Will this PSU be okay?

[magic_ghost]

I'm upgrading my system, but I was wondering whether the PSU I have at the moment will be powerful enough.

System specs:

CPU: AMD Phenom II X3 720 Black Edition
Motherboard: Asus M4A78T-E
Graphics Card: 1 GB Asus GTS 250 Dark Knight
Hard Drive 1: 250 GB Western Digital WD2500JB
Hard Drive 2: 500 GB Western Digital WD5002ABYS
DVD/RW Drive: LG OEM DVD/RW drive
Sound Card: Soundblaster Audigy 5.1

Current PSU: 400MHz

 

[starams5]

I say upgrade the PSU without a doubt. Just because a PSU will power your system don't necessarily mean its okay. Being under powered can be associated with many problems including early parts failure especially HDD's. The AMD 790GX chipset supports Crossfire X at a reduced bandwidth rate so I'll give you two good options.

Without CF:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010320058%2050001516%20113142557&name=601%20-%20700W

With CF:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010320058%2050001516%20113142559&name=801%20-%20900W

Note: The 850w may be a bit overkill but I like overkill, you would probably be okay with a 750w PSU.

 

[theAnimal]

I say upgrade the PSU without a doubt. Just because a PSU will power your system don't necessarily mean its okay. Being under powered can be associated with many problems including early parts failure especially HDD's.

You don't even know what PSU he has.

 

[theAnimal]

Current PSU: 400MHz

Try again. What make and model?

 

[starams5]

Are you blind?

 

[starams5]

@the animal

Let me ask it another way, would you run a 400w PSU with those specs?

 

[croc]

@the animal

Let me ask it another way, would you run a 400w PSU with those specs?

Depending on the PSU's 12VDC rails, I would have no issues with it. TheAnimal is correct, more info required.

 

[starams5]

I totally disagree with you and your buddy, you recommend what you want to recommend and I'll do the same.

 

[croc]

I totally disagree with you and your buddy, you recommend what you want to recommend and I'll do the same.

The best PSU calculator out there seems to think the OP needs 250W. That is guessing a bit on some of the OP's components, but still even guessing low a 400W quality PSU should more than suffice. You seem to have a penchant for recommending 2x the power supply that a user needs, never mind that the PSU will be really ineffecient at those loads.

As theAnimal has already posted, more info required.

 

[g3force]

I totally disagree with you and your buddy, you recommend what you want to recommend and I'll do the same.

A good quality 400 watt PSU will easily drive his system and give plenty of overclocking headroom. If you have any doubts, theres dozens of threads/articles around the place.

 

[starams5]

A good quality 400 watt PSU will easily drive his system and give plenty of overclocking headroom. If you have any doubts, theres dozens of threads/articles around the place.

You put it in quotes but I don't think you read what I said. "you recommend what you want to recommend and I'll do the same" Nothing has changed.

 

[g3force]

You put it in quotes but I don't think you read what I said. "you recommend what you want to recommend and I'll do the same" Nothing has changed.

Sure, I'm not trying to argue with you, I'm just merely saying theres a lot of articles out there that are contradictory to what you are saying.

 

[starams5]

I don't want to argue with you either g3force and I believe what you're saying about the articles. When I post, my comments come from something I have experienced and not something I read. This is where we differ here but no harm has been done.

 

[starams5]

@croc

Online PSU calculator? You got to be joking, you might as well use a compass while your at it, it's probably more reliable.

Well fellows it's been fun chatting with you, we have severe thunder storm in progress so I'm shutting down before I need an upgrade myself. Peace always.

 

[croc]

@croc

Online PSU calculator? You got to be joking, you might as well use a compass while your at it, it's probably more reliable.

Well fellows it's been fun chatting with you, we a severe thunder storm in progress so I'm shutting down before I need an upgrade myself. Peace always.

What? So worried about OP's psu, and yet you don't even have a decent UPS?

And BTW, my sailboat does have a compass, as well as a sextant and a good chronograph. One can't always count on electronics, so I keep in practice on my small voyages.

@OP: http://extreme.outervision.com/psucalculator.jsp
That's the underlying code that is used on most PSU sites that offer a calculator.

