Power supply work?

JimmyJammy · 10-05-2009, 06:52 PM

My aunt recently asked me to fix her computer for her. I determined that her old 478 socket mobo was the problem and I went ahead and ordered her a GIGABYTE GA-G31M-ES2L LGA 775 Intel G31 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard and Intel Celeron E3200 Wolfdale 2.4GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor to replace hers. She already has 2gb ocz gold ddr 667 ram, ide 160 hard drive, ide cd burner and 350W power supply. I was doing some browsing on the site and reading about power supplies and noticed that older power supplies amp ratings are diffrent than newer ones. Her power supply is 350W with 12V 10A and 5v,3V at 22A. My question is will this power supply run this new mobo and cpu or should i upgrade to a bigger one? I plan on just using the onboard graphics so i dont think that it should need a much bigger supply but I need to make sure that this one will work. Thanks for the help in advance it is greatly appreciated.

Phædrus2401 · 10-05-2009, 07:21 PM

I think the current power supply will *run* it, especially since your aunt is unlikely to be pushing the hardware very hard, but the safety margin will be frighteningly thin. I would replace it with something like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817151077
With 27A on the +12V rail, which gives her plenty of head-room and could run an *extremely* low end graphics card (GeForce 8400GS might work), though we recommend against it with PSUs under ~400-450W.

EDIT: Wrong link. Fixed. :P

JimmyJammy · 10-05-2009, 07:38 PM

ok i appreciate the info I will see what she wants to do if she doesnt mind spending another $50 def a good idea to replace it.

**Tyree** · 10-06-2009, 07:28 AM

I think you will need to replace the RAM. The old 478 Mobo probably used DDR RAM and the new board needs DDR2.

Phædrus2401 · 10-06-2009, 10:14 AM

Just noticed something strange:

Quote:

350W with 12V 10A and 5v,3V at 22A.

Those currents only add up to 296W, which means 350W might be a peak power rating, rather than continuous... Which screams, "shoddy parts and false rating!" at the top of its lungs. I'd say *definitely* replace it, no ifs ands or buts.

dai · 10-06-2009, 11:21 AM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...corsair%2b550w

10-05-2009, 06:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
JimmyJammy Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 57 OS: xp	Power supply work? My aunt recently asked me to fix her computer for her. I determined that her old 478 socket mobo was the problem and I went ahead and ordered her a GIGABYTE GA-G31M-ES2L LGA 775 Intel G31 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard and Intel Celeron E3200 Wolfdale 2.4GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor to replace hers. She already has 2gb ocz gold ddr 667 ram, ide 160 hard drive, ide cd burner and 350W power supply. I was doing some browsing on the site and reading about power supplies and noticed that older power supplies amp ratings are diffrent than newer ones. Her power supply is 350W with 12V 10A and 5v,3V at 22A. My question is will this power supply run this new mobo and cpu or should i upgrade to a bigger one? I plan on just using the onboard graphics so i dont think that it should need a much bigger supply but I need to make sure that this one will work. Thanks for the help in advance it is greatly appreciated.

10-05-2009, 07:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,775 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: Power supply work? I think the current power supply will run it, especially since your aunt is unlikely to be pushing the hardware very hard, but the safety margin will be frighteningly thin. I would replace it with something like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817151077 With 27A on the +12V rail, which gives her plenty of head-room and could run an extremely low end graphics card (GeForce 8400GS might work), though we recommend against it with PSUs under ~400-450W. EDIT: Wrong link. Fixed. :P __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.

10-05-2009, 07:38 PM	#3 (permalink)
JimmyJammy Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 57 OS: xp	Re: Power supply work? ok i appreciate the info I will see what she wants to do if she doesnt mind spending another $50 def a good idea to replace it.

10-06-2009, 07:28 AM	#4 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,528 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: Power supply work? I think you will need to replace the RAM. The old 478 Mobo probably used DDR RAM and the new board needs DDR2. __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

10-06-2009, 11:21 AM	#6 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,575 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: Power supply work? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...corsair%2b550w __________________