Is a 200W power supply enough for this configuration?

[AnitaPeterson]

I got one of the BlasterPC kits, with a P3-900 MHz processor.

I'm planning on putting in it the following components:
- 256 MB RAM
- Maxtor 40 GB 7200 RPM
- Creative 6x DVD
- HP CD-RW
- Aopen 48x CD-ROM (for various purposes, so that I don't have to use the DVD or CD-RW drives for DAE, games and applications that require a CD)
- FireWire card
- 56k modem
- Radeon or GF2, see
this thread for details
- 10/100 card

Will the regular 200W Blaster PC power supply be enough, or do I have to scoop for a 300W one instead?

 

[benjamit]

i don't think anyone with that much stuff uses a 200 anymore
the smallest i've seen and used are 250
and with more stuff still i went and got a 400
i would get a 300 for future additions and upgrades, 250 at least for now
psus are getting cheaper along with most other h/w

 

[shathal]

Urm - how can I say this in one word... NOPE - that's a pretty big gamle with 200W.

I would very much recommend to go to at least 250W, pref. 300 if possible. My recommendation at any rate - your choice to listen or ignore .

 

[Duvie]

I have seen some 145watt ones work...It is a matter of the quality and I am not familiar with that brand you have listed...

My guess would be no, especially after you have listed a total of 4 ide devices...geforces are more power hungry than radeon so that would take some more juice as well.

My opinion 250-300 watt range.

 

[Tonec]

Say what you want about creative driver support, but their hardware tends to work flawlessly. They wouldn't package a power supply that couldn't handle an average p3 system like yours. The only time that you absolutely need a 300 watt ps is with the first gen amd750 boards. Most major oems still use a 145/200/235 watt units in their midtowers and when was the last time you heard any complaints about inadequate power from those systems.

 

[Duvie]

But you also don't see oems packing 3 cd-rom ide type devices...many will go combo cd/cd-rw/dvd or dvd and cd-rw but rarily all three.


Now I am not sure about this....

p3 cpu= 33watts
mobo= 50 watts
(4) ide devices @25 a piece = 100 watts

then you still have potential power hugry vid card and case fans...

Don't get me wrong try it but don't be surprised...

Also you have continuous wattage output which usually isn't the same as the total 200 listed...maybe problem will occur while multiasking, download to hdd from internet, and burning a cd on the fly from aopen drive...BOOM failure, computer reboots...

LIve at the edge or build in some reserve power...

 

[AnitaPeterson]

Thanks for your opinions. That's what I thought as well - I need to get the regular PS out and get a 300W. I just hope it'll be standard size and all...

 

[LuNoTiCK]

get an enermax they are nice.

 

[Rand]

It might work but you very likely won't have absolute stability with that PS. Your likely going to require at least a 250W PS to ensure stability and preferably a 300W PS for a ittle head-room.