How much power is enough??

jagcom · Rated PG Joined: 30 Nov 2004 Posts: 5 Location: LONDON

Hoping someone can help

i have a gigabyte 8knxp system board with a p4 3.2ghz
2 x 200gb sata
1 x 18.2 u160
1 x pioneer dvr108
1 x 16x generic dvd-rom
a vantec nexus fan controller running 3 x YS-TECH 80mm fan

I have been looking for a suitable power supply and am lost at just how higher wattage psu is really needed.

can anybody tell me what is needed and poss recommend a suitable psu.

Thx

James

dadx2mj · Posted: Tue, 30 Nov 2004 20:30:57 Post Subject:

Thy this LINK to figure out what wattage you need. Just remember that a wattage rating does not mean much if the Power Supply is of poor quality and does not supply stable and constant voltages.

trekrider · Posted: Tue, 30 Nov 2004 20:43:14 Post Subject:

Not too long ago its was said that, nothing less than a 300watt PSU was needed to provide enough power to run (stable) all the various items associated with a modern Personal Computer.

Times change. I think that todays systems should be powered by nothing less than a 400watt PSU (even with lower CPU requirements), or more if your system has multiple HDD's, DDR memory, CD rom's, CDRW/DVD drives, Sound cards, VGA/AGP cards, fax modems..........

With what you list for your system, I would suggest at least a 350watt PSU. However, you should also be concerned with a PSU that supplies a STABLE current on all 3 rails (+3.3, +5 & +12v rails). Fluctuating current can induce in-stability into the normal operation of any modern system (this can be compounded if you overclock).

You should get a BRAND NAME PSU like Enermax, Antec, ThermalTake and the like. These PSU's have proven themselves time and time again. Get the highest wattage you can afford, modern PSU,s SHOULD last for a long time allowing you to carry over the unit over to the next build in the future.

Someone else here may have a link to a site that displays the power requirements on newer systems. There was one floating around the 'net a while back.

**Doctor Feelgood** · Posted: Tue, 30 Nov 2004 20:52:55 Post Subject:

Welcome!

I'm with Trek on this one. Quality is more important than excessively high power rating. You would probably be fine with a 350W unit from a big name brand known for quality (Enermax, Antec, Tt, PC Power and Cooling, Enlight, umm a few others.

But, with the price not being that big of a difference, I'd get a 500W+ from one of these names and as Trek said, you'd be set for a while!

I do like the link dadx2mj gave... Its a good reference, and kinda fun... Laughing

jagcom · Rated PG Joined: 30 Nov 2004 Posts: 5 Location: LONDON

just ran through the link from dadx2mj.

it seems that i need at least a 400w psu to run all the junk in my machine!

i think i better order a new psu sharpish as i am running on a cheap 250w at the mo.

thanx for the advice............def think i'm gonna save this forum site in my fav's

thanks again
James

**Doctor Feelgood** · Posted: Tue, 30 Nov 2004 20:55:17 Post Subject:

Good call! 250W is probably too low, especially if it is a cheapie!

BeerCheeze · Posted: Wed, 01 Dec 2004 00:03:16 Post Subject:

I have to agree with everyone here. If you can find them in the UK, and can afford it, I am 100% in love with my PC Power & Cooling PSU. It's the best PSU I've ever owned.

jagcom · Rated PG Joined: 30 Nov 2004 Posts: 5 Location: LONDON

just a quick update:

i purchased a tagan 480w psu from scan.co.uk

thought all was well when it eventually arrived, except when it went bang about thirty seconds after powering on the machine!

thankfully it was only the psu and it didn't damage my system. seems like the good write ups i had read on it weren't all that well founded.

am going to order an enermax or the like from overclockers.co.uk unless anyone knows a cheaper ( and more reliable!) supplier.

James.

bruceModn · Rated NC-17 Joined: 06 Mar 2004 Posts: 155 Location: texas

i dont know of any good websites overseas. I would recommend thermaltake 480w - reliable, silent, dual fans, fan contol.

**Doctor Feelgood** · Posted: Wed, 08 Dec 2004 16:31:30 Post Subject:

Anyone out there able to make something like this for use here?

http://www.jscustompcs.com/power_supply/

I'd like to take the idea, and update it. More processors, video cards, peripherals... I think it could be a great feature to keep updated.