[Blackmag+c]

hello, I recently decided that it would be a good idea to build my own computer.

The specs are as follows

MSI p4n SLI (MS-7160) mobo
Intel CeleronD 326 (2.53 ghz)
160gb barracuda hdd
8400GS 256mb GFX (Palit, cheapo)
DVD-rw lite-on
ATX Case with 350 watt psu

Now the thing powers fans spin BUT there is no vga on the monitor just amber lights and no activity. I have changed the CMOS battery to no avail, has anyone any help they can give. Thanks.:4-dontkno

 

[Houndog777]

HI,
there is no way a 350W psu could handle the rig you have, so that may well be your problem.

 

[Blackmag+c]

ok, also the mobo is a 24 pin
the psu is like 12 pin
had to adapt
could be issues?
and really, the manual recommended that wattage, but I guess all things considered.

 

[Houndog777]

Hi,
check out this this site, it helps you judge what sort of power you need for your rig.
http://www.extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp

 

[Blackmag+c]

it said 186watts I have 350. Does this conclude that its something else or..?

could it be the 12/24 adapter?

I have tested monitor and gfx in diff comp and work fine.

 

[Houndog777]

Hi,
with just the info you have listed above, which does not include floppy, fans, memory etc I got your rating to 208W.
Trust me, 350w is insufficient to power your pc. And if your mobo demands a 24pin psu, then that is what you should have.
An SLI board also needs far more power than a normal board, and it needs a quality power supply. A poor power supply can destroy every component in your pc.

 

[Blackmag+c]

OK thanks v much

what wattage would you recommend?

 

[Houndog777]

My friend, it depends on so many variables.
Are you a gamer, will you be going SLI? Will your rig be on 24/7?
If you have an nVidia board, as you do, then the best place for advice is from the nForce community. Here is the link.
http://www.slizone.com/object/slizone_ecosystem.html
They will recommend psu's, memory, games, cases and once you join in there are lots of free downloads to be had.
Enjoy yourself..................just don't ruin your rig by using a crap psu.

 

[Blackmag+c]

well I am a gamer, but the system is intended for linux

prolly 3 hrs a day.

thanks for the link btw

 

[Wrench97]

The P4n boards have a 24 pin connector and a separate 4 pin cpu connector it needs both to boot, what is the make and model of the power supply should be sticker on the side with this info. As I've never seen a 12
pin ps Are there 2 rows of 12 pins making it a 24 pin? If so make sure you have both the 4 pin and the 24 pin connectors in place and that the video'
card is in the correct pice x 16 slot it should boot and will run with a 350W
until you start to push the system then you may see some problems.

 

[Blackmag+c]

20 pin not 12. apologies for confusion.

 

[Blackmag+c]

the power supply is caescom if that sheds any light as to the quality of the psu


sorry about the delay :/

 

[Ryanmc82]

i would recomend upgrading the psu with a 24 pin if thats what your mobo offers, you can pick up 550 psu for 15 to 20 bucks and have all the connections you want. unless your are an extreme gamer then i would spend some money on a sli psu. but yes if your mobo recquires a 20 pin use 20 pin and if it recquires 24 use 24 there is also a 4 pin next to the cpu fan that must be plugged in or it will not boot up.

 

[Tumbleweed36]

you can pick up 550 psu for 15 to 20 bucks and have all the connections you want....

There is no decent power supply (remember the word decent) of 550 watts that you can buy for less than $50 or more. One that costs $15 to $20 is not worth carrying home. Want to harm your components on the computer, then buy a junk power supply.

 

[Ryanmc82]

i just bought a cheifmax psu for 20, 550 watts, it does what i need it to do and has all the connections that i need. you just have to catch them at the right time for the price. but im not extreme gamer either. it depends on what you build your system for.

 

[Blackmag+c]

Im in England so not much is that cheap over here.

 

[Tumbleweed36]

i just bought a cheifmax psu for 20, 550 watts, it does what i need it to do and has all the connections that i need. you just have to catch them at the right time for the price. but im not extreme gamer either. it depends on what you build your system for.

Good luck with the Chiefmax. I would not sell those to anyone in my shop because I have to back up the units I sell. It might work for a bit, but in the near future, it is likely it will die and take some other components with it. That has been my experience in the years I have been a tech.

 

[Blackmag+c]

Hi, I just tried a 400W EZ Cool Psu and it did the same as before, Im thinking its a motherboard fault. Is the GFX card supposed to like wobble in the x16 slot?

 

[Tumbleweed36]

It should sit down in there fairly firmly, but wobble.....I don't think so if our definition of wobble is the same.

 

[Wrench97]

You have an SLI board so maybe you could test it in the second slot.