The best site for reviewing PSU's that I have found is jonnyguru.com.

 

[starams5]

Your true colors came out croc. PSU calculator, you are an amateur at best and to think you had me fooled for a minute. And as far the sail boat is concerned, I have three, see how easy that was? And the link, who cares maybe you didn't read one of my previous post, I'll refresh your memory "my comments come from something I have experienced and not something I read." Next time direct your attention towards the OP, I didn't ask for your help or your advise and don't need it now. With that said, I'm not mad at you croc, never that.

 

[croc]

Your true colors came out croc. PSU calculator, you are an amateur at best and to think you had me fooled for a minute. And as far the sail boat is concerned, I have three, see how easy that was? And the link, who cares maybe you didn't read one of my previous post, I'll refresh your memory "my comments come from something I have experienced and not something I read." Next time direct your attention towards the OP, I didn't ask for your help or your advise and don't need it now. With that said, I'm not mad at you croc, never that.

I think that my replies to you were more in the line of steering the OP clear of someone who does not really have the experience that they claim, advising them to get more PSU than they need without having all of the adequate facts at hand. That is the true definition of an amateur.

I'm not angry with you either, but I do wish that you'd stop advising posters to buy larger-than-needed PSU's just because 'you have personal experience'. I as well have 'personal experience', as well as access to a SunMoon PSU testing station. And the calculator that I linked is far more accurate than your 'guesstimates', backed up by many hours of testing. The Pro version is better, but the lite version will do you (or the OP) just fine.

Now go and buy a good UPS so you don't have to cower in fear of a wee thunderstorm....

 

[starams5]

No coward here you pee wee, and what makes you think your advice is so special. UPS, it's just as easy for me to shut the computer down and get on the laptop, you keep trying to give me advice pee wee but nothing has changed, you have nothing to offer pee wee, your just another amateur poster, difference being you have an imaginary sailboat, I'm not mad at you croc.

 

[magic_ghost]

Sorry about not giving enough information.

Heres the specs of the PSU:

Power EBEL RB-400ATX

400 MHz,

3.3v (16a), 5v (25a), 12v (13a)
-5vsb (-2a), -5v (-0.3a), -12v (-0.8a)

Do you need the wire colours aswell, or is that enough information?

Also, I won't be running crossfire, as i'm just buying one card.

 

[starams5]

Hi magic_ghost, I stand by my first post, a little cushion never hurts. And I personally apologize for the unnecessary drama on your thread. The trick is, to buy the best unit you can at a good price, in other words shop around.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010320058%2050001516%20113142557&name=601%20-%20700W

 

[croc]

Sorry about not giving enough information.

Heres the specs of the PSU:

Power EBEL RB-400ATX

400 MHz,

3.3v (16a), 5v (25a), 12v (13a)
-5vsb (-2a), -5v (-0.3a), -12v (-0.8a)

Do you need the wire colours aswell, or is that enough information?

Also, I won't be running crossfire, as i'm just buying one card.

Your EBEL will be a tad bit suspect for what you want. I don't know what is available where you are, so I'll just throw out some suggestions. Any of the newer Antecs 450W or over will suffice, as well as any newer Corsair in the same range. Personally, I find PCP&C a tad bit overpriced here in AUS, but the same holds for them as well.

Look for 80+ certification, and a unit that incorporates active PFC that fits your budget. For your build, a good solid 14A should suffice on the +12VDC rails. If you want more PSU, I have already sent you the best links that I know of. Good luck, mate...

 

[delluser1]

12v (13a)

A good quality 400 Watt ( not MHz ) psu such as the Corsair 400CX can provide 2.5 times the amount of 12v power and would certainly be powerful enough, your Ebel ( never heard of it ) will not.

 

[magic_ghost]

Thanks for all the replies. I've decided to go for a 750w PSU, since this will make the upgrade more future proof.

 

[Dark Comet]

Its best to post what PSU brand it is so people can advise on how reliable it is. Unless you have already gone by someones recommendation.

 

[theAnimal]

Thanks for all the replies. I've decided to go for a 750w PSU, since this will make the upgrade more future proof.

If you're only using a single video card, a good quality 500W+ PSU is plenty. Corsair & Seasonic are good brands to choose from.