PSU/slot question (305 watts??)

**Shamus** · 09-07-2005, 04:44 AM

Re: PSU/slot question (305 watts??)

Removing the card above the video card will improve air circulation a great deal. Small spots in the PC can be like hiding places for pockets of heat that just sit there and circulate without be expelled through the back of the case.

I suspect that your PSU is close to adequate or you would be experiencing instability and sudden reboots or CTDs. A good way to tell is to check the amperage rating on the +12V rail and check how mamy watts are being consumed using a software utility like Everest. Of course, a multi-meter is the best way so you can check the power at the molex under a full gaming load.

As far as damage to your components is concerned, if your amperage/wattage is inadequate - you are doing steady damage to your system as a whole, especially the motherboard and CPU and PSU. The tollerance before damage begins is at a value of +/- 5% of it's rated voltage.

**exocet** · 09-07-2005, 04:56 AM

Re: PSU/slot question (305 watts??)

Just remember, hot air rises and if you've got your case set vertically as most people do, the heat from your videocard is going to go straight onto your processor. Make sure you've got some case-fans right in that area sucking the air out of your case.

**lcplsickoll** · 09-07-2005, 06:27 AM

Re: PSU/slot question (305 watts??)

The total wattage isn't as important as the amperage on the 12v rail when dealing with video cards. A "350" Watt PSU could have more real power than a "400" watt psu, simply because the numbers can be doctored to make the later look better. Just like Shamus said, you'd be experiencing trouble if it wasn't sufficient. Check the sticker on the PSU and tell us what is says for Amps under the 12v column.

**Mr. ADHD** · 09-07-2005, 07:07 AM

Re: PSU/slot question (305 watts??)

Originally posted by lcplsickoll

... Check the sticker on the PSU and tell us what is says for Amps under the 12v column.

Will do, I only noticed volts and watts....remember it's the amps that kill ya!:ar15: :dead:

Originally posted by Shamus

Removing the card above the video card will improve air circulation a great deal. Small spots in the PC can be like hiding places for pockets of heat that just sit there and circulate without be expelled through the back of the case....

As for a fan. I use a house fan to blow into the side of the case...should I reverse it? Or will this be fine?

Originally posted by exocet

Just remember, hot air rises and if you've got your case set vertically as most people do, the heat from your videocard is going to go straight onto your processor. Make sure you've got some case-fans right in that area sucking the air out of your case.

So true, I never really thought about it. So technically if you're building Box, put your Vcard on the bottom.

I've had, I think 1 CTD, but I think it was because I pressed the Windows key or something.

You guys have been helpful...thanks...and if you seem me online...don't shoot me...too much.:hi:

**Shamus** · 09-07-2005, 07:41 AM

Re: PSU/slot question (305 watts??)

If this helps, I will give you some specs on the approximate power consumption of the components you listed. This is a very simplified breakdown...

ATI X800 = 66W max under load using the +3.3V and +12V power rails. It will drop to around 18W when idle.

Intel P4 3.0ghz = between 89W and 105W at idle, depending upon which core you have; I can't tell you the consumption under load without knowing the core and stepping. It draws from the +12V rail.

1.5GB RAM (3 modules of 512MB DDR SDRAM) = about 30W under load. This power comes mostly from the +5V rail.

Misc:
Motherboard with onboard components = about 30W spread across all 3 power rails.

HDD = about 40W in RAID or around 25W per drive. Each HDD uses a minimum of 2 amps on the +12V and around 1 amp from the +5V.

Optical drives = about 25 to 30W each from the +12 and +5V rails combined.

Zip drives = about 10W from the +12 and +5V rails combined.

Soundblaster = about 7W for all regular models and 18W with a frontbay.

Floppy = 5W

Each fan = .25W solely from the +12 rail.

Mouse and Keyboard = about 3W.

Memory Card Reader = about 10W.

FireWire - about 8W.

Each USB = about 5W.

Cold Cathode Tubes = about 3W each.

**Mr. ADHD** · 09-07-2005, 07:47 AM

Re: PSU/slot question (305 watts??)

Wow, thanks.

Can ATi tool help or does it only have a thermometer?

Originally posted by Shamus

If this helps, I will give you some specs on the approximate power consumption of the components you listed. This is a very simplified breakdown...

ATI X800 = 66W max under load using the +3.3V and +12V power rails. It will drop to around 18W when idle.

