Bought new prefab Acer PC - need to upgrade power supply?

[mebedaman]

I just purchased this computer from Fry's and am going to pick it up today. I tried to read some reviews on it, but there weren't many. Here are a couple from Newegg. These types of machines seem to have some good hardware at a nice price -- aside from the case/power supply and graphics cards. From what I can tell, that's where they try to save a couple bucks.

I used to know more about computers 8 or 9 years ago, but my knowledge has fallen way off...and I'm kind of lazy, so I just took the easy route and didn't build anything. Do you guys think I should put a better power supply in it? And maybe a fan in the back? Please give me some suggestions on exactly which ones you'd recommend -- I don't think all power supplies fit all cases, but I'm not sure.
Here are more pictures and info.

I'd like this to be a good computer that runs well and lasts awhile. Thanks for any help!

 

[jvroig]

Please give me some suggestions on exactly which ones you'd recommend -- I don't think all power supplies fit all cases, but I'm not sure.

The case looks ordinary, so all PSUs will fit there.

What PSU to recommend will also depend on what GPU you wish to use. If you don't plan to replace that GT220, then any decent quality 380W/400W PSU should serve you quite well and last a long time. I've been told 5 years is reasonable for a quality PSU's lifetime.

 

[mebedaman]

Yes, I plan to keep the GT220 as I don't play any games, but I do have a dual monitor setup which will use both the VGA and DVI ports. Not all 380W/400W PSUs are created equal though, right? I'm just not sure what the 'decent quality' ones are.

Also, are these power supplies fairly easy to take out/install?

Thanks.

 

[jvroig]

Antec Earthwatts. Quality you can afford.

HOOfan1 will be here shortly, no doubt. He will have a ton to recommend.

Also, are these power supplies fairly easy to take out/install?

Yes, very easy. I've heard some cases have their PSUs riveted to them, but that is something I have yet to see.

 

[novice]

My suggestion would be:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139008
The Corsair 400W unit seems really solid, I just put one in a relative's HP last night to make sure that the new HD4670 video card wouldn't be too much for the HP factory 300w Bestec unit. Should be fine for your uses, 80% certified efficiency and 30A on the 12V rail.

 

[Zap]

Do you guys think I should put a better power supply in it? And maybe a fan in the back?

Unless you decide to upgrade the graphics card, I would suggest that you just leave it the way it is - at least until the warranty expires.

If you want the system to last a long time, the best suggestion would be to keep it clean. Periodically clean the dust out of the insides of the system, especially any heatsinks and fans. IMO this would do more for longetivity than just outright upgrading PSU/fans.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Looks decent for the price@!!
As Zap told yas -- Unless you decide to upgrade the graphics card, I would suggest that you just leave it the way it is - at least until the warranty expires.

What would concern me is the 5400 rpm 1T harddrive......
You really can tell the difference between 5400 rpm and a 7200 rpm harddrive!!

Other wise nice system.

the system i bought came with a 350 watt Delta PSU. I added a ati 4770 video card and the PSU handles what little load there is just fine!

I bought my system for under $400.....
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=291386&highlight=m9500z -- my system back in May!!


Enjoy your system!!

Merry Christmas!!

 

[mebedaman]

Thanks guys. That's what I decided to do - leave it as is unless I need to upgrade video card.