using a PSU that is too weak

**okeee** · 10-23-2008, 02:45 PM

I'd like to know what happens if you have a power supply that is too weak, such as the power supply is 200W while you need 300W due to the equipment such as videocard, motherboard etc. What would happen?

HawMan · 10-23-2008, 03:34 PM

The PC will not boot up

and if it does you will get overheating, Artifacts on the screen and Crashes / reboots

dai · 10-23-2008, 03:46 PM

what are you running
video card
cpu
m/board
ram
power supply
brand
wattage

check the listings in the bios for voltages and tempretures and post them

**okeee** · 10-23-2008, 06:43 PM

I'm just curious about what would happen.

Is it possible that any of the computer components will be damaged? Or will the power supply be damaged?

Tumbleweed36 · 10-23-2008, 06:50 PM

Many things could very well be damaged and add to that memory, video card, motherboard, power supply,.....and, whatever else you can imagine. A bad power supply can about trash your rig in some instances.

Stu_computer · 10-23-2008, 08:23 PM

-#1 cause of ram failure is due to bad power supply.
-bsod's, freezes, spontaneous reboots.
-corrupt files and drives, hard drive fail/destroyed, usually causing anxiety and grief.
-video, audio, usb, and network errors.
-failed CD/DVD burns.
-component degradation and/or failure.

**magnethead** · 10-24-2008, 10:09 AM

Our mainframe/payroll computer circa 1998 had it's PSU go out from capacitor aging over the summer. It's only used to run a handful of simple tasks, so showed no signs of going out..just one day, it wouldnt turn on. I took my hybrid computer to work to test everything, the PSU wiped out the whole computer. Hard drive and all..boss was mad, he had to manually enter all the tax info again, and didn't have worker histories or anything anymore.

**okeee** · 10-24-2008, 11:23 AM

ok thanks.

10-23-2008, 02:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
okeee TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 547 OS: win me	using a PSU that is too weak I'd like to know what happens if you have a power supply that is too weak, such as the power supply is 200W while you need 300W due to the equipment such as videocard, motherboard etc. What would happen?

10-23-2008, 03:34 PM	#2 (permalink)
HawMan Liam Join Date: May 2006 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland Posts: 2,943 OS: Win XP My System	Re: using a PSU that is too weak The PC will not boot up and if it does you will get overheating, Artifacts on the screen and Crashes / reboots __________________ Please Consider Donating to keep the site free.

10-23-2008, 03:46 PM	#3 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,732 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: using a PSU that is too weak what are you running video card cpu m/board ram power supply brand wattage check the listings in the bios for voltages and tempretures and post them __________________

10-23-2008, 06:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
okeee TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 547 OS: win me	Re: using a PSU that is too weak I'm just curious about what would happen. Is it possible that any of the computer components will be damaged? Or will the power supply be damaged?

10-23-2008, 06:50 PM	#5 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,677 OS: XP Professional	Re: using a PSU that is too weak Many things could very well be damaged and add to that memory, video card, motherboard, power supply,.....and, whatever else you can imagine. A bad power supply can about trash your rig in some instances. __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread.

10-23-2008, 08:23 PM	#6 (permalink)
Stu_computer Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,461 OS: Windows	Re: using a PSU that is too weak -#1 cause of ram failure is due to bad power supply. -bsod's, freezes, spontaneous reboots. -corrupt files and drives, hard drive fail/destroyed, usually causing anxiety and grief. -video, audio, usb, and network errors. -failed CD/DVD burns. -component degradation and/or failure. __________________

10-24-2008, 10:09 AM	#7 (permalink)
magnethead Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Texas, USA Posts: 3,570 OS: Vista ultimate 32bit My System Blog Entries: 3	Re: using a PSU that is too weak Our mainframe/payroll computer circa 1998 had it's PSU go out from capacitor aging over the summer. It's only used to run a handful of simple tasks, so showed no signs of going out..just one day, it wouldnt turn on. I took my hybrid computer to work to test everything, the PSU wiped out the whole computer. Hard drive and all..boss was mad, he had to manually enter all the tax info again, and didn't have worker histories or anything anymore. __________________ For proper support: what are you running? graphics, cpu, m/board, ram, PSU brand wattage PCI-E requires 26 amps at 12 volts. That's a 650W PSU. Power Supply Info and Selection . Info on thermal compounds & application . TEST PSU USING MULTI-METER . Bench Testing Your System

10-24-2008, 11:23 AM	#8 (permalink)
okeee TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 547 OS: win me	Re: using a PSU that is too weak ok thanks.