Is it ok to put a high watt, high quality power supply in a low end computer?

[nx02nx02]

I am ordering a new video card for an older gaming computer. I have decided to put a cheap 9600 GSO or 9600GT (haven't decided yet) in the computer for now and then in about a year put a GTX 280 or something more powerful in it.

The computer needs a new power supply no matter what. The one that's in it currently wont even be able to run a 9600 GSO or 9600GT.

So what im wondering is, is it ok to put a really nice, expensive, higher watt power supply in this computer to power the computer and the 9600 GSO or 9600GT for now then in a year from now when I upgrade the whole computer and video card I will already have a good power supply and wont need to upgrade that?


So basically, is it ok to put an 800 watt corsair in a low end computer that needs at most 450 watts, (even with the 9600 GSO or 9600GT)?

Will a high watt power supply use more power or overpower a low end computer?

Specs:
A64 3800+ single core
A8nvm
2 gigs ram
Windows XP
80 gig hard drive

 

[yh125d]

It'd be pretty inefficient, but there's nothing wrong with it. TBH I'd pick up like a earthwatts 380 for the time being, and when you do the upgrade, then go for maybe a 750w corsair or whatever depending on the specs. Buying parts now for future use is usually a bad idea, although PSU prics are less volatile than say, GPU prices

 

[dualsmp]

Would be a waste of cash really since you don't need that much power even with GTX280. A 500 watt would be much more reasonable, more efficient and have plenty of headroom still even with GTX280.

 

[Modelworks]

Originally posted by: nx02nx02

Will a high watt power supply use more power or overpower a low end computer?

No it will not use more power. Electricity only flows if it has something that is using it. You could put a 100KWatt power supply on a pc and the pc would still only use what it needs.

A higher watt power supply will likely run cooler because it was designed for higher loads and right now you would not be using much of its capacity.

No harm done. If you have the cash and want to spend it on that, go for it.

 

[bruceb]

Agree. Nothing wrong with the bigger supply, except for the price and provided the case has enough room for it and good airflow around it.
And in my view, since the supply has higher current ratings, the parts should last longer at a lower current draw. Less prone to failure.

 

[MagickMan]

So basically, is it ok to put an 800 watt corsair in a low end computer that needs at most 450 watts, (even with the 9600 GSO or 9600GT)?

450? Try about 250W, if not less. I'd just get a nice 400w Corsair or similar and save your nickles for a big PSU when you need it. Prices have been dropping on them for a while and you'd likely spend less in 12 months.

 

[HOOfan 1]

I am not sure I follow the logic in this thread...

Save money by buying two PSUs?

If he wants a PSU with more headroom and plans an upgrade within the next year, there is no reason to buy a stop gap PSU.

 

[yh125d]

Originally posted by: HOOfan 1
I am not sure I follow the logic in this thread...

Save money by buying two PSUs?

If he wants a PSU with more headroom and plans an upgrade within the next year, there is no reason to buy a stop gap PSU.

He could buy one of the 40-50 corsairs/antecs until upgrade time, then sell it for maybe $30. Or he could hold on to it to power the components he has now as a second PC to his new one. Then when upgrade time comes buy the big powerful one. By then whichever he's eyeing likely would have dropped in price a bit, or some newer and better model may be released. As always in the tech industry, buying in advance is usually a bad idea

 

[HOOfan 1]

I bought a Corsair HX620 2.5 years ago and it is still a perfectly fine PSU today...and I actually got it cheaper back then than I can find it on the web today.

PSU prices don't really drop that much, other than with sales.

 

[alkalinetaupehat]

It is fine to place an "oversized" PSU in a low end system to head off future upgrades and there should not be any issues with over-volting or over-amping the device but the PSU will not be running at it's peak efficiency since they need a load of around 50% of their maximum output to work at maximum efficiency. Of course this is a difference of a few percentage points and is not a big deal, really it's just nitpicking.

I would go with one of these:
PC Power & Cooling 750W (also available in red or blue)

Corsair TX750W

Or an 80+ Gold PSU. Up to 90% efficient

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: alkalinetaupehat
It is fine to place an "oversized" PSU in a low end system to head off future upgrades and there should not be any issues with over-volting or over-amping the device but the PSU will not be running at it's peak efficiency since they need a load of around 50% of their maximum output to work at maximum efficiency. Of course this is a difference of a few percentage points and is not a big deal, really it's just nitpicking.

I would go with one of these:
PC Power & Cooling 750W (also available in red or blue)

Corsair TX750W

Or an 80+ Gold PSU. Up to 90% efficient

Those are still extreme overkill. His sytem probably doesn't even use 200W so him getting a 400W or 500W for a little headroom is fine even with him changing his whole system in a year.

 

[starams5]

As others stated there's nothing wrong with it, I run 1000w Antec's in both my rigs for upgrade headroom. But if you have no plans for serious upgrades or you plan on selling the computer don't waste the money. Your specs don't appear to be demanding at all like zerocool84 stated, that would be extreme overkill, comical actually (800w Corsair).