Power Supply Dying Help Please

[dragonx117]

Hey, whats up everyone, new to the forums as you probably have noticed. To start off my problem is that I have the basic stock power supply that came with my computer. It is a 209 watt total PSU. Now, The measurements are a little awkward because when im looking for one to replace it they are usually bigger than the one i have in my machines by diameter. The dimensions on my psu is as follows:
D: 4"
W: 6.5"
H: 3.4"

I recently got a power supply not knowing that i needed to pick out certain dimension requirements, mainly because i thought they are all the same in size ( I was wrong, as well as Best Buy for telling me, there was no different sizes. Thanks Best Buy! ) But anyway i've heard of Mini-atx, micro-atx and the regular atx, I just don't know what mine is considered. I've been looking in newegg.com for a replacement but none of the listings for the psu's show the dimensions, and its frustrating me. Can anyone bless me with some information on what my psu is considered, a mini-atx, micro-atx, or atx12v or whatever. And the other question is that if i get a more higher wattage, like 350watt is there any risk of that psu damaging my computer in anyway. Thanks in advance guys! =)

 

[Bonesdad]

MOST PSU's are of standard size...there are proprietary units out there. What kind of computer do you have? Was it a dell or HP or one you built yourself long ago? Sounds like a proprietary PSU. You might be better to get a whole new case and PSU....unless the motherboard is non-standard as well.

 

[dragonx117]

I should have told you guys my specifications in the beginning.
The specs are as follows:
Sony PCV-RZ24G
Pentium 4 2.66ghz
768mb ram
PSU brand name is NMB
Windows XP Home Edition SP2 is what i have installed in there and came stock.
6800 nvidia geforce OC 128mb
not sure what my motherboard is but im looking to get a new computer but i would
like for this computer to last until i get the new one which is probably after christmas most likely, reason im asking these questions for a new psu is because I've been recently getting lock up issues, after I leave the computer about for an hour or so it will lock up, it will let me move the mouse but when i try to click on something it won't activate, so I've downloaded a program called speedfan to check if it was the heating issues and i found out that it shows temp 2, local temp, and remote temp, were heating up too high (if you are familiar with this program that is.) But anyway it shows those temperatures too high so i thought it was the cpu heating up or the other fans because of dust so i sweeped my system with some compressed air as well as the power supply fan and it took out some but not alot. So i felt the fans air pressure and it was cool, then i touched the power supply on the outside where the cord is and it was hot, plus it has been making a noise recently since like a few weeks ago. Im thinking that it is such a low watt power supply that because of the fact that i installed a better video card more ram as well as the new sound card they are requesting more power and it is drawing away from the power of the psu. So thats the reason. But thanks in advance for those who help me out.

 

[Jiggz]

Well, now that you know what dimensions you need for your PSU, either carry the unit with you or take the measurements and buy one locally. You will need at least 400W PSU or better. I'm sure you can find the right one if you just show them what you need. Either that or search the net.

 

[Bonesdad]

If you can actually buy a computer after Xmas...don't spend $$ on a PSU for this machine now. Or if you do, buy a PSU for your new computer and just plug it in from the outside of the computer, leave the case side open and blow a fan on it if you need to keep it cooler. There is no risk of burning out the Sony with a PSU that is "too strong". It will only draw the power it needs. Don't invest in another PSU for this case/unit. What are you planning to upgrade to?


edit: the other thing you could do is try to find the exact same model# of PSU on ebay or something. I wouldn't spend more than $20 for it.

Are you gonna gut this PC or start from scratch?

 

[dragonx117]

Hey guys, thats really cool of you guys to help me out, I was thinking about it and you guys are right maybe i should leave it on the outside but is there a risk of anything if i keep the psu on the outside? Also to answer your question, bonesdad, Iam starting from stratch, i want to get an athlon 64 x2 4400+ toledo 1ghz fsb 2.2ghz dual core processor with a cool looking case that fits an atx av8 motherboard the processor is socket 939 and i haven't picked out whatever else but im shopping around =). I mostly go to newegg for these things but yea im going to start from scratch im using this one for now, cause i got to save up for christmas for gifts and I don't get much money to begin with, my job is crap =p Thanks for your help guys. I appreciate it, and if you guys have any suggestions on whatever else i should get that would be cool too.
-dragonx117