New power supply

[TheByt3]

Hi my system is:

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E7500 2.93 Ghz http://tinyurl.com/yjswg2q
Motherboard: Asus P5QPL-VM EPU http://tinyurl.com/2a36z74
Memory: OCZ DDR2 PC2-8500 Platinum 4GB Edition Dual Channel http://tinyurl.com/dbkpsx
Graphics: ATI Radeon HD 4850 http://tinyurl.com/m33upb
OS: Windows 7 x64 Ultimate
Power Supply: Windmill PRO 385 watt

So I had the feeling that I definitely need to buy a new power supply because I have the same one for many years and I believe it doesn't have the watts required for my current system, I also don't know what power supply to buy according to my system its just pretty confusing.Also note that I intend to overclock my system.

Thanks in advance for any kind of help!!!

 

[Blak0ut]

i would recommend going to http://extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp
and then whatever wattage they give you add about 50-100 for some head room.
from there choose a excellent psu company such as corsair, antec, and seasonic.

 

[Timop]

Yes you do, I would not trust your old PSU to powering your setup, though buying a new one even a quality 400-500W should do the job.

How much do you want to spend?

 

[TheByt3]

About 80 USD I believe would be fine

 

[jefe323]

here is a good 430w psu:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151074

 

[Timop]

Heres a nice 500W also, $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371030&cm_re=Antec_neo-_-17-371-030-_-Product

 

[JohnnyLucky]

The general rule of thumb is a high quality 500 to 550 watt power supply with sufficient current (amps) on the +12 volt rail(s) can easily power a system with any single video card made. A high quality 700 to 750 watt power supply with sufficient current (amps) on the +12 volt rail(s) can power a system with two video cards operating in dual mode. There are a few exceptions like the new ATI Radeon HD 5XXX series cards which use less power due to their energy efficiency and the new Nvidia GTX480 which uses a lot more power.

A high quality 500 to 550 watt psu will have a +12 volt rail rated at 40 amps. A high quality 700 to 750 watt psu will have a +12 volt rail rated at 60 amps.

In addition the power supply should be at least 80+ Bronze certified for energy efficiency. There are some models available which have achieved 80+ Silver and 80+ Gold Certifications.

Before purchasing a new psu you will need to decide whether you will eventually have a pc with one or two video cards.

Corsair and Seasonic are two brands that have a reputation for high quality power supplies that consistently earn high marks in technical reviews. They are reliable, stable, and come with a 5 year warranty. Some of the newer models come with a 7 year warranty. Lately we've been seeing a few other brands offering some high quality units. One example would be the newer Antec power supplies.

 

[seanny]

check out this one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104054&cm_re=power_booster-_-17-104-054-_-Product ^^^^^or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171054.you can get some very nice psus for $79.99

 

[TheByt3]

Thanks for your reply's guys but I forgot to mention that I am from Greece and we use 230vac which is different from America from where I am going to place my order so I was wondering can the psu that I'll buy go to different plugs or do I need to buy a converter or a psu with the switch in the back of it?

 

[shovenose]

no any psu can do it. some have a switch, the best ones that have something called ACTIVE PFC will figure it out automatically without a switch

 

[jsc]

And as a small bonus, efficiency will be 2% - 3% higher running on 230 vac.

I think that it is a requirement for all PSU's sold in the EU to have active PFC.

And if you see a PSU with a 115-230 voltage switch on the back, don't buy it. It will be an obsolete design.

 

[JohnnyLucky]

jsc - correct - new power supplies sold in EU must have active PFC which adjusts voltage automatically.