BleepingComputer.com: What replacement power supply unit to get?

Hi,

This is probably a pretty basic question for anyone in the know, but it's all new to me so hence this request for advice.

Having had problems with my old pc (see http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/ind...93&hl=BSOD) i ended up reloading Windows XP and things were just okay for a short while, then a smell of burning which turned out that the motherboard and power supply unit were dead. I ended up buying a new pc but still have the old one, and have decided to have a go at fixing it myself. Having acquired a replacement motherboard for next to nothing i now need a new power supply, and herein starts my problem i.e. what to buy?

The old PSU has a 20 pin connector to the MB but has no indication of manufacturer, just the following information on the label:

Switching power supply ATX-23C300W-C PIV

Maximum output power power is 300W

Voltage 115/230V; Vdc +3.3, +5, +12 and max DC output 14A, 30A, 15A

Current -7A/4A; -12, -5, +5SB

Frequency 60/50Hz; BLK GRN GRY
COM P-ON PG


There is also a sticker with a frontal view of a green frog image/logo, a warranty sticker with serial number D 2B147335 on it and another with a Pentium 4 logo. Approximate dimensions of the PSU are 14 cm long; 15 cm wide and 10cm high. Looking at the rear of the tower case the PSU is mounted at the top and has the connectors on the left and the fan on the right hand side of the unit

Is this enough information for anyone to suggest what i've got, and what it's direct replacement might be?

Incidentally, a friend has given me a used but working PSU of the same dimensions, but i'm not sure it's suitable as the fan and connectors are opposite positions to what i have and it's a different power rating, as ATX-350W P4 with AC input 220V-50Hz 4A and the fixing screw positions are located differently.

General notes about PSU's:

Original Equipment power supplies are often the bare minimum wattage that can operate your PC. That being said, if you up the maximum wattage slightly you will gain better power consumption and reduce wear and tear on computer components by not making the PSU work at 100% all of the time and occasionally causing components to be underpowered.

I'd suggest upgrading to a 300-350 watt PSU like this one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16817153086 , but any good brand PSU would do (Corsair, Antec, Thermaltake are my personal favorite brands). Read the reviews for any PSU you plan on buying. By the way the PSU is an ATX form factor.

This post has been edited by BlackSpyder: 22 August 2010 - 05:38 PM