Power Supply Help
Ok, I've been having some stability problems in my more demanding games and I've been told to get a better power supply.
Here's what I have:
AOpen AK86-L Socket 754 Motherboard
Athlon64 3000+
2x512MB Corsair Value Select PC3200 RAM
Radeon 9800 Pro
40GB Western Digital Hard Drive
80GB Western Digital Hard Drive
Liteon DVD-RW/CD-RW Drive
Toshiba DVD-ROM/CD-RW Drive
This is running on a 300W power supply. So, assuming that I do need a new power supply, what's a good one to buy that would be sufficient for my setup (I'm not forseeing any major upgrades to this system at all)? Also, I've built my last two machines by myself, but I've used the power supply that came with the case both times. Is it difficult to replace a power supply? Are there any special procedures you should take (like waiting a few hours for capacitors to discharge, or something like that), besides unplugging it from the outlet of course?
I'll be buying from Newegg, unless another place has it for significantly cheaper, so feel free to link to a specific model, if you want.
Here's what I have:
AOpen AK86-L Socket 754 Motherboard
Athlon64 3000+
2x512MB Corsair Value Select PC3200 RAM
Radeon 9800 Pro
40GB Western Digital Hard Drive
80GB Western Digital Hard Drive
Liteon DVD-RW/CD-RW Drive
Toshiba DVD-ROM/CD-RW Drive
This is running on a 300W power supply. So, assuming that I do need a new power supply, what's a good one to buy that would be sufficient for my setup (I'm not forseeing any major upgrades to this system at all)? Also, I've built my last two machines by myself, but I've used the power supply that came with the case both times. Is it difficult to replace a power supply? Are there any special procedures you should take (like waiting a few hours for capacitors to discharge, or something like that), besides unplugging it from the outlet of course?
I'll be buying from Newegg, unless another place has it for significantly cheaper, so feel free to link to a specific model, if you want.
Comments
Get something over 400 watts, like 450+ preferably. Having that many drives and assuming you want some overclocking headroom makes that 300 watt generic WAY too underpowered.
Many people swear by good brands, I have a powmax 480 watt that cost me 29 dollars, it does the job fine, and as long as you get something with significant wattage, it should not overheat/damage your components.
If your looking online, look for reviews.
If your looking in a store, pick it up, generally speaking, the heavier, the better.
Here's what I have:
AOpen AK86-L Socket 754 Motherboard
Athlon64 3000+
2x512MB Corsair Value Select PC3200 RAM
Radeon 9800 Pro
40GB Western Digital Hard Drive
80GB Western Digital Hard Drive
Liteon DVD-RW/CD-RW Drive
Toshiba DVD-ROM/CD-RW Drive
This is running on a 300W power supply. So, assuming that I do need a new power supply, what's a good one to buy that would be sufficient for my setup (I'm not forseeing any major upgrades to this system at all)? Also, I've built my last two machines by myself, but I've used the power supply that came with the case both times. Is it difficult to replace a power supply? Are there any special procedures you should take (like waiting a few hours for capacitors to discharge, or something like that), besides unplugging it from the outlet of course?
I'll be buying from Newegg, unless another place has it for significantly cheaper, so feel free to link to a specific model, if you want. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
WOW All that on only 300W?
Holy...
Yeah, you need at least 500W just to be safe. Get yourself a nice thermaltake
(DO NOT BUY A LOGISYS GAMER MODDED PSU) Mine was rated at 500W, turns out it performs at like, 400 and a month after buying it the fans inside it totally died, so now I have a room fan blowing into the back of my computer >_>
My info says your <b>minimum</b> selection should have the following requirements:
+3.3V - 25amps
+5V - 30amps
+12V - 16amps
You'll see these ratings on the side label of the power supply.
Example:
<img src='http://images10.newegg.com/productimage/17-153-007-02.JPG' border='0' alt='user posted image' />
This is the Thermaltake Silent Purepower W0014RU ATX 480W. I've been looking at it for my next upgrade. Notice the +5V is 40a, +3.3V is 30a, and +12V is 18a.