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Dual Power Supplies

B

Bill Kunert

Senior member
I recently went from a Celeron 1300 to an AMD XP2600+M. My 300 watt supply was fine for the Celeron but appears weak for the AMD. All voltages are OK except 12 volts which runs from 11.2 to 11.4. Is it possible to use an older AT supply to supply 12 volts to the P4 connector on the board to supplement the 300 watt supply? I hate investing in a new 450 watt supply but will if this won't work. I know the grounds on both supplies have to be commoned but are there any other problems?
Thanks
Bill
 
I would almost certainly buy a new 400w + PS. I often build new computers (dozen per year) and I usualy just got to NewEgg and buy my parts, but I have had lots of luck with some of those ultra cheap non-name barebone kits & Case w/PS combos off of PriceWatch, from no name companies.
 
But how do you test those cheap power supplies? Its not like you can
be sure its going to be rock solid after a year. Why not go with a decent
300W supply which you know for sure is rated correctly??
 
Originally posted by: orangat
But how do you test those cheap power supplies? Its not like you can
be sure its going to be rock solid after a year. Why not go with a decent
300W supply which you know for sure is rated correctly??
Click to expand...


I am a cheap SOB and have only had 1 no-name PS die on me after all these years and the many dozens of computers I've built.

BTW I always get 350W+ dual fan PowerSupplies.

Like this 550w for $18


And this 600w model for $22
 
Originally posted by: Bill Kunert
I recently went from a Celeron 1300 to an AMD XP2600+M. My 300 watt supply was fine for the Celeron but appears weak for the AMD. All voltages are OK except 12 volts which runs from 11.2 to 11.4. Is it possible to use an older AT supply to supply 12 volts to the P4 connector on the board to supplement the 300 watt supply? I hate investing in a new 450 watt supply but will if this won't work. I know the grounds on both supplies have to be commoned but are there any other problems?
Thanks
Bill
Click to expand...
300W should be enough for an AMD, especially a mobile. Unless it's a reallllly cheapass PSU.
 
Originally posted by: huesmann
Originally posted by: Bill Kunert
I recently went from a Celeron 1300 to an AMD XP2600+M. My 300 watt supply was fine for the Celeron but appears weak for the AMD. All voltages are OK except 12 volts which runs from 11.2 to 11.4. Is it possible to use an older AT supply to supply 12 volts to the P4 connector on the board to supplement the 300 watt supply? I hate investing in a new 450 watt supply but will if this won't work. I know the grounds on both supplies have to be commoned but are there any other problems?
Thanks
Bill
Click to expand...
300W should be enough for an AMD, especially a mobile. Unless it's a reallllly cheapass PSU.
Click to expand...

The power supply has always held the 12 volt line at 12 volts. I have 2 hard drives and 2 cd/dvd players writers and several fans. The XP's must really draw a lot of current. I know it generates a lot more heat than the Celeron did.
Bill
 
Originally posted by: huesmann

300W should be enough for an AMD, especially a mobile. Unless it's a reallllly cheapass PSU.
Click to expand...


Doesn't matter if it is a Mobile or Desktop (Mobile = 1.45 Vcore Desktop = 1.6 Vcore).
It really is total of all of the combined components.
 
Well, he's got a bunch of other stuff in his PC.

I know I have a 2200+ running just fine off a m-ATX PSU that can't be any more than 200W or so. I only have one HD, though, and two fans (inlucing the CPU).
 
Hey Bill Kunert,
Why don't you just try running some of your drives off the AT supply.
Then you won't have to change any of the connectors out.
Reply back with the voltage you get that way.
 
The power supply is one of the most important, most critical components in your computer. It has much to do with smooth operation and long life. Spend money here. Cut back elsewhere. Read the reviews at www.tomshardware.com and else where to be sure you don't get one based on somebody's advertising. It is not the power rating that you want... it is the power consistency during high demand or sudden demand. As well as the long life. Get one that will last 7 years instead of two. There are about 10 good brands and models and 50 lousy ones.
 
/raybay is right.

If your psu goes down at a crucial time, or in a nasty way - it WILL cost you lots more to replace hardware.
Mobo/HDD/DATA/CPU/RAM/VGA - everything in your computer is at the mercy of a PSU.

Ok, some ppl get lucky when using a cheap one. Some don't.

Lets say 1 year down the line, something packs up.
You don't know what. Only the computer isn't booting up.

Now, what do you swap around first?
How much is this gonna cost ya to find out what the problem is?

I used a cheap psu for a couple years, then lost a mobo, and possibly a cpu. If i was doing more intensive stuff on the poota, maybe it wouldn't have lasted that long.

How much is the data on your hdd worth to you?

sorry - enuff of that rant.

I wish you luck whatever choice you make young skywalker
 
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