My Llano build ~ PSU adequate?

[ctsoth]

Hello,

Firstly, thank you all so much for sharing your knowledge, for sharing your resources and time with whoever appreciates it. I have been reading anandtech since I built my first computer a number of years ago, and still now I read it as the quality of content is typically fantastic, and I must say, the community as well is quite knowledgeable, much so beyond me.

This said, here is my system as built, waiting on the processor to arrive on Tuesday the third.

• a8-3870k

• ASUS F1A75-M PRO/CSM

• 2x crucial m4 64gb [got one as a Christmas present, 1x application drive, 1x os drive]
• 16gb G-Skill 1866 ripjaws x
• lg blu-ray burner
• lg 42lk450 for monitor [hopefully i win the lottery on this and get an ips panel]
• fractal arc-midi tower, i pulled all of the 140mm fans off of my old build, so the tower is fully stocked with fans.....
• The potential problem, Antec Neo Eco 400w power supply.

Is this PSU going to cut it? What if I add a discrete card down the road? Also, I will bee adding high capacity HDDs when prices come down, probably a single 4tb drive to start with, but again, when prices stabilize later this year.


Thank you all so much for your time, I very much appreciate the discussion. Any commentary on any other part of the system is most welcome, I am happy to discuss much anything, no worries about staying on topic, however, if you have some expertise to lend on the question of the PSU adequacy, I would very much appreciate your thoughts.


Thank you,
Christopher

 

[Magic Carpet]

Tell you what.

A good-quality 300W PSU should be good enough for this. So, yes.

EDIT:
If you plan to upgrade to a discrete card (150w+) later on, you might have some issues. Going extreme here.

 

[LoneNinja]

That PSU is plenty, even if you decide to add a 6670 or other lower end video card. Something high end like a 6870/6950 or up you would probably need a better power supply.

 

[kbp]

Something else you may want to try is RAIDing your 2 Crucial 64's.

 

[SamMaster]

http://www.anandtech.com/show/2624

This should help make a decision. The article is a bit old hardware-wise but the principles stay the same.

I personally think you would be ok for now, and maybe upgrade the psu later depending on the video card you eventualy get.

 

[ctsoth]

Interesting read, thank you. I believe I read that some time ago, which influenced my purchase towards a smaller power supply.

I think the crucial drives are fast enough on their lonesome, I'm happy with leaving them independent. I plan as I said to run OS on one, and applications on the other, and for now I'll backup important files on both drives. Beyond inconvenience, a drive failure doesn't so much worry me, so long as data loss isn't an issue.

Before adding a discrete card, I'll have to measure power draw under load, compare that to the cards TDP, and then I will know if the power supply can handle it.....
Edit: Also, I ought to check to see if this PSU has the proper power connector for a 6790 or whatever.

 

[ElFenix]

llano doesn't pull down much wattage by itself:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/4476/amd-a83850-review/9

one of dell's gold 200 watt supplies would run that system just fine. an average quality 300 watt would run that system just fine. a mid range graphics card would work in that system with any decent 300 watt.

 

[ctsoth]

Thank you so much for the information! Looks like everything should bee good, I will measure the total system power before adding a discrete card down the road, just because it seems like the right thing to do.