Estimating power requirements

  • Thread starter Thread starter John A
  • Start date Start date
J

John A

Planning my first PC build and I am confused about power requirements. I am
considering a Shuttle MN31N (micro ATX with integrated LAN and Video), 2 x
256K PC2700 memory, Athlon XP 2500+ Barton, DVD reader, CD-R/RW, 80GB 7200
Hardrive. No immediate plans for any addition cards/disks or overclocking.

Is a 300W supply adequate or would a 350W or 400W be recommended to drive
the XP2500+. Also, based on customer feedback on newegg, it appears that
300W from one manufacturer may be adequate in certain applications but the
same 300W rating from another manunfacturer may not be adequate. Would
anyone like to offer some reasonable recommendations on power supplies or
case/supply combos. I want something reliable, but I dont want to buy more
than I need.
 
is it possible to have to much wattage? (within ATX standards) so then I would go with what i could afford over 300w
 
Hi,
There is no such thing as too much wattage, its a bit like a car. It can't
hurt to have more, except you pay more. In theory actual power consumption
should be the same regardless whether you get a 250W or 350W PS but I can
very well imaging that the bigger ones gobble up more. I would not go bigger
than necessary. Have a look at some brochures and see what the computer
manufacturer's configurations are. You might be in for a little surprise. It
is definitely good learning.

Hope this helps...
Meini
http://www.utech.net.au
Utech Computer Solutions



JAD said:
is it possible to have to much wattage? (within ATX standards) so then I
Click to expand...
would go with what i could afford over 300w
 
Hi,
There is no such thing as too much wattage, its a bit like a car. It can't
hurt to have more, except you pay more. In theory actual power consumption
should be the same regardless whether you get a 250W or 350W PS but I can
very well imaging that the bigger ones gobble up more. I would not go bigger
than necessary. Have a look at some brochures and see what the computer
manufacturer's configurations are. You might be in for a little surprise. It
is definitely good learning.

Hope this helps...
Meini
http://www.utech.net.au
Utech Computer Solutions



JAD said:
is it possible to have to much wattage? (within ATX standards) so then I
Click to expand...
would go with what i could afford over 300w
 
JAD said:
is it possible to have to much wattage? (within ATX standards)
so then I would go with what i could afford over 300w
Click to expand...

I found that some older PSUs won't put out accurate enough voltages
unless loaded down enough. For example, www.kmepc.com specified some
of their MaxPower PSUs as requiring at least 4-8A on the +5V rail, and
I have 300W Deltas that don't let 500 MHz or slower systems work
because those don't draw enough from the +3.3V and +5V and prevent the
HD from spinning. But such PSUs are rare, and I think the highest
minimum load now is only 2A on the +5V rail, which every mobo will
exceed.
 
John said:
Planning my first PC build and I am confused about power requirements. I am
considering a Shuttle MN31N (micro ATX with integrated LAN and Video), 2 x
256K PC2700 memory, Athlon XP 2500+ Barton, DVD reader, CD-R/RW, 80GB 7200
Hardrive. No immediate plans for any addition cards/disks or overclocking.

Is a 300W supply adequate or would a 350W or 400W be recommended to drive
the XP2500+. Also, based on customer feedback on newegg, it appears that
300W from one manufacturer may be adequate in certain applications but the
same 300W rating from another manunfacturer may not be adequate. Would
anyone like to offer some reasonable recommendations on power supplies or
case/supply combos. I want something reliable, but I dont want to buy more
than I need.
Click to expand...

Antec SLK3700AMB case w/ SL350 PSU at www.accupc.com: $67.50 shipped, (a
few weeks ago). Great deal on an excellent case. They even sent me an
Antec round floppy cable free in a separate box. Received it in less
than a week IIRC, in perfect condition. I just built a system about
like yours with this case.

For power requirements, see the builders' guide at:

http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/SellAMDProducts/0,,30_177_4458_3505^869^4348^1065,00.html

The Barton uses maybet 20W less than the Thoroughbred.
 
Back
Top