Tom's Hardware > Forum > CPU & Components > Power Supplies, PC Cases & Case Mods > Max number of hard disks for 450 watt psu

Max number of hard disks for 450 watt psu

Forum CPU & Components : Power Supplies, PC Cases & Case Mods - Max number of hard disks for 450 watt psu

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I've got 2 internal hard disk and 1 external hard disk (powered externally). I'm planning to get myself another internal hard disk, most likely a WESTERN DIGITAL Caviar Black 1.0TB. My two other internal hard disks is a Samsung HD502IJ and a Hitachi HDS 721616PLAT.
I'm using a Nvidia 9600GT graphics card (overclocked about 10%) and a Intel Core 2 quad (Q8200) cpu (overclocked about 6%). I'm currently using a cheap 450 watt PSU.
I'm a total noob when it comes to PSU but I do understand that higher wattage PSU are better when I did my research on the internet. But nothing answers my question on the hard disk part. So what I'd like to know is do I need to get a better PSU to provide more juice or is my current PSU is good enough that I can add in one more hard disk without worrying about not having enough power.

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You should be OK. An internal HD will not use more than about 20 watts.

On the other hand, full system specs would have been niceto see if you are operating the PSU close to the max load.

Reply to jsc

Thanks for the quick reply. Since it was requested and I want to know if my current PSU can handle the load, here's my system's specs:

CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad (Q8200) -6% Overclocked
Motherboard: ECS G31T-M7 (cheap one, I know >.> )
RAM: 4GB
Graphics card: NVIDIA GeForce 9600GT (dual screening with this card. 10% Overclocked)
Network: D-Link DWA-547 Rangebooster N650
OS: Windows Vista SP2 32bit. (changing to Windows 7 64bit soon)
C & D Drive: Samsung HD502IJ (partitioned to C and D. SATA)
H Drive: Hitachi HDS 721616PLAT (PATA)
I Drive: Western Digital 5000AAV (external hdd)
F Drive (DVD): SONY DVD RW DRU-8455
Others: Internal USB card reader
7 x USB Ports, all in constant use
Western Digital WD400 HDD. (in the PC casing but not attached to any cable for the moment but might attach them soon)

I still have other 2 more hard disk around (all filled up) and I'm thinking of connecting them as well. Someone recommended me to use an external enclosure, but I had bad experience with them as those enclosures either crash my drives or its adapter suddenly not giving enough juice to spin the disk.


Message edited by serenade on 10-24-2009 at 10:58:17 AM
Reply to serenade

Welcome to the forums.

 

Full system specs include brand and model of PSU. It's crucial. A 400 watt Corsair will produce more usable power than many no-name 600's.


Message edited by jsc on 10-24-2009 at 04:24:06 PM
Reply to jsc

Thanks^^

I forgot to add in the PSU oops. I'm not sure what is the brand since there's no brand label but the model is PSIV-400-1 according to the attached sticker. It came together with my Asus TA-861 Vento A8 Chassis (old skool XD). A simple google showed me that it's some generic PSU. Also, I've mistaken my PSU wattage. It's actually only 300 watts.

edit: I've decided on a Cooler Master 650 watts PSU. Installation went well (did cut my thumb though. blood got on the black matte casing T_T) and I'm starting to like it. The previous PSU made lots of buzzing sounds but this new PSU is running silent. I used a PSU calculator which gave me a result of 385 watts, but with possible upgrades in the near future, I went with more wattage. I've added in another drive (the others still not in yet) but ran out of space. Need a 5.25" to 3.5" bracket for the rest. Well, rearranging the cables to allow more airflow is a pain though...


Message edited by serenade on 10-31-2009 at 01:43:16 PM
Reply to serenade
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