Power Supply Burns Out Motherboard? Please help!

[ComradeKin]

I have a microATX 250W PSU for a motherboard that is used for Athlon XP 2800+ processors. I want to upgrade to a new power supply to 400W so I can upgrade my graphics card. I was under the impression that all power supplies are compatible with everything as long as the dimensions of the PSU fit the PC. However, after a recent chat with a support specialist at HP:

Phillip V: I apologize for the typo.
Fuka Tootle: my power supply is fully functional
Fuka Tootle: though it is 250W
Fuka Tootle: and I want to upgrade to something like 400W-450W
Fuka Tootle: or 460W
Phillip V: I'm sorry as the above statement was pasted in error while pasting my message to you with the power supply information.
Fuka Tootle: oh ok XD
Phillip V: Please give me 2 more minutes.
Fuka Tootle: alright, take your time, i am in no hurry
Phillip V: Thank you.
Phillip V: Your PC was shipped with 250W power supply, correct?
Fuka Tootle: correct
Phillip V: Thank you for the confirmation.
Fuka Tootle: correct
Fuka Tootle: np
Phillip V: Thank you for staying online.
Fuka Tootle: np
Phillip V: I have checked your system specifications and find that your Compaq Presario S5200CL Desktop PC is shipped with a 250W Power Supply Unit.

You should be able to use a 300W-350W Power Supply Unit (PSU) on your PC. However, we would not be able to assure you that a 300W-350W or higher PSU would definitely work as HP has tested your PC only with a maximum of 250W.

As your PC is shipped with a 250W Power Supply Unit, you might be able to use a 300W-350W PSU to the maximum without any issues.

Also, before purchasing the new Power Supply Unit, ensure that it fits into the tower without any issues i.e., ensure that the new Power Supply Unit that you purchase is of the same size as the one in your PC at present.
Fuka Tootle: so...
Fuka Tootle: the pSU you can get
Fuka Tootle: is dependent on the motherboard type?
Phillip V: If you wish to upgrade the PSU on your PC, I would suggest you to upgrade to a maximum of 250W and not more than that as a very higher PSU than the one shipped with the PC might even burn the motherboard.

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Is it true that if you upgrade your PSU for an Athlon XP 2800+ motherboard to something over 250W, or "too high of a number" it can burn out your motherboard and/or other components?

 

[elitehacker]

That's dodgy, the Wattage rating of a power supply tells you what its MAXIMUM output is, your PSU doesn't constantly output 250W, do you know how much heat that will create? I don't think putting a 600W PSU burnt out your computer, there is no limit, its just whether or not your system USES that much power, you can even put a 600W in, just because Hp hasn't tested doesn't mean it doesn't work. I had used a 600W PSU on an ATX P3 motherboard once because I don't have any other.
Something else stuffed your computer.

 

[StrangleHold]

Right here is the only thing they said that meant anything! It doesnt matter if you put a 1000w P/S in!

Also, before purchasing the new Power Supply Unit, ensure that it fits into the tower without any issues i.e., ensure that the new Power Supply Unit that you purchase is of the same size as the one in your PC at present.