could the power supply cause problems on my computer?

[zimu]

i was wondering whether the wattage of the power supply effects system performance at all. i just put in a new graphics card and every once in a while the system just randomly restarts, and i get the feeling it may be because of the lack of power.

its only an 145 watt power supply i think, came standard with my dell dimension. it is powering:
- 2 hdd's
- 1 fdd
- 1 48x burner
- tv tuner card
- radeon 9000
- ethernet card (nic)
- sound card

and all the usual motherboard etc. i've also put in a powerleap chip that upgrades my PPGA slot into an FCPGA-2 slot, so that uses some voltage i'm assuming, and it has a 1GHz celeron processor on it.

can anyone help me on this?

Thanks

 

[MikeMike]

wow!!! 85watts!!

yeah get a new PS that is your problem. Get a 300w quality one, and you wont have to upgrade that PS for a LONG time at the rate your going

 

[zimu]

Originally posted by: nourdmrolNMT1
wow!!! 85watts!!

yeah get a new PS that is your problem. Get a 300w quality one, and you wont have to upgrade that PS for a LONG time at the rate your going

now the question is, are the power supply's all the same size? i.e. if i buy a new one, will it simply "fit" into my machine or i have to go into some detailed venture into its dimensions and compatability and motherboard voltages and whatever else?!
whats a good price for a PS?

thanks

 

[zimu]

EDIT! its actually a 145 watt power supply.

 

[MikeMike]

now that you say it is a dell, your screwed, unless when you bought it, dell didnt use propietary connections on their mobos.

id call dell, and see what they would do

the connection from the ps to mobo is wired differently on their products

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Just check the inside. If you bought the system fairly recently, it should be a standard ATX+P4 PSU. A 300W will be great.

- M4H

 

[dskaplan]

Yes, it's the power supply. No question about it. Get an Antec Truepower 430 as a replacement. If the psu connection to the m/b is proprietary, time to get a new computer : )

 

[zimu]

Originally posted by: dskaplan
Yes, it's the power supply. No question about it. Get an Antec Truepower 430 as a replacement. If the psu connection to the m/b is proprietary, time to get a new computer : )

what do you mean by "proprietary"

 

[zimu]

also, do you think it would allow me to increase my FSB speed more? currently i can only increase it to 74MHz before i get the blue screen of death or random restarts, although all my devices can definitely handle up to 133MHz.

 

[snidy1]

Originally posted by: zimu

Originally posted by: dskaplan
Yes, it's the power supply. No question about it. Get an Antec Truepower 430 as a replacement. If the psu connection to the m/b is proprietary, time to get a new computer : )

what do you mean by "proprietary"

Dell has proprietary power supplies (Meaning they have there own nonstanderdised version) I think from 1995 to 2000. You can tell by looking at pin one, if it's red it's proprietary, if it's orange it's standardised. If it is proprietary you'll need to replace the motherboard and PS together or order a PS from Dell. Probably beter to just build a new system.

 

[EglsFly]

Dude... you got a Dell!

I heard that Dell puts in those "barely enough" power supplies.
I'd recommend upgrading it "if possible". Get an Enermax or Antec power supply.
Check the sticker for the amps rating on the 12v line. Higher the better.

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: EglsFly
Dude... you got a Dell!

I heard that Dell puts in those "barely enough" power supplies.
I'd recommend upgrading it "if possible". Get an Enermax or Antec power supply.
Check the sticker for the amps rating on the 12v line. Higher the better.

 

[Viper96720]

What model dell is it?