PSU??

[semper_fi_1999]

I built my computer originally back in 2005 and the MOBO recently died so now I am rebuilding the major components. I purchased the AX500-A back when it was pretty new on the market and rated highly by Toms Hardware.

Specs are: AX500-A
Output+3.3V@30A, +5V@28A, +12V1@15A,
+12V2@16A, -12V@0.5A, +5Vsb@2.0A


The computer am putting together now is:
ASRock P67 PRO3
Intel Core i3-2100
Kingston HyperX Blu 4GB
Western Digital 36 Gig Raptor
Western Digital Caviar Black WD7502AAEX
XFX GTS 250
2 80 MM case fans
1 120 MM case fan
1 170 mm case fan
DVD/CD Burner, floppy, wireless card

Everything I have read from Toms Hardware they concentrate on Watts and I know the my PSU has the watts to supply the power. However I have read people talk about amperage is also necessary and I seem to be very close if not exceeding the amperage that the PSU can supply. So I guess my question is which matters more?

 

[Novuake]

Short answer, wattage, if your PSU reaches the minimum wattage and it is a good unit. It will be fine.

 

[rolli59]

What matters the most today is that more and more of the PSU output is needed on the +12 volts so amps there count as important. Modern PSU´s have up to more than 90% of their total wattage available on the +12 volts.
Looking at your system and PSU, which is rated 460watts constant and 500watts peak. The PSU meets the power requirement for a system with GTS 250 which is 450watts with 24 amps on the combined +12 volts.

 

[semper_fi_1999]

Thanks. That is what I was thinking but I was concerned as I started reading all of this talk about amps being more important and seeing that the PSU I had is 6 years old last thing I wanted to do was build a new system and have the PSU destroy it.

 

[ilysaml]

you're fine with the PSU and will provide sufficent wattage to your GPU and the whole system, according to GTS 250 specs it draws maximum power of 150W which means you need at least 13A on the 12V rail and you do have 15A in the 12V rail, and the other 12v rail providing 16A for the rest of the system, so you're so fine and good to go without any worries

 

[semper_fi_1999]

Best answer selected by semper_fi_1999.