Bringing built PC to europe?/

[ruefy13]

Hi everyone.....just looking for a little help before i start buying things.

I would like to build a PC for my little bro that lives in Switzerland currently. I'm looking at using the Shuttle SN95G5 A64 barbones to make him a decent gaming PC.....my only question is will this work if i build the PC here in the US and then bring it to him to use?....i'm pretty sure it will...voltage adjustment at all just asking to confirm....also will i need to buy him a monitor in Europe for the PC or will one work from here?....by the way the reason i'm doing it this way is becasue he might be returning to the US in a year or two and just thought this would be the easiest for me to build him. I am also asking because PSU's i've used in builds have a voltage selector on them but from the pictures i can't tell if the Shuttle has this or is it automatic like laptops...anyone know???

Thanks for any help....just don't want to start buying parts and mess this up.

 

[ruefy13]

bump...anyone know anything???

 

[Leros]

Worst thing... you could get a voltage adapter thing.

 

[SPECTRE184]

Most european countries use 220V instead of 110v like we use here in U.S. Most computer power supplies should have switch on back to select between two.

though cords are different story. As U.S. plugs are three pronged (mostly) and polarized. European (well ones I saw when stationed in Turkey) are two prong shaped like cylindars and not polarized. Shouldn't be a problem since cords are detachable from power supplies. You probably will have to pick up a cord when you get over there.

Best thing to do is talk to your bro and see what the power requirements are where he is living at.

Hope this helps

 

[JBDan]

Get an Active PFC PSU unit. They do not need the 220/110 switch and are usually required over theres.

 

[frankfan]

I've moved back and forth from the U.S to/from Europe several times and can say that I have yet to buy a PC in the States that does not have a dual voltage power supply. The power supplies have a switch on the back to switch it from 110/220 volts. I have noticed that quite a few power supplies in European computers are 220 volt only, so you couldn't take one back to the States without buying a new power supply.

I have not seen a monitor manufactured in the last 10 years that is NOT auto-switching. Just plug it in and it works...no switches involved. Of course, check the label to make sure it says 100-240 (ish) volts. If it says 120/240 volts you have to look for a switch to change voltages.

Just remember to switch that power supply to 220 volts when you get it to Europe. Yes, I have smoked one. Thankfully, it was only the fuse.

You will need to pick up some European power cords since the European plug is different from the U.S. cord. You can buy them just about anywhere.

 

[philler]

if you can afford it, you could order a Psu in Switzerland by the internet to your little brother's house!?..

just a thought that crossed my mind..
hope you can use it..

my regards
Philip

 

[Thegonagle]

If you make sure the monitor and PSU have auto switching or a selector switch, all you'll need is different power cords when you get there.

 

[Starbuck1975]

I made the move from the US to Europe with my PC, and didnt have any problems.

Most PC power supplies have a switch on the back to switch the voltage from US to European...110 to 220 I believe...so long as you switch the power supply to 220 before you plug it in, you should be fine.

Of course you will need a European plug adapter to stick at the end of your power supply power cable, but you can find those at any radio shack and most hardware stores in Europe.

I would of course recommend placing a power strip between your computer and the outlet because Europe is known for some pretty nasty power spikes...I have known people that have lost stereo equipment, computers and the likes because they did not protect their electronic equipment.

 

[ruefy13]

Thanks everyone...i know that most PSU's here have the switch to switch to 220v but i wasn't sure if the shuttle barebones did.....i emailed them and they said it was autoswitching which is nice.....thanks for the help about the monitors....i didn't know they were all autoswitching now

 

[papaschtroumpf]

The only thing that probably wouldn't work is a TV capture card because a US one would be NTSC.
802.11 wireless equipement may also not meet max power requirements out of the box although you can generally tune it down (or leave it as is and hope THEY don't get you).
I've got family in Europe and they buy lots of stuff when they come here because it's cheaper. They have yet to report something not working.