power supply update

[arliedog]

I am wanting to upgrade my graphics card and to do so I need to change my power supply to a higher wattage unit. My current power supply exhausts air directly out the back of my tower. This new power supply which is a BFG 450 watt appears to suck in air from the back and exhaust the air through its fan on the bottom of the supply directly inside the case. In my way of thinking this would introduce more heat inside my tower. Is it typical for the higher wattage PSU's to exhaust inside the tower? Should I be concerned? Just seems to me that the power supply should be drawing air through the tower and exhaust out the back.

 

[seekermeister]

I'm not familiar with that PS, but some cases are designed to locate a PS in the bottom of the case, rather than on top as usual. The bottom designed case has a vent in the bottom to allow air to flow through. I would imagine that it is a matter of compatibility between the case and the PS.

 

[Bearlout]

I think they all work the same

 

[seekermeister]

After taking a very quick look on the BFG website, it appears that Beariot is correct, and that the bottom fan intakes, while the back fan exhausts. In that case, it would work in either the top or bottom location.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I don't know if it is that way by design or not, but I'd think you could get inside the PSU and turn that fan over to reverse the airflow direction. Maybe it was assembled incorrectly at the factory?

 

[arliedog]

Back to Best Buy

Well that PS is now back at Best Buy. I would now appreciate recommendations for a PSU at the 450 to 500 watt range that would fit in a HP A6757c desktop. Sole purpose of updating is to allow me to install a mid range graphics card in a express x16 slot.

I don't know if it is that way by design or not, but I'd think you could get inside the PSU and turn that fan over to reverse the airflow direction. Maybe it was assembled incorrectly at the factory?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Seasonic 500 watt, with modular connectors. High quality respected manufacturer and the modular connectors make for a tidier installation:

Newegg.com - SeaSonic M12II 500 Bronze 500W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V 2.92 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply - Power Supplies

The Corsair HX series is also good and I think they are all modular. I think there is a 520 watt model.

http://www.google.com/products/cata...y"&show=dd&cid=6794987413499212340&sa=title#p

Seasonic also makes a 430 watt modular model, the M12II-430

Generally, Fortron aka FSP aka Sparkle also makes good units.

Whichever you choose, make sure it has enough connectors to meet your needs.

 

[thefabe]

On this kind of post I generally like to ask. What your budget is and secondly where you plan on purchasing from. This way we can search their and see what is available. That way you get the best response for your needs. Fabe Let me add that you have had good responses anyway.

 

[arliedog]

Budget is no more than a hundred bucks for the PS. Want a quality unit but only have Best Buy and Staples locally to purchase from. On line is always a option. Can you explain what modular means with regards to a power supply please

On this kind of post I generally like to ask. What your budget is and secondly where you plan on purchasing from. This way we can search their and see what is available. That way you get the best response for your needs. Fabe Let me add that you have had good responses anyway.

 

[noyb]

I've upgraded a couple of my HP 350w to the new HP 460w ...
5188-2863 - Hewlett Packard (HP) Computer Power Supply

I went with HP because they're wired for HP (Shorter cables .. Less Mess) ..
and I trusted them to be quieter.

Need pictures ??

 

[noyb]

Here's the pics .. One in a HP big box d4996t .. The other in a HP the same size as yours m7690y
both top mount ...

 

[reghakr]

Unfortunately on my HP, they have also riveted it in place.

 

[noyb]

Not counting my w98 days ... I have 5 HP's ... Never seen one riveted yet ???
But, I quit buying when Vista came out .. Unless I knew I could upgrade it to XP

Just this week .. I upgraded my 7690 to a stronger supply and 3 new HDs ...
Because I don't like W7.

The HP 460W supply must be popular .. The price just went from $78 to $100

 

[Adrian]

I am wanting to upgrade my graphics card and to do so I need to change my power supply to a higher wattage unit. My current power supply exhausts air directly out the back of my tower. This new power supply which is a BFG 450 watt appears to suck in air from the back and exhaust the air through its fan on the bottom of the supply directly inside the case. In my way of thinking this would introduce more heat inside my tower. Is it typical for the higher wattage PSU's to exhaust inside the tower? Should I be concerned? Just seems to me that the power supply should be drawing air through the tower and exhaust out the back.

Arlie, this looks to be an ATX halftower?
Talk to a GeekSquad rep at best buy, HP's ratchet in their PSU pretty good.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Modular means that most or all of the cables from the power supply are detachable. You can completely remove the ones you don't need, which leads to less clutter and improved airflow inside the case. If you later buy a component that needs a connector, you can connect one of the previously detached cables if needed.

For $100, you can get an excellent PSU, modular or not.

Arliedog: you need to confirm if your case is a standard ATX, micro ATX or whatever. Standard ATX cases take standard power supplies. Some but not all micro ATX cases can also take standard power supplies, but some require smaller units that will fit properly in the case.

Your motherboard is micro ATX form factor, but I don't know about the case. Did that BFG power supply fit properly in the case?

You are much better off buying online--more choices at good prices, but you can always at least inspect what is at Best Buy or Staples.

 

[arliedog]

Thanks everyone for the info. The ATX PS will fit as the BFG I took back was only slightly larger than my existing PS. The modular seems the way to go to me for sure. I also want to mention that if my postings aren't up to standard visually it is because I happen to be blind and the controls and such on this web sight aren't set up too well for use with a screen reader.

Modular means that most or all of the cables from the power supply are detachable. You can completely remove the ones you don't need, which leads to less clutter and improved airflow inside the case. If you later buy a component that needs a connector, you can connect one of the previously detached cables if needed.

For $100, you can get an excellent PSU, modular or not.

Arliedog: you need to confirm if your case is a standard ATX, micro ATX or whatever. Standard ATX cases take standard power supplies. Some but not all micro ATX cases can also take standard power supplies, but some require smaller units that will fit properly in the case.

Your motherboard is micro ATX form factor, but I don't know about the case. Did that BFG power supply fit properly in the case?

You are much better off buying online--more choices at good prices, but you can always at least inspect what is at Best Buy or Staples.