Which Power Supply?

[Guest]

As a computer science student, I'm required to have a removable hdd. I hate the darn thing, but I installed it. However, the casing I have isn't adequate. To make a long story short, it couldn't take all three of the caddy, burner, and dvd-rom, because the bottom one was blocked by a motherboard component (ain't that silly?)

So, I'm looking for a new casing, a big, tall one. I'm getting worried about power supply. Here's what I have right now, which works fine with a 250 W power supply:

A7V MoBo (Asus)
Duron 600
DVD-ROM (Panasonic)
CD Burner (HP)
3D Prophet II MX
SB Live! Value
2 hdd's (both fix, until the recent change), IDE, 7200 rpm (Western Digital)
56K Modem
Ethernet Card
Only 1 fan, the one on the power supply module (not counting the one on the processor...)
Keyboard, etc.

I basically want to change a few things. I'd switch to an Athlon 1300 (that's the max I can take with this MoBo, right?), and add a second fan, because of that Athlon.

The big question: would my old 250 W power supply be enough?

Thanks for taking the time to read all this,

Gorizo

 

[BGates2B]

I'd switch to an Athlon 1300 (that's the max I can take with this MoBo, right?)

Close, but it will take up to a 1.2 T-bird, because the A7V only supports up to 100 mHz, and the 1.2 is the highest AMD went on that FSB.

As for the 250 watt powersupply, it might run but it might run poorly. I originally would say no, especially since the 1.2 GHZ/100 T-bird were considered power hogs. However, I see some new systems that support these Athlons that are built on Flex-ATX chassis and using only 145 - 180 watt powersupplies.

For $50, I would just get an 350 watt Enermax or even a 400 watt Antec or Sparkle. Your videocard is mild (powerwise) but you have 2 hard drives, a DVD and a burner.

Intel = Ford
AMD = Chevy
Friends don't let friends drive Fords

 

[upec]

The 250 Watt will not be enoungh. I would suggest you to get a 350 Watt Enermax PSU.

 

[Guest]

"Close, but it will take up to a 1.2 T-bird, because the A7V only supports up to 100 mHz, and the 1.2 is the highest AMD went on that FSB."

Hmmm, that's odd. The AMD site only lists two 1.2 Athlons, 200 MHz and 266 MHz for FSB. And the AMD site lists the A7V as one of the recommended motherboard of it's 1.2 Athlon 200 MHz FSB. here: http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/ProductInformation/0,,30_182_869_1039^4046|48_1,00.html

Still, thanks for the power supply suggestions. I wish I didn't have to go that high, though... Tell me, is my computer critical as it is?

Gorizo

 

[BGates2B]

Hmmm, that's odd. The AMD site only lists two 1.2 Athlons, 200 MHz and 266 MHz for FSB. And the AMD site lists the A7V as one of the recommended motherboard of it's 1.2 Athlon 200 MHz FSB. here: http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/ProductInformation/0,,30_182_869_1039^4046|48_1,00.html

Not sure what's odd about that, AMD and I are saying the same.

Still, thanks for the power supply suggestions. I wish I didn't have to go that high, though... Tell me, is my computer critical as it is?

Not sure what you meant here. Do you mean running a Duron with a 250 watt PSU? The Duron is recommended with a 250, so that shouldn't be an issue.

As for cases, if that's a concern, get a Inwin Q500 (tall tower, 300watt supply) for cheap (around $60) or an Antec SX1030 (around $120).



Intel = Ford
AMD = Chevy
Friends don't let friends drive Fords

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the extra advice, I'll certainly look into those two cases (I even found a store nearby where both are available).

However, I'm still confused about one thing. You say:

"Not sure what's odd about that, AMD and I are saying the same."

And yet AMD says its 1,2 Athlon comes in two models, a FSB of 200 MHz and another at 266 MHz, and you say it has a FSB of 100 MHz. Are all three models available? Sorry to be such a bother, but it could be a critical factor in my next upgrade.

Gorizo

 

[BGates2B]

And yet AMD says its 1,2 Athlon comes in two models, a FSB of 200 MHz and another at 266 MHz, and you say it has a FSB of 100 MHz. Are all three models available? Sorry to be such a bother, but it could be a critical factor in my next upgrade.

Oh, I see. Yes, the 1,2 came in 2 versions, the 133 FSB and the 100 FSB. There is a way to tell them apart, but I can't recall for the life of me. I do know this, if you look at the core, and you see the word "AXIA" on the core, it's a 133 FSB


Intel = Ford
AMD = Chevy
Friends don't let friends drive Fords

 

[svol]

100=200
133=266

The FSB is 100/133 but it is double rate so you get 200/266.
You can see which FSB the CPU is by looking at the first row written on the core. If it says B then it is 100(200)MHz if it says C then it is 133(266) MHz.

My case has so many fans that it hovers above the ground .

 

[camieabz]

I'll put in my tuppence worth.

I suggest <A HREF="http://www.aopen.nl/products/housing/hx08.htm" target="_new">this</A> case. Its a good solid case. Comes with a 300W supply as standard, or can come with 350W or 400W supplies.

Go <A HREF="http://sysopt.earthweb.com/userreviews/products/cases.html" target="_new">here</A> for reviews on it and other cases, <A HREF="http://www.thetechzone.com/reviews/case/aopen/hx08/index.shtml" target="_new">here</A> and <A HREF="http://www.duxcw.com/digest/Reviews/Cases/acerhx08.htm" target="_new">here</A> for other reviews, and <A HREF="http://www.pctweaker.co.uk/articles/case_mod/hx08_mods.htm" target="_new">here</A> for case mod ideas.

<b><font color=blue>The Cisco Kid</font color=blue></b>