Windows 7: Power Supply

bob:



Yeah, you are right; this link

Actual Power Consumption And Current Requirements - Review Tom's Hardware : How Much Power Does Your Graphics Card Need?

says about 57 watts for the card alone at load.

So that drops the required PS for this poster even lower.

You also need to be aware that the rating of many PSUs is the absolute maximum that they can deliver and that is only for short bursts. The continuous operational power rating is more important, and you should ensure that the load of your system does not exceed this value. A rule of thumb which I use is to add up power requirements of each component in your system, add 10% to that and then add 10% to the total. Look for a PSU that can supply at least that amount of power.

Here is a list of energy efficient PSUs between 400 and 500 watts and under $75.

Newegg.com - Computer Hardware,Computer Cases,Power Supplies,$50 - $75,80 PLUS Certified,401 - 500W

That's plenty for your system. Your video card maxes out at 57 watts (under 5 amps). The CPU is rated at 65 watts. Everything else will be considerably less.

The 1 TB drive you are getting may use no more watts than your existing drive, but minimal in any case.

Stick with a major brand:

Corsair, FSP, Seasonic. maybe OCZ.

Off that list, I would go with the $64.99 Corsair. If you get the rebate, it's $10 less than that.

Don't agonize over the additional details. Just make sure it will fit into your case and has the appropriate number of connectors.

You have a low to midrange system, so any PSU should have enough connectors. You may want to consider a modular PSU to minimize clutter---you can disconnect the unused cables.

Well, what do you think about this one?

Newegg.com - RAIDMAX QUANTUM RX-700 700W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready Active PFC SLI Power Supply - Power Supplies

Why did you choose that? Random choice?

You don't need anywhere near 700 watts and Raidmax PSUs are undoubtedly made by someone else--an unknown pedigree. Why deal with unknowns?

It's probably no accident it is marked down from $130.

I chose the raidmax because it had 700W and it seemed pretty decent for the price.

I'm really considering this one you recommended because of all the good reviews about it Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-450VX 450W ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Power Supplies

Where would "1 x 12V(4+4Pin)" go into?

That 4 pin probably connects to the motherboard near the CPU to provide extra power.

PSU manufacturers think buyers will figure that more watts is necessarily better. Stereo manufacturers do the same thing. What's the first thing you see mentioned in advertising for either--a number. Trouble is, the wattage numbers are frequently exaggerated and not measured according to known standards.

You can be sure Newegg is still making money off that 700 watt Raidmax at 60 bucks.

It's unlikely your PC will ever break 250 or 300 watts as presently configured. So, 400 to 500 gives you plenty of headroom and puts you in the middle of the efficiency curve.

All you can do beyond that is buy a good brand from a reliable dealer and hope it doesn't break--that can happen regardless of your choice.

I couldn't find any 4 pin connectors on my motherboard when I installed my CPU. Is there like an adapter where I could plug in the 4 pin head and plug the other end into a 3 pin connector?

You have an old motherboard and relatively low powered machine.

If it doesn't have that connector on the mobo, that means you don't have to use that cable from the power supply.

The connector I am talking about looks like this.



So, don't worry about an adapter. Some cables on the PSU you will need and some you won't.

Oh, I was thinking of something different. I think I have those available.