PSU queries

[rivan]

I'm currently using an Antec 350W power supply that came with the case. I've just tried to move to a 6800GT and am having some problems with it - it booted/worked fine once, but now refuses to boot. I wouldn't have thought my PSU's insufficient, but I thought I'd run it by the forums. Here's my machine:

XP3000+
1g corsair RAM
DVD burner
3x hard drives (boot drive + raid0 pair)
9500 pro/6800 GT (just one at a time - the 9500 works, the 6800 doesn't)

Fairly basic machine, really, and if I didn't have three hard drives in there, I wouldn't even be asking.

Thoughts? Do I need a higher capacity PSU? Suggestions on a new one? If I have to upgrade to a new PSU, I'd like to get one that will support upgrading - I'll eventually move to a 5 drive config; boot + 4 drive RAID.

 

[rivan]

Oh, also... in terms of keeping the case a little cleaner while holding max functionality, any thoughts on the modular PSUs?

 

[oopers]

I would think so. I could be wrong but:

I have an A400 Winfast 6800GT. My harddrives would sag so bad with my old Sparkle 350W that it would take an extra 30 seconds to boot up. The harddrives would completely spin down and wait before starting to spin up again.

Leadtek suggested a bigger PSU, so I went for it.
With my Antec TrueControl 550W I've set the 12v to 12.01 and the 5 to 4.99. Now it's only a brief sag.

I know nothing of the modular stuff just thought I'd throw my $.02 in about the 350 possibly not having enough juice.

 

[rivan]

Thanks, oopers.

Anyone else care to weigh in?

 

[rivan]

Bump.

 

[Matthias99]

Please give the exact model and/or list the amperage ratings of each voltage rail on your PSU. An "Antec 350W" is pretty vague, as Antec has produced a large number of PSUs over the last few years with similar wattage ratings.

It could be a power problem, but it's hard to tell. A 350W PSU -- if it's working properly and has adequate amperage ratings -- should be able to run that system without a problem. Does it work if you unplug everything but the CPU/RAM/video card? *That* would make me lean towards a shaky PSU.

 

[rivan]

All the info I've got currently is the 350W rating - and I've got no idea how to gather the rest of the info - I'm a PSU newbie. Is all that on the side of the PSU, and if not, how do I measure it?

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: rivan
All the info I've got currently is the 350W rating - and I've got no idea how to gather the rest of the info - I'm a PSU newbie. Is all that on the side of the PSU, and if not, how do I measure it?

The important number to be aware of is the 12v rail. And yes, it's located on the side of the PSU.