desktop power supply

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Guest

hey all,
not sure if this is right place, but i was wondering could i just switch out
my power supply inside my desktop from a 300W to a higher version without
worries.

also, is there a way to tell how many watts is my current power supply
without opening box?

thanks,
rodchar
 
not sure if this is right place, but i was wondering could i just switch
out
my power supply inside my desktop from a 300W to a higher version without
worries.
Click to expand...

Mostly, yes. You have to make sure the new supply has enough connectors for
your devices, and that its physical dimensions work in your case. Otherwise,
the basic ones are all the same.

also, is there a way to tell how many watts is my current power supply
without opening box?
Click to expand...

No, you have to see the label on the supply for that. Maybe some brand-name
systems have specs online, but it's less work to take the panel off and
look...plus it's more accurate.

-John O
 
rodchar said:
hey all,
not sure if this is right place, but i was wondering could i just switch
out
my power supply inside my desktop from a 300W to a higher version without
worries.

also, is there a way to tell how many watts is my current power supply
without opening box?

thanks,
rodchar
Click to expand...

You can swap it out for a larger wattage supply as JohnO stated but why do
you want to do that?
 
http://www.extreme.outervision.com/psucalculator.jsp
Use the PSU calculator to justify your upgrade..
http://www.wikihow.com/Diagnose-and-Replace-a-Failed-PC-Power-Supply
The above might help too..
I think you will have to eyeball the PSU for the wattage.. If the PSU had a
sensor it might be possible with an app that could translate the sensor
data..?
What is the OEM of your computer, make and model..?
Some OEM computers like Dell's need Dell PSU replacement/upgrades other
makes as well may need OEM PSU's too..
Cheers
j;-j
 
...could i just switch out my power supply inside my desktop from
a 300W to a higher version without worries.
Click to expand...

Some 300 watt supplies would have to be relabeled maybe as 425 watts
ifs using the principles found in many clone supplies. Do you really
need a larger power supply? That 425 watt supply is more than enough
for most every system.

Meanwhile, calculators for power supplies are only speculations -
often worst case estimates - only encourage the naive to buy more
watts. To calculate, the current demands for each peripheral are
added. Responsible peripheral manufactures should provide that spec
with their products.

Does your system have enough power? That is determined by power
supply amps for each voltage. A power supply can have more than
enough 'watts' but provide insufficient current on one voltage. Well,
calculating currents requires learning some basic electrical
principles. Therefore many 'computer assemblers' instead recommend
more watts - that and dollars is what they understand.

Important facts such as the computer model (is it a standard ATX
power supply or something unique to a discounted computer?) and what
you are trying to solve are necessary for a useful answer.
 
No, there's no way of determining total wattage output of a PC power supply
without opening the case. On some make power supplies the total wattage of
the power supply and/or amps by voltage leg are provided on the label.

In the big scheme of things, its amps per voltage leg that's most important,
not total wattage.
 
well a guy at a retail store said if i wanted to run a dual dvi card he
showed me on the box the power supply had to be at least 450.
 
well a guy at a retail store said if i wanted to run a dual dvi card he
showed me on the box the power supply had to be at least 450.
Click to expand...

450 watts on some clone supplies may only be 315 watt supplies. If
you need 450 watts, then he also gave numbers as to why. Those
numbers would be the current required by the dual dvi for each
voltage. What are those current requirements? If he did not provide
that, then he is selling on rumors.

This previous post still applies:
Does your system have enough power? That is determined by power
supply amps for each voltage. A power supply can have more than
enough 'watts' but provide insufficient current on one voltage.

How do you get answers that are useful? 1) He must say why, and 2)
answer includes numbers that can be confirmed. What are the currents
of the card being replaced?

Many power supplies are missing essential functions to sell at both
higher profits and lower price. Does that power supply come with a
long list of numerical specs (that also include current for each
voltage)? If not, then it may be missing functions. Full retail
price to include such functions is on the order of $60. That does not
mean $60 supplies contain those functions. But power supplies selling
for $30 somehow forget to include those functions.
 
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