im still around...

[pewterdragn]

Depends on what the machine does. Sometimes a 350 is all you need.

In a $399 Dell

[law.of.averages]

I've heard this a million times before. All the new hardware draws serious power... the "innocent" hardware like fans can really set you over the edge now. I never build below 430W and I try to stick to 500W+. I recommend Antec TruPower if you're in the market.

You said the 'A' word... Oh maybe it's the luck of the draw, but I had two True Power's go bad the same day, and incidently the same day I bought them. CompUSA refused to take the 2nd one back, and I got stuck with an expensive paperweight.

Also, I'd like to point out that wattage is a good start, but you really need to check the individual outputs. The no-name PSU that came with the last case I bought reads 400w, but my Enermax 330 beats it in every output value.

I think it's because the wattage value is a measure of power consumption, not power output.

[Dr.Feelgood]

Depends on what the machine does. Sometimes a 350 is all you need.

In a $399 Dell

I've had a super high quality 250 run 2HD's, 2 opticals, an 80mm fan for a p4 2.0ghz (Northwood A) Its usually all about the quality of the supply, which is how the little shuttle boxes get away with 200-250 watt supplies

[pewterdragn]

Its how the supply is measured to. Some manufacturers count max sustainable... some count max reachable... it depends.

I'm surprised about the Antec's dying... Compusa didnt help it sounds like though... They suck.

Basically... you get what you pay for

[nonstop]

Yes the bigger wattage means crap really. It's how much continuous power something can push and amps mean everything. I think a really solid 350 is able to push almost anything, but I'm talking a solid 350. Nothing in electronics makes up for weight. If you pick it up and it's light, chances are.... There's just no getting around a good transformer, power supply etc. weigh a lot.

Same is true for stereo, go pick up a cheap cd player, then go pick up one that is 5k or above in price. The 5k one will have a massive power supply and transformer section that make it heavy.

[law.of.averages]

Yea, I wish component manufuacturers would provide better information about power requriements... then we could all do the math and be sure about a PSU.

[Dr.Feelgood]

Yea, I wish component manufuacturers would provide better information about power requriements... then we could all do the math and be sure about a PSU.

The fatter its arse, chances are the better its made. If I can toss it 60 yards, it's gonna be landing in the Dumpster

[Trinity]

Determine how many watts you need: http://www.utcache.com/power.asp

[Dr.Feelgood]

interesting...I've always used my own rule of thumb based on past expeeriences (I'm not really sure how to describe them either)

[myxxplyxx]

I had an Antec supply poop the bed on me too.
I'm not sure they're as good as they're supposed to be.

Give me the cheap imports anyday...


"220....221...whatever it takes"

[Dr.Feelgood]

I had an Antec supply poop the bed on me too.
I'm not sure they're as good as they're supposed to be.

Give me the cheap imports anyday...


"220....221...whatever it takes"

Interesting. I've used three Antec's so far and they've all been good to me (One was actually in a machine that UPS demolished)

[nonstop]

"220....221...whatever it takes"

Let me guess, Mr. Mom?

[nonstop]

Determine how many watts you need: http://www.utcache.com/power.asp

That is a nice little tool but it's about a yr old so it doesn't take into acct. the newer vid cards or the newer cpu's.

For a majority of the machines out there I think it will work, but keep in mind when it gives you the power rating, that's good solid power. Not cheapie knockoff power. I think most power supplies will handle the task but when you start getting 2 or 3 hard drives and a couple opticals with the newer video cards the cheapies will flake out on you quick.

[law.of.averages]

Interesting... I ran it on my rig and it came up w/ 303 watts, and suggested 333. So I guess my Enermax 330 is about right.

[pewterdragn]

Interesting... I ran it on my rig and it came up w/ 303 watts, and suggested 333. So I guess my Enermax 330 is about right.

I suggest you are too close to the edge...