It functions, though it doesn't quite...
It functions, though it doesn't quite...
I see you're looking for more affordable power supplies. The typical price for a decent PSU now is over 35 dollars, and even including shipping it doesn't seem cheap. The three models you mentioned together aren't worth that amount. They’re just alternatives, but your old 300-watt PSU might not provide enough power. I recommend checking online guides on calculating the required wattage for your setup. You could use a wattage KWh meter to get an idea. Your GPUs are also quite old—your GTX 550 Ti and HD 6800 are struggling with heat, especially when under load. The PSU you’re using seems to be failing, possibly because it’s not delivering enough power. The fans spin properly now, but after a long idle period the GPU gets too hot, causing shutdowns. It’s risky to remove the card while the system is off, and overheating can happen quickly. Sometimes it works for a couple days before repeated failures. Given these problems, you might want to consider a different build rather than sticking with budget options. Your main goal is to play Runescape, so stability and performance matter more than cost right now.
For these LGA775 boards, it’s okay but please share the make and model to avoid more issues. The GPU part is especially tricky—those units often need cables longer than 300W. Swapping the thermal paste helps because it prevents overheating and stops the power from cutting off. Replacing the paste clears out dust on both your cards, which should stabilize temperatures. What PSU are you using? What’s your budget? Any model labeled B or C will work fine. This advice is risky since most recommendations come from places that sell cheap Chinese parts mainly to the Netherlands and Belgium. For under $30, you can usually find decent used gear—like a refurbished office PC for around 80 euros or an old gaming rig for similar prices.
Opt for a quiet Bequiet setup—they’re affordable and likely far superior to this generic, low-cost Chinese clone of a PSU.
I recall this one I had saved, honestly I added a picture of another motherboard I don’t even recognize. Which of the three is actually the best remains unclear to me. I swapped the GPU thermal paste for MX4, but that doesn’t seem to solve the issue—those other GPUs heat up fast too, but they only slow down when the system shuts down. I own several laptops, and I think the only two that match these desktop specs are an Acer Aspire E1 V5WE2 or a Lenovo IdeaPad 520 (15-inch). Probably those desktop models from CPU-Z screens perform better than the ones I have. Maybe the upgraded PSUs are of higher quality, just because they’re black, I guess.
Yeah, but.....a decent PSU, like the ones I still use to this day last longer than just one system. I 'splurged' on a decent SuperFlower Leadex PSU fookin' YEARS ago when i built my FX system and that same PSU is still powering it's 4th system today. I FORCED my cousin to get a decent PSU back when he built his 6600k system in 2016 and THAT PSU is still powering a system today in one of my rigs (he got out of PC space and went to console so I bought his stuff off him) That was another Leadex from SuperFlower
It's really confusing... it seems like you're looking at something around $30 to $40, but even then, buying a new system still requires paying for a reliable power supply unit. The PSU is essential for any setup, and when you ask questions upfront, you realize the truth is no different. You should invest in a good quality PSU—there are many options available, and I mentioned one of them.
If the funds are really limited, a decent model from earlier years works just fine. Usually I’d avoid buying brand-new units unless you have extra cash; a well-used one is better than a poor-quality new one.