Intel P4 3.0ghz = between 89W and 105W at idle, depending upon which core you have; I can't tell you the consumption under load without knowing the core and stepping. It draws from the +12V rail.

1.5GB RAM (3 modules of 512MB DDR SDRAM) = about 30W under load. This power comes mostly from the +5V rail.

Misc:
Motherboard with onboard components = about 30W spread across all 3 power rails.

HDD = about 40W in RAID or around 25W per drive. Each HDD uses a minimum of 2 amps on the +12V and around 1 amp from the +5V.

Optical drives = about 25 to 30W each from the +12 and +5V rails combined.

Zip drives = about 10W from the +12 and +5V rails combined.

Soundblaster = about 7W for all regular models and 18W with a frontbay.

Floppy = 5W

Each fan = .25W solely from the +12 rail.

Mouse and Keyboard = about 3W.

Memory Card Reader = about 10W.

FireWire - about 8W.

Each USB = about 5W.

Cold Cathode Tubes = about 3W each.

**Shamus** · 09-07-2005, 08:09 AM

Re: PSU/slot question (305 watts??)

ATITool is awesome. It will allow you to test the video card to determine the highest core and memory speeds the card can tollerate. Once it detects an error, it will then lower the settings until it finds the max stable speed.

**ODD-BALL** · 09-07-2005, 08:35 AM

Re: PSU/slot question (305 watts??)

If it were me I would opt for a bigger power supply, Yours may work fine, but you are probobly pushing it pretty hard and it may die a little sooner than normal due to stress.

**Shamus** · 09-07-2005, 08:43 AM

Re: PSU/slot question (305 watts??)

Originally posted by ODD-BALL

If it were me I would opt for a bigger power supply, Yours may work fine, but you are probobly pushing it pretty hard and it may die a little sooner than normal due to stress.

After some thought, I have to agree here. Unless you have an exceptional PSU with an extremely efficient output (preventing spikes and sags) you are at risk of shortening the life of all your components.

Yours may be fine but it may not. I have an Enermax 350 with 26A on the +12V rail and it still has more to give. The key is indeed the stability of the current and the amperage avalable where its needed.

The only real way to know is to use a cheap digital multi-meter.

**lcplsickoll** · 09-07-2005, 08:44 AM

Re: PSU/slot question (305 watts??)

Originally posted by ODD-BALL

If it were me I would opt for a bigger power supply, Yours may work fine, but you are probobly pushing it pretty hard and it may die a little sooner than normal due to stress.

Odd-ball is correct, you probably will shorten the life of that PSU.

**Mr. ADHD** · 09-07-2005, 08:50 AM

Re: PSU/slot question (305 watts??)

There we have it...time to buy anothe PSU...when this is said and done I'll have replaced 1 motherboard, 1 DVD drive (it crapped out), purchased a second copy of BF2 because when my DVD player died I thought th disk was scratched, bought and returned 1, agp X800 for a pci-e Ati X700, only to return that one for the ATI X800, purchased more ram and now another PSU. While I'm at it, I think I might extend my contract for my Dell...just in case.

Thanks again, I owe you a beer....or a soda depending on your age....

**Shamus** · 09-07-2005, 08:53 AM

Re: PSU/slot question (305 watts??)

You can think of your PSU purchase as an insurance policy to protect the rest of your investment since that's exactly what you are doing. Somehow, it doesn't sound so expensive that way... And I'll take the beer please. :)

**lcplsickoll** · 09-07-2005, 08:55 AM

Re: PSU/slot question (305 watts??)

Originally posted by Nodhere

There we have it...time to buy anothe PSU...when this is said and done I'll have replaced 1 motherboard, 1 DVD drive (it crapped out), purchased a second copy of BF2 because when my DVD player died I thought th disk was scratched, bought and returned 1, agp X800 for a pci-e Ati X700, only to return that one for the ATI X800, purchased more ram and now another PSU. While I'm at it, I think I might extend my contract for my Dell...just in case.

Thanks again, I owe you a beer....or a soda depending on your age....

LOL. Welcome to gaming. I've spent around 1500 in upgrades in the past year. Beer here....i'm old...er....

**ODD-BALL** · 09-07-2005, 10:37 AM

Re: PSU/slot question (305 watts??)

beer.... think of the power supply this way, you just restored a Porchse, but with an old 40 HP aircooled VW motor in it. Spend the last couple dollars and you will get the 250 hp turbo motor you new computer deserves.

PSU/slot question (305 watts??)

PSU/slot question (305 watts??)

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