Power rating of PSU ...

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Jabba

The mATX PSU in my machine is approx. four years old (a Time System), as the
machine has slowly been upgraded to an XP 2500+ & GeForce TI 200 and in the
future I'm going to upgrade the graphics card. The problem is that I assume
that I'm getting to the point of needing a new power supply but the current
one doesn't seem to have any markings that indicate what it is at all. I was
thinking of just buying the new graphics card and if it works all ok great,
otherwise just get a new PSU.

Any ideas?
 
Jabba said:
The mATX PSU in my machine is approx. four years old (a Time System), as the
machine has slowly been upgraded to an XP 2500+ & GeForce TI 200 and in the
future I'm going to upgrade the graphics card. The problem is that I assume
that I'm getting to the point of needing a new power supply but the current
one doesn't seem to have any markings that indicate what it is at all. I was
thinking of just buying the new graphics card and if it works all ok great,
otherwise just get a new PSU.

Any ideas?
Click to expand...
Since your upgrading from a Geforce TI200, and your system is a prebuilt. I
would lean VERY strongly to the get a new PSU side of things. In fact even
if you didn't need it I would still buy one. A generic PSU can do an
incredible amount of damage to the system, and given the age of it, it will
be going soon. I would recommend something atleast 450watt and name brand
so you don't have to worry about upgrading for a while.

-Chris
 
<snip>

name brand


important words...

a good quality 300 watt supply is better than a 400 watt cheapie!
 
Jabba said:
The mATX PSU in my machine is approx. four years old (a Time System), as the
machine has slowly been upgraded to an XP 2500+ & GeForce TI 200 and in the
future I'm going to upgrade the graphics card. The problem is that I assume
that I'm getting to the point of needing a new power supply but the current
one doesn't seem to have any markings that indicate what it is at all. I was
thinking of just buying the new graphics card and if it works all ok great,
otherwise just get a new PSU.

Any ideas?
Click to expand...
If your PS is four years old and was part of an pre-assembled system,
it almost certainly needs to be upgraded (If a replacement will fit in a
ready made system). Check out the physical size of your present supply
and check it against any unit you consider purchasing.

If the PS you have has the rated output for each voltage on a label,
you can multiply the amps times the voltage for each and add them
together to determine the rated wattage output of the PS.
 
The mATX PSU in my machine is approx. four years old (a Time System), as the
machine has slowly been upgraded to an XP 2500+ & GeForce TI 200 and in the
future I'm going to upgrade the graphics card. The problem is that I assume
that I'm getting to the point of needing a new power supply but the current
one doesn't seem to have any markings that indicate what it is at all. I was
thinking of just buying the new graphics card and if it works all ok great,
otherwise just get a new PSU.

Any ideas?
Click to expand...

Yes you should upgrade the power supply, but unfortunately you
can't, enough, since mATX suppplies are only worth 200W. There
are some overrated mATX that claim more, but it's similar
situation to overrated full PS2 (ATX) size, that they're not
really worth the higher rating... they're just too small to
house the components with any room to get air though them.

Since mATX has this 200W realistic limit, you need to consider a
"full" sized midtower case and (standard ATX, PS2 sized) power
supply. Not only is this an issue for power delivery, but that
power is converted to heat, with larger cases almost certainly
having potential for better airflow, so long as it's a decent
case. Frankly for the XP2500 and GF3 TI, you should already have
switched to a midtower case and higher than ~ 200W mATX power
supply, and so I suggest changing case first, get system running
again in new case with new PSU before making any other changes to
it... and as other poster mentioned, choose major name-brand
power supply, which can come in some cases but if your chosen
case doesn't have one, resist the urge to use a generic
comes-practically-free-with-case power supply.
 
kony said:
Yes you should upgrade the power supply, but unfortunately you
can't, enough, since mATX suppplies are only worth 200W. There
are some overrated mATX that claim more, but it's similar
situation to overrated full PS2 (ATX) size, that they're not
really worth the higher rating... they're just too small to
house the components with any room to get air though them.

Since mATX has this 200W realistic limit, you need to consider a
"full" sized midtower case and (standard ATX, PS2 sized) power
supply. Not only is this an issue for power delivery, but that
power is converted to heat, with larger cases almost certainly
having potential for better airflow, so long as it's a decent
case. Frankly for the XP2500 and GF3 TI, you should already have
switched to a midtower case and higher than ~ 200W mATX power
supply, and so I suggest changing case first, get system running
again in new case with new PSU before making any other changes to
it... and as other poster mentioned, choose major name-brand
power supply, which can come in some cases but if your chosen
case doesn't have one, resist the urge to use a generic
comes-practically-free-with-case power supply.
Click to expand...

Just having another look at the PSU and I'm not sure it is a mATX now. I've
always assumed (probably wrongly) that as the MB is mATX the PSU is as well.
The PSU is 15 cm x 14 cm x 8.5 cm i.e. ATX size. Is then anything special
about a mATX PSU except size?

The case is miditower size but due to the curved front (it was the fashion
at the time) you can only get a mATX MB in it.
 
Just having another look at the PSU and I'm not sure it is a mATX now. I've
always assumed (probably wrongly) that as the MB is mATX the PSU is as well.
The PSU is 15 cm x 14 cm x 8.5 cm i.e. ATX size. Is then anything special
about a mATX PSU except size?
Click to expand...

Some mATX mount on their long side, and others on the short, and
the fan is often on the largest face pointing towards CPU.
Otherwise, they're electrically and plug-compatible to regular
ATX.

However, yours is a standard ATX, not mATX.
The case is miditower size but due to the curved front (it was the fashion
at the time) you can only get a mATX MB in it.
Click to expand...

Those combinations are common with OEMs now that systems need
more than ~200W PSU in them. You should be able to just drop in
any standard "full sized" ATX power supply.
 
kony said:
Some mATX mount on their long side, and others on the short, and
the fan is often on the largest face pointing towards CPU.
Otherwise, they're electrically and plug-compatible to regular
ATX.

However, yours is a standard ATX, not mATX.


Those combinations are common with OEMs now that systems need
more than ~200W PSU in them. You should be able to just drop in
any standard "full sized" ATX power supply.
Click to expand...

I was hoping that was the reply ... ta for the help.
 
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