Well, right now I'm running an overclocked Sempron 3000+(Manilla core) at about 2GHz, lolintegrated graphics, a GB of DDR2-667, one HD, and one DVD burner (Not bad for $200 online ). My current 300Watt PSU is probably overkill for what I have. What I'm wanting to do is get a 8800GT 512MB, and 2 sticks of 2GB DDR2-800, and buy a 500Watt PSU off of a friend of mine. Do you guys think that PSU can take it? I've heard that the 8800GT takes about 250Watts on it's own. BTW, I know that the graphics card is overkill for that little processor, but once my tax return comes in shortly after that new line of intel processors is supposed to come out I'm getting a Q6600, a new mobo, and a modular PSU that I won't have to replace for about 5 years. So don't worry about it
it depends on the brand, if it was say a corsair hx520 it would power your whole new rig, if its generic it might not (i wouldnt connect up a generic at all thou). so if you could get some more details about it
I have an A64 3200, 1gb ram, 3 hdd, and an 8800gt, powered by an Antec 480 watt and it runs everything just fine. But it depends on the quality of the 500w psu that you want to get. If it's some cheap brand then it might not cut it.
you'll have plenty of power. see my sig for what i'm running off a 500w silverstone. but why would you buy one powersupply now and another "when your tax return comes"? why not just buy the fancy modular one now?
Tell us the specs of the power supply and we can get a much better guess as to how much power it will take. If it is a quality brand like Corsair, Antec, SeaSonic, SilverStone, PC Power and Cooling or the likes, then you should be fine. If it's something like Powmax or CaseGears you would want to look at a better quality power supply.
Gah, I'd never risk computer equipment with a cheap PSU. It's a Cooler master RP-500-PCAR. I'm not sure how high quality coolermaster's stuff is, but it's about 6 months old. I'm not worried about keeping this thing forever either, I'll probably just ebay it or something. Maybe this helps. Specification o Mfr Part Number: RP-500-PCAR o Features: + Compliance with the newest Intel standard ATX 12V V2.01 + Super silent operation with intelligent fan speed control (< 20dBA) + Support dual +12V and +12V outputs for higher power usage + Green power design to meet energy star and blue angel requirements + More than 70% efficiency at typical load operation o Total Power: 500 W o Type: ATX from factor 12V V2.01 o Input Voltage: 90~132V / 180~260 V (Selectable) o Input Current: 6.3A @ 230Vac / 8A @ 115Vac o Input Frequency Range: 47 ~ 63Hz o Fan: 120mm Sleeve bearing fan o Power Good Signal: 100 ~ 500ms o Hold Up Time: > 17ms o MTBF: > 100,000 Hours o Protection: OVP/ OPP/ Short Circuit Protection o Safety: Nemko/ TUV/ cUL/ CE/ BSMI/ FCC/ CCC o Connectors: 1x 20+4 pin Motherboard Connector; 1x 4pin 12V CPU Connector; 1x 6pin PCI Express Connector; 3x SATA Connectors; 6x 4pin Peripheral Connectors; 2x 4pin Floppy Connectors o Dimension: 150 x 140 x 86 mm (Standard ATX PS2) Edit: I did a bit more digging. +3.3V@20A,+5V@20A,+12V1@16A,+12V2@16A, -12V@0.8A, +5VSB@2.0A Edit2: I'm buying it off of him for $20. I'll probably sell it to someone in a few months anyway.
not too efficient though. most good PSUs have atleast 80%< its sort of confusing to know what wattage to get. ive went through PSU wattage calculators at newegg and it said I would need like 1200 watts for two hd 3870s and amd 6000 and 8gb of memory. wtf thats not true. but im not too sure that PSU will be too good but for $20 it isnt that big of a loss if its not enough.
Newegg's psu calculator has taken the crown As the worst psu calculator. I suggest a proper psu, instead of spending money twice. Even a corsair VX 450 will be plenty for you
Hey, out of curiosity. How can I tell exactly how much amperage is on the 12V rails of a PSU? I'm pretty sure you don't add them up.
