I think I'm done with the computer...for now...

MSkeezer

Here are the specs again for the new comp.


Athlon 3200+ XP
512 MB PC2700 mem
160 GB 7200 RPM
ATI Radeon 9550 video card
Creative Sound Blaster Live 24-bit sound card

I think I'm going to keep the Maxell headphones I have for now. The reason the sound was scratchy was because of a loose connection, although I still don't have that much bass. But they should do me fine for the time being.

I know the sound card isn't considered high end, or even midrange, but I think it was a big improvement over the motherboard sound. The Radeon 9550 really surprised me. I wasn't expecting that much of an improvement over the 9000, but, wow, the 9550 completely blows the 9000 away. I can play my games at high resoultions with all of the settings maxed out while still getting incredibly smooth performance. Half Life 2 plays great now, with no slowdown at all. Just to be safe, though, I'm only playing it at 800x600, at medium settings. The game still looks beautiful.

So, I think I did ok for my first gaming computer. The only thing I'm worried about is the power supply. When I put in the sound card, I noticed that the power supply is only 250 watts. Should I be worried? I know that if I were replace the power supply myself, it would most likely void the warranty, so I guess I'm stuck with it. It hasn't caused me in any problems, and I doubt it ever will, I just wish it was 300 watts...

PolkThug

Don't get too wrapped up in watt ratings on power supplies.. Enjoy your system!

bobman1235

Originally posted by PolkThug
Don't get too wrapped up in watt ratings on power supplies.. Enjoy your system!

Well, it's certainly something to be concerned about if you ever plan on upgrading. I know my main PC would probably not work too well with < 300 watts.

Here's a good rough estimator for what your computer will draw / need : Power Supply Wattage Calculator

beardog03

I took my 250 out and put in a 350...

Just to be sure...

Medal of Honor and
Call of Duty rock...!!!

I`m not sure it really made a diff though..

MSkeezer

Thanks for the link. With all of my components, I barely meet the requirements. My recommended minimum power supply is 249 watts. Oh. I just now realize I didn't count all the fans. 251 watts. Then again, it does state this:

"Please Note: The Wattages listed below are maximum peak wattages for each component. The total amount this calculator figures is for all devices running at peak utilization. It is important to bear in mind that this amount will never be reached under typical operation.."

I should be ok with the power supply that I have now. But, knowing this, I will think about upgrading to something a little better in the coming months. Especially if I upgrade to the Radeon 9800.

BTW: MOH and COD do rock!

faster100

Yes power supplies are very important, I have a 400 watt i think.. ive had a few wear out and one burn up on me.. if you have a large Cpu and alot of extra's like fans, drives, lights, cards installed you need more power, 250 watts for any current machine is not nearly enough.. they used those in the old days... now the standard is pretty much 350 and up.. id flip the few more bucks and get the bigger PS unit

MSkeezer

Ok, I've been looking at www.newegg.com and found these:

Roswill Value Series 300 watt dual fan power supply

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-182-001&depa=0

and...

Forton 300 watt "HiQ" brand

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-104-988&depa=0

Customers seemed to be pretty pleased with both of these.

MSkeezer

Ok, I think I found that would suit me just fine:

POWMAX Demon 480W Power Supply, Model "PSDE480"

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-163-017&depa=0

Customer reviews seem to be overwhelmingly positive, plus it's only $26. I think we have a winner...

faster100

My friend uses newegg and loves them, Great price on The power supply.. I would for that price upgrade it


just watch out for the cheapo PS units, they arent as good..

check this one out, ive used these before..

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-153-006&depa=0

Shizelbs

That calculator is awesome. Good find.

In my experience, POWMAX sucks. I had one die on me and take out a hard drive. I would not get cheap on a PSU. Instead I would spend more and get a good brand name. Just my opinion from experience.

jcaut

I used this one in the computer I built recently, and it seems to be doing a fine job.
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=17-159-023&DEPA=0

MSkeezer

Thanks, guys...

PolkThug

Seriously though, the watt ratings on pc power supplies are often suspect like in the audio world. He may end up buying a "350 watt" power supply that actually does less of a job.

If some of you guys have benchmark scores showing how much faster a "400 watt" power supply makes your computer run versus a "300 watt" power supply, I would love to see them.

...and I'm not saying that some computers don't need bigger supplies.

Regards,
PolkThug

Jstas

Want an honest power supply? Antec makes rock solid power supplies that last. They can be expensive but you won't go wrong with an Antec power supply.


They have some snazzy cases too!

nadams

I personally shy away from Antec. Yes, they do make some of the better PSUs, but I just had an Antec TruePower 550 watt PSU suddenly and mysteriously die in a server at the school. Without warning, the server just wouldn't POST anymore. While I'm waiting for the replacement, the same server is running on an Antec 350 watt PSU (the only one they had at Staples, and we needed it right away). I got lucky and the PSU didn't fry anything on its way out. BTW, the server specs are dual athlon MP 2800+ processors, 4 Western digital 160gb drives (7200rpm), and 2 gigs of ram, along with a big RAID card. I specifically got the 550 so that I wouldn't have to worry about coming close to the max on the PSU... thing died anyway.

Good news is, Antec has a 3 year warranty, so all you have to do is email them and you get your RMA.

I personally use Sparkle PSUs when I can. They make a pretty reliable unit. http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-103-485&depa=1 I use their micro-ATX supplies quite a bit, too, to replace small formfactor HP desktop machines.

Anyway, that's just my thoughts. And I would always buy more than you need. Especially if you're dealing with an off-brand unit, they're often not really the 450 watts they claim to be. A more accurate way to tell a PSU's brunt is by looking at the amperage output on the most important lines (+5, +12). Even with a good unit, the less % that you use of the max output, the longer the PSU will last, and the cooler it will run.

PS Jstas- I do still use Antec, and I like their cases too. When we had a power surge hit the library computer lab, the machines that had POWMAX PSU's in them got the capacitors in the PSUs blown to bits, and electrical goo leaked all over. The Antec PSUs simply tripped the internal breaker, and we just had to unplug and plug them back in

AsSiMiLaTeD

second the Antec vote...I've always used their stuff and never once had an issue.

The one time I used their CS was when a part was missing from a case I bought...they had the part overnighted to me and I had it the next day...

PolkThug

I just had a flashback and though I would share.

Salesman: "Check out these amber display screens, they're much better than our green ones!"

disneyjoe7

I give Antec a vote also.

Many years ago, I worked for a lotto manufacture that used Antec power supplies in them. I always was impressed with the build of these power supplies, in short built like a "Tank".

Sorry to hear any Antec power supply dieing, but it they seem to be standing behind their product with a 3-year warranty. These being spec'd for a server and a Lotto machine both being 24/7 devices should be saying something also.

MSkeezer

Then Antec it is...