Can I get by temporarily with this PS and a XP2500+?

[Ronstang]

I just recieved a really nice gift from some friends who I have built several computers for and I would like to put it together but I will need a new PS to run all my stuff but I was hoping I could get by with a minimal amount of components until I can get one.

I just received an early Barton core 2500+, a DFI Lanparty mobo, and a stick of 512MB DDR3200 Corsair RAM. I would really like to get it up and going but all I have right now is the 300 watt PS in my Antec SX1030. It would have the 2 case fans, 2 HDs, and 2 CD rom drives. I could use the onboard sound for now to save the power for the Soundblaster and I don't need the PCI ATA card with this mobo since it has the extra IDE channels. I guess I could do with only one CD Rom but I really need the 2 HDs for the project I am working on (nothing more taxing than file organization).

I know I need a new PS, but I don't really want to wait to find a good deal to try out these goodies. Can I get by for a while at default evreything....I'm not going to overclock.

Any suggestions on a good PS to buy and a good place to get a good deal why whe are at it?

Thanks.

 

[wkabel23]

First of all I think you could use that PS for a little while although you won't be able to OC with it...

Enermax and Antec (specifically the TRUE Power series) produce good powersupplies. You probably want a 400+watt powersupply for all that stuff and if you want to OC.

A good PS isn't cheap so don't expect to spend $20 on a PS that will have enough wattage and OC capabilities.

 

[mechBgon]

What's your video card? Some of the top-end cards now suck as much power as your CPU does (!), so that is somewhat of a factor. IMHO the PP303XP in your case would probably tow the boat for you in the meantime unless you have some sort of Death Ray video card in there too, and if you want a recommendation for a heftier unit, the Antec SL400 or TruePower 380/430's are pretty respectable, with 3-year warranties that actually work if needed (plus the TruePowers now have SATA power plugs on them, and BLACK plastic plugs for extra l33tness! )

 

[Ronstang]

Thanks guys. My video cars is an older GeForce Ti4600 and it is at default settings, plus I am not gaming at the moment as I am trying to organize all my data etc. I will eventually run 4 7200rpm HDs, 2 CD-RWs, 1 DVD-Rom and probably use my Audigy once more so I think I might need to get a 500 watt for everything if I try to OC.

Any other suggestions are always appreciated.

 

[mechBgon]

TruePower 550 isn't spectacularly more-expensive than the 430, maybe get that, or an Enermax 651-series. Overkill is fine with me

 

[Ronstang]

Overkill is fine but $$ are not unlimited....I would like to get "the most bang for the buck" PS and still have enough juice.

 

[fleflikr]

minimum antec 430 true power

dont oc till you get it

and if possible use one hd and one cd till you get a new ps

it wont take much to kill that ps with such low wattage

 

[Ronstang]

Thanks....I can get by with only 1 CD drive but I have to have 2 HDs to finish up what I have been working on. Maybe I just need to find a good PS and order it, now the only problem will be which one to get.

 

[Soulkeeper]

yeah i tryed like 3 different 300watt psu's on an old t-bird 1ghz system and found that between different psu model's i would get between 100 and 200mhz overclock differences
newer systems seem to be even more power hungry tho
if should work, if all else fails you can always undervolt/underclock to make it work and you'll how a low noise low heat system

good luck

 

[WT]

HEC 300 watt PS works fine on my main rig:
Barton 2500+@3200
2 Optical drives
160 WD SE
GF4 4200ti
512 Geil DDR 3200

I have a lot of gear plugged into it, including an external 80GB drive, and internally a 4 port USB port, plus USB keychain drives and a digital camera. I've never had any problems with everything going ....

ohh, and my O/C is all default, no voltage bump required. You guys prefer to recommend a whole lotta PS, and thats a very safe bet. But you CAN survive on 300 watts just fine.

 

[adams828]

i'd say yes.. my system has been stable for over a month, OCed 2500+ to 3200+.. 2 hard drives, 2 cd drives, wireless adapter, radeon 7000, winfast tv card, sblive! that's running the 300W antec psu that came with my antec case

i probably will look into a new psu once i get a slk900 and try pushign my OC past 200fsb

 

[jelloinhawaii]

nothing wrong with low power... my server runs on 300W (see sig for equipment). I gotta admit, though, my main box runs a TruePower 550 (it's a hungry beast).

 

[Fern]

Hey Ronstang, I've been looking into power supplies myself for a Barton + NF7-S and just today chose and ordered this Enermax Noisetaker EG425P-VE SFMA V 1.3 Newegg Link

In my psu research I ran across a nifty little site that estimates you power supply needs. You may want to check it out link to psu calculator

 

[Ronstang]

Originally posted by: Fern
Hey Ronstang, I've been looking into power supplies myself for a Barton + NF7-S and just today chose and ordered this Enermax Noisetaker EG425P-VE SFMA V 1.3 Newegg Link

In my psu research I ran across a nifty little site that estimates you power supply needs. You may want to check it out link to psu calculator

Thanks....according to your calculator I need 425 watts....so I think I need to get at least 500 then.