 Power supply purchase help |
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 Jun 25 2005, 02:50 PM
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New Member  Group: Members Posts: 6 Joined: 25-June 05 Member No.: 24,808  |
I'm trying to figure out what kind of power supply to buy for my system. I upgraded my machine last year with some parts that my current power supply isn't really supposed to be running. Most of the parts in my comp. are salvaged from my old HP (a 5500, I think it was. One of the all in one bundles), but I bought a new mb, video card, and more RAM to start a gaming rig. Here are the stats that I think are important. Tell me if I've left anything out that would help. Windows XP Pro. Intel Pentium 4 2.0GHz Mach Speed X-Caliber P4X400DBP VIA Socket 478 ATX Motherboard 1.25GB PC2100 DDR 266MHz GeForce FX 5200 / 256MB DDR / AGP 3 case fans (all of the below were salvaged, so I don't know the exact specs) 30GB HD 16x DVD/CD-ROM drive 3.5 Floppy drive I was just wondering if there are differences between power supplies? I've read some reviews on Newegg about how a certain PS didn't have a 24 pin plug or something. I'm just worried that I'm going to buy a PS and it won't work with my MB for some reason. Could someone please explain if there is a difference I should be looking for? Thanks, spyrious |
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Jun 25 2005, 04:27 PM
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Member Group: Members Posts: 15 Joined: 10-June 05 Member No.: 23,003 |
I Don't Know if it matters or not on which Power Supply you have, They all do the same damn job in my eyes lol.
You will just need to see what exactly the PS does and waht makes it different and better (If it does...) As for the system, it seems fine i cant think of anything for ya except a bigger Hard Drive... But then thats just my personall Oppinion (I got 2 matching 160gb altogether!) Good luck 
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Jun 25 2005, 08:37 PM
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 SPAM Magnet Group: Global Moderator Posts: 13,894 Joined: 6-May 04 From: SW Louisiana Member No.: 363 |
Here's a couple of sites to help you calculate what size power supply you need:
PC Power Recommendation/Consumption Calculator Power Supply Calculator -------------------- I love being married.
It's so great to find that one special person you want to annoy, for the rest of your life. |
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Jun 25 2005, 08:53 PM
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 Forum Addict Group: Members Posts: 2,159 Joined: 18-March 05 From: near Sydney, Australia Member No.: 14,809 |
There are others who can tell you some specifics but from my limited experience you do need to match up your PSU with your motherboard connector, CPU requirements and Graphics card requirements.
The original ATX power supply had one 20 pin connector and that was it. With AGP ad CPU requiring ever more power there was a second 4-pin power connector introduced to plug into the motherboard near the AGP slot (Called ATX12V). Now I'm reading the 'standard' ATX connector is 24-pin (but further readings show I may be misinformed on this) QUOTE EPS12V equipment is not compatible with standard ATX or ATX12V PCs found in homes and offices. Power supplies built to the EPS12V standard include a 24-pin motherboard power connector and an 8-pin +12V connector. (Source: Antec) There are adaptors to convert 24 pin to 20 pin plugs but you would have to do some research regarding what you do about the other 4 pins. I'd be happy to be enlightened by others more experienced..... hth
This post has been edited by Rimmer: Jun 25 2005, 08:54 PM -------------------- Soltek QBIC, Pentium 4 3.0GHz, 512MB RAM, 200GB SATA HDD, ATI Radeon 9600XT 256MB, Netgear 54Mb/s WAP, ridiculously expensive Satellite Broadband Windows XP Home SP2, Trend Micro Internet Security, Firefox, Thunderbird, AdAwareSE, Spybot S&D, SpywareBlaster, A-squared Free, Ewido Security Suite. |
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 Jun 26 2005, 12:43 AM
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Forum Regular Group: Members Posts: 345 Joined: 18-March 05 From: Jacksonville, Florida Member No.: 14,772 |
Dear spy,
If you are running a 256mb vid card you should have at least a 500watt power supply. I recommend Antec. Although I did have a problem with my Antec 550 truepower. I sent it back to Antec and they sent back a new one. Not many companies do that anymore. I run a Antec 380 watt in my"burning comp" and it does fine. If you go games in any way, go for at least 500 watts. Let us know, junkdk 
-------------------- Your Hardware Guide.
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Jun 27 2005, 07:49 AM
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New Member Group: Members Posts: 6 Joined: 25-June 05 Member No.: 24,808 |
Thanks for everybody's help. I'm sure I'm gonna go with a 500w, I just wasn't sure if there were differences in the connections. The articles and advice you offered really helped.
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