Can an underpowered PSU damage your computer?

[Frederickson]

x1950pro in a 450W / 25A @ 12V rail

7600 GT KO in a 350W / 12A @ 12V rail

7600 GT in a 250W / (not sure what it is in 12v rail)


What would be the result?

 

[JLV2k5]

250watt is not a good idea. I do not think you can damage any components with a minimal PSU, the system simple will not operate.

 

[porterjw]

^ Ditto. The most that will happen is that the system will not start or start briefly, then fail. It's a lot like an underpowered car battery: you can still use the radio, vents, accessories with no harm done, but the car itself won't start.

 

[sniperchang]

Worst thing could be data corruption, if the PC fails while important data was being accessed or written.

 

[hermeslyre]

Couple months ago, my ol' PSU died. I tried an older one I found in a machine that was just laying around, a generic 250w/+12v@10a. My system specs being: X2 3800, E-7600gt CO, 2gb's of Pc-3200, 2 HDD's etc. What the hell, if it didn't work, nothing off my shoulder, as JLV2k5 stated if it isn't enough it just won't operate. It did work though, and I tested it further too, I could play all my games just fine, I used it normally as if the low current/wattage PSU was nothing. the only odd thing that happened was the video card temps rose just a bit.

It only restarted once in the 1 and a half week period i used it, and that was after I attempted overclocking it to my regular level. So if in doubt, give it a try, you never know.

 

[JLV2k5]

Couple months ago, my ol' PSU died. I tried an older one I found in a machine that was just laying around, a generic 250w/+12v@10a. My system specs being: X2 3800, E-7600gt CO, 2gb's of Pc-3200, 2 HDD's etc. What the hell, if it didn't work, nothing off my shoulder, as JLV2k5 stated if it isn't enough it just won't operate. It did work though, and I tested it further too, I could play all my games just fine, I used it normally as if the low current/wattage PSU was nothing. the only odd thing that happened was the video card temps rose just a bit.

It only restarted once in the 1 and a half week period i used it, and that was after I attempted overclocking it to my regular level. So if in doubt, give it a try, you never know.

I second that. But I do not support buying a PSU at a questionable wattage in attempts to save money if you are thinking of doing so. Buy what you know you need, and set your self up for success. Hope we all have helped.

 

[SirKenin]

Have you ever seen a PSU catch fire? I have one at my office that did exactly that.

The problem is that when you try and draw too much out of it, you're pushing the duty cycle beyond it's "comfort level". The unit will heat up, sometimes to the point of catching fire.

Most often, though, the PSU fails in windows, the computer crashes and you start losing data. Eventually you'll have enough data corruption that Windows won't even start anymore.