What Power Supply Needed?? PLZ Help!!

PhillipAndrews · 03-15-2005, 01:03 PM

Im in the stages of buying a whole new computer and know all things im getting but comming down to the last thing i need (being power supply) im completely lost.
Everywhere ive looked for information some of it either seems outdated or doesnt really help me decide.

At current im getting
Motherboard: G-B 8I915P Duo Pro
CPU: Intel 775 P4 3.2 Ghz
Memory: 2x 512M 533Mhz Kingston DDR2
Hard Drive: Seagate 8M SATA 160G
Graphics Card: 128M GIGA-BYTE 6600GT SLI VIVO
DVD Drive: Samsung 16x48x Black DVD-ROM
DVD Re-Writer: LiteON DVD ReWriter SOHW-1673S (16x/4x Dual Layer)
Case: Cooler Master Centurion-CAC T05 (w/ Silent p/s)
Monitor: 17” Benq FP71E 12ms DVI

I dont know too much about the power supply that does come with the case but it is 350W.

My main question queries are:
- Is 350W power supply enough?
- Is it better to have too much power supply, than maybe just enough?
- What is a good brand of power supply to get if i get a new one?
- Should I first just try my machine with the 350W power supply and then if its not enough then go buy a new power supply, or could having a low power supply harm parts of my computer.

Thanks,

Phillip

Bigshow1030 · 03-15-2005, 02:06 PM

as far as having enough, you can never have too much in my opinion. with that said, I would never use less than 400 watts although you had one come with your system it might be worth giving it a chance....just keep in mind that you are putting all other components that you have at the mercy of that power supply. Ones that come with the cases are not generally really high quality....I personally like thermaltake power supplies but I also know that antec make pretty decent ones also.

Charlie7940 · 03-15-2005, 02:08 PM

From what I learned, some good brands are Thermaltake, OCZ, Antec, Fortron, PC Power & Cooling, Enermax, Seasonic, Silverstone. I'm not sure if 350W will be enough, I would go with at least a 400W. And based on my experience with cheap PSU's, chances are its not going to be very reliable. If you like the case, you can always take out the PSU and put a better one in. That's just me though

Yeti · 03-15-2005, 03:12 PM

http://www.legitreviews.com/article.php?aid=134&pid=4
I'd recommend spending an extra $50 or so to buy a good PSU. I wouldn't trust a system like that to a 350W one that came with the case.

Blue · 03-15-2005, 05:34 PM

Quote:

I'd recommend spending an extra $50 or so to buy a good PSU. I wouldn't trust a system like that to a 350W one that came with the case.

If your spending any sort of money on a new computer then this attitude is the right one in my opinion when your dealing with cheap cases anyhow so I agree entirely.

With that said the one coming with your case will prob. serve you well as it's coming in a quality case by a quality company and it should provide enough power. I would though as a personal prefference purchase another higher quality power unit with a bit more power also.

Quote:

as far as having enough, you can never have too much in my opinion. with that said, I would never use less than 400 watts although you had one come with your system it might be worth giving it a chance

I agree that there's just never too much power!

. and as far as 400 watts goes it's good to have as it will allow for more upgrades and or add in stuff such as fan control units etc and still have power to spare to provide a stable system.

PhillipAndrews · 03-16-2005, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yeti

I'd recommend spending an extra $50 or so to buy a good PSU. I wouldn't trust a system like that to a 350W one that came with the case.

Thanks very much for all the quick replies, but just one more question.

If I do originally just try the PSU that comes with the case, is there any possibility of causing any damage to the parts if I dont have a good/high enough PSU.

Thanks,

Phillip

Yeti · 03-16-2005, 04:22 PM

Quote:

If I do originally just try the PSU that comes with the case, is there any possibility of causing any damage to the parts if I dont have a good/high enough PSU.

Well, there shouldn't be too much danger if the PSU is in fact of good quality; it should be since it is coming with a more expensive case. I'd just watch the voltage rails and for any signs of the computer struggling.

**Praetor** · 03-17-2005, 04:48 PM

Quote:

it should be since it is coming with a more expensive case

Hopefully so at least but definitely dont bet on it

Quote:

I dont know too much about the power supply that does come with the case but it is 350W.

Look at the sticker on the PSU ... what are the amperages/wattages for the -3.3V, -5V and -12V lines?

03-15-2005, 01:03 PM	#1 (permalink)
PhillipAndrews New Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2	What Power Supply Needed?? PLZ Help!! Im in the stages of buying a whole new computer and know all things im getting but comming down to the last thing i need (being power supply) im completely lost. Everywhere ive looked for information some of it either seems outdated or doesnt really help me decide. At current im getting Motherboard: G-B 8I915P Duo Pro CPU: Intel 775 P4 3.2 Ghz Memory: 2x 512M 533Mhz Kingston DDR2 Hard Drive: Seagate 8M SATA 160G Graphics Card: 128M GIGA-BYTE 6600GT SLI VIVO DVD Drive: Samsung 16x48x Black DVD-ROM DVD Re-Writer: LiteON DVD ReWriter SOHW-1673S (16x/4x Dual Layer) Case: Cooler Master Centurion-CAC T05 (w/ Silent p/s) Monitor: 17” Benq FP71E 12ms DVI I dont know too much about the power supply that does come with the case but it is 350W. My main question queries are: - Is 350W power supply enough? - Is it better to have too much power supply, than maybe just enough? - What is a good brand of power supply to get if i get a new one? - Should I first just try my machine with the 350W power supply and then if its not enough then go buy a new power supply, or could having a low power supply harm parts of my computer. Thanks, Phillip

03-15-2005, 02:06 PM	#2 (permalink)
Bigshow1030 Platinum Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Terre Haute, Indiana Posts: 576	phillip as far as having enough, you can never have too much in my opinion. with that said, I would never use less than 400 watts although you had one come with your system it might be worth giving it a chance....just keep in mind that you are putting all other components that you have at the mercy of that power supply. Ones that come with the cases are not generally really high quality....I personally like thermaltake power supplies but I also know that antec make pretty decent ones also. __________________ AMD Athlon 64 3200 DFI "LANPARTY UT nF3 250Gb" Kingmax SuperRAM 1GB(512MBx2) DDR PC-3200, Maxtor(1 200GB+160GB) XFX GeForce FX 5900 Video Card, 128MB DDR RAIDMAX Silver Aluminum Gaming Case w/420W P.S."668WSP" NEC 3520 Dvd-Burner Sony CDRW-DvdRom Jason :P

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

03-15-2005, 02:08 PM	#3 (permalink)
Charlie7940 Platinum Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Illinois, USA Posts: 749	From what I learned, some good brands are Thermaltake, OCZ, Antec, Fortron, PC Power & Cooling, Enermax, Seasonic, Silverstone. I'm not sure if 350W will be enough, I would go with at least a 400W. And based on my experience with cheap PSU's, chances are its not going to be very reliable. If you like the case, you can always take out the PSU and put a better one in. That's just me though

03-15-2005, 03:12 PM	#4 (permalink)
Yeti VIP Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 1,278	http://www.legitreviews.com/article.php?aid=134&pid=4 I'd recommend spending an extra $50 or so to buy a good PSU. I wouldn't trust a system like that to a 350W one that came with the case.