How big of a power supply will I need?

I have an Antec True Power 330 that came in my case.

By the time I am done, I will have the following in my system:

MSI 6565 (GMB MAX-FISR)

Intel Celeron 3.06GHz (Hyper Threading enabled)

2x 512MB Corsair 333Mhz CAS 2 RAM

2x Maxtor Atlas IV 36GB U320 10K, I might leave my IBM Deskstar GXP-120 (80GB model) in the system...

Memorex 52X CD-RW

Creative Labs SB Live 5.1

M-Audio Delta 44 (dedicated Audio card for recording)

LSI Logic MegaRAID Express 500

4 case fans (2 front, one side, one back)

I think 330w would be cutting it close, but a 550w is too extreme. I think there is a 430w and 480w model as well.
Amazing how much difference a power supply can make when it comes to system instability.

Which one?

There's no such thing as too extreme when it comes to your power supply. Budget realities excepted.

Sounds like you're going to be pushing 330W a bit too hard though you've made a good choice with an Antec True Power.

Figuring out how much wattage a system should have is a good question, I'd be interested to hear someone who has some practical knowledge in that area.

I usually err on the side of overkill.

If you overstress your current PS you're risking having it cut out or worse having it cause overheating and current related problems as the amps go up to make up for insufficient voltage.

I hope someone who knows some good guidelines for calculating how much wattage you'll need responds, that would be something handy to know.

You should actually be fine with that one...I have a true330 myself, and I run a lot of devices similar to your setup, plus a "neon" light with no problems...

but when did the Celeron have HT? and a 3Ghz to boot!!! Is he from the future or did I just miss the latest news?

Here is an article that might prove useful: http://www.pcworld.com/howto/article...28,pg,3,00.asp

Allow for at least 75W for your CPU you've picked out.

Quote:

---

Originally posted by Low_Level_Owl
but when did the Celeron have HT? and a 3Ghz to boot!!! Is he from the future or did I just miss the latest news?

---

Thats what i was wondering

In a previous thread he was putting a celery 2.0 in then upgrade to the faster p4 3.06 later on. Too bad the mainboard can't support 200Mhz quad pumped procs. Oh well, I guess it will just have to be the 533Mhz version of the 3.06 with HT ;)

I'm too lazy to do the math from Mac's post but I would say you are fine with the power supply. I ran a dual P3 Xeon 500 2MB system with SCSI, IDE, CDRW, GF2, SBLive, and other stuff, I can't remember I sold it too a friend a long time ago. I don't even think it was a good 300W power supply, defintely not a Antec Truepower. No problems with it for the year I owned it.

Tony

Quote:

---

Originally posted by Low_Level_Owl
but when did the Celeron have HT? and a 3Ghz to boot!!! Is he from the future or did I just miss the latest news?

---

My bad, I have a Cel 2.0 right now. I started typing out my current, and my near future configs, and decided it was too much.

MY BAD...

Quote:

---

Originally posted by thirdfey
In a previous thread he was putting a celery 2.0 in then upgrade to the faster p4 3.06 later on. Too bad the mainboard can't support 200Mhz quad pumped procs. Oh well, I guess it will just have to be the 533Mhz version of the 3.06 with HT ;)

I'm too lazy to do the math from Mac's post but I would say you are fine with the power supply. I ran a dual P3 Xeon 500 2MB system with SCSI, IDE, CDRW, GF2, SBLive, and other stuff, I can't remember I sold it too a friend a long time ago. I don't even think it was a good 300W power supply, defintely not a Antec Truepower. No problems with it for the year I owned it.

Tony

---

Yeah, I found that out afterwards (the 533 instead of 800) - I debated taking the board back, but I figure this system will be what i want for now, then once all the 64 bit stuff hits, I'll get into those. (maybe longer depending on how happy I am with this system)

Here is a good basis for dimensioning a power supply:
Motherboard=75 W
1 CPU = 75W P4, AMD (50W for PII, PIII, celeron)
1 HDD = 25W
1 internal card = 15W
1 CD/DVD = 15W
fans take very little power (around 1W)
Add all the devices and allow at least 30% extra.
In your case you have 1MB, 1CPU, 2 HDD, 1CD, 4 cards, total is around 250W, add 30% you get 325W min for the PSU.
330W should work fine... but if you're considering any future expansion you'll have to go to a more powerful PSU.

Quote:

---

Originally posted by CeeBee
Here is a good basis for dimensioning a power supply:
Motherboard=75 W
1 CPU = 75W P4, AMD (50W for PII, PIII, celeron)
1 HDD = 25W
1 internal card = 15W
1 CD/DVD = 15W
fans take very little power (around 1W)
Add all the devices and allow at least 30% extra.
In your case you have 1MB, 1CPU, 2 HDD, 1CD, 4 cards, total is around 250W, add 30% you get 325W min for the PSU.
330W should work fine... but if you're considering any future expansion you'll have to go to a more powerful PSU.

---

Thanks!

I was thinking I would need a 480w, maybe I'll get a new one anyway :-)

Thanks for all of your help!

Quote:

---

Originally posted by Archangel42069
You should actually be fine with that one...I have a true330 myself, and I run a lot of devices similar to your setup, plus a "neon" light with no problems...

---

I recently upgraded to a ENERMAX case with 300w power supply for my old Abit BX6 2.0 and PIII 750MHz. I also have a DVD/CDR-W, three HDD's (Raid, backup) and a neon light plus three extra 80MM fans.

Thd odd thing was my motherboard, it wouldn't boot up with the ENERMAX adjustable fans plugged into the MB but the whole system is just fine when hooked up to the power plugs (whatever you call them)

I take it when I get around to upgrading my MB/CPU I will need more than a 300w power supply?

http://www.lart.com/systemspecs