Power Supply for Gateway GT5238E

C.Jackson

C.Jackson

New Member
A friend of mine is looking to upgrade the power supply in his computer since he's getting an 8800GT. His computer is a Gateway GT5238E, here is some basic information on the computer. He chatted with a Gateway Upgrade Tech a few days ago and asked what they would recommend and of course they recommended something from their online store but he questioned the quality of the power supply they linked him to so he asked for my help in picking one out. They recommended this power supply and they assured him that it would work, "Rest assured that what I am offering is specific to your system and is tested for compatibility". They offer replacement and troubleshooting too but I wouldn't want to tell my friend to order that particular power supply as I don't know how long it'll hold up seeing as I've never used StarTech. I guess what I need to know is which power supplies should fit into his case and what would hold up to his needs best. His system consists of the following:

E6300 @ stock
Intel DG965LV (DG965MQ)
1GBx2 DDR2-800
250GB 7200RPM SATA
DVD-RW IDE
Media Card Reader
56k Modem

The original power supply is listed as a uATX/BTX but he was recommended and assured that the StarTech ATX12V 2.01 would work so I guess any ATX12V 2.01 power supply will work.

Thanks in Advance.
 
Hmm...the Rosewill pumps out 18A on both of its 12-volt rails, total of 36A claimed. The Corsair pushes 33A on a single rail.

In actual fact, they're probably making the same power either way. Matter of preference. Apologies to the "Rosewill sucks" and "Corsair sucks" people--but every PSU made has someone that claims it sucks.
 
The problem, Wildcatfan, is that if your PSU "goes out" in a spectacularly bad way, it could take the rest of your system with it, depending on just how bad the failure is. It's not just about having a PSU rated to power everything, it's about having a PSU that can reliably power everything. That's why we get into such long discussions on why Rosewill sucks harder than Corsair and whatnot, whether Antec can find its backside without using both hands and a flashlight, and so on.

Just trying to avoid little noises that cost money.
 
Exactly. If you're running dispoable components, then it doesn't matter. If you have a nice rig, however, you should have an excellent PSU.
 
I also look at it this way...a well-built PSU will last you a *long* time. It'll probably last longer than the computer you put it in. So spend a little and buy one well-built, reliable, muscular one. You don't have to step up to the kilowatt range, but 600-700 watts isn't unreasonable or particularly expensive if you have a nice setup and like to stay reasonably current.

Furthermore, remember that all PSUs have an efficiency range. My Ultra X3 is rated for 1000W, but it provides a peak efficiency of about 80-85% between 550 and 850 watts (85% at 650, if I remember the book right). Running a modest PSU at max capacity is like running a Geo Metro at redline...fun until something goes boom. Except it's more fun to blow up a Geo Metro than your computer.

And like our little Geo Metro engine, a little PSU screaming its heart out makes a lot more heat than a big PSU hardly working. My grossly overpowered Ultra still feels cool to the touch after about 10 hours of operation today, and the exhaust is about room temperature. My old 300W spewed air out at 90 degrees. It literally kept my room warm in the winter. And as we all know, heat kills computers.

Lastly, if you're worried about your electric bill skyrocketing, know that a PSU only takes what it needs. A 700W costs the same to run as a 500W hooked up to the same system. Or, to use a purely hypothetical example...

...if Mep blackmailed his boss and came across some money, he could upgrade his PSU to say, one of those shiny new 1200W ones. Assuming he changes nothing else about his computer, his electric bill will stay the same.

But if Mep gazes upon his rig and says, "F*ck it, time for quad SLI! I'm rich, beeyotch!", and then proceeds to buy two more EVGA 8800Ultras, his electric bill will go up, and he will have to blackmail his boss some more.

All in good fun, feel free to rag on my inferior knowledge, education, breeding, and, *ahem* potency in a certain area.
 
I've never used Startech myself either, but from what little I do know of them, I believe that most (all?) of their products are ATNG based, which would make sense in the context of the product that Gateway is trying to sell - not so crappy that it's likely to destroy your system, but far from top shelf.

I haven't checked whether that Gateway will support a full size ATX PSU, but if the Gateway tech's statement that it will work with the Startech is correct, it will take any ATX PSU.

My entire list of recommendations is located at http://www.computerforum.com/90117-ceewi1s-psu-recommendations.html. The Corsair VX450/550 are great units to consider. Both are top quality and will provide ample power. You can get away with cheaper units, though. How much does your friend want to spend?

It's important to remember when assessing PSUs that there's a lot more than rated amperage to consider. If you're comparing the Corsair and the Rosewill, the Corsair would easily make up the 33 vs 35A difference if you consider realistic ratings at a consistent temperature. Irrespective of that, either PSU provides sufficient power, so it becomes more important to think about other factors such as efficiency, build quality, etc... In that regard, the Corsair is the superior unit.
 
dave_w said:
...if Mep blackmailed his boss and came across some money, he could upgrade his PSU to say, one of those shiny new 1200W ones. Assuming he changes nothing else about his computer, his electric bill will stay the same.

But if Mep gazes upon his rig and says, "F*ck it, time for quad SLI! I'm rich, beeyotch!", and then proceeds to buy two more EVGA 8800Ultras, his electric bill will go up, and he will have to blackmail his boss some more.

All in good fun, feel free to rag on my inferior knowledge, education, breeding, and, *ahem* potency in a certain area.
Click to expand...

I'd never blackmail my wife. :P
 
ceewi1 said:
How much does your friend want to spend?
Click to expand...

At first he wanted to spend just $50 so I asked him if he was fond of his computer and told him that if he gets a cheap power supply chances are sometime in the near future he'll replacing it and possibly some other components; he changed his mind and said no more than $125. I've been looking around and I've come up with a couple of suggestions and decided it would be smart to get everyone's opinion before he bought anything.

ABS Tagan ITZ Series ITZ700
OCZ GameXStream OCZ600GXSSLI

Mainly he needs something that will power his system, last a while and not fail because of cheap components/assembly.
 
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