Power supply? Need opinions.

[Catchen22]

I just built a new computer. It worked okay for awhile ( I think it could run smoother ). What i'm getting at is one day I turned on my computer and it started to boot up, but doesn't boot up all the way. What it does is just turns off like somebody pulled the power cord. If you wiggle the cord in the back it SOMETIMES comes back on and again doesn't boot up all the way. I thought at first it might be the processor but if it was the processor it wouldn't just turn off like that would it???? So do you guys think it's also the power supply??????

ONE more question. Is a 300w power supply enough for a this system?

AMD Athlon @ 1.4 gig
Western dig HD @ 7200 RPM
Epox Mobo 8k7a Built in sound card
Pioneer DVD 16x
TDK CD-RW 24x
Voodoo 5 PCI
3.5" floppy drive
2 System Fans to keep the inside cool
Thermal Volcano 5 CPU fan
1 Fan for VIA chip on mobo

 

[sohcrates]

a 300 watter is fine for that setup...i've build several 1.4 ghz machines on that exact mobo with 300 watt PSU's w/out a problem

sounds like something is loose though maybe?

AMD processors don't have the ability to shut off a system if they're overheating last time i checked, so i doubt it's your cpu...sounds like a loose cable or bad PSU

where'd you get the power supply? does it have a brand on it?

 

[Catchen22]

The power supply came with the case and I bought the case off of EBAY.
L & C Computer co
Model: DR-A300ATX

 

[Catchen22]

I forgott to add that I have 256mb DDR Ram. Don't know if that would make a difference or not

 

[sohcrates]

never heard of that brand, but from your brief description of the problem i would say there must be something wrong with the power supply. do you have a second computer you can swap the power supply from to test?

 

[Catchen22]

I do but it is only 250w. I don't think it will cut it.

 

[AthlonMan]

only a 250 dont count on it. Enermax power supply's are nice. Try the 355 watt one. It has two fans one in the default location and one on the bottom to suck hot air away from the CPU. The bottom fan is also bigger then the default size fan, its a 92MM instead of the normal 80MM.

 

[Mem]

<< If you wiggle the cord in the back it SOMETIMES comes back on and again doesn't boot up all the way. >>




I would try a new PSU power lead but think it`s probably your PSU,so buy an AMD approved PSU ,go here .

 

[Yoshi]

I disagree with the guy above, a PS rated at 300 watts may not be enough. Some 300 watt PS will do the job. The 1.4Ghz Tbird draws a ton of current under load (about 36amps according to the AMD spec sheet). Your PS will need to be able to supply this kind of juice, especially at boot up. My advice is get another supply, I would select one from the AMD approved list, and see if things improve.

 

[Mem]

I forgot to say you are better off with 350w or above, better to have more then not enough plus the price difference is not much.