Think I need a new power supply?

[bullion416]

I just put a new board, chip, memory and video card in my system. I am running an Abit NF7-S board with an XP2600+ (333FSB), 512mb pc3200, and a geforce4 ti4200 128mb 8x agp card. I am trying to use my old antec 300w power supply. A couple of times after using the computer for a while, it restarted itself. Think I need a bigger power supply?

 

[bjc112]

Very possible, are they random and erratic restarts?

Is this during any high CPU usage or gaming?

You could up your Vdimm (2.8v) that always helps stability even when not overclocking.

 

[Soulkeeper]

i also have just built a system similar to your's and my antec 480 isn't even powerfull enough for it

most people think i'm crazy but all my overclocks are limited by not enough voltage/current on the rails, not hardware limitations


i recommend getting something with many many amps on the 3.3v rail and 5v rail (ideally more than 35a on the 3.3v and atleast 40 on the 5v if yur overclocking, but since this kinda stuff is hard to find and expensive........)
a lot of the psu manufacturers are over emphasizing the value of the 12v rail over the 3.3 and 5 these days

300w is definately not enough for that system (or any athlon/ddr system for that matter)
get like 500watts or more if you can

 

[bjc112]

300w is definately not enough for that system (or any athlon/ddr system for that matter)
get like 500watts or more if you can

500 :Q

You definitely don't need 500. Soulkeeper, again, you either have a faulty PSU or your hardware truly is limited.

I run my system on the following Sparkle 350

1700+@2.4ghz
2x512 PC 3200
2 HDD
2 Opticals
2 Cold Cathodes
1 LED fan
LED strips down the front of the case...

Granted 300 *may* not be enough, it could be something else involved. PSU are OVER RATED.

 

[bjc112]

300w is definately not enough for that system (or any athlon/ddr system for that matter)
get like 500watts or more if you can

500 :Q

You definitely don't need 500. Soulkeeper, again, you either have a faulty PSU or your hardware truly is limited.

I run my system on the following Sparkle 350

1700+@2.4ghz
2x512 PC 3200
2 HDD
Radeon 9500 pro
2 Opticals
2 Cold Cathodes
1 LED fan
LED strips down the front of the case...

Granted 300 *may* not be enough, it could be something else involved. PSU are OVER RATED.

 

[bjc112]

300w is definately not enough for that system (or any athlon/ddr system for that matter)
get like 500watts or more if you can

500 :Q

You definitely don't need 500. Soulkeeper, again, you either have a faulty PSU or your hardware truly is limited.

I run my system on the following Sparkle 350

1700+@2.4ghz
2x512 PC 3200
2 HDD
Radeon 9500 pro
2 Opticals
2 Cold Cathodes
1 LED fan
LED strips down the front of the case...

Granted 300 *may* not be enough, it could be something else involved. PSU are OVER RATED.

 

[bjc112]

Edit: Sorry internet was down triple post ...

 

[bullion416]

So, are you saying my 300w PSU probably isn't enough, that is why it restarts some times? The couple times that it randomly restarted was after the computer had been on for over an hour, maybe the power supply was working too hard?? Well, if I need a new one.........what wattage should I get and what brand? Also, if you know of any good deals on a decent power supply, post it please. I don't want to spend a ton of money either. Thanks

 

[bjc112]

It's very possible that the 300 may not be enough, though i think it may be. Some claim to run on a 250w ( duron's or something )

This is a newly built system correct? The board may be getting shorted out if it's not sitting well inside the case, check that out to.

If i was you i would look into new Sparkle, Enlight or Enermax PSU... Even Antec since you currenlty have one...

Go to the 350 range and that should be more than enough.

 

[edmundoab]

to be safe just get a 400W power supply,
then you can upgrade to a more powerful GPU in the future without any worries

 

[Soulkeeper]

Originally posted by: bjc112

300w is definately not enough for that system (or any athlon/ddr system for that matter)
get like 500watts or more if you can

500 :Q

You definitely don't need 500. Soulkeeper, again, you either have a faulty PSU or your hardware truly is limited.

I run my system on the following Sparkle 350

1700+@2.4ghz
2x512 PC 3200
2 HDD
2 Opticals
2 Cold Cathodes
1 LED fan
LED strips down the front of the case...

Granted 300 *may* not be enough, it could be something else involved. PSU are OVER RATED.

my psu is not faulty and my hardware is not limited
i've done the math and e-mailed every company that makes the main components in my pc

my memory at default voltage and speed can pull atleast 13a off the 3.3v rail alone
my proc can pull like 9a of the 12v rail when overclocked plus my fans/hard drives/cdrom drives adds up to about 20amps
my 5v rail is also stressed with who knows how many amps being used on my vid card and chipset
i can see any rail drop if i try to stress it more and it only makes sense after doing the math

all my voltage rails are maxed out, my overclocks are limited by voltage/current that i have available


I do recommend a 500 watt or greater psu (with voltage pots) to any hard core overclocker
but if you are not overclocking or are content with a few mhz here and there then get a 400watt psu
300watts is definately not enough in my opinion, but you can try it

lets see last year most people on these forums were recommending a 400watt psu
the year before people were saying 300watt minimum
wouldn't it make sense to need a greater rating this year with the hotter running more power hungry components than even last year ?


I still remember when I owned 3 300watt psu's and none of them could get my t-bird stable at anything over 1.3ghz....
then i upgraded to a 480watt and easily hit 1.5ghz

now my 480 is no longer powerfull enough for me