What PSU Do I Need?

[Derekt]

This is the computer im building:

Processor: Intel Pentium 4 2.4BGHz 512K 533MH FSB CPU Northwood P478

Memory: CRUCIAL MICRON 512MB 64x64 PC 2700 DDR RAM

Video Card: Gigabyte ATI RADEON 9200 128MB DDR

Hard Drive: WD WESTERN DIGITAL EIDE HARD DRIVE 80GB 7200RPM

Cd Drive: Lite On 52x32x52 Black Color CDRW Drive (another cd rom may be added)

Other stuff:
Two fans for cooling (80 mm fans)

What psu (power supply) would I need for this set up? 400 watt? 500 watt? I dont want to get something too high wattage because of heat issues. Its already hot in my office room and I dont need it to be any hotter.

Any comments are appreciated.

[Baddog]

http://www.jscustompcs.com/power_supply/ :t

[RamonGTP]

Any good quality 350 watt PSU will do just fine... If you plan on doing upgrades pretty frequently, you might want to go with a 400 watter for some added headroom.

[Magua]

Yep 350 would run that ok. I would recomend at least a 400watt, 500watt would probably be excessive (but would work fine) the price differences arent THAT much, and you will be happy in the future.

Also, I would get a power source from a reputable company...I wouldn't touch a generic PSU.

[Derekt]

Thanks for the fast replys guys...its really appreciated.

I was gonna go with a 400 watt psu anyways. I don't want to pay a large amount for one. I could get a 500 watt psu for 39.95 but I'm afraid of the "generic brand" that it is, and the heat it probly produces.

My computer now that im getting rid of has a 350 watt psu thats generic brand it stinks. It gets really hot...its like 82 degrees in this room.

Thanks again!

[Derekt]

one more question....do you think if I get an Antec power supply I will be better off? And if so, do you think a 400 watt antec power supply will produce much heat?

(Antec P4 ATX12V 400 Watt Power Supply With 2 Fans - Retail ATX12V Form Factor, 2.03 compliant for Pentium 4 (backward compatible with previous Pentium versions) and AMD systems L5.9" x W5.5" x H3.4" +5V Stand-By & Logic On/Off Additonal Fan for cooling, built in. Smart Fan Feature (Thermal Controlled Variable Speed Fan) SL400 is a 400 Watt 6-output, fan-cooled ATX (Baby AT or PS/2 Size) power supply designed for personal computer or industrial applications. Its ATX12V and ATX 2.03 compliance allows its use with the latest Pentium 4 processors while its backward compatibility ensures its usability with any system)

[Magua]

Antec should be a pretty good PSU, and should have pretty good airflow as well.

[Derekt]

good air flow... i know it will need good air flow to keep it cool, but does that mean it will blow a ton of heat into the room im in?

[FrnchDp]

It'll blow some heat into the room, but so will the case fan.. There's nothing to do about that..

But it's not going to be enough heat to raise the temp of your office by very much.. Besides which.. it's fall tomorrow!!!

Antec psu's are really good stuff and not THAT expensive. It will produce as much heat as any psu, and like I said, it's not really going to affect your office temp all that much..

http://www.fancysplace.com/smileys/shine.gif

[dajogejr]

Antec True Power is a good line.

You don't buy a power supply for your current needs, you buy it for the future...over 400W should be fine...for a bit.

I'd recommend an Antec True power 480 or true blue power 480... if you're into the blue light stuff...

The power supply is so often overlooked, but it is really a critical component...

PSU Links... (http://www.newegg.com/app/Viewproduct.asp?DEPA=0&submit=manufactory&catalog=58&manufactory=1516&description=&srchFor=true%20power%20480)

Spend and extra 20 or so, get the goods!!;)

[Magua]

know it will need good air flow to keep it cool, but does that mean it will blow a ton of heat into the room im in?

You mean how much it will actually heat your room? I would imagine it would have to be a pretty small room to make too much of a difference

[RamonGTP]

There will always be heat produced no matter what PSU you use, honestly, even with a really good PSU, your room temps will probably be similar than with a generic PSU... Its not just the PSU producing heat, its the entire system as a whole.

Antec is a good brand, as is Enermax, Thermaltake, and i've also heard good stuff, but never tried brands like Sparkle and Fortron. PC Power & Cooling are probably the best you can get, but are also considerably more expensive, and are probably overkill for a home PC. A 400 watter by any of these manyfacturers will be more than enough for your current system, and also have a nice amount of headroom for more power hungry upgrades.