First post, by PaddyWi
I am looking for a decent power supply for my retro build (P2, P3 or P4).
Here, FSP is widely mentioned.
Will this power supply be any good? I can get it for 26 Euros new oem.
FORTRON FSP400-62PFG 400W 20+4-PIN.
I am looking for a decent power supply for my retro build (P2, P3 or P4).
Here, FSP is widely mentioned.
Will this power supply be any good? I can get it for 26 Euros new oem.
FORTRON FSP400-62PFG 400W 20+4-PIN.
First, it depends on what system you are going to use it with. For a Socket A system with 5V CPU VRM it most likely isn’t, because that PSU is already designed more for 12V loads. This PSU is most likely from late 2000s or early 2010s.
If you don’t require 5V heavy operation or something ike 6-pin AUX power connector that more or less disappeared after ATX1.2, generally any modern quality PSU should work just fine for your needs. Only thing you need to consider if you need -5V which is missing from more modern PSUs. There are things such as voltage blaster that can ”create” -5V, so it isn’t actually a dealbreaker. And the lack of -5V is an issue with few scenarios and with 80s or early 90s hardware.
FSP in genral is a quality brand, but not all of their PSUs have been particularly good. And with old used PSUs there is always the matter of questionable reliability. I personally have recapped my early 2000s PSUs due to potential capacitor reliability issues. But specs wise for P2, P3 and P4 it should work fine, unless you have some P4 850 mobo which requires 6-pin AUX and which this PSU lacks.
Thanks a lot.
Since you are from Europe, do you know a place to get a decent one from?
First, there are too many options for you to choose, if you adopt the modern PSU route. Search here and you will find many threads for suggested models and then you can search your computer stores or used market places for such unit.
I personally use vintage PSUs recapped, but I have been using Corsair CX450M on a bench and with some builds. It is handy on bench due to its semi-modular design so you don't have unnecessarily many cables on the way. I don't know if it is available as new anymore, it is probably 6-7 years ago when I got it. And this is not to say that it is worth to try to hunt down that specific PSU, because there are countless of options and you can buy a modern PSU from pretty much any computer store. Another thing to note with modern PSUs is that they don't necessarily have floppy power connectors and have limited number of 4-pin molex connectors, so you may need to use adapters and splitters, but you can get those with few pennies.
Using old used PSUs doesn't necessarily mean that they will immediately blow up on you and kill your hardware, but especially many early to mid mid 2000s PSUs suffer from capacitor problems. Also, with used PSUs you usually don't know how many hours they have been used or how they have been stored, both of which affect the reliability of the unit. In the end it is a choice between reliability and compatibility with older hardware. Some builds, like most beefy Socket A systems, are notoriously challenging for modern PSUs. In most other cases you can use modern PSUs just fine if you take the limitations I mentioned in consideration.