PSU Good Enough?

[HateDread]

Hey guys.

Wondering if a 500W PSU can power this:

-GA-P35-DS3L
-E8400 OC'ed to 4Ghz
-Corsair 800Mhz DDR2 RAM
-HD 4850
-Zalman Something-er-other (CPU fan)

Would that be ok? Also, any suggestions out of this list:

http://www.shopbot.com.au/default.asp?orderby=p&p1=&p2=&kw=500W+PSU&position=search

Yes, I'm in Australia.

Thanks!

 

[sailer]

Depends a lot on what PSU is selected; a high quality unit such as an Antec Earthwatts or a low quality one from Aspire. But yes, a 500wt should power what you list. If, however, you want to add some hardware, you might look to something closer to 600-650wts.

 

[HateDread]

'Add some hardware'?

EDIT: 600W is too expensive. >.<

 

[aevm]

From that list: Earthwatts 500W, Corsair 520HX, Corsair 550VX.

Edit: "add some hardware" as in "add 8 hard disks and 10 fans and 15 lights". If you keep it reasonable any of the 3 I listed would do.

 

[HateDread]

Thanks, oh wise master!

 

[aevm]

LOL, I need a new avatar. Thank Sailer, not me, he suggested Earthwatts and that's your best choice IMO from that list.

 

[HateDread]

I didn't even see your avatar >.>

I've been watching you, and you are indeed wise. A good resource for the Tom's Hardware forums.

 

[HateDread]

Looks like my budget took a big hit. I'm down a few hundred $$$.

I am thinking of keeping my GA-P31-DS3, but still getting the HD 4850.

I am thinking of swapping out hte E8400 for a Q6600. What is a good goal for it's clock speed, when overclocking? And can I keep my 667Mhz RAM and still OC it >3.2Ghz, say?

Will the Earthwatts 500W PSU still power that? And what can I OC the CPU to with a stock fan?

Thanks

 

[chef_jd]

The PSU is the most important pard oc a computer. Do not skimp on it. Get a reliable brand like Pc Power and cooling, Antec, OCZ, and bfg to name a few. Just because something says it is 500 watts does not mean it really puts out that much. Read reviews and do some research before you buy a power suppply.

 

[HateDread]

Thanks for the info. I am getting an Antec Earthwatts, and I know it's important.

Anyone know answers to my other questions, two posts up ^

Thanks

 

[HateDread]

Anyone?

To add to the questions..

Will the GA-P31-DS3 & 2Gb 667 Mhz RAM allow the Q6600 to reach 3.6Ghz, say?

Thanks

 

[HateDread]

I just found out that it supports up to 1333 FSB. I guess one of my last questions, is, if I really need to save money, can I OC the Q6600 in the P31-DS3 to a good clock speed using 667Mhz RAM? I think the RAM is some 'budget RAM'. I'm guessing no.. but I'd like to hear your opinions. How far can I push it with a stock cooler, too?

Thanks

 

[aevm]

You can easily OC the Q6600 to 3.2 GHz on stock cooling, with DDR2-800 and a GA-P35-DS3L. With a P31 motherboard and DDR2-667 I suspect it will be less. Still, don't worry about it. Even at stock the Q6600 is very fast, and games are usually limited by the video card rather than the CPU.

 

[HateDread]

I know, I actually made a thread called 'My build, and questions'. It's got my actual build, and similar questions to this, but in the new context.

Thanks for replying, though!