EquiNOX

I have ULTRA 400watts power supply, and have 3 in-chassis fans, 1 CPU fan (Cooler Master Vortex 750).

I am unable to find all four fan wattages to determine if it is sufficent wattage in order for system to run... If that company didn't include that wattage on sticker or package.. does it mean I don't need to be concerned about cpu fan wattage?

Let say if in the future, I decide to add Blu-ray DVD/R/W rom into my system, I am afraid without knowing fan wattage, I couldn't determine total wattage..

Any tips or suggestion?

outermon

Try http://extreme.outervision.com/PSUEngine

It'll allow you to choose fans and Optical Drives, and uses standard wattages to calculate.

EquiNOX

I am not sure why you posted the link for me to visit, I don't see how this can answer my question.

Maybe I wasn't clear enough from early post, maybe I wasn't elaborate. I'll rephrase....

As mentioned... I have 3 in-chassis fans, and a CPU fans... And all of these fans I have, do not have wattage labeled on the fan itself, It does not either labeled wattage on the package or on the manual. So technically I have no idea what these wattage are... Its for sure this fan runs 12v but at what wattage?

So the question is, If companies that manufactures these fan did not include wattage on the fan or manual and/or package. Does that mean, I should not be concerned about fan wattage?? In order to determine type of Power supply I could use.

For exampe... If I Purchase, DVD/R/W and it have maybe 35 watts... Now Do I need to Add up DVD/R/W watts with 3 in-chassis and CPU fan? or should I disregard it and focus on DVD/R/W watts plus other devices wattage such as another DVD/R/W ?

wrench97

If you have anything newer than an AGP card I would be concerned about a 400W power supply. Fans don't draw a lot of wattage.

See this thread for answers on picking power supplies don't forget to add 30% to the total when you are done due to efficiencies.
Power Supply Information and Selection

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renaw

Do the fan stickers specify the current draw? Usually they do, and you can multiply current in amps by 12 to get the power consumption in watts.

I've been keeping a log of fans for several years, and the largest power consumption I've seen on any of them is 3.6 watts. But I always try to buy low-speed, quiet fans. It's possible your fans use more than that, and if you have 4 of them running it might add up. I think that 400 watt Ultra power supply specifies 17 watts on the 12 volt supply.

EquiNOX

wrench97:
Ah! That's something comes to my attention now...

I have Asus M2A-VM HDMI..
More info See Here
It do not have AGP but PCIe.. Its for sure I will be using on board video for now until I can build enough money for High End or nearly PCIe Vid Cards.

So my understanding...400w Power supply will be enough for what I need, at least for now??. Oh not to forget to mention this.. I will be using External DVD/R/W which it will be attached to USB ports and that would not require lot of power watts is that correct?

Renaw... Thank you... I remember there was a way to find out wattage but I did not know how or perhaps know math formulas. Thanks, I just did all calculating...

Fan 1: 0.14A x 12 = 1.6 W
Fan 2: 0.15A x 12 = 1.8 W
Fan 3: 0.14A x 12 = 1.6 W
CPU Fan: Unsure
-------------------------------
Total 5W or more based on CPU fan

Ultra Power supply for +12 watts can handle up to 240 W and 7.2 W for -12. Sound like I don't need to worry about it at all eh?

patriothntr

Fans are usually between 1-4 watts...4 being quite high. If you have an optical drive, it might hit 35 watts peak...

renaw I think you mean 17 amps on the 12v line...

OP: Don't worry too much about the fans...I do like the calculator that outermon posted...it gives a good general idea of consumption, and I recommend you give it a shot...and don't forget to add in capacitor age if it is an older unit...

renaw

Oops.
Even as I said it, I was amazed that it could be so low as 17 watts -- what can you do with 17 watts? But the mouth moved on, unimpeded by the brain.
Yes, 17 amps. If you took out everything else and just packed the case full of fans, they probably wouldn't add up to 17 amps.

EquiNOX

Duly noted now... Thank guys for help...

patriothntr:
I know this calculator that outermon posted might be very helpful... But I am only building simple system board with limitation. Which means, no video cards or heavy add on rams will be in.

I will get to use that calculator whenever I get to build game system.

