Tom's Hardware > Forum > CPU & Components > Power Supplies, PC Cases & Case Mods > Do I need a new Power Supply?

Do I need a new Power Supply?

Forum CPU & Components : Power Supplies, PC Cases & Case Mods - Do I need a new Power Supply?

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bluzman32   08-20-2008 at 11:07:33 PM

I currently have the emachines listed in this link:

http://consumer.hardocp.com/articl [...] 9uc3VtZXI=

I added another gig of memory, for 2 sticks of ram total. I also added a 2600xt 256mb pcie card. So far it runs just fun when I game (COD4). However I am thinking of adding another harddrive (IDE 7200rpm 500gb WD) and I don't know if the 300watt PS will handle the extra drive. What do you guys think? I would rather not buy the extra PS if I don't need it because I'm tight on money. However if I do need it, can you guys recommend a cheap power supply (the cheaper the better). I don't really plan to do anything else to the computer, I just need the extra HD to work.

thanks

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bdollar   08-20-2008 at 11:21:36 PM
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i know it is off topic but the 640gb wd is only $5 more i think. i would get that one. :) :) :)

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bluzman32   08-20-2008 at 11:22:34 PM
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I can only use IDE drives, arent all of those new ones SATA?

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bdollar   08-20-2008 at 11:24:02 PM
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missed that sorry. :(

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halister_one   08-20-2008 at 11:26:59 PM
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DDR...IDE...AGP? Any upgrade would be money wasted. Instead, why don't you get a newer system that supports DDR2, SATA, and PCI-E?

If you are intent on upgrading, you will most definitely need a better PSU. I own a similar emachine and it's 300W PSU is crap. Couldn't support a 6800 at all.

Reply to halister_one
bluzman32   08-20-2008 at 11:42:08 PM
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yeah well my 2600xt plays COD4 at decent framerates (~35 at all high settings) and that is more than enough for me. I just want a new harddrive to store media, and I'm pretty sure there is a converter to change IDE to SATA if I were ever to upgrade to a SATA system. Getting a whole new machine is not an option for me, and as I had not asked about that, I don't understand why it would be brought up. Not everyone is rolling in money.

So my question remains, will my 300watt PS hold up the new harddrive?

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bdollar   08-20-2008 at 11:45:27 PM
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i would be concerned about adding another harddrive. typically those machines are made with the bare minimum to support the components and low quality psu at that.

Reply to bdollar
halister_one   08-20-2008 at 11:46:22 PM
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As I said in my previous post, it's a good idea to upgrade the crappy PSU, but since you're strapped on cash...

A harddrive doesn't draw in much power, so I don't think there will be any issues, on the short run anyways.

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