Is 400w Enough For A New System?

[BlameTheBigBang]

I'm about to buy a new system, and I was just wondering if a 400w power supply is a good choice? I was planning on getting a Zalman ZM400A-APF Noiseless 400w PSU. But now I'm wondering if it would be safer to get a 500w PSU or maybe something even higher. Is there any good reason for getting anything above 400w? Will I need the extra power?

 

[hjo3]

Well, what's going in your system?

You might try using this PSU calculator to get a rough idea of the wattage you need. Honestly, a lot of ppl buy much more powerful PSUs than they need.

 

[batmizang]

Thanks for posting that calculator link man.... ive been looking for something like that, im going to be buying an Allied 450W PSU for my P4 build. Should be more then enough.

 

[dartworth]

Here is a good article about PS.

 

[0roo0roo]

depends on the monster raid setup you'll have.

somehow dells and compaqs get by with maybe 300watts

 

[Pariah]

I wouldn't put too much stock in that PSU calculator. It says I should be using roughly a 590W PSU, without even including everything in my system, when I've been running a TruPower 430W for about 6 months and all voltages are running within spec without issues.

If you are running a single CPU system you will be VERY hard pressed to exceed the capabilities of a TruPower 330W PSU without having something like a peltier cooler.

 

[Ryan]

I'm using a 220w PSU on the system below, it's a gateway PSU that I got from Gateway when I used to work for them, and it's rock solid. Remembers, it's not about quantity, it's about quality

 

[resinboy]

here's a question: how can most of the major manufacturers list a 12 v. rail amp. output of approx. 15 to 17 amps, but qhen you look at the PowerMax (Leadman) specs, they are all at or near 25 amps?? ( via/ NewEgg).

 

[Luagsch]

Originally posted by: hjo3
Well, what's going in your system?

You might try using this PSU calculator to get a rough idea of the wattage you need. Honestly, a lot of ppl buy much more powerful PSUs than they need.

WOW! now i know why my 400w PSU had some problems... (adding up to 396w)

 

[extro]

Originally posted by: batmang
Thanks for posting that calculator link man.... ive been looking for something like that, im going to be buying an Allied 450W PSU for my P4 build. Should be more then enough.

Why an Allied? Because they feature big wattage numbers at low prices? Their reputation isn't the best.

I recommend you read the sticky threads in the Cases & PSU forum at overclockers.com .

 

[dexvx]

Power supplies are easily the most overrated of all.

Dell runs rackmount servers based off 230W PSU's that most people consider only 400W will be enough (3.06HT, 2x 15K U320, 4x 40mm High RPM fans). Quality over big numbers.

 

[Paulson]

I'll give my system specs and what powersupply I'm running...

AMD Athlon XP 1800+
Asus A7M266 Motherboard W/onboard sound
512 Megs of Kingston Memory (DDR 2100)
Western Digital 40 gig 7200 RPM Drive
Western Digital 80 gig 7200 RPM Drive (2)
Lite-on 24x10x40 Burner
Toshiba 12x DVD-Rom
ATI Rage 128 AGP vid card
voodoo 3 2000 PCI vid card
Audigy Platinum (with drive bay that requires power)
3Com Nic Card (10/100)
Promise ATA/100 Controller
3 Case Fans
Microsoft Intellimouse optical USB

That's running off of an enlight 300watt max powersupply

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: hjo3
Well, what's going in your system?

You might try using this PSU calculator to get a rough idea of the wattage you need. Honestly, a lot of ppl buy much more powerful PSUs than they need.

that calculator is full of sh!t.

 

[dexvx]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: hjo3
Well, what's going in your system?

You might try using this PSU calculator to get a rough idea of the wattage you need. Honestly, a lot of ppl buy much more powerful PSUs than they need.

that calculator is full of sh!t.

I must concur. Unless its coming from an EE major, dont take it seriously at all.

 

[DanFungus]

Originally posted by: Paulson
I'll give my system specs and what powersupply I'm running...

AMD Athlon XP 1800+
Asus A7M266 Motherboard W/onboard sound
512 Megs of Kingston Memory (DDR 2100)
Western Digital 40 gig 7200 RPM Drive
Western Digital 80 gig 7200 RPM Drive (2)
Lite-on 24x10x40 Burner
Toshiba 12x DVD-Rom
ATI Rage 128 AGP vid card
voodoo 3 2000 PCI vid card
Audigy Platinum (with drive bay that requires power)
3Com Nic Card (10/100)
Promise ATA/100 Controller
3 Case Fans
Microsoft Intellimouse optical USB

That's running off of an enlight 300watt max powersupply

Here's mine:

AMD Athlon XP 1800+ @ 2000+ speeds
MSI KT3 Ultra-ARU w/ sound
1024 Megs of Infineon + generic (DDR 2100)
Western Digital 40 gig 7200 RPM Drive
Maxtor 40 gig 7200 RPM Drive
Maxtor 60 gig 7200 RPM Drive
Maxtor 80 gig 7200 RPM Drive
Maxtor 160 gig 7200 RPM Drive (USB2.0 external enclosure)
Lite-On 52x24x42x CDRW
Pioneer A05 DVD-RW
GeForce3 AGP
Matrox RT2500 PCI Firewire
Hauppauge WinTV Go TV Tuner
Linksys Nic Card (10/100)
11 Case Fans (2 have quad light LEDs)
Logitech USB Mouse, 2 cold cathodes, 1 neon

300W Antec PP-303X
(The calculator thing says I should be using a 544W PS )

 

[Electric Amish]

400w is more than enough for the vast majority of systems.