New system:psu is enough?

[easwar2641993]

I have bought new components except Graphics card and PSU
Intel Core i5 2400 Quad Core 3.1Ghz
Intel DH67BL Original motherboard
2x2GB DDR3 1333Mhz(Kingston & Corsair,not high end but for budget users)
XFX Geforce GT240 1GB GDDR5(I didn't buy a new card due to tight budget,but this card I am using it since 2010 and totally satisfied with almost all games,good fps,my monitor is just a 16" widescreen)
1TB + 320GB Seagate Barracuda
1 Optical Drive

I have a Cooler Master Elite Power PSU and according to Intel,this config needs atleast 460W of power and I checked with many online PSU calculators but they all show entirely different values.
But I am using the current PSU with no problems at all.I mean I found no problems related to lack of PSU.I have done a test in which Prime95 64bit and Furmark running at the same time,so that processor and graphics card took their maximum power.But nothing happenned except temp rise (graphics card-under load 70 degree max and became steady and processor-73 degree and became steady).According to their manufacturers ,temperatures are good.System was extremely stable at that time,I was able to do multitasking at the same time.

So,should I upgrade to a new PSU?

 

[Dwarf]

I would consider a PSU upgrade as a relative matter of urgency. 350W is a relatively low capacity unit, and you will be operating not far short of its rated output. In addition, should you decide in future to upgrade your graphics card, a new PSU will be able to take the strain, whereas for your existing one it is likely to be too much.

 

[bobkn]

The I5-2400 is rated at 95W. The GT240 has no auxiliary power connection, so it is limited to 75W or less. That's 160W max from the most significant power consumers in the system. Assuming that all of that came from the +12V line, that'd be 13.3A. Your PSU has two 12V rails, 10A and 13A.

I think you're OK with the 350W PSU with your current configuration, assuming the the Cooler Master unit is of good quality. You don't have much margin for upgrading the graphics card, though.

I admit that PSU recommendations are difficult for me. I prefer ones with excess capacity for my own PCs, but I have to resist the urge to spend other peoples' money for them.

 

[easwar2641993]

The I5-2400 is rated at 95W. The GT240 has no auxiliary power connection, so it is limited to 75W or less. That's 160W max from the most significant power consumers in the system. Assuming that all of that came from the +12V line, that'd be 13.3A. Your PSU has two 12V rails, 10A and 13A.

I think you're OK with the 350W PSU with your current configuration, assuming the the Cooler Master unit is of good quality. You don't have much margin for upgrading the graphics card, though.

I admit that PSU recommendations are difficult for me. I prefer ones with excess capacity for my own PCs, but I have to resist the urge to spend other peoples' money for them.

I have very bad financial issues and not thinking about a future upgrade.But I consider the safety of the components.Even though you say it is just "okay",but I need whether it will damage any of these components for long run.Sorry for not mentioning about damage in the question.
I mainly use the PC for modern games at a max resolution 1366x768 at moderate high graphics("unfortunately" games run at high settings with very good fps at this resolution,though my friends suggested this gt 240 is a weak card)
then HD Movies,internet surfing thats all.
With this config,I played Crysis series,Deus Ex Human Revolution,Assassin's Creed Series,Call Of Duty series,Mass Effect 3 at moderate high settings.But I haven't experienced any crashes,bsods or any other errors during game play except when Anti Aliasing,Anisotropic filtering etc are increased,I experienced low fps but playable around(20-30fps). I think this is just graphics card processing power limitation and not a PSU issue.

Thanks for your good answers by the way.

 

[whs]

A low power PSU or a bad make PSU can be a time bomb. I would get a 650 Watt PSU from a reputable company like Antec.

Example: Newegg.com - Antec EarthWatts EA-650 GREEN 650W ATX12V v2.3 SLI Ready CrossFire Certified 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

 

[pparks1]

Based on the fact that you aren't having system crashes, indicates that your current model power supply is sufficient.

As bobkn points out, you have enough power based on the components that you have installed in the computer.

It's always wise to have a quality power supply, and that is what whs is pointing out. However, going for a 650 watt power supply for your current system would be more than 2x more than you need. If you are going to upgrade down the road to a much more powerful graphics card, you might consider a power supply of 500W or more.

