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Can anyone help me figure out
1. Tell me if a specific system I have in mind would work without problems
with a 350 watt power supply.
2. What happens if you use too low of a power supply with a system.
3. How to measure or determine the right power supply for a given system.
Details follow.

1. Basically, I'm trying to get a new system for myself (while keeping
costs as low as possible). The current place I'm considering buying from
offers me a 350 Watt Power Supply by default. I'd love to get it to 420
watts, however, the way this place is set up, I'd have to change the case to
get which raises the price by almost $50 which I rather not do unless I have
to. The system is Athlon 2800 XP with 3 case fans (or 2 LED case fans if
that matters). 2 hard drives. 1 DVD-ROM. 1 Flash Media Card Reader.
Quite possibly also 1 CD-RW (I can leave this off as I have another system
with a CD-RW I can use to burn CDs with). The case doesn't come with all
the glowing neon lights everywhere...but considering it's only a few
dollars, I might add some in IF it won't boost my power supply requirements
by any noticeable amount. It will of course have video card (GeForce5600),
fax/modem, etc. as well. So, with this system, am I safe with a 350 watt
power supply (remember the CD-RW and any LED lights are optional for me if
they present a problem)? Or must I have a 420 or higher watt power supply?

2. So what happens, generally speaking, if you use a power supply that is
too low for all your system needs? Will it still turn on? Does it have any
possible chance of causing damage? Will the system perform at 100%
functionality and if not, how will it be reduced?

3. I vaguely remember there being some sort of rule of thumb for
determining how big of a power supply is needed based on type or number of
devices as well as a more exact way of measuring how much power your devices
will take and buying the corresponding power supply to match it. If my
vague memories are right, you also have take into account about the extra
power the devices might draw at boot up as well as their normal drain.
Unfortunately, it's all vague and been a while. Can someone tell me exactly
how it all works for both the rule of thumb version as well as the more
exact version? If the exact version requires, though, knowing the exact
power each device draws, it won't help as I haven't bought the system in
question.

Thanks!

"Joe" <> wrote in message
news:nzVEb.159677$_M.741042@attbi_s54...
> Can anyone help me figure out
> 1. Tell me if a specific system I have in mind would work without
problems
> with a 350 watt power supply.
> 2. What happens if you use too low of a power supply with a system.
> 3. How to measure or determine the right power supply for a given system.
> Details follow.
>
> 1. Basically, I'm trying to get a new system for myself (while keeping
> costs as low as possible). The current place I'm considering buying from
> offers me a 350 Watt Power Supply by default. I'd love to get it to 420
> watts, however, the way this place is set up, I'd have to change the case
to
> get which raises the price by almost $50 which I rather not do unless I
have
> to. The system is Athlon 2800 XP with 3 case fans (or 2 LED case fans if
> that matters). 2 hard drives. 1 DVD-ROM. 1 Flash Media Card Reader.
> Quite possibly also 1 CD-RW (I can leave this off as I have another system
> with a CD-RW I can use to burn CDs with). The case doesn't come with all
> the glowing neon lights everywhere...but considering it's only a few
> dollars, I might add some in IF it won't boost my power supply
requirements
> by any noticeable amount. It will of course have video card
(GeForce5600),
> fax/modem, etc. as well. So, with this system, am I safe with a 350 watt
> power supply (remember the CD-RW and any LED lights are optional for me if
> they present a problem)? Or must I have a 420 or higher watt power
supply?
>
> 2. So what happens, generally speaking, if you use a power supply that is
> too low for all your system needs? Will it still turn on? Does it have
any
> possible chance of causing damage? Will the system perform at 100%
> functionality and if not, how will it be reduced?

<snipped>

A 350 watt supply should do the job...just be sure to get one of good
quality...
believe me...not all power supplies are built equally...

If you get a "cheap" powersupply or use one that is undersized...
you will probably end up with overheating and poor voltage regulation.

On Sat, 20 Dec 2003 10:32:51 GMT, "Joe" <> wrote in
24hoursupport.helpdesk:

>Can anyone help me figure out
>1. Tell me if a specific system I have in mind would work without problems
>with a 350 watt power supply.
>2. What happens if you use too low of a power supply with a system.
>3. How to measure or determine the right power supply for a given system.
>Details follow.
<chop>

Quality is more important than quantity. Put another way, pay now or pay later... I
prefer to avoid headaches whenever possible.
A quality 350 watt p.s. is ample for that system. You may also want to consider the
noise factor as well. Your vid card has a fan, right? They all add up.