1 click away but need help :(

Hi, I am from the UK and was just looking on eBay.com for PC's and I noticed that US PC's are much cheaper than UK PC's , anyway I have configured a PC but its from the US and I was wondering would it work in the UK? I have a US to UK power adapter but people have mentioned to me that I would have to get a new power supply and monitor as the voltages are different and something to do with northern/southern hemisphere. Anyone else taken there PC to another country?
Thanks

P.S Sorry if it's the wrong forum but I didn't know where else to post it.

Add a reply

Register or log in to remove.

ellis9020,

Electrical power in the USA is usually 110 volts AC. I don't know about the UK but in Central Europe electrical power was 220 volts when I was stationed with the US Armed Forces in Germany.

I just checked power supply specifications at newegg.com. The power supplies are rated for 110 to 240 volts and either 50 or 60 Hz so you will be fine.

I ordered two pc's from the USA and had them shipped to me in Germany. All I needed was a small inexpensive adapter for the plug because the wall sockets in Germany were different from wall sockets in the USA. The two pc's operated flawlessly.

I can't remember what I did about the monitor. I am a senior citizen and I am I growing old disgracefully.

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by JohnnyLucky on 11-10-2008 at 08:49:04 PM

Reply to JohnnyLucky

JohnnyLucky wrote :

ellis9020,

Electrical power in the USA is usually 110 volts AC. I don't know about the UK but in Central Europe electrical power was 220 volts when I was stationed with the US Armed Forces in Germany.

I just checked power supply specifications at newegg.com. The power supplies are rated for 110 to 240 volts and either 50 or 60 Hz so you will be fine.

I ordered two pc's from the USA and had them shipped to me in Germany. All I needed was a small inexpensive adapter for the plug because the wall sockets in Germany were different from wall sockets in the USA. The two pc's operated flawlessly.

I can't remember what I did about the monitor. I am a senior citizen and I am I growing old disgracefully.

Thanks a lot for the reply , what adapter did you buy? People have been telling me to get a Step Up/Down transformer. In the UK we use 240 volts.
thanks again.

Reply to ellis9020

For your PC you shouldnt need any sort of transformer or converter or anything - the vast majority of pcs have a switch on the back that changes between 110v and 220v - for the uk choose 220v and all will be well....

The monitor is a different story (I'm assuming you're going for a TFT/LCD monitor - these dont run on 220v (internally they are usually12v or something like that - some (my samsung for instance can take a wide range of voltages - much like a laptop - you can use it anywhere and itll work) others you may need to buy a new transformer - just make sure its the corect voltage and current to meet the monitor you choose....

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to will_chellam

will_chellam wrote :

For your PC you shouldnt need any sort of transformer or converter or anything - the vast majority of pcs have a switch on the back that changes between 110v and 220v - for the uk choose 220v and all will be well....

The monitor is a different story (I'm assuming you're going for a TFT/LCD monitor - these dont run on 220v (internally they are usually12v or something like that - some (my samsung for instance can take a wide range of voltages - much like a laptop - you can use it anywhere and itll work) others you may need to buy a new transformer - just make sure its the corect voltage and current to meet the monitor you choose....

Thanks for this reply too. I mean like a converter to change the US 2 pin to UK 3 pin that plugs into the wall. I've decided to buy a monitor from the UK as my friend is selling me his cheap. So do I just need a converter so I clan plug it into a UK wall socket?

Reply to ellis9020

Just be sure to move that switch to the higher voltage before you even plug the thing in.

Reply to Malovane

some psu's are universal,,they can be used anywhere on the planet,,they auto sense the voltage and adapt accordingly..my current ocz 600w for instance can be used anywhere..

Reply to dokk2

I wouldnt buy a convertor - keep it all neat and tidy and just buy a UK 'kettle-lead' or use the ones you have lying around from old computers...

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/131549

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to will_chellam

will_chellam wrote :

I wouldnt buy a convertor - keep it all neat and tidy and just buy a UK 'kettle-lead' or use the ones you have lying around from old computers...

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/131549

Thanks for the link , never thought about buying one of these.. oh my god so easy.... Would I still have to flick the switch?

Reply to ellis9020

That's it - Plexus Kettle Type Power Cable UK Plug 2m

That's all you need for the pc power supply plug. That should do it.

The new psu's do not have a voltage selector switch. They are auto sensing. Voltage is taken care of automatically as DOKK2 noted.

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by JohnnyLucky on 11-10-2008 at 10:00:38 PM

Reply to JohnnyLucky

Oh forgot to mention this is the PSU I will be using. Antec Earthwatts 500w SLI ready.

So if I get the UK 'kettle-lead' on http://www.ebuyer.com/product/131549 mentioned by will_chellam , would I still have to flick the switch or not? thanks for everyones replies , they have all been very helpful thanks for your time.

Reply to ellis9020

JohnnyLucky wrote :

That's it - Plexus Kettle Type Power Cable UK Plug 2m

That's all you need for the pc power supply plug. That should do it.

The new psu's do not have a voltage selector switch. They are auto sensing. Voltage is taken care of automatically as DOKK2 noted.

thanks for the reply. im going to order the pc now!
I will definateley be using this site again. thanks for all the help.

Reply to ellis9020

Forum CPU & Components : Power Supplies, PC Cases & Case Mods - 1 click away but need help :(

Please mind

Focus On

1 click away but need help :(

Forum CPU & Components : Power Supplies, PC Cases & Case Mods - 1 click away but need help :(

Please mind