[SOLVED] Should I switch my PSU or not?

KarmelDiva · 03-04-2009, 06:19 PM

I just got off of online Tech Support w/ Compaq/HP and the guy told me I could fry my motherboard if I put in a 400W power supply unit? and he also said that I should look for a video card that would stay in the same range as my PSU which is 300W. He said that my computer could only take 300W. I'm new at this and I was pretty confident in replacing it until that chat room conversation

any advice? suggestions, will be greatly appreciated Thanks in advance.

My computer is SR2180NX
mother board info:
Chipset Intel i945G/GS/P/PL
Southbridge Intel 82801GH (ICH7DH)
Manufacturer ASUSTek Computer INC.
Product LEONITE
Vendor Phoenix Technologies, LTD
Release Date 04/11/2007
BIOS Version String 5.16
ROM Size 512.00 kB

Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 2.80GHz CPU:0
Specification Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 2.80GHz
Current Speed 2.80 GHz
Size 16.00 kB
Size 1.00 MB

Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 2.80GHz CPU:1
Specification Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 2.80GHz
Current Speed 2.80 GHz
Size 16.00 kB
Size 1.00 MB

Stingray1969vet · 03-04-2009, 06:36 PM

I am pretty sure the chat room guy didn't know his butt from a hole in the ground.

First off the 400 in 400W PSU, means that the PSU is capable of 400W, it won't push it all the time, so know it won't fry your pc, providing it is installed correctly. This is also assuming it is not proprietary. If this is the case then you are stuck with what HP has to offer for it, or become an electrician and rewire the new PSU, not recommended.

Hope this helps
Stingray

Tumbleweed36 · 03-04-2009, 06:41 PM

Online Tech Support w/ Compaq/HP = Baloney! I don't know where they get these so called support guys, but that is not true at all. If it is not a proprietary supply as mentioned, you can easily put another one in there that is large. However, just be careful that it is a standard ATX power supply. If it is an older machine, you may have to settle with what Compaq offers, but the wattage being too much is not correct at all.

KarmelDiva · 03-04-2009, 06:58 PM

LOL I agree w/ both of you because of between what I've read and what he said I knew some thing wasn't right. He also seemed like he was getting irritated at the questions I was asking. AH well he'll be alright. My computer is only 2yrs old and I think I'll go with a Corsair PSU, I have learned to stick with name brands. Thank you both so much for your help, now I can sleep tonight with out having a nightmare about my computer being on fire. LOL Thanks again if I have any more questions I will definitely come back here.

Tumbleweed36 · 03-04-2009, 07:09 PM

Since it is newer, most likely it is a standard ATX supply. Whatever you do, measure that old supply before you order, because some of those proprietary cases are not a standard size. Just check everything first before you jump.

**grimx133** · 03-05-2009, 06:36 AM

If you're putting in a new psu for a video card, make sure you get enough power. No such thing as too much, but not enough power is the most common problem with new video card installs.

KarmelDiva · 03-06-2009, 10:22 AM

Thanks every one for your help! I will make sure I have the right size case for the psu before I order.

03-04-2009, 06:19 PM	#1 (permalink)
KarmelDiva Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 13 OS: Windows Vista Home Premium SP1	[SOLVED] Should I switch my PSU or not? I just got off of online Tech Support w/ Compaq/HP and the guy told me I could fry my motherboard if I put in a 400W power supply unit? and he also said that I should look for a video card that would stay in the same range as my PSU which is 300W. He said that my computer could only take 300W. I'm new at this and I was pretty confident in replacing it until that chat room conversation any advice? suggestions, will be greatly appreciated Thanks in advance. My computer is SR2180NX mother board info: Chipset Intel i945G/GS/P/PL Southbridge Intel 82801GH (ICH7DH) Manufacturer ASUSTek Computer INC. Product LEONITE Vendor Phoenix Technologies, LTD Release Date 04/11/2007 BIOS Version String 5.16 ROM Size 512.00 kB Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 2.80GHz CPU:0 Specification Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 2.80GHz Current Speed 2.80 GHz Size 16.00 kB Size 1.00 MB Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 2.80GHz CPU:1 Specification Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 2.80GHz Current Speed 2.80 GHz Size 16.00 kB Size 1.00 MB

03-04-2009, 06:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
Stingray1969vet Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 82 OS: 2k/2k Pro/WinXP Home/WinXP Pro/Server 2003/Vista/Ubuntu 8.04lts	Re: Should I switch my PSU or not? I am pretty sure the chat room guy didn't know his butt from a hole in the ground. First off the 400 in 400W PSU, means that the PSU is capable of 400W, it won't push it all the time, so know it won't fry your pc, providing it is installed correctly. This is also assuming it is not proprietary. If this is the case then you are stuck with what HP has to offer for it, or become an electrician and rewire the new PSU, not recommended. Hope this helps Stingray __________________ Don't piss in the wind

03-04-2009, 06:41 PM	#3 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,673 OS: XP Professional	Re: Should I switch my PSU or not? Online Tech Support w/ Compaq/HP = Baloney! I don't know where they get these so called support guys, but that is not true at all. If it is not a proprietary supply as mentioned, you can easily put another one in there that is large. However, just be careful that it is a standard ATX power supply. If it is an older machine, you may have to settle with what Compaq offers, but the wattage being too much is not correct at all. __________________ ---------- 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. Last edited by Tumbleweed36; 03-04-2009 at 06:45 PM.

03-04-2009, 06:58 PM	#4 (permalink)
KarmelDiva Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 13 OS: Windows Vista Home Premium SP1	Re: Should I switch my PSU or not? LOL I agree w/ both of you because of between what I've read and what he said I knew some thing wasn't right. He also seemed like he was getting irritated at the questions I was asking. AH well he'll be alright. My computer is only 2yrs old and I think I'll go with a Corsair PSU, I have learned to stick with name brands. Thank you both so much for your help, now I can sleep tonight with out having a nightmare about my computer being on fire. LOL Thanks again if I have any more questions I will definitely come back here.

03-04-2009, 07:09 PM	#5 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,673 OS: XP Professional	Re: Should I switch my PSU or not? Since it is newer, most likely it is a standard ATX supply. Whatever you do, measure that old supply before you order, because some of those proprietary cases are not a standard size. Just check everything first before you jump. __________________ ---------- 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.

03-05-2009, 06:36 AM	#6 (permalink)
grimx133 Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Canada eh Posts: 3,155 OS: xp mce sp2, xp pro sp2, windows 7 beta My System	Re: Should I switch my PSU or not? If you're putting in a new psu for a video card, make sure you get enough power. No such thing as too much, but not enough power is the most common problem with new video card installs. __________________

03-06-2009, 10:22 AM	#7 (permalink)
KarmelDiva Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 13 OS: Windows Vista Home Premium SP1	Re: Should I switch my PSU or not? Thanks every one for your help! I will make sure I have the right size case for the psu before I order.