Originally Posted by
Thunderball
Really basic guide on how to rate a PSU:
1) Platform. Most PSU vendors dont make their own PSUs, they order production based on OEM platforms. Most PSUs on the market use Seasonic (Seasonic, XFX, highend Corsair, highend bequiet!, EVGA, Antec (pretty sure it's mostly dead now, using some noname platforms)), Superflower (Superflower, EVGA), CWT (budget Corsair, Chieftec, Enermax, Thermaltake, etc, etc, aka the budget platform builder), FSP (they make good PSUs, but mostly for themselves), HEC (they build a lot of varying platforms, but they do have decent ones found in Fractal Design and bequiet! PSUs). Basically if the PSU is build on a newer SF/Seasonic/CWT platform given everything else is decent you have a good PSU. Otherwise it will vary. Obviously having DC-DC converter based platform is better than having group stabilization, but it's not a must - Seasonic S12II is still a very good PSU by present standards, even tho it has group stab and is made ages ago.
2) Components. Platforms are good, but there is often space to vary a lot of components to build a wide array of products based on the same platform, and/or save money. Controllers, caps, radiators, protective circuitry - you name it. Caps quality is the main limit for the longevity of the PSU, so good quality caps (japanese are considered best) of high operating temperature rated series is key here.
3) Build quality and fan. Sleeved cables are nice but if you, for example, dont sufficiently shield your modular cable connectors (or save on the caps on the addin PCB) you can very easily kill all of the benefits of your good platform. Fan is the second thing that limits the longevity of the PSU usually. It's easily replaced though.
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You should tho.