does a powersuply really make a difference in overclocking?

[RayEarth]

I often see people suggest a better powersuply as a option when others have stability problems with overclocking, but how does a better powersupply make a difference? Let's say if someone overclocked their cpu without increasing the vcore, would the better powersupply still make a difference, if so, how?

is an antec SL350 PS good enough for a system with:
2 hdd 30GB/80GB
1 dvd-rom/1 cdrw
2 hdd coolers with 4 fans total
4 case fans/ 2 powersupply fans

 

[Lonyo]

I have a 300W PSU and I think it's holding me back on my overclocking. If I go to 145fsb then I get some random crashes, where my computer just shuts down, no blue screen or anything. A knowledgeable friend of mine thinks it's the PSU that's holding me back.

 

[BigJ]

PSU's are normally the cause of instability because the crappier ones don't provide the specified amount of voltage on the line they are supposed. For example, on the 5v line, the PSU only supplying 4.5v or 4.4v. This could lead to instabilities at higher speeds. Or on the 12v line, getting say only 11.6v delivered to the line. It affects the signals on the board I believe.

 

[Lonyo]

I get 11.92 on +12, and 4.87 on +5, so I think the total wattage also has an affect (mine being only 300). Something of about 400w with good +12 and +5 lines would be recommended if you want to overclock.

 

[SharkyTM]

i LOVE my enermax 650......

 

[RayEarth]

i've gotten random lockups and blank screens as well when trying 700@933 but at 903 everything is fine. I've decided to bump it back to 933 since I got a this antec 350, hope everything works fine now since all my voltages are above the stated values.