Low PSU, High CPU

[BargainBin]

Does anyone have some rules of thumb for PSU Watt supply required for a computer with TYPICAL accessories:

EXAMPLE

Single floppy
Single Hard drive
Single CD-ROM or Burner
128-256MB RAM (saw a place on web that used Memory, not CPU speed to determine PSU needed?!)
300-800 Mhz CPU (not Pentium) maybe AMD or possibly Celeron
16-32MB Video Card
PCI Sound Card
NIC Card
2-4 fans
AMD or Intel Mobo

I was surprised when I upgraded my Pentium 90 AT Case to an EPOX Mobo and 366 Mhz Celeron that it fired right up w/ 200W Sparkle PSU. I thought I would need 250W PSU. Why? Had a lot of trouble for a year w/250W PSU running 800 Mhz Slot A Athlon; unreliable, freeze ups, blew out CD-ROM drive, hard drive, motherboard, and CPU, finally concluded insufficient (or bad) PSU.

Now I am leaning toward SIZE of PSU being overrated, and QUALITY of PSU being the key.

I like Sparkle, Antec and Allied have been good to me.

Any opinions? Like I had to ask that on this forum.

BTW, I can upgrade when prices drop to 800 Mhz Celeron in 6 months or a year, and expect to need 250W PSU then, would not even try 200W PSU, what's the highest CPU speed anyone has seen run on 200W PSU?

[Giblet Plus!]

I've run an XP1800 off a 180W just fine. :p

[Ol'Tunzafun]

I have three rigs running 600MHz (18um) on comparable setups. Two of them have 200W Enermax PSUs and the third one runs on a 180W that has no name but it weighs a ton. The wattage rating is a key factor but it doesn't mean much if the quality is not there. Get one with a good reputation like Antec or Enermax. If you get something else make sure it is a heavy one. That is usually a good indication.:t

[BargainBin]

You ARE a pioneer!

[Giblet Plus!]

Yo, BargainBin - I was just in St. Paul today! I live in Victoria, one of the SW suburbs of MN. It's by Chaska and Chanhassen. Have you been to MNLAN?

[Giblet Plus!]

Back on topic:

I found a good article on power supplies here:

http://forum.oc-forums.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=150384

It's something everyone should read.

[BargainBin]

GibletPlus, I have not been to MNLAN. Excuse my ignorance but what is it?

[RamonGTP]

I know someone who's running a compaq with a Duron 750 and an Ati Radeon 64MB DDR VIVO, 512MB ram, burner, cd rom, single hard drive on a 146 watt PSU!!! However he does get random lockups and i'm pretty positive its psu related because we've changed out pretty much everything in that computer at one point or another. Motherboard and PSU are the only original parts in there.

[Giblet Plus!]

http://www.mnlan.com/

It's one of the biggest LAN parties in MN. I wasn't able to go to the last one, but I hope to make the next one. :)

Anyone read my article/thread?

Based off that article, my next PSU will be a fortran/sparkle :)

[ALS]

Not every time wattage is not important. Sometimes you have a crappy board like ECS K7S5A, it needs more that 300 Watt PSU. And if you have all your expansion slots filled and 2 or more Hard Drive you need at least 300 Watt PSU. Well technology is getting faster so more wattage...


Me myself using Powmax 400 Watt PSU on ECS K7S5A.



Peace

[BargainBin]

Thanks.

That is good to know.

It wasn't exactly a ringing endorsement for the ECS K7S5A.

I've got an EPoX on the 200W Sparkle running great.

Over and out.