PSU good enough?

Ericjergs · 11-24-2008, 12:11 AM

First post!!!

I just recently bought a new X1650 PRO Radeon Video card which requires 360 watts, and also added another 512mb of RAM, so now at 1g of RAM. My power supply wattage right now is 300.

My new video card has been running a little hot(Running a small climate keeper fan pointed on the vid card), compared to my old video card, and I was wondering if I should upgrade my PSU to 400-450 wattage. Have a few more questions as well...
-Does PSU wattage effect the temperature of your Video card?
-Can I get away with not have adequate PSU wattage.
-If I do need an upgrade can someone refer a good PSU to me? I do not know anything about rails or amount of volts I would need.

Thank you.

EDIT: Video card only seems to get very hot to the touch while playing video games, but it is only one certain spot of the video card(A metal square plate up and to the right of the center of the card) Otherwise I am able to hold my finger there for a few seconds when computer is idle.

Tumbleweed36 · 11-24-2008, 05:28 AM

I don't think your power supply is adequate for a video card that requires 350 watts. I would suggest either a 500 or 550 for the normal pci-e video card.

Yes, the PSU can cause things to get hot if underpowered, but at this point, we don't know if that is what is causing the heat you describe, because video cards get hot when you play a game.

Yes, an underpowered power supply can cause you to damage other computer components.

BTW, here is a 610 PC Power & Cooling power supply for $59.99 after mail in rebate. This one would be enough room to even upgrade that video card in the near future:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817703005

Ericjergs · 11-24-2008, 07:23 AM

That's just a bit to high for me. What should I look for with how many rails and voltage I need. I don't want to buy a PSU and have it shipped just to find out it doesn't work with my computer.

If ya need more specs just ask.

**linderman** · 11-24-2008, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ericjergs

That's just a bit to high for me.

in what way ????? cost or power ?

a power supply will only deliver what a system needs and no more ?

Ericjergs · 11-26-2008, 06:10 PM

Sorry for the late post

To high in price, don't have much money to spare, that's why I need at least a 400 watt but is a good price and good quality. I also need some help on the specs of the PSU so I can buy the right one for my system.

Thanks in advance.

**linderman** · 11-26-2008, 06:41 PM

look for the Seasonic 400 watt

Coolermaster Real Power Pro

Corsair VX-450 watt

you wont find much of a cost savings between the 400 and 500 watt class ......... basically you can pay now or pay much more later ?

you might want to consider looking on ebay for a used Antec Earthwatts 500 or Neo 500 or Trio 430 .......... often times you can pick up one of these for $40.00

Ericjergs · 11-26-2008, 06:49 PM

Ok thanks, mabye Newegg will have a good deal?

11-24-2008, 12:11 AM	#1 (permalink)
Ericjergs Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 6 OS: Windows XP Home Edition	PSU good enough? First post!!! I just recently bought a new X1650 PRO Radeon Video card which requires 360 watts, and also added another 512mb of RAM, so now at 1g of RAM. My power supply wattage right now is 300. My new video card has been running a little hot(Running a small climate keeper fan pointed on the vid card), compared to my old video card, and I was wondering if I should upgrade my PSU to 400-450 wattage. Have a few more questions as well... -Does PSU wattage effect the temperature of your Video card? -Can I get away with not have adequate PSU wattage. -If I do need an upgrade can someone refer a good PSU to me? I do not know anything about rails or amount of volts I would need. Thank you. EDIT: Video card only seems to get very hot to the touch while playing video games, but it is only one certain spot of the video card(A metal square plate up and to the right of the center of the card) Otherwise I am able to hold my finger there for a few seconds when computer is idle. Last edited by Ericjergs; 11-24-2008 at 12:15 AM. Reason: Forgot a few things...

11-24-2008, 05:28 AM	#2 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,702 OS: XP Professional	Re: PSU good enough? I don't think your power supply is adequate for a video card that requires 350 watts. I would suggest either a 500 or 550 for the normal pci-e video card. Yes, the PSU can cause things to get hot if underpowered, but at this point, we don't know if that is what is causing the heat you describe, because video cards get hot when you play a game. Yes, an underpowered power supply can cause you to damage other computer components. BTW, here is a 610 PC Power & Cooling power supply for $59.99 after mail in rebate. This one would be enough room to even upgrade that video card in the near future: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817703005 __________________ ---------- 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.

11-24-2008, 07:23 AM	#3 (permalink)
Ericjergs Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 6 OS: Windows XP Home Edition	Re: PSU good enough? That's just a bit to high for me. What should I look for with how many rails and voltage I need. I don't want to buy a PSU and have it shipped just to find out it doesn't work with my computer. If ya need more specs just ask.

11-26-2008, 06:10 PM	#5 (permalink)
Ericjergs Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 6 OS: Windows XP Home Edition	Re: PSU good enough? Sorry for the late post To high in price, don't have much money to spare, that's why I need at least a 400 watt but is a good price and good quality. I also need some help on the specs of the PSU so I can buy the right one for my system. Thanks in advance.

11-26-2008, 06:41 PM	#6 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,442 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: PSU good enough? look for the Seasonic 400 watt Coolermaster Real Power Pro Corsair VX-450 watt you wont find much of a cost savings between the 400 and 500 watt class ......... basically you can pay now or pay much more later ? you might want to consider looking on ebay for a used Antec Earthwatts 500 or Neo 500 or Trio 430 .......... often times you can pick up one of these for $40.00 __________________ I still know nothing and I respect that fact, striving to improve and, along the way, help anyone that comes from the place that I used to be! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial

11-26-2008, 06:49 PM	#7 (permalink)
Ericjergs Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 6 OS: Windows XP Home Edition	Re: PSU good enough? Ok thanks, mabye Newegg will have a good deal?