Power Supply Okay for 9700Pro?

[Blinkme323]

I am receiving a 9700 pro tommorow and will be installing it on a 2.8/800 P4 with 512 ddr2 pc3200, 2 hd's, and 2 cds. It only has a 230 watt power supply. It is a Compaq and I think it must be underrated or something. It has served me well for many years, but will it be enough for my 9700pro. I have a nice 350 watt in my backup system which on;y has a 9100 so I might switch it with that if neccessary. Another option is buying an overrated ~500 watt power supply on Ebay. What do you think I should do.

 

[imported_itr]

how about buying a quality psu for about $40 on newegg?

edit: what brand is the 350 watt psu?

 

[AristoV300]

Yeah you can buy decent PSU in the $40~50 range. There are many PSU threads do a search.

 

[MonkeyWrench4000]

Compaq PSU's are in fact underated, I believe that a 230w PS is about the same as an Antec (or similar) 300w. Compaq as well as Dell PSU rating is the MEAN average, even though it states max wattage. I went through this same thing with a dell with a "250w" PSU, but it runs a 6800 perfectly, has 2 optical drives, 7200rpm hd, and many extras in the pci slots.

 

[Blinkme323]

I am not sure. I got it for free from work. It WAS a $3000 machine that was built with top of the line components for stability and endurance two years ago. I don't really want to shell out any more money on my pc and if so, it will only be ~$20 tops. www.geeks.com had a 500 watter or similar I think for $12 shipped. I am hoping my 350 watt can get the job done though.

 

[imported_itr]

according the monkeywrench4000, if his dell 250w psu can power a 6800, 2 opt. drives, then you should be fine.

 

[dexvx]

OEM's dont really have to play the numbers game when it comes to PSU's. They are generally very conservatively rated. It may not work, but theres just as good a chance that it will work.

 

[3chordcharlie]

Leave it in there until you have a reason to think it doesn't work - it most likely will.

OEMs don't make their money selling systems with cheap PSUs that crash, so chances are there's some headroom there for you.

 

[imported_Hi]

if those dont handle i suggest these

first one

second one

 

[Blinkme323]

Which is better: the 230oem or 350 cad.

 

[DanDaMan315]

Originally posted by: MonkeyWrench4000
Compaq PSU's are in fact underated, I believe that a 230w PS is about the same as an Antec (or similar) 300w. Compaq as well as Dell PSU rating is the MEAN average, even though it states max wattage. I went through this same thing with a dell with a "250w" PSU, but it runs a 6800 perfectly, has 2 optical drives, 7200rpm hd, and many extras in the pci slots.

Doesn't Dell use PC P&C power supplies?

 

[dexvx]

Originally posted by: DanDaMan315

Originally posted by: MonkeyWrench4000
Compaq PSU's are in fact underated, I believe that a 230w PS is about the same as an Antec (or similar) 300w. Compaq as well as Dell PSU rating is the MEAN average, even though it states max wattage. I went through this same thing with a dell with a "250w" PSU, but it runs a 6800 perfectly, has 2 optical drives, 7200rpm hd, and many extras in the pci slots.

Doesn't Dell use PC P&C power supplies?

They use different PSU's for different "grades" of computers. Servers/Workstation use eMac aka Zippy and the Home grade stuff probably use Fortran.