do i need a better PSU?

[vrbaba]

My rig currently has p4 2.4b OCed to 2.9. Im getting a 3.0c and planning to overclock it (i think avg is 3.6).

currently have a 350W antec TruPower psu...do I need a more powerful one?
2 HDs... 250 maxtor and 120 WD.
whtchya think?

 

[vrbaba]

well..i guess my rig doesnt say it all.
I also have a Zalman CNPS7000Cu cooler, and Thermaltake Tiger chipset cooler. Couple of case fans (which im not using cus they make too much noise).

 

[jpeyton]

Does it feel like you need a more powerful one? Symptoms would include random crashes, BSODs, instability, etc.

 

[exar333]

i would say u might need a beefier PSU...def not a bad idea...

 

[vrbaba]

Originally posted by: jpeyton
Does it feel like you need a more powerful one? Symptoms would include random crashes, BSODs, instability, etc.

not yet...
but, as I said, ill be getting a 3.0c cpu, so just wondering. I will wait till I get that in the next couple days.

But, the thing is...can that limit my overclockability? How would I know if the instability is caused by my mobo/ram/cpu bottlenecking or cus I cant crank the psu for more wattage?

 

[stevty2889]

I'd say it wouldn't hurt to try with your antec. If it was a lower quality 350w PSU I wouldn't consider it, but with my 350w enermax, I had a 2.8E running @3.5ghz, with a 6800GT and had no stability issues.

 

[exar333]

yes and yes......it can limit OC and cause instability...its hard to pinpoint a PSU issue....its the easiest thing to generally rule out IF u have plenty of power and all connections are optimal (24 pin for 24 pin, extra power connections...ect...)

if you want to be SURE u get the best OC out of that 3.0, i would get a better PSU...a good PSU helps stability for ALL components by giving adequete and quality power at all times...

 

[imported_whatever]

It would be a good idea to get a new one, but you could try with your current one. I ran an XP/M at 2.2v o) and 2.7GHz + vmodded 9700PRO and an 80W TEC on it using an Enermax 300W PSU. I only ran it like that for benching, normally the XP/M was at 2.0v, but it seemed to do decently with the load.

 

[Duvie]

Originally posted by: stevty2889
I'd say it wouldn't hurt to try with your antec. If it was a lower quality 350w PSU I wouldn't consider it, but with my 350w enermax, I had a 2.8E running @3.5ghz, with a 6800GT and had no stability issues.

I agree...doesn't hurt by trying....I am sure it would run it without OCing so if it wont OC much and gets real flaky you may need a better PSU...

On my 2.4c@3.5ghz I ran a enermax 431watt...it may have been overkill i dont know...

 

[imported_wyrmrider]

TRy it with your Antec
should work fine
if you start getting issues open the case, disconnect one hard drive and case fans ( and get some quieter ones- as many as will fit)
and put a big house fan blowing in to keep things cool
then do a stress test while you monitor your 12v rail
if it works with hd disconnected yet crashes with it hooked up then you do not have enough power
I think you'll be fine
It's not a white box power supply or the free one that comes with a cheap case
got a ups with power conditioning? garbage in garbage out