PSU for older microATX computers

From the "For What It's Worth" Dept.....

I've spent almost a week looking for a PSU to work in an older HP Pavilion 6636. The anemic OEM Bestec ATX100-5 must have been related to the Martian rovers; it far surpassed its life expectancy, faithfully putting out its titanic 100 watts of power for the past six years. RIP. :rolleyes:

I can't be the only one with an older, slower but still dependable HP, Compaq or other brand computer--too pedestrian for hard work, but too good to throw out/cannibalize. The problem is that there's a 3-pin PSU fan controller connector on many of these (Trigem) mobos, and without that connector most PSUs are unsuitable replacements. The local computer-geek store had a Bestec for sale--refurbished--for $129 "on sale":eek: and I was told it was the only one that would work with the HP.

Atrix makes a microATX PSU, the "Colors-it" 200W, that fits like a glove and powered up the HP the first time with no complaints or hiccups. I don't know how long it will last, but for the price ($21 through Newegg, plus shipping) I figure I'll break even after less than two years. Make sure the mobo plug is 20-pin. A Fortron 300W I wanted to use wouldn't power up the HP, and I wasn't about to reconfigure the 20+4 plug to make it work only to void the warranty.

Hope this helps someone someday. ;)