PSU compatibility

[KillerSkaarj]

Hello. Ok, I was buying a new video card in order to upgrade my eMachines T3522 (really, any upgrade is a massive improvement), but I need a new, better power supply (at least 400 watts. Go figure)

Now, my question here is, can I just buy any 400 Watt PSU and put it in there, or does it have to be a specific kind? I need to know this so that I may upgrade accordingly. I'm planning to gut the computer and replace the old parts with newer, better ones. So, any help here?

Thanks in advance.

 

[SparkyJJO]

From my previous experiences with emachines, they use a standard PSU type. Nothing special, just a pile of crap

 

[KillerSkaarj]

So should I just buy a new case? I'm planning to buy a new one anyway in case the new motherboard I'm buying won't fit into this case.

 

[SparkyJJO]

If you are replacing the motherboard and PSU and video card then might as well get a good case. Not sure about their current ones but the cooling of their older cases wasn't all that great.

 

[Zepper]

eMachines generally use a microATX mobo. If you're getting a full ATX mobo, then a new case will be a requirement.

.bh.

 

[KillerSkaarj]

Does the t3522 use Micro ATX? If so, then I won't be needing a new case after all, as I was about to purchase a micro ATX motherboard that was suggested to me by someone else on the CPU forums.

 

[Zepper]

Look at the back of the case. If more than 4 card slots, then it's a full ATX mobo and the case should take either size. If 4 or less slots, then likely to be microATX. If the card slots are toward the top, then it's BTX; card slots toward the bottom (except for some strange cases) then it's ATX. Is it that hard to get to the eMachines web site?

.bh.