Is a 300W PSU good enough for a loaded P4 2.4?

[Akki]

I was thiking of getting this Evercase w/300W Enhance PSU for a system I'm building for my little sister. She likes to play games (not just The Sims, but Unreal too ). I'm planning to get a P4 2.4 533, 512MB PC3200 ram, and a GeForce Ti4200. Would the 300W PSU be good enough to run these? What if I want to overclock? (I'm thinking not). Any suggestions are appreciated; I'm trying to get a cheaper case/psu since I'm blowing the bank on the system.

 

[icedogg256]

well, 300 might be so-so if you add more fans and cold cathodes or accesseries. I'd say get a 350 to be ok, because the 3.06 p4 takes like 80watts i heard, so the 2.4 would take around 60-70. On pricewatch you can get a 400watt ps for $12, 500watt for $31.
if you overclock, get a 350, you could probly do good with a 300watt if you don't upgrade anything. get a bigger one, just so you don't waste your money.

 

[THUGSROOK]

Originally posted by: icedogg256
well, 300 might be so-so if you add more fans and cold cathodes or accesseries. I'd say get a 350 to be ok, because the 3.06 p4 takes like 80watts i heard, so the 2.4 would take around 60-70. On pricewatch you can get a 400watt ps for $12, 500watt for $31.
if you overclock, get a 350, you could probly do good with a 300watt if you don't upgrade anything. get a bigger one, just so you don't waste your money.

:Q ??? :Q

if youre gonna buy something ~ buy a quality brand unit or dont bother !!!

 

[Akki]

I agree with THUGSROOK, of course. I've long since learned to only buy proven components. Especially when it comes to PSUs. Evercases w/PSUs are hard to beat value-wise, but I'm worried it won't provide enough power.

 

[THUGSROOK]

let me put it this way ~ youd be lucky if it did.
and if it did ~ youd be pushing it pretty hard most of the time.

i had an older enermax 431w ~ it could barely handle my system.
i bought a new enermax 550w and now my voltage dont even budge under full load ~ and my case is loaded with fans, lights, drives, .....

 

[Nighthawk69]

My Antec 300 watt held me back, but my system has a lot of stuff. I now run dual PSU's... a 250watt anda 300 watt. The 250 is dedicated to only the mobo.

Details for power consumption:

1 x 120mm Fan
8 x 80mm Fans incl. 2 total in the PSU's
1 x Stock HSF Fan on P4
1 x Stock GPU fan on GF3
1 x 40GB 7200RPM Maxtor ATA100 HDD
1 x Toshiba DVD-ROM
1 x Zip250
1 x 3.5" Floppy
1 x Cold Cathode

Plus the video card, sound card, 2 NIC's (wireless and wired), USB, etc.

All case fans are on a baybus, of course

The more clean, true power, the merrier

 

[warnerwh]

Try the FSP/Sparkle Fortron brand, they are relatively inexpensive and more than meet their specs and are reliable. Don't even bother with the junk ones as there's a reason they are so cheap. Read this if in doubt: http://www4.tomshardware.com/howto/20021021/index.html

 

[KingofFah]

Sorry, icedogg256, bad info. Especially the fact you listed those cheap 400's on pw. Most of those 400w's do not even make their listed wattage and the majority of them will burn out if you ever put them to the test. Buy a brand name PSU that runs at all its correct voltages.

Didn't tom do some test on PSU's with a bunch of generic 400w PSU in it? I am sure if someone could get you the think, you would never buy a generic PSU again. Is that 12$ worth risking frying your computer?

Love my sparkle 350

 

[mechBgon]

Yeah, why spend the money to build a nice system and then skimp on the foundation of the whole thing... go for Sparkle Power, Antec, or Enermax, and get one that you think is overkill... won't seem that way when you upgrade 18-24 months from now.

 

[Akki]

Thanks for the input everyone. I'm more inclined to go with a Sparkle 350W, that seems like it should be enough. This system isn't going to be upgraded anytime soon, or necessarily ever - it's supposed to last decently for about three years.

Any suggestions on a good inexpenisve case without a PSU? I have a black Evercase already, and I like it quite a bit - it's $35 w/shipping. Anything different/better?

 

[KingofFah]

Hehe, I have had a lot of cases. Good and bad. If you do not mind losing a finger or something, buy a cheap one. They are as sharp as razor blades.

Cheiftec Dragon's are great cases. Got the full tower one on newegg for 45$ (awesome sale). See if it is still going on.

 

[Nighthawk69]

I second the Chieftec/Antec cases. They are built like tanks and offer great cooling, good looks, modability and function all at a low price. Then just throw a big PSU in there and you're set.

 

[icedogg256]

king, I was only saying how cheap you could buy them, yes, I agree you should go with a name brand, not a expensive one, but a good brand. I wouldn't go with a generic. I was just telling him what the starting prices were for the power supplys, and I gave him fare information, please do not rat on me, I know a lot and please respect me and I'll respect you. Thank you.

 

[KingofFah]

Sorry, it just seemed as if you were advising him to buy those cheap 400w PSU's on pw.

 

[RickH]

I would try it with the 300 watt supply if it comes with the case. I built a P 1.6@2.4 with 2 hard drives, CD recorder, DVD drive, Zip, Jaz, floppy, and 1 case fan about a year ago with a 300 watt no name supply that came in a $55 case from a computer show. The case is only $36 and they want $16 to ship it?? Crooks. RRRRRRRRR