Where did all the reasonable quality low wattage power supplies go?

[Bond007]

I know times change and products do as well, but there is still a huge market for 200-350w power supplies for basic computers running integrated or low end GPU builds. They exist in pre-builds only now it seems.

Not that many years ago you could get seasonic OEM style PSUs for cheap, and then there was the wave products like the corsair cx (though if I recall correctly they were 400ish watts...and the newest variants are more expensive). Decent power supplies that you could grab on sale for $40-60 to ensure quality power to basic systems. Now the low wattage PSUs are pretty much not available, or made by random brands that I wouldn't trust to power anything. Right now it looks like $85 or so for the cheapest power supply I would choose to use, with most of them over $100 and within close price range to much higher quality and more powerful PSUs.

Maybe this should have been posted as a rant...

Am I missing something?

 

[sswilson]

I think the 550W segment is now considered a low capacity PSU. Not many units out there below that.

That said.... there were quite a few deals on quality 550W PSUs last year (I bought 3 different models @ <$60) so hopefully they'll still show up from time to time.

 

[Bond007]

I think the 550W segment is now considered a low capacity PSU. Not many units out there below that.

That said.... there were quite a few deals on quality 550W PSUs last year (I bought 3 different models @ <$60) so hopefully they'll still show up from time to time.

Fingers crossed. I will likely be putting an integrated based build together for my parents at somepoint in the next few months (they are still using an i3 540, but its only for browsing the internet, banking, storing pictures, etc).

Any chance you know what models you got the good prices on? Maybe they are just at a high point right now for some reason.

 

[sswilson]

Fingers crossed. I will likely be putting an integrated based build together for my parents at somepoint in the next few months (they are still using an i3 540, but its only for browsing the internet, banking, storing pictures, etc).

Any chance you know what models you got the good prices on? Maybe they are just at a high point right now for some reason.

Seasonic GM-550 / GX-550 & a white CM V550 Gold V2.

All were "higher tier" on the PSU list, and all were sub $60. Had to dig a bit to get confirmation on the Seasonic units as earlier versions (with similar naming conventions) had issues, but these were the updated versions which were on the A tier list.

 

[Marzipan]

when you need a PSU that small, I think they're mostly paired up with a case so you get a combo. Cooler Master, Antec both have several options like this...I think InWin does too. most people who make a custom rig need more power I suspect.

 

[Bond007]

Seasonic GM-550 / GX-550 & a white CM V550 Gold V2.

All were "higher tier" on the PSU list, and all were sub $60. Had to dig a bit to get confirmation on the Seasonic units as earlier versions (with similar naming conventions) had issues, but these were the updated versions which were on the A tier list.

Thanks for reassurance that reasonable priced choices may return. They are all >$100 right now.

 

[JD]

Maybe it's that the general overall quality has increased to a point where even "cheap" brands at low wattages are acceptable? It's not like your dealing with the spikey loads of say a RTX 4090.

Though I think just in general, Canada has lost a lot of product variety.

 

[Soultribunal]

Canada has lost a lot of product variety

Pretty much this JD. Canada has lost a lot of its selection over the years and it's cost us consumers options. I've noticed it over the years.
I find Europe and America get a LOT more , but I guess Population Density and Market have a lot of say in that too.
Espicially since shipping costs have gone through the roof. (Container loads are $35000+, which makes it hard to justfiy lots of low cost items if they don't move fast).

-ST

 

[MARSTG]

It's better to look from time on the used market and hunt for parts. For example for my friend's PC i hunted a Season S12 III for 35 exchanged on a metro quay. For my PC I was lucky enough to find a sealed BNIB Fractal Design Whisper 650W gold for 65.

 

[Marzipan]

interesting. Antec has two 450w PSU and looking at Cooler Master, they have some down to 300w, but ONLY for 230v, otherwise their lowest is also 450w like Antec. looking at Thermaltake, they have one 350w but a whole passel of 450w with a singular 430w too. Seasonic has a single 400w to offer and Super Flower goes down to 550w and no further. Corsair goes to 400w, EVGA goes down to 500w, even though they have 400w / 450w on their list, it just loads pages of different products. SilverStone though...they have about 8 models that are between 300w - 450w.