 

[Adam23]

I agree with everything everyone is saying, You should never skimp on a power supply. Corsair do a great PSU that wont break the bank, I run the GS800 with a Phenom II 955 x4 and 2 GTX 480's with no problem at all, You should be fine with the one you have now, but always better to have the headroom

Corsair Gaming Series GS500 , CP-9020005-UK, 80% Eff', 80 PLUS, ATX v2.3 PSU - Scan.co.uk

There are better one's than the one above, but for basic use I think you should be fine

 

[Brds7t7]

I'm looking at a new PSU myself as the one that came with my Dell is only 375 watts and I am adding some new components.

Can they be mounted with the fans at the top or bottom? As my case doesn't have any vents on the top of it.

 

[Adam23]

If a case don't have holes for the PSU, then You will have to have the fan mounted so it is facing inside the case (exhaust)

 

[Brds7t7]

Thanks Adam,

Is the top fan for sucking in air or blowing it out then? Have to say when it comes to building my own System and parts I'm still learning!

 

[Brds7t7]

I'm assuming they just have the one fan? And not a smaller one on the back too?

 

[Adam23]

Any time dude

Usually a top mounted fan is a exhaust (due to hot air rising) and most case's on the market have the psu mounted at the bottom, if you are talking about having a psu at the top, then the fan should be facing downwards has it acts has a exhaust and to cool your power supply, to be honest if you have a case with a top mounted power supply, I would consider upgrading (there are some cheap but cool cases out there)

Hope this helps pal.

Adam.

 

[Brds7t7]

The only thing with my PC is it uses a BTX case and board. There aren't that many BTX cases around I don't think and my board wouldn't fit into an ATX case, I'd have to buy a whole new board really.

Why Dell went for a BTX case I'll never know it's a stupid design on mine. To get to the CPU fan you have to take out the Heatsink just to clean the fan. Which means reapplying Thermal Paste too!

 

[Adam23]

Oo, I see, then a alternative is mount the PSU like I said, but try and get a power supply that is either Modular/semi Modular, so then you only have to use the cable's that are necessary, so it don't restrict air flow.

Adam

Ps Dell are money grabbers, they would draw blood from a stone given half the chance, they don't like you using a 3rd party in my experience

 

[Brds7t7]

Yeah I've noticed they have told me a few lies. Told me my PC would only accept 4GB RAM when it will accept 8 and told me it's not compatible with an SSD drive and that I'd have to upgrade! YEAH RIGHTO! It's not even that old.

I've learned not to listen to them anyway! :roflmao:

 

[easwar2641993]

Based on the fact that you aren't having system crashes, indicates that your current model power supply is sufficient.

As bobkn points out, you have enough power based on the components that you have installed in the computer.

It's always wise to have a quality power supply, and that is what whs is pointing out. However, going for a 650 watt power supply for your current system would be more than 2x more than you need. If you are going to upgrade down the road to a much more powerful graphics card, you might consider a power supply of 500W or more.

I am going to upgrade my PSU for safety.And I am also planning to upgrade the graphics card to some mid-end card like GTS 450.
Please suggest me which of these PSUs will be better and sufficient considering future upgrade?
Currently,I have two options1) Cooler Master 500W,(2)Antec 550W
Shop Dealer don't know the exact model,he just sells his product with no knowledge.Actually he told me to pick up another 450W PSU of Zebronics,Odessey,Mercury or something (I haven't even heard about Mercury and Odessey) and that will be of very low cost and sufficient to me.I told him that I am using an i5 processor with GT240 graphics card and planning to buy another mid-high card within 1 year.He told he is using a i7 with a "crappy" 9400GT with this Odessey 450PSU.I just don't believe him.

 

[smarteyeball]

=easwar2641993;1966863](2)Antec 550W
Shop Dealer don't know the exact model,he just sells his product with no knowledge.

Ask him to look at the box - if it's an Antec TruePower or Earthwatts, I'd go for this. (550W sounds like a TP)

Antec have some good and reliable power supplies.