How much more can my power supply take?

[GnomeCop]

Here is my system:

P4 2530MHz @ 2630MHz (stock intel HSF)
Intel D845PEBT2
1GB Mushkin lvl2 PC2700
ATi All-In-Wonder Radeon 9700 Pro
(2) Western Digital WD1200JB 120.0 GB
Toshiba SD-M1612 16x48
Plextor PX-W4012A 40x12x40
Sound Card: Sound Blaster Audigy 2

all on a Zalman ZM300A-APF 300W PSU

the system is very quiet

the only fans in the case are the power supply fan, the cpu heatsink fan, and the fan on the radeon.
...no case fans. Temps are OK... 35 idle 45 load.

I plan on adding a couple more hard drives to this system and maybe a case fan or two finally.

will this 300w psu be able to keep going? I am scared.


If not I may just go get that new 400w zalman that came out.

 

[BmXStuD]

just try it! hehhe maybe, maybe not

 

[GnomeCop]

dude I was freakin out when I hooked up the AIW radeon 9700pro ... Hooking up 2 more Hds... I'm not going through that again... no way.

I want to know for ure this time, hahah.

 

[amcdonald]

just add them 1 at a time and watch your rails (12v mainly)

 

[Comp625]

Originally posted by: amcdonald
just add them 1 at a time and watch your rails (12v mainly)

Noob question: How do you monitor the power flow in the rails?

 

[Spikesoldier]

wow you can OC on an intel mobo? :Q

 

[GnomeCop]

heh its only a 4% overclock, this is the only intel mobo that can overclock (I think)

in the bios its called "burn in mode"

 

[amcdonald]

Originally posted by: Comp625

Originally posted by: amcdonald
just add them 1 at a time and watch your rails (12v mainly)

Noob question: How do you monitor the power flow in the rails?

Typically the bios will have a monitor, just search through it (power settings, etc.)
Some programs can monitor it also, like mbm5

 

[GnomeCop]

screw it, I'm playing it safe and I ordered the new 400w zalman, and its black too.

now at least I have an extra 300w to make a 2nd system and an extra to sell