or because they fail quicker than all the others? I find it hard to believe there wouldn't be something else that would fail quicker.
 
Replaced more just because they are very common or because they fail quicker than all the others? I find it hard to believe there wouldn't be something else that would fail quicker.
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Surely it's a mixture of both. They are some of the most popular psus, but they also have a pretty high failure rate as well.
 
And then of course, there are sites like Tom's who will tell a new gpu owner he needs a bigger psu, so out goes the 300w OEM, and in goes the CX because it's cheap, its a recognised brand and every local computer shop in town sells them. It's not their fault if you go back in 6 months for replacement and upgrade, you wanted cheap, and they get repeat business and shop charges. They then RMA the CX, doesn't cost them a dime, and sell you an overpriced, oversized TR2, just waiting for the day you really blow up your OEM so they can sell you an over priced, but this time decent custom pc, which you finally are happy with, and brag to all your buddies where you got it from and how that shop took care of you and steered you away from the cheap crap. Free advertising, good sales and it all started with a CX.
 
I really think the EVGA GS should be a Tier 2. Voltage regulation is at about 2.5%, ripple on the 12V rail is about 50mv and could be improved a ton. Soldering issues (i.e. Johnnyguru review).

In addition, why are the johnnyguru reviewers using multimeters on SMPS? Gabriel Torres explicitly states here http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/why-99-percent-of-power-supply-reviews-are-wrong/2/ a multimeter should not be used at all. It can only be used on linear power supplies which are open loop instead of closed.

I don't know, but how can we really trust those voltage readings on Johnnyguru? I just feel like I trust Gabriel Torres more than anyone else when it comes to PSU knowledge. Another instance of contrast is in the Johnny review of the EVGA 400W cheap junk unit. It had no power factor correction, which Oklahoma says likely results in the very poor efficiency. But if you read here http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-power-supplies/10/ Gabriel Torres explicitly states that a common misconception is that power factor correction affects efficiency. It does not, it only uses more reactive power.

Edit: Gabriel Torres still actively does power supply reviews on his Brazilian website Clubedohardware. Here is a review from him in July http://www.clubedohardware.com.br/artigos/teste-da-fonte-de-alimentacao-cooler-master-silent-pro-gold-800-w/2018 translate the page with Chrome.
 


Currently the quality of that power supply is completely unknown. Zero information found on it review-wise. I would advise to stay away from it just for the sake of gambling with luck.
 


Very large and well known local online retailer has their own series of very well reviewed custom PCs and that power supply was used on their budget one until they didn't have enough stock left of it so they started using an antec V500P. But let me stress they make very good PCs and there is nothing but extremely positive reviews of their PCs so I do not believe them to be dodgy at all. That said, I'm just stating the reason I saw fit to buy that PSU. Your verdict may be different.
 


But wouldn't a PSU that is harming/breaking/inadequate for the PC create problems for it and generate bad reviews?
also, would you be able to recommend me a good PSU on www.mightyape.co.nz for under 100 NZ dollars? I know I should but to be entirely honest I have no idea what to look for.
 
Cheapest psu on mightyape I'd recommend would be the CoolerMaster V550 for NZ $160. There's the Zalman ZM, but you need to watch the model code on them, some are junk, some are ok, depends on OEM builder, which is coded after the ZM. Then there's the Antec VP, and they aren't bad, but not really good either, definite budget psu. Everything else is corsair CX or equivalent and that says enuff.

Sorry, but for $100, your choices are pray for ok, turn your head when turning on the pc or throw your money away.
 
Most people review things especially power supplies just immidiately when they get them. They give it 5 stars for running. Some of the worst power supplies out there (take Amazon for instance) have 4 stars because the people give them 5 without understanding their actual quality. They don't bother going back in 1 year when it breaks to edit the review.
 
Prebuilt system reviews are laughable. The people doing those reviews are usually pleased as punch if the unit starts and the side panels don't fall off. Plus, they're often in somebody's pocket or they're afraid if they look too closely they'll find something displeasing and then they won't send them any more review samples in the future. If you can't verify the quality of every SINGLE component used in a prebuilt system, independently, elsewhere, not taken as a whole but as a single item of hardware, then it's probably not worth squat. That applies tenfold to power supplies.
 
User reviews are strictly biased towards that user not the item in question.
Take your average, hard working, middle class Joe who has never had a new car in his life and stick him behind the wheel of a brand new Ford Mustang GT. An hour later he's going to give it 5 stars for an awesome ride, quality, power, everything. Now put him behind the wheel of an Aston Martin Vanguard. How does the Mustang rate now. Pc's and components are no different. It's quicker, sleeker, bigger, better gaming than their previous pc, or even their friends, but under the hood it's all smoke and mirrors. Junk. And it still gets 5 stars.
 
FSP Raider is pretty decent.
I haven't seen any Bronze versions of it, just silver (at least in my country).
Never had problems with 'em, and I've built several PCs with it - friend is still running an i5 3570k at 4.1, R9 290 XFX, and 16GB of Ripjaws. All of it sitting on a Z77 E6. Only that it got a little bit loud once, but that was fixed once it was re-seated properly. I wouldn't put it along AX PSUs, but T2, or at least 3 is minimum tbh.
 


FSP Raider is trash. And is well documented as such. Just because you've been fortunate, so far, doesn't change that fact. There is extensive conversation on this farther back in the discussion if you care to find it.
 


You echo my own worries...
Well, I'm somewhat pleased to inform you that the Zalman is no longer connected to my system and I'm waiting to buy a different
power supply. Would you suggest a Coolermaster 450w V-series (V450) 80 plus gold power supply? I have heard it is a good unit. Also, please take note that the wattage will be fine, my system is an i3+ GTX 950 combination and uses little power compared to other rigs. Link: https://www.mightyape.co.nz/product/450W-Cooler-Master-V-Series-450S-Modular-Gold-Power-Supply/21639221

[EDIT] the unit name is Coolermaster V450S
 
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