Is my PSU Enough?

H

helpme1234

New Member
Hi I need help finding out if my PSU unit is suffient for my computer.

I have a 300W PSU.

Here are my PC specs:

I have an MSI motherboard, if you need more info, here is the link http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...398&CatId=7248

AMD CPU Phenom II x4

8 Gig of Ram. (4 Sticks, 2 gig each)

NVIDIA GeForce 210 Graphics card http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...267&CatId=3585

A PCI wireless internet card

USB mouse, keyboard, and webcam

SATA 1 TB HDD

SATA DVD Drive

If you need more specs, I can provide them.

My PC has not cut out or shut down once, but I have only had it 2 weeks. I do not feel excessive heat at all when I put my hand over the power supply.

What I need to know if my 300W PSU is enough. I just built this computer and I dont want to risk damaging any parts. If I am using this 300W, am I in any way, shape, or form damaging my computer hardware? I would like to find out as soon as possible. Do I need a 400W PSU or more? Is my computer at risk?

Please reply for your thoughts.
 
What you've got is fine. However if you ever put a different video card in then you'll need a better PSU.
 
The actual answer is that we cannot answer until we know exactly what PSU you have. Please post the model and make.

But generally, your computer IS at risk although there a plenty of muppets on the internet that will tell you otherwise.

Yes, your GPU is low powered ~ 30W required, but your PSU is almost certainly old (at least in design), almost certainly low quality and given the rest of your specs, and given the very cheap option of getting a better quality 450W Corsair PSU for around $40, I would say that no matter what, your best option is a better PSU.

To answer you quesiton, almost certainly your computer is at risk, regardless of GPU with a low quality 300W psu. They're never designed for any discrete GPU.

Will it work, probably.
Will it fail, probably.

Thats about it really.
 
Okedokey said:
To answer you quesiton, almost certainly your computer is at risk, regardless of GPU with a low quality 300W psu. They're never designed for any discrete GPU.

Will it work, probably.
Will it fail, probably.

Thats about it really.
Click to expand...
^ This.

It's probably a cheap one anyway so likely doesn't even produce close to the total 300W on the 12V rail.
 
If there's one thing I don't like about this forum it's how paranoid everyone is about power supplies.
 
Denther said:
If there's one thing I don't like about this forum it's how paranoid everyone is about power supplies.
Click to expand...

Well at the end of the day, sure, it might work - but I don't want to go round recommending things to people which may potentially destroy their systems. Especially after having experienced cheap power supplies blowing up myself. :/
 
Denther said:
If there's one thing I don't like about this forum it's how paranoid everyone is about power supplies.
Click to expand...

Cheap power supplies routinely lack OCP, OVP, have high ripple voltage, and poor regulation. All of those can equate to damage to components (ripple/regulation) running, or cause issues when the unit fails (OCP/OVP). It's by no means the component to skimp on because when/if it goes, it can take out plenty of other components with it.
 
Denther said:
If there's one thing I don't like about this forum it's how paranoid everyone is about power supplies.
Click to expand...

If there is one thing i hate about armature electronic/electrical experts is they underestimate the impact of a poorly/cheaply designed PSU and the risk it poses.

Im happy to debate how wrong you are offline anytime you like.

Welcome back Bomber!
 
Last edited:
Bomber has it right. Cheap PSU lacks the refinement for providing clean stable power and protection.
 
I didn't actually purchase the PSU separately. I scrapped it from a HP Pavillion p6320y desktop computer that was purchased in 2010. Is it most likely a cheap and poorly designed PSU, or do you think that it should be a good one?
 
helpme1234 said:
I didn't actually purchase the PSU separately. I scrapped it from a HP Pavillion p6320y desktop computer that was purchased in 2010. Is it most likely a cheap and poorly designed PSU, or do you think that it should be a good one?
Click to expand...

It's not great by any means but your system doesn't suck down very much power as it is. I personally think you'd be fine but I'm sure everyone else will say otherwise.
 
Or go for the CX 430. The CX 500 or 600 would be better if you plan to keep it for a long while though, as you'd be able to upgrade your graphics card without buying a new PSU too.
 
I'd vote the Corsair Builder line. I've got one and have used another in a friends build and we've both been chugging along fine, me for almost 2 years.
 
If a Seasonic unit isn't much more that would be a good option but otherwise I too say the Builder/CX series are great for the money. Got two CX 430s in the house both working great. :good:
 
I have a CX430 in my Celeron PC and it's working so far. I've read about the maker CWT being where it's a crapshoot that you'd get a good model.
 
I frequently use the CX series in builds on a budget. Even for a moderate gaming system with i5+7850/760 the CX600M is plenty good.
Using CX430, CX430M, CX500, CX600 and CX600M mixed at work and gaming PCs, never had a single problem with any of them. And I think they're actually pretty quiet too.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top