can a PSU damage my computer

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gamerj

Member
Dec 18, 2004
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I have a 300 watts "vikings" crappy PSU, I was just wondering if the low wattage could damage my motherboard and video card..

amd64 3500 (newcastle)
asus a8v deluxe rev2
asus X800XT plat.ed.
corsair twinx 1024 pc4000 (2 x 512 obviously)
2 optical drives
1 harddrive
 
J

jose

Platinum Member
Oct 11, 1999
2,079
2
81
If the power supply blows up then yes. ie. develops a short

But most likely it will affect stability.

Regards,
Jose
 
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Amaroque

Platinum Member
Jan 2, 2005
2,178
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The quoted wattage doesn't mean all too much. A 300 watt quality PS is 10x better then a 500 watt generic PS. That same quality 300 watt PS will most likely run circles around a 500 watt generic PS.

I had a generic 350 watt PS (PowMax I believe) in a crunching drone, blow up and take out an A7V333 on me about 3 years ago.
 
Jeff7

Jeff7

Lifer
Jan 4, 2001
41,596
20
81
Cheap PSU's will usually die if they are overloaded. If you're lucky, it'll just snap a small resistor or something, and that'll be the end of it. If you're not lucky, it'll send a power surge through the system, as the capacitors find an alternate discharge route, or it might catch fire.

Good PSU's are usually designed to safely shut down if overloaded.
In the event that they do die, you do have a manufacturer that will give you warranty service; I'd say "Good luck" in trying to get service for a Viking, or other generic PSU, assuming they'd even have a website.
 
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stevty2889

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 2003
7,036
8
81
I wouldn't trust a generic PSU with that system. I've had a generic PSU take out a nice motherboard. It's kinda like putting regular unleaded in a high octange engine..
 
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gamerj

Member
Dec 18, 2004
169
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lol. well, its starting to make noises as well, i already put in my old video card just to be safe ...
It also seems to be built in the case.... that cant be good quality wise.....
 
A

Amaroque

Platinum Member
Jan 2, 2005
2,178
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Originally posted by: gamerj
Ok i see, but its not likely to do any damage as long as it doesnt blow.....right?
Click to expand...

That's a crap shoot...

Personally I wouldn't trust a generic PS on that system, but it's your money. Tell me, why would you spend all that money on that hardware, and use a crappy PS?
 
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gamerj

Member
Dec 18, 2004
169
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Well to be honest, i never even thought about the PSU till i started overclocking, at wich im also pretty new....Its obvious i need another one, from what ive heard from you and the other people that replied.
But i dont have a new one right now obviously, so i was just wondering how great the risk was using this crappy PSU untill i get my hands on a new one....
I was thinking about Antec's Neopower 480, dual 12v rails, each with 18 amps, so about 35 amps effective...Reviews look very good...Any ideas?

 
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Amaroque

Platinum Member
Jan 2, 2005
2,178
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The 480 is a nice PS, the Antec True430 will power that rig nicely too.

Most likely it will be ok for a few weeks.
 
RadiclDreamer

RadiclDreamer

Diamond Member
Aug 8, 2004
8,622
40
91
Originally posted by: stevty2889
I wouldn't trust a generic PSU with that system. I've had a generic PSU take out a nice motherboard. It's kinda like putting regular unleaded in a high octange engine..
Click to expand...

Id say more like urinating in the gastank of a ferrari and then putting some sugar in to make sure the urine is sweet
 
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gamerj

Member
Dec 18, 2004
169
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rofl...ok got the message, need a new psu, would that improve performance, i mean that sh*tty psu probably affects my overclock as well right??
 
zerocool84

zerocool84

Lifer
Nov 11, 2004
36,041
472
126
DONT BUY A CHEAP PSU!!!! CASE SOLVED na but seriously cheap psu's suck. im glad i spent the extra dough on a good psu to make sure it wont f up my comp and couse instability problems like i have seen with my bro's comp
 
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