Power supply advise

[Conor026]

I building a machine for a friend.

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600
2GB Crucial PC2-6400 ram
Asustek P5W-Deluxe mb
500GB seagate hd
a nvidia 7900 GS graphics card

I'm wondering what watt power supply to get.
He wants to get the low power one.

What is needed for the above machine?
400w,450w,500w?

If i get a 500w but the machine needs only 400w,
will the power supply only use 400w or how does it work?

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

A power supply only creates the power that it needs. If your system requires 350w, the power supply converts 350w. EDIT PSUs are more efficient when they are operating near capacity...

A good 400w might do it, 450w should do it, and a 520w should be fine. I would suggest grabbing a Seasonic 500w or Corsiar 520w.

 

[Roguestar]

Seasonic, Corsair or Enermax are considered good brands. Fullmetal Chocobo speaks wise words, heed them.

 

[lurchbourke]

Hey i'm the guy Conor026 is getting info together for, I was wondering is it worth buying the Antec earthwatts 500W PSU or any 80 Plus PSU if plan on playing games on the system, i read a review of the PSU and all the guy seems to say was he didn't like the look of the power supply (something i don't care about). i like the 80 plus idea to save money and power is it to good to be true?

 

[conlan]

FSP 450

Review of Antec EA500

Review of Corsair HX520

They're all high quality and either one will run that system.

The Corsair will leave you more room for upgrades.

 

[Operandi]

Conor026 I would suggest that you read this: Power Supply Fundamentals.

Originally posted by: Fullmetal Chocobo
A power supply only creates the power that it needs. If your system requires 350w, the power supply converts 350w. EDIT PSUs are more efficient when they are operating near capacity...

A good 400w might do it, 450w should do it, and a 520w should be fine. I would suggest grabbing a Seasonic 500w or Corsiar 520w.

Your contradicting yourself....

Power supply's do operate at peak efficiency in the middle of their power curve 40-70% but your recommending a 500 watt PSU for machine that will probably never break 200 watts DC under load.