SurClaro Flight Simulator Resources

Hey,

When I opened my computer to install my new H/D, I saw my Power Supply was 300 Watt... is this good? Especially if I would like to install a new G80 or R600 card (for DX10)... a Core 4 Extreme (new one coming in 2007), and my 500GB Seagate Barracude H/D...

Thanx Very Happy

Captain El

P.S. With 300 Watt for my planned upgrade, do I need a new power supply??

Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2006 7:08 am Post subject:

If you have a 300w power supply, it is actually maxxed at 210-240w. Depending on your other peripherals, DVD and what nots, I would recommend at least 400w, and maybe play the safe side of 500w.

My personal dealings with PSU's, is, it will only put out what you need. But not enough power, and you could damage the system.

RD

Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2007 6:39 pm Post subject:

Hi

Saw this old post, and it got me to thinking about my own PS. Reading most everything here, I do now believe that my Power Supply has become, ( shall we say, Redundant).

Maybe some advice as to my conclusions are right would be most appreciated.... I am currently running:

AMG Athlon 3000+ (2.17GHz)
1GB Ram
120GB Hard Drive
ATi Radeon 9600 (256MB)

I have taken a pic of the lable on the side of the PS, (shown below) to my way of thinking, it's now not up to the task.

The only upgrades I have done was an extra 512MB Ram, and my new ATi Graphics card, it use to be an ATi Radeon 9200 (128MB)

So folks, should I dump it and purchase something with a little more clout ?

Thanks

Mel.

Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2007 9:38 pm Post subject:

Mel, drop that wimpy PS.

Recommendation would be at least 400w power supply as your sytem stands now. If planning to upgrade anything else in the near future, go for 600+w PS.

PS units are cheaper than they were 2-3 years ago, with higher wattages. Never, ever get one that is rated to get the job done. Always go higher than you think you need by 100-150w. The system will use all that is available, put a higher PS will only put out what your system needs.

Power Supplies are one of the things that more/bigger is better.

Hope this helps alittle.

RD

Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2007 3:32 am Post subject:

i agree with RD, i had a PSU that was almost on fire. If you smell burning plastic, you'll know, then immeditly shut your system off. I caught mine in time. I had a 450w and had a 7800gt that was for 400w still killed by power supply, now i think i have a 600w or 550w sli psu.

Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2007 7:02 am Post subject: as said before...

As stated before, dont forget about all the energy those multiple hard-drives and Lightscribe enabled dvd burners use. It's all about the system. You could have the best of everything and run slower than a well thought out compilation of compatible equipment.

Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2007 5:32 pm Post subject:

Well guys, I was right in my assumption then, Spotted this one on the net today, think I might just go for it. 550 Watt

Thanks for all the advice

http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/102993/rb/24980133908

Mel

Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 6:59 am Post subject: PSU

If anyone is interested, i have a 350w PSU and my computer sometimes locks up completely (ie. whatever sound that was playing starts to loop and the mouse pointer locks up totally). Then i restart and it's fine.

Through troubleshooting I'm pretty sure that it's the PSU that's causing the problem, so that means i'm running my ower supply at it's extreme limit.

My Specs:

AMD 64 2800+ "Newcastle" CPU with original AMD Northbridge fan (socket 754)
1x 1GB Single Channel DDR 400
3x 80GB IDE Hard Drives @ 7600 RPM
1x DVD writer
1x 3 1/4" Floppy drive
1x 128MB PCI-Ex nvidia 6600GT (Manufacturer:Gigabyte. No GPU fan, only a huge heatsink)
2x LED chassis fans (3400 RPM)
1x Bluetooth USB device.

I hope this can serve as a reference to anyone that might be deciding which PSU to go for. I would say that even with my specs, you should really go for at least a 400W PSU. If you plan on getting an 8800 or R600, remember that my Graphics card doesn't even have a fan on it. You will need to step up to a MUCH more powerful PSU to accomodate for a powerful Graphics card.

Bromster.

Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 8:46 am Post subject:

Take note on his G-card....."No Fan"...... Crying or Very sad

NEVER, EVER, buy a new G-card with out a fan or water cooling. It is the surest way to fry it, and the rest of your system.

Your problem is your G-card getting hot, heatsink or not, and with good ventilation. As it gets hot, it needs more power from your PSU, which makes it push harder. As one is happy, and wants more, the other can't deliver

..........I can see the wire insulation dripping off the wires now.

More demand creates heat, more power creates heat, which causes higher resistance, which overloads the whole power system and the PSU. Dump your card or get a fan if possible for it, before it starts smoking.

RD

Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 12:07 pm Post subject: or..

Or.....if you are a mech-junkie-wizard......

Get a ac/dc convertor, get a portable sixpack refrigerator for cars/trucks. Modify by removing door and placing a low amp high volume fan in the door opening and make a manifold for it. Then attach your manifold to your case inlets and fire it up. It's not MIT super cooling tech. but it definitely will extend the life of the PCB's all that fancy hardware is welded onto.

Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 7:21 pm Post subject: PSU

Try going to this site and use thier calculator to decide on a PSU. www.extreme.outervision.com/psucalculator.jsp

Dandog

Posted: Fri Mar 02, 2007 8:38 pm Post subject: Re: PSU

Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 7:21 am Post subject:

WOW

. The calculations abour my planned upgrade told me I need at least 1036W of power! Shocked

Thats a friggin lot! Where can I get PS's that are >1000W? At least, one that does not burn my entire electricity socket inside-out Laughing

I might want at least 1200W in case I would like to futher upgrade my computer. That might seem like a good idea?

Here is what I inputted in the computer:

Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 9:04 am Post subject:

WOW, mine called for 1054 w/PSU.

Gee, maybe I do know what I've got and need without that calculator. I put an 1000w PSU in my super-rig. And that was setup for 85% load.

Although I did add an extra DVD -/+RW, and 2 more HDD's to the calculator.

Seems the calculator likes to go on the high side of what you may actually need. Which is something I have always said.

RD

Posted: Sat Mar 03, 2007 10:00 am Post subject:

Yeah. And I think that is rather good, because like people say.. when it comes to PS, better too much than too little! Smile

Better have a PS that supplies everything with power aplenty, than a PS that struggles to keep up to its utter limits, eh? Razz

Captain El