The age old question?? PS upgrade needed?

[Chappie]

This is the supply I have...http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104953 A FSP 400 watter...been running great for about 3 years now..

I'm upgrading to the following:

Athlon II X3 2.7 Ghz 95 watt
new AM3 motherboard ECS IC780M-A2
new ddr3 1333 ram 2 gigs
and a GTS 250 video card Palit

One or two old hard drives
and One old DVD RW...

So...do I need to upgrade my Power supply??

thanks,
Chappie

 

[PieIsAwesome]

Normally 400 watt would seem fine, but only 23a can be supplied on the 12v rails. I'd upgrade the PSU.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I think that it might be alright, but you will be close. Considering that PSUs degrade over the years as to their total capacity (capacitor aging), you might want to get a new PSU.

 

[Chappie]

Hey guys,

thanks for the comments...

I kind of new the answer...but you know how it goes...

So just for my knowledge...how do you figure out the amps on the 12v rail?

thanks,
Chappie

 

[PieIsAwesome]

In the specs, there should be something like "3.3v 500a, 5v 50a, 12v1 4a, 12v2 4a." Here each 12v rail can supply 4a of current. Though, both rails probably cannot provide it at the same time. The best way is to look at the label and beneath the 12v thing it should say how much combined power is available. Like beneath 12v1 and 12v2 it could say 84 watts total. Divide power by voltage (12v) to get the current, which in this case is 7a. This means that (according to the label) a maximum of 7a can be supplied on the combined 12v rails.

 

[Chappie]

ok...

I've always heard good things about Corsair, how is this?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139008

or this one by BFG

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817702019

thanks,

Chappie

 

[TemjinGold]

I'd go with the Corsair.

 

[tcsenter]

ok...

I've always heard good things about Corsair, how is this?

Although it is a better PSU than the FSP, it won't be much of an upgrade. Maybe 3A or 4A more on 12V+ rail than your FSP. Assuming 20W for 5V+ and 12V- (combined), and 100W for 3.3V+ and 5V+ (combined), that leaves you with about 280W (safely) for 12V+ needs, or 23A. Your FSP can safely do 19A under the same assumptions.