Power Supply Question

twisted · Post by **twisted** » Thu Jun 19, 2003 7:27 pm

How do you know what power supply would be adequate to run a system? I have been all over http://www.ecsusa.com website to see if there was a power supply recommendation/limitation and i can't find anything. I have a ECS K7VZA 3.0 mobo with a 300W power supply...I'm wondering if I need something larger since I run an XP 2400+ 2 gig cpu with a 64M video cards and a Hercules Fortissimo audio card.

Brk · Post by **Brk** » Thu Jun 19, 2003 7:29 pm

It depends on ALL the components in your system...CD drives, hard drives, case fans, everything

twisted · Post by **twisted** » Thu Jun 19, 2003 7:38 pm

In your general opinion is 300W enough juice for an average rig with the items listed above and a CD/RW, floppy, and case exhaust fan? I'm still having some trouble with my PC freezing up (not as bad as it was after installing some more ventilation items) but still an issue. I visited for the first time a amd forum and someone suggested it was a power supply issue. I prefer to hang out at speedguide and wanted to bounce this off you guys/gals.

twisted · Post by **twisted** » Thu Jun 19, 2003 7:40 pm

Here's a link regarding my initial issue of freezing up which you also helped me with (thank you!!).

http://forums.speedguide.net/showthread ... did=116724

knightmare · Post by **knightmare** » Thu Jun 19, 2003 8:49 pm

when i build a P4 rig, i check out the +12v rating, 15A is too low for me, i like at least 18 or 20A, the 600 watt power supply i just got has a 28A rating..

Tom's Hardware rated P/S's and the Fortron was rated best overall. Fortron also makes -Sparkle* power supplies.

mwkirchner · Post by **mwkirchner** » Thu Jun 19, 2003 8:50 pm

Originally posted by twisted
How do you know what power supply would be adequate to run a system? I have been all over http://www.ecsusa.com website to see if there was a power supply recommendation/limitation and i can't find anything. I have a ECS K7VZA 3.0 mobo with a 300W power supply...I'm wondering if I need something larger since I run an XP 2400+ 2 gig cpu with a 64M video cards and a Hercules Fortissimo audio card.

This may be of some help for you ...

http://www.upgradesource.com/advice/advice061001.html

twisted · Post by **twisted** » Thu Jun 19, 2003 9:07 pm

Great site mwkirchner !! I came just under at 295W (which is just under what I have now). Perhaps I'll pick up a larger power supply and see if that helps my unstable system.

Norm · Post by **Norm** » Thu Jun 19, 2003 9:34 pm

Originally posted by twisted
Great site mwkirchner !! I came just under at 295W (which is just under what I have now). Perhaps I'll pick up a larger power supply and see if that helps my unstable system.

Good idea.

Always go with overkill when selecting a PSU.
Way over, in case you want to add to your system later. That's a big problem with a lot of prebuilt PC's, they skimp on the PSU, so when you add new hardware they crap out.

BaLa · Post by **BaLa** » Fri Jun 20, 2003 6:22 am

for a system like that
I would recommend a 350w PSU....
if you go out and buy a new one, I'd say get an Antec or Enermax 400+ Watts..

you run any progs (like MBM5) to monitor teh voltages under load and stuffs?..

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Fri Jun 20, 2003 6:40 am

Here's a good 'n quick read for ya:

http://firingsquad.gamers.com/guides/power_supply/

koldchillah · Post by **koldchillah** » Fri Jun 20, 2003 10:22 am

In general i won't put anything less than a 350W when building a rig and if I know it will be carrying a load or have lots of drives, etc.. 400, 450, or even 550 is much more adequate.

Also I never buy generic PSU's.. If its under $30 or $40, chances are, I won't touch it, unless I know who I'm getting it from and it really is that good of a deal. A good PSU runs about $65 and up, or at least the ones I find are. Antec has been my favorite for awhile now.

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Fri Jun 20, 2003 12:05 pm

Originally posted by koldchillah
Also I never buy generic PSU's.. If its under $30 or $40, chances are, I won't touch it, unless I know who I'm getting it from and it really is that good of a deal. A good PSU runs about $65 and up, or at least the ones I find are. Antec has been my favorite for awhile now.

Same here. I'd rather have a nice quality 250 or 300 watt power supply, (Antec and Enermax are all I'll ever buy) , over some generic no name 500 watter.

Brk · Post by **Brk** » Fri Jun 20, 2003 12:15 pm

Yep, nothing worse than seeing someone spend thousands on bleeding-edge parts for a rig and then use some no-name flea market PSU to power it all.

koldchillah · Post by **koldchillah** » Fri Jun 20, 2003 1:12 pm

Originally posted by Burke
Yep, nothing worse than seeing someone spend thousands on bleeding-edge parts for a rig and then use some no-name flea market PSU to power it all.

sadly it happens waaay too often.

SG Broadband Community

Power Supply Question

Power Supply Question

power supply

Re: Power Supply Question