Curse

Lint · Jun 02, 2006, 02:43 AM // 02:43

Same as title. I need to buy a new power suply and I was told that your system can only have a certain Watt limit. So i was wondering, how can you find that out.

Thanks in advance

Loviatar · Jun 02, 2006, 02:51 AM // 02:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lint

Same as title. I need to buy a new power suply and I was told that your system can only have a certain Watt limit. So i was wondering, how can you find that out.

Thanks in advance

there is no limit as your system sucks all the juice it needs and no more.

the power supply does not push at all.

ger a good brand name supply line Antec,pc power and cooling (if you are rich) enermax etc.

get at least 350 watts for a regular home pc.

if you have a good video card and other items at least 400 watts

my pcs have Antec True Power units which have given good service for years

one is 380 watts the other is 430 watts

EF2NYD · Jun 02, 2006, 03:06 AM // 03:06

Try this, should give you a rough estimate on your max wattage.
http://www.extreme.outervision.com/psucalculator.jsp

Lint · Jun 02, 2006, 07:16 PM // 19:16

That website gives you a recommended amount. One person telling me Max and another says unlimited. So whos right?

Lurid · Jun 02, 2006, 07:43 PM // 19:43

Your PC will use as much wattage as it needs at a given time, for example it will draw less power when idling, and more power when its at full load. You want a PSU that can safely, with more to spare, power your maximum. That calculator is designed, so that you can get a rough estimate of the power your PC uses.

Please list the PC specs, so that we can better help you with your decision. As without them we don't really know whats going to be drawing the power. Thanks.

Seef II · Jun 02, 2006, 08:07 PM // 20:07

Watts don't really matter. Amps in the right places do.
I suggest the [H]Forum PSU discussion board for recommendations and edification, they can do a lot better job than I could about this topic.

fb2000 · Jun 02, 2006, 08:15 PM // 20:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lint

That website gives you a recommended amount. One person telling me Max and another says unlimited. So whos right?

you can put any wattage PSU on your system. you cant fry it by having a 1kw PSU, but if you do have a lower than you need, itll be unstable, and worst case, wont boot up ^^.

its an estimate, but I can recommend you get a good 450 watts one, or even more, as its highly possible that the psu would outlast your current components, and why not use it in the next upgrade too.

that being said, good psu's are pricey, yet its all worth it :
youll be more stable
they do make less noise
they do make less heat (might be an issue with some ppl, i for one hate an inefficient psu that heats the whole place up)

i have an enermax 450w i think, can only recommend the brand (not the quietest imo tho)

Lurid · Jun 02, 2006, 08:33 PM // 20:33

Actually a 1KW PSU would make a normal system unstable, as the amperage is so spread out. You actually have to evenly distribute an extremely large load on those types of PSU's which causes them to be completely innefficient for normal uses.

As previously stated amperage is the determining factor, you can have a psu that is powerful "wattage wise" but has very weak amperages, on the rails that matter. I suggest you check out a power supply guide, like the one I have posted here.

Although as I have said, we shouldn't start reccomending until we see what will be drawing the power.

Josh · Jun 02, 2006, 08:51 PM // 20:51

If you want it futureproof, get a good branded PSU with around 25a on the 12v rail. Although there are quite a few PSUs with Dual-12v Rails, just add them up for the total Amps.

Lint · Jun 02, 2006, 09:53 PM // 21:53

Ok, im probably going to get this.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817189003

Any suggestions about this. Its cheap and the reviews seem good.

Lurid · Jun 02, 2006, 10:05 PM // 22:05

The XCLIO units are good, stable, solid little PSU's. You may also want to look into FSP power supplies, as they are quite good aswell.

You really should say what you are powering, as we cannot tell you if a PSU is going to be sufficient without some idea of the power your system will be using.

Lint · Jun 02, 2006, 10:08 PM // 22:08

Well for one, my graphics card needs 300 watts... And im gunna have a few extra fans in teh case. Why not have extra power

Lurid · Jun 02, 2006, 10:26 PM // 22:26

No, I mean actual system specifics. Like which CPU, GPU, Mobo, RAM, Fans, etc...etc...

fb2000 · Jun 03, 2006, 09:16 PM // 21:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lurid

Actually a 1KW PSU would make a normal system unstable, as the amperage is so spread out. You actually have to evenly distribute an extremely large load on those types of PSU's which causes them to be completely innefficient for normal uses.

As previously stated amperage is the determining factor, you can have a psu that is powerful "wattage wise" but has very weak amperages, on the rails that matter. I suggest you check out a power supply guide, like the one I have posted here.

Although as I have said, we shouldn't start reccomending until we see what will be drawing the power.

i was referring on a PSU by any reputable company, created for pc usage. most of these have good enough amp spread.

i find it is somewhat daunting for a non-geek to actually compare amps. might be just me ^^

Lurid · Jun 03, 2006, 09:35 PM // 21:35

Somewhat, i'm pretty geeky though. Lol, just loko at the side sticker of the PSU, and its quite easy from there.

Lint · Jun 04, 2006, 03:41 AM // 03:41

So, do you think I should go and buy this? Or can anyone show me a better PSU thats above 400 watts. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817189003