PSU wattage?

siman23

siman23

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Turned my computer on this morning, there was a bang and it went off, burning smell also. I took the PSU out, did the paper clip thing to see if it would run but no joy, had a good look at the motherboard, looks ok. So I'm hoping its just the PSU. The old one is 300w (HEC-300VP-2RE), just wondering if this is enough?

The PC is 4yrs old, spec:

12 usb 2.0 ports
22x Dual layer DVD writer
4gb ddr3 ram 1333mhz
3 port firewire card
500gb serial ata hard drive
1tb serial ata hard drive
512mb ati radeon hd4350 graphics
akasa ak-860sf - amd Athlon/phenom 2 processors - upto 95w
amd Athlon 2 x4 quad core processor - 95w am3
asus m4a78lt-m le mainboard (ddr3) with integrated dvi/vga graphics - matx


Seen this 430w one on amazon, any good? http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B009RMP1...lid=3M77AF9JVSBQ9&coliid=I2BVN649K0TXEY&psc=1
 
siman23 said:
The old one is 300w (HEC-300VP-2RE), just wondering if this is enough?
Click to expand...

If it has been running for four years with a 300 watt supply, then yes. However, no harm in having one with a higher rating.


Steve.
 
El cheapo psu never put out the stated wattage anyway. Just get a good brand psu (corsair, ocz, bequiet, seasonic.. To name a few) of the same power or more ( if you want to waste money ).
 
That corsair will be more than adequate, as alluded to already.
 
+1 for a decent corsair.

Have used their "builder series" in a few machines as they are great value.

If you find one above 300w for a decent price then go for it.

EDIT: Just clicked the one you linked. That's perfect
 
Siman, you could get similar PSU on like-for-like rating or little higher, but wouldn't it be helpful to consider aiming a little higher, say 500w, on the off chance that one day, you decided to upgrade your computer by adding something else to it, like adding an extra fan for cooling? Makes sense to future-proof your PSU. But that's up to you.
 
Going from 300W to 430W would give you the capability to run a whole stack of fans and several hard drives! That's assuming the 300W was running at capacity too, which is pretty unlikely
 
Thanks for all the advice. I got the corsair in the link above and I'm back up and running, seems to run better now unless that's just me, don't know if a psu that's gradually on its way out can cause problems? I was having problems with it booting up recently before it went, but seems fine now.
 
I have learned over the years that you tend to get what you pay for on PSUs. I use this page: http://www.realhardtechx.com/index_archivos/Page541.htm if I need to see what others think of the PSU I'm about to buy (I haven't bought a no-name PSU in years, but then I leave my PCs on 24/7 so want something reliable, quiet and efficient).
 
I have a PC with a similar spec to the OP (better GFX however) running of a Corsair CX430 for the last three years. I can safely say that it is an excellent choice of PSU. Quiet and reliable.
 
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