Again Thanks for help
Much appreciated

wrench97

Don't forget to add in USB devises, Capacitor aging(as they age they lose efficiency) and last but not least if it's a 70% efficient PSU add another 30% to make up for the loss, This will give you a long life power unit for your system.

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linderman

when you buy a new video card you will need a better PSU >>>> the Ultra's are very low quality !

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shiftytech

To give you an example, I am running a Dual Core AMD processor, with 1 DVD burner, 2 internal SATAII harddrives, 7 chassis fans (with LEDS... one being a 200mm, the rest 120mm's), and a PNY 8800GT video card. This is all powered by a Dynex 400W power supply. My computer runs cool, and achieves great frame rates in new games at 1920x1200 resolution, on all high settings. I would not recommend this, but as you see it can be done. I am upgrading to a 700W however in the next few days (already purchased) simply for the purpose of being able to install more fans, and for future upgradeability(some of the newer processors on the market are capable of operating at an ultra low 45W and with advancements in RAM and GPUs the power required for high performance devices is actually decreasing... although when you are running 2-3 video cards in SLI you will want all the power you can get). What you might want to look into is an additional power device that is simply meant to power your video card (they do make them, they can power up to 4 video cards and provide up to 400W of power). They should be well under $100.

linderman

the only standalone video card power supply I have seen so far is made by Thermaltake ..... it sits in a 5.25 inch drive bay and is rated for 250 watt @ PEAK and only 75% efficient ........ it over heats very easily too druing intense gaming (p2P player action is the worst strain)

I found them to be big time trash / I thought when the 8800's first came out that these type units would be the salvation to my having to tell my gaming customers they needed to splurge on new bigger power supplies with big price tags

well I learned two things the hard way during two seperate instances / when that mini power supply trips (it has super crappy overvoltage protection) its joint / shared use of the grounding side of the computer electrical system damages the main PSU and or the motherboard and ram sticks >>>>> all of which Thermaltake didnt go good for replacement.
They bailed out with the excuse "your main power supply must be too inadaquate to run the rest of the system / those where hard lessons learned; while trying to be cheap / froogle and save the customer money I ate an 8800GTX back when they were $650.00 and ate a $300.00 just released 680i asus MAX motherboard

as for newer components using less juice >>>>>> look at the consumption of the new Quads and especially at the new AMD multi cored cpu's ??????

then dont forget to factor in overclocking which is the whole reason why most guys want the new cpu's to begin with ; then show me that 45watts of power consumption ????????? 45watts is not max power consumption by any means

you want to see a real juice hog ........... 9800 GX2 the transformer at the rear of my office building buzzes less than that thing ! ROFL


I have replaced enough high performance / high priced parts resulting from crap power supplies to finance a nice two week vaction...... thats no fun thats wasted $$$$$$


I was amuzed the other day when I was reading a forum converation dealing with the troubles of trying to run 8800 GTX in SLI and how there are soooo few units that can really get the job done , NONE of the proven units were under 850 watts >>>>>>> therefore please explain how removing ONE video card can cut the power drain down by 50% .... the math is not supporting that equation

400 & 500 watt power supplies will run a gamer rig for a little while .......... but your car will run for a few miles without any radiator fluid too !!

and the results in the end are equal >>>>>> your new 700 watt power supply purchase is about on par as adding more radiator fluid when the red light came on !

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patriothntr

Well, all this chat is kinda off topic...but since we're on it...

The AMD quad core chips that were just introduced have such high power levels b/c they are essentially factory OCed chips...pushed as high as they can by b/c AMD is trying to compete against intel...and on the other end of things AMD has taken the same chips and dropped their clocks and has very efficient chips.

As far as power consumption goes http://blogs.zdnet.com/Ou/?p=755 this looks like the e6750 pulls 95w @ load (and yeah, there's no video card to guzzle power)...this test also measures power from the wall...so that means the system is pulling 80 watts DC from the supply (if we assume 80+ is really working, which the guy doesn't).

Cards do draw quite a bit of power, but this system doesn't have one, so no need to worry bout that...

dai

if your running a pcie m/b you need a psu putting out 26a on the 12v line

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linderman

that does rather cut to the chase

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patriothntr

26a total over the 12v lines I think you mean...seeing as how many PSU mfrs are still sticking to the specs which say 18a max on the 12v line, with multiple 12v lines...

dai

yes over the multiple lines just remember when you total them up that's not what is availble for use

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