Need help w/ PWR Supply and system

[dlin]

Edit: forgot ram

Ok here are my specs:

Abit IS7
P4 2.8GHZ Prescott
512mb RAM DDR (dunno what speed)
Zalman heatsink copper
4 80mm fans
1 120mm fan
1 42x cd rom
1 16x cdrw
1 floopy disc
Maxtor 40gig Harddrive
Radeon 9800Pro 128mb
Aspire X-Dreamer II Case its got leds all over the front + temp gauge.
Generic, 350watt Power supply (came with case)

Today I tried to install a Seagate 200GB HD, But when I connected everything and turned it on I noticed that the leds on the front are faded, and my monitor stays black, then I get some error message from the graphics card.

I tried couple times again, and still the same.
So I unplugged the Seagate and connect everything back, and it works. But now half the leds are dead.
I checked and everything looks fine.

Ok here's my question. Do I need a bigger power supply. I am not very experienced.

I have a Nec Dvdrw coming soon as well (gonna replace the 42x cdrom).
I thought that the 350watt power supply would be enough to handle everything am I wrong?
Please, any helpful feedback appreciated.

 

[RGPHNX]

Hi ,
5 case fans + HD + video card + P4 CPU = 350w powersupply minimum.
Your at the minimum recommended PSU wattage... for using a RADEON 9800...alone.
Up the power .. get a quality (ie. Antec) PSU.
Hope this helps
RGPHNX

 

[meltdown75]

Hello.

Here is a link to a thread which includes a power supply calculator about 1/2 way down the original post. Nice thread as well, of which you will find many.

Personally I think 350w is enough, but a quality 350w PSU is WAYYYY better than a generic 350w PSU. Best of luck with the build!

 

[Vegitto]

Hmm. That first one gets me 365W. Will my planned Huntkey 400W Power supply be able to provide that?

 

[RGPHNX]

Hi again Vegitto,
Not surprising that the PSU calculator told you that you needed 365 w minimum.
My gut instinct/experience told me so. Plus your video card is one power GREEDY beast.
400w should cover it nicely ..if you don't want to install other adapter cards & or HDs later.
Buy a QUALITY PSU. Antec is the brand I have seen to be having the fewest problems & longest life.
Hope this helps
RGPHNX

 

[dlin]

Thanks for the suggestions. I bought a antec 480W Truepower 2.0 Power supply

Is it good? It's a lot quieter than the generic 350W Power supply. But my CPU temp has risen from 40C to 44 idle and the SYS temp 32 to 37C the case gets hotter now.

Now I got another problem, I installed the 200gb hd but I can't see it. BIOS detected it and I can see it in Device Manager. Question is how do I format it with windows, assign it a drive letter etc..?

 

[dlin]

Ok I found out how to partition it. But it gives me two options: primary or extended?

 

[speed01]

Primary

Speed

 

[RGPHNX]

Hi again ,
re:

But my CPU temp has risen from 40C to 44 idle and the SYS temp 32 to 37C the case gets hotter now.

Those temps are OK. You just "upped" your power supply - more watts = more heat.
You already have 4-5 fans. check your airflow (ie. in the front & out the back)- all fans need to be pushing the air in the SAME direction. Next, sideline & tie up any cables that restrict airflow. As a last resort- take off the case access panel & leave it off & and maybe blow an exterior house fan into the case.
The only other thing you could do is goto a water cooler for your cpu- but that's probably overkill...unless you just want/need a new project just to stay busy
RGPHNX