Computer question - power supply

[Bast]

Hi guys,

Just wondering if anyone can help me. My power supply went down the other day and I had to get a new one. But they gave me 400watts instead of my old one which was 500watts.

So I've done a bit of reading on the internet and the general idea I'm getting is that this is not a good idea? It could do damage to my computer by going down in wattage? I asked them but they said it should be fine.

So what do you guys think? Thanks for any help.

 

[Heretic_Cata]

Err... IMHO that won't be a problem UNLESS you actually use up more than 400watts. Do some math - see how many watts each computer component uses. I honestly doubt you'll get anywhere near 400.

Anyway i had similar problems with my source. It was a 100W (IIRC) source from 98 and most of the stuff it powered were brand new stuff. Adding the consumption of watts (IIRC) i got almost 150W. So the poor source was kinda struggling to keep up. (i changed it this year when it died after long years of overuse)

I doubt anything was damaged when i was using it - but there were signs. Most signs came from the monitor, which had some psychedelic voodoo going on there. It works fine now. The speakers were also somewhat affected - even tho i put it on max volume you could not hear some things. Then there's the stuff i read about ... like the comp being ?% slower and stuff like that.

Also, this thread should be moved in the Computer Forum.

 

[Bast]

Do some math - see how many watts each computer component uses. I honestly doubt you'll get anywhere near 400.

You honestly think I know how to do that? But thanks. Ok so looks like there's nothing to worry. I don't know. I just thought I would have to replace it with a power supply with the same wattage.

There's a computer forum?

 

[Lozzy_Ozzy]

Yeah, computer talk just a bit below OT in the Colosseum.
Is your PC high-end or not? If it doesn't have any components that are too demanding you should be ok.

 

[Bast]

Yeah, computer talk just a bit below OT in the Colosseum.
Is your PC high-end or not? If it doesn't have any components that are too demanding you should be ok.

Components that are too demanding? Like what?

 

[Thorgalaeg]

Power consumption calculator:
http://www.extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp

Read notes at the bottom.

BTW as you can read in the same page have in mind that:

"The recommended total Power Supply Wattage gives you a general idea on what to look for BUT it is NOT a crucial factor in power supply selection! Total Amperage Available on the +12V Rail(s) is the most important, followed by the +5V amperage and then the +3.3V amperage".

So look for this data at product specifications before buying.

 

[IglooDame]

Moderator Action: Moved to Computer Talk

 

[Lozzy_Ozzy]

Components that are too demanding? Like what?

i.e. a powerful graphics card or processor.

 

[Bast]

i.e. a powerful graphics card or processor.

Okay. I have these:

Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3200+
Video Card: GeForce 6800 256 MB
RAM: 1 GB

Are they powerful?

 

[Lozzy_Ozzy]

Okay. I have these:

Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3200+
Video Card: GeForce 6800 256 MB
RAM: 1 GB

Are they powerful?

I'm pretty sure you're power supply should be able to cope with those specs .

 

[Bast]

I'm pretty sure you're power supply should be able to cope with those specs .

Thanks Lozzy.