Need to replace old PS

[Rachet]

I just bought new memory "OCZ" performance 2 - 1 gig dimms 3200 speed, and I want to upgrade my PS. My system stutters when the games become too intense.

The recommendations I got was to upgrade PS and memory( I was using 1 gig of value select corsair). My PS is an Enermax Whisper 350 watts that I've been using for about 5 or 6 years.
According to Asus PS calculator I need 500-550 watts

I was thinking about getting this unit:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...ies-_-Antec-_-17371007

I have a few Best Buy gift cards to use up or I'd go to Newegg.

My system:

PIV 3.2 Northwood
Asus P4P800 SE
2 1 gig dimms 32oo OCZ ram
ATi AIW X800XL
Sony DVD, +/- R Burner
Plextor cd burner
2 hard ide drives
Floppy
3 fans

Will the Antec unit work or do you see a better PS at BestBuy that you would recommend?

 

[dualsmp]

I came up with 252 watts using this calculator for your system.

http://extreme.outervision.com/PSUEngine

My system is very similar to yours (overclocked P4). Id bet your even using less wattage then 252 watts. You probably are pulling around 200 watts max.

When I inputted all info about my system it was quite a bit off when I compared it to a kill-a-watt electricity meter. The PSU calculator said my system uses 230 watts (at around 90% load or whatever the default is), and I checked it with the kill-a-watt during a game and the max wattage I could ever pull was only about 155 watts.

I would go with a 450 watt PSU (max), or even a 400 watt. Your efficiency will be better with a properly sized PSU.

 

[theAnimal]

Originally posted by: dualsmp
When I inputted all info about my system it was quite a bit off when I compared it to a kill-a-watt electricity meter. The PSU calculator said my system uses 230 watts (at around 90% load or whatever the default is), and I checked it with the kill-a-watt during a game and the max wattage I could ever pull was only about 155 watts.

The reason for the difference is the calculator does not give you system power consumption; it gives recommended PSU size.

 

[theAnimal]

Originally posted by: Rachet
I just bought new memory "OCZ" performance 2 - 1 gig dimms 3200 speed, and I want to upgrade my PS. My system stutters when the games become too intense.

Did the games work without stutter before the RAM upgrade?

The recommendations I got was to upgrade PS and memory( I was using 1 gig of value select corsair). My PS is an Enermax Whisper 350 watts that I've been using for about 5 or 6 years.
According to Asus PS calculator I need 500-550 watts

Your PSU has plenty of power for your system, and going from 1 to 2GB of RAM won't change that.

I would say try a different PSU in your system to see if that is the issue before spending money on a new one.

 

[Rachet]

The reason I bought the ram was because my system started to stutter.

My system was running better about a year ago, but then I had problem with my video card overheating. I sent it back as it was still under warranty.
The card I sent ATI was a ATI AIW X800XT but then sent me back the AIW x800XL. I don't believe the card requires more power since the card is actually a step down from the AIW X800Xt( last time I buy an ATI/AMD product, not with that kind of warranty)

So, I figured the factors for the slow down were, older PS (5 or 6 years), and bigger OS with more SP and critical updates. I thought the ram and PS would speed my unit a bit,
especially when the PS calculators have all recommended a larger PS than a 350watt.

I only have PS that are 350 or lower available. The other 350 I have is a cheap noname that came with the case.

That is why I've thought of buying the Antec 500 earthwatts.

PS....... I reformatted my drive and re-installed all my software about 2 months ago.

 

[dualsmp]

Your supply could have a bad capacitor or another problem. Just recently I found out my 7 year old Antec 350w had a bad capacitor when I opened up the PSU (cap was leaking at the top). I used a program called OCCT which overclockers use to test for stability and saw the 12v and 5v had serious dropouts (red lines). You can see screenshot below. You might try out OCCT here and see what results you get. You can just run from the directory (doesn't have install routine), so it won't add any more bloat.

http://i160.photobucket.com/al...-04-26-23h19-Volt5.png
http://i160.photobucket.com/al...04-26-23h19-Volt12.png

 

[Lunyone]

Even the Antec Earthwatts 380w PSU will be plenty for your needs, but the 500w version will be good too. If they have the Antec 380w/400w PSU there than I'd consider them, unless the price difference isn't too much.

 

[Rachet]

WELL i DIDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE "OCCT " TEST.


This week BestBuy has the Antec Earthwatts 500w for $89.00
if I decide to make a purchase this week it will be that one.

Thanks for your help, I just not sure if the PS is my problem.

 

[Lunyone]

you might want to double check that your memory voltage is at the correct setting. Stock voltage is 1.8v, but some of the faster clocking RAM is usually around the 2-2.2v values. If your running 2-2.2v RAM at stock values (1.8v) than that would tend to cause some problems when you start to push them. You'll need to boot to BIOS and check your memory voltage settings.

 

[Rachet]

I'm running my ram at 2.85V, I asked a Tech at OCZ and he said I'd have to push the ram to 2.85 to get the settings of OF 2,3,2,5.

This is the ram I have http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820227210

 

[Lunyone]

Originally posted by: Rachet
I'm running my ram at 2.85V, I asked a Tech at OCZ and he said I'd have to push the ram to 2.85 to get the settings of OF 2,3,2,5.

This is the ram I have http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820227210

Yep, I forgot it was DDR and not DDR2, so your on/over the limits of the RAM voltage. You might want to back down to 2.8v (limit listed) and back off the timings to see if anything changes. Maybe running the RAM over the limit might have shortened the life of the RAM??

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: Rachet
The reason I bought the ram was because my system started to stutter.
The card I sent ATI was a ATI AIW X800XT but then sent me back the AIW x800XL.

That could be the cause of stutterinig in your games, the 800XL isn't as powerful as the X800XT.

 

[Rachet]

The number one game I play is still the original "Unreal Tournament" which I should be able to play with the x800xl, although you are correct, there is a noticable reduction in speed from the old video card.

Well I decided to buy the Antec Earthwatts 500 model last night.

Over the next 10 days I will clean out my machine, install the new PS, reformat the drives, and re-install all my software.

I 'll let you know how things turn out once I 'm done.

Thanks for all the input

 

[Lunyone]

Sounds like a good plan. It's always good to have a quality PSU on your system and also not to have it stressed too much. I think you made a good decision. At the very least you'll have a good PSU to build a system around, if you end up changing things later.