Will a 330W PSU handle my setup?

[KurskKnyaz]

That not to bad, theoretically my 12v rail alone can handle 204W. Probably less given that the PSU is over 6 years old.

 

[HOOfan 1]

You don't have to put too much power on it for it to blow..capacitors age, especially the Fuhjyyu capacitors in the Antec first and second Truepower series...especially when they get hot.

If you don't think a PSU is capable of destroying components when it goes bad by blown capacitors or rectifiers or whatever goes bad, then it is clear you just don't know what you are talking about.

Is it common for components to be destroyed by a bad PSU? No not really, but it certainly does happen, especially if the problem occurs on the secondary.

If you want to keep your old Antec supply, go ahead that is your choice, but don't argue with people that a failed PSU cannot damage equipment.

For one, the capacitors are part of the ripple suppression system, and if they go bad then your PSU could be feeding damaging amounts of ripple to your components.

 

[pmv]

"If the capacitor explosion damaged your components then I would be careful, someone wants you dead."

Well the pc didn't actually _explode_, like with those guys in Die Hard 4 (no C4 involved)! But, now I come to think about it, I also remember the dvd drive suddenly spinning up at super fast speed at the same time, so I'm pretty sure it would have been something failing in the psu causing a surge of electricity.
It was _really_ annoying though, as otherwise I'd have carried on using that machine, had no immediate plans to upgrade.

I'm not suggesting your psu is a low quality one like mine was, mind - and possibly a decent quality one like yours would not go the same way, but I just don't think there's any doubt that its _possible_ for a dying psu to take other components with it.

 

[996GT2]

Why don't we just let him keep his 330w Antec? When/if it blows and takes his other components with it, that's his fault and not our problem to deal with...

 

[tgunner]

Capacitors are not usually in line with a side of the power, but rather bridged across the positive and negative to reduce line noise and fluctuations from the 120v 60Hz side of the power. When one fries, it will either short across the positive and negative, and produce either a massive surge or drop in power. At any rate, it's not good.

 

[Yellowbeard]

Another thing to consider is that it is NEVER a good idea to run a PSU at or near its peak capacity. So, let's say that the 3850 pulls a very conservative 80w under load you then have to add the CPU into the equation. I'm a bit rusty on my P4 power requirements but IIRC, it's probably anywhere from 89w to 130w, especially if it is a prescHOTT.

PSUs are most happy at or near 66% of their rated capacity. So, based on common sense and the collective knowledge and wisdom assembled here at AT, running that system with a 5+ year old 330w PSU with inferior caps is a BAD idea. It is likely a ticking time bomb. It may die peacefully and simply expire one day when you power off. But, a PSU can in fact go BOOM and take the other components with it.

FWIW, I hate most of these PSU calculators these days. IMO, the best thing to do is to find out what the max power draw of your components is and then do the math.

 

[killster1]

who cares about the fact hes spending 10$ extra a month with unefficient psu hehe.. also have seen enermax liberty's spark and ruin entire pc.. hey you will prob be fine for another year

also what ups do you have that cleans power? only the expensive ones do (pretty sure)