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Need Sufficient PSU for Hardware Upgrade

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  • Power Supplies
  • Hardware
  • Components
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Last response: in Components
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June 26, 2007 4:22:43 PM

I currently have an Antec NeoHE 480 Watt Modular PSU. Below is my current hardware configuration:

Antec Full Tower Case
Antec NeoHE 480 Watt Modular PSU *
Asus A7N8X-E Deluxe Motherboard *
AMD Athlon XP 3200+ Barton Processor (underclocked to 2500+) *
Crucial 2GB (2x1GB) PC3200 Memory (underclocked to 333FSB) *
(2) Western Digital 250GB SATA-300 Hard Drives
(2) Western Digital 200GB UATA-100 Hard Drives
Mitsumi 1.44mb Floppy Disk Drive (yes, old skool but still used)
Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Gamer Edition Sound Card
LiteOn 16X IDE Dual Layer DVD Burner
ATI All-In-Wonder 9800 Pro 128MB AGP 8x Video Card *


I plan on upgrading to the following:

1) Motherboard - $104.49

Asus M2N-E nForce 570 Ultra Sempron/Athlon 64(FX)(X2) SktAM2 DDR2 ATX Motherboard w/Audio, Gigabit LAN, RAID/Serial ATA Retail

2) Processor - $112.00

AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core Processor 4600+ Socket AM2 (65W) Retail

3) Memory - $114.99

Crucial Ballistix 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

4) Video Card - $154.99 + $5.64 = $160.63

ASUS EAX1950PRO/HTDP/256M Radeon X1950PRO 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail


Total: $492.13 Shipped


I might need to replace my power supply, as I don't believe mine will have enough juice for the above hardware. I've checked out the online calculators but they really aren't accurate. I am hoping someone on here has a similar setup and would know first hand if my 480 Watt PSU can properly handle this config or if I need a more powerful one such as the Thermaltake listed below. I'm aware that the X1950 will require more power than my existing 9800 Pro, just not sure exactly how much more. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

-- MaSoP



Other, Possibly Required:

1) Power Supply - $125.99

Thermaltake W0103RU Toughpower 600W Power Supply w/Active PFC Retail

Total: $125.99 Shipped

More about : sufficient psu hardware upgrade

June 26, 2007 5:33:40 PM

assuming your psu is only a couple yrs old i think it is more than enough.

EDIT:
The 1950pro does require more power but again your power supply is more than able. http://www.extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.js... This calculator is probably one of the more accurate ones as it measures maximum power draw. a number that you will only ever experience at power up.
June 26, 2007 5:46:25 PM

Quote:
assuming your psu is only a couple yrs old i think it is more than enough.

EDIT:
The 1950pro does require more power but again your power supply is more than able. http://www.extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.js... This calculator is probably one of the more accurate ones as it measures maximum power draw. a number that you will only ever experience at power up.


I bought my PSU in 2005 I believe. As far as the results of the calculator, it came out to about 430watts. How does the claimed 85% power effeciency work into the equation? Thanks for the input.

-- MaSoP
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June 26, 2007 6:06:20 PM

your psu will provide 480 watts of power. however because it is converting power from ac to dc, power is lost in the transfer. i.e. although it will produce 480 watts of dc power, the power draw from the wall socket is actually 552 watts.
June 26, 2007 9:07:59 PM

Quote:
Is this your Power supply?
http://www.viperlair.com/images/reviews/cases/antec/psu...
If so then it should be good enough with 32 amps on the 12v rail.
This is a more detailed power supply calculator that also breaks down how many amps are required on the 12v rails.
http://web.aanet.com.au/SnooP/psucalc.php


Yes, that is the power supply. That's good news to hear. Obviously if I was to go with an sli capable mb and get 2 video cards, that would change things. It seems that page recommends a 300watt psu to cover 182watts of power. I think I'll be ok, between both calculators. They both tend to indicate I'll be ok with a quality 480 psu. Thanks for the input.

-- MaSoP
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