Power supply installation: any tips for a newbie?

whs said:

The extra one is probably for an additional disk - e.g. if you want to add a SSD. I have upgraded several HP and Dell desktops with SSDs and there was always that extra rail.

Thanks!

strollin said:

You're making this out to be far more difficult than it really is. The plugs are all keyed and of different sizes so there is no way to plug them into the wrong connector or plug them in the wrong way. Replacing the power supply is one of the easiest and most foolproof repairs one could do on a computer. It takes about 5 minutes, maybe 10 minutes if you are extra, extra careful.

The only time I have seen someone botch installing a PSU is when a knucklehead used 6 inch long screws to screw down the PSU to the chassis. The screws were so long that they shorted something within the PSU.

Never done it before. That's why. Six in screws??? Wow.

strollin said:

I get that you've never done it before. I was trying to convey to you that it's pretty easy and you'll do fine (just don't use long screws!).

I'm pretty sure I'll use the ones provided! :)

ICIT2LOL said:

pxfragonard said:

Thanks for all your generous answers. I have checked some youtube videos. The one instruction that made me nervous was a responsible sounding guy who cautioned to provide support beneath the motherboard when inserting the 24 pin connector because it's possible to bend or crack a motherboard and I just don't see a way to do that when it's installed in the box. I notice that my PSU has 5. One goes to the Video Card, one to the 12 pin, one to the CPU's 4 pin, another seems to go to the hard drive and another has been tucked away neatly behind the card reader. I assume that one is for motherboards that handle extra power supply when needed, which my motherboard doesn't have. I've posted a photo. I don't know how good it is. My MB is Cleveland. I've provided HP's photo. Here's other info:

Manufacturer: Pegatron

Form factor: Micro-ATX - 24.4 cm (9.6 inches) x 24.4 cm (9.6 inches)

Chipset: Intel H67

Memory sockets: 4 x DDR3

Front side bus speeds: 2.5 GT/s

Processor socket: LGA 1155

Expansion Slots:

1 PCI Express x16

3 PCI Express x1

1 Half-Length MiniCard x1

More info here: HP Support document - HP Support Center

Sorry about my earlier post meant for someone else

Now to find the size you want use this it will give you a good idea of that for manufacturers well they are exactly what they seem to be for example some Corsair models are made by one company and others by another but in general it is better to buy something that is not cheap (and usually nasty)
eXtreme Power Supply Calculator - The only power supply calculator trusted by PSU manufacturers and computer enthusiasts

Thanks for that link. I used Cooler Master's lookup. It will be interesting to see how they differ.

ICIT2LOL said:

Yes please let us know and just in case you might b interested this is who makes what - well I use these as a guide http://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/psu_manufacturers & PSU Makers: C-D - Who's Who In Power Supplies, 2014: Brands Vs. Manufacturers

PS You need to go back to this for the start PSU Makers: 0-9 And A-B - Who's Who In Power Supplies, 2014: Brands Vs. Manufacturers

I'll do that as soon as I can decipher the Greek. I had to look up overclocking yesterday :)

Your help is much appreciated, confusion therapist. I sure do need one!