how cheap can I solve my problem

I have a win98 1.4g AMD T-bird, Inno3d Ti4200 (not oc'd), 40mb ibm 7200rpm drive, piece of crap ecs k7vta3 v1 mobo, cd-rom, floppy. The system has never been stable at fsb 133, only at 100. I have swapped out everything and see a difference with different power supplies, but its never totally stable. I have concluded that a better psu would get me stable. The three 300w psu's I've swapped in/out are Allied and Powerup. I am asking for advice as to the cheapest psu solution that will work. System lock ups are unpredictable and always result in a screen freeze requiring power off/on. I realize an antec or enermax 300w will likely solve my problem, but maybe a cheap 400w or 500w from someone else would to the job as well. ejsmith2 has been so good as to advise how to tweak an existing supply, but I am not confident of going down that path yet. Thanks.

John A

One purchase of a more expensive quality PSU will save you money in the long run, IMHO. If you need to save up, then save up. I had a Hivision piece of garbage, and it poofed into a ball of smoke after a year. I'll never get a cheap power supply again. I now have an Enermax, and haven't looked back.

Have you tested your memory? <A HREF="http://www.memtest86.com[/url" target="_new">Memtest86</A>

If your motherboard is retarded, that might be another problem, too. But, I'd first try to get a quality PSU.

Just my opinion, though...I only wanna help ya out.

Bryan
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Hmm, alrighty. I think with that system, perhaps an Enermax 350W would suffice.

Bryan
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350 seems like a good recommendation. I do not see myself adding hard drives, but may upgrade the mobo/cpu to a P4. I bet 300w would suffice but better to err on the high side. I checked on newegg and there are multiple enermax supplies at 350W. Do I need the extra features? Seems like quietness/fan control is one thing you can get, but I'm pretty sure my cpu fan is the loudest thing in my system so I doubt a quieter psu would be noticed. If I got an EG365P, any input on the value of the VE(FM) vs VE(FC) vs VE(FMA) vs VE(FCA)?

John A

Yeah. Don't listen to Mr BT. He knows nothing

350W enermax is a good start, or a 350W toptower or antec if your short on funds. A 400W PSU if you plan some big upgrades in the future.

<b>And if you gaze for long into Toms Hardware Forums, The Forum gazes also into you! </b>

<b>NOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooo</b>
DON'T GO! *holds onto your leg hammie style*


<b>And if you gaze for long into Toms Hardware Forums, The Forum gazes also into you! </b>

cant.....let......go.....

P.S. Love ya sig. You ARE a postaholic. Admit it man... come out the closet!

<b>And if you gaze for long into Toms Hardware Forums, The Forum gazes also into you! </b>

Yet you can't stop posting.
And i bet you are just itching to reply to this one too aintcha?

<b>And if you gaze for long into Toms Hardware Forums, The Forum gazes also into you! </b>