Do I need a new PSU

[tiejiba]

Hi, everybody,, thanks for dropping by.


I am upgradingmy old AMD thunderbird 1.2 GHz system to a better AMD athlon 64 3200+ system (pls don't laugh, I don't have much money). I ordered new CPU 3200+ venice, Asus A8N5x, 2X512 Kingston Memory, and an EVGA 6800 GS video card.

The question I have now is whether I need a new more powerful PSU. As you know, money is a concern for me.

Currently, I am using my Antec PP-303X 300W PSU which came with my Antec Case.
I did some google search and most people use at least 400W PSU for their Athlon 64 systems.

However, I found a PSU calculator:/Click Me
I did the calculation based on my current

rig: 3 sticks memory, ATI 8500, T-bird 1.2 GHz(it did not have it, so I just used Athlon XP 1600+ 1.4 GHz instead), two 7200RPM IDE harddrive,one DVD-RW, one CD drive, one network card, one sound blaster card, one PCI tv card, two USB device, one Fireware device, and two case fans.It told me that this setup needed 283 w.
Then I replaced the CPU (Athlon 64 3200+, 939), the memory (2X512M PC3200), and videocard. It told me that the rig needed 291 w.

You can see that the power consumation difference is not that different. Do I still need a 400+ w PSU? BTW, I am not gonna do any overclocking now, probably sometime in the future.

Thanks alot, any input is welcomed.

 

[Operandi]

Do you need a 400 watt PSU?, no.

Quality is more important then quantity. Fact is unless you plan on running a 1900XT/XTX a quality 300 watt PSU would handle that system fine.

Having said that you?re Antec PSU is probably not ok to use. Modern systems draw somewhere between 75-90% of their power from the 12v rail, so it's very important to look at the power distribution of the PSU.

I would recommend either a 350-400 watt Forton-Source or Seasonic.

 

[Makaveli]

Nothing to laugh about that will be a nice upgrade, system will feel like 2.5x faster.

And yes 400Watt minimum of a Quality brand PSU.

 

[Operandi]

I missed what graphics card you running. That system will have a very low power draw; the 6800GS doesn?t draw much nor dose the 3200+, probably 150-175 watts peak.

As long as you?re Antec as at least 18 amps on the 12v rail it will be fine, otherwise it's time to invest in something better.

Seasonic 330 - Forton-Source 400

 

[Budman]

1 thing i have to ask.

does your old psu have a 4 pin power connector? often called P4 connector?

If you have this connector then your psu might be enough for now until you upgrade later.

If you dont have that 4 pin power conector i dont think the board will even power up or if it does it will be very unstable.

 

[Budman]

i just looked at the specs for this psu.. and i dont think with only 10amps on the 12V rail i would even atempt to use it,unless you want to fry the psu or parts or BOTH.

You say money is a problem but a psu is not a time to skimp,better off buying a good quality psu to begin with.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

if i were you, i'd go with a fortron 450 for some headroom, a lot of people will tell you that u only need a 300 watt psu while they're running some fsp 600's or enermax 600's. do the right thing and get a stronger psu so u wont have anyproblems with your new system

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS
if i were you, i'd go with a fortron 450 for some headroom, a lot of people will tell you that u only need a 300 watt psu while they're running some fsp 600's or enermax 600's. do the right thing and get a stronger psu so u wont have anyproblems with your new system

For his system a 300-350 watt PSU will offer plenty of headroom.

 

[tiejiba]

thanks guys, anymore input
I think my PSU is a good one, It is very hard to say goodbye to it

 

[sniperruff]

i have the same PSU as you do, and i trust it dearly (4 years withough a hiccup)... but i'd get a newer one. at least a 400w forton.

 

[tiejiba]

thanks guys, how about this one
Antec SmartPower 2.0 SP-500
CrapUSA is running special on it this week, $50 after rebate

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

That's a hot deal!! Go for it!!

...Galvanized

 

[alimoalem]

it's a good deal but i would get a fortron 450w over the 400w, not because you need the extra 50w but so you can somewhat futureproof yourself for your next build. and it only costs $10 more