PSU/slot question (305 watts??)

[Mr. ADHD]

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.

Right...so...uh...do you want the beer or not?:rock:

So I've got 2 beers coming up...Canadian beer alright with you guys?

[Dr. Feelwrong]

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

Where do you plan on buying your PSU from becasue i tried to contrcat dell to get a new psu im using a x800 pro on the 305 craptastic psu that was given to me. Although they said that my pc would not handle a higher psu, i belive that they do my 4700, i think doesnt need a atx adpater to work with a non dell psu. What model do you have?

[Mr. ADHD]

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

I have the same. I have the 4700 with the ATI X800 pro...and what's an ATX adapter? I haven't called them yet.

I'm thinking the 305 would be fine...as long as you're not too close to 300 watts for your total usage. I haven't had any problems with the PSU nor with my X800 installed.

I'm willing to bet the ACTUAL require watts required for the X800 is lower than 350, just because the X850 (with it's seperate power connection) requires 350. Then again....I'm no electrician, but I did stay at a holiday Inn express last night...:shakehead

Where do you plan on buying your PSU from becasue i tried to contrcat dell to get a new psu im using a x800 pro on the 305 craptastic psu that was given to me. Although they said that my pc would not handle a higher psu, i belive that they do my 4700, i think doesnt need a atx adpater to work with a non dell psu. What model do you have?

[Mr. ADHD]

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

I'm pretty darn close to 300 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.

[Shamus]

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

I have the same. I have the 4700 with the ATI X800 pro...and what's an ATX adapter? I haven't called them yet.

I'm thinking the 305 would be fine...as long as you're not too close to 300 watts for your total usage. I haven't had any problems with the PSU nor with my X800 installed.

I'm willing to bet the ACTUAL require watts required for the X800 is lower than 350, just because the X850 (with it's seperate power connection) requires 350. Then again....I'm no electrician, but I did stay at a holiday Inn express last night...:shakehead

Hey me too! Gotta love those indoor pools. :)

While at the Holiday Inn, I learned that the power consumption for the X850 is about 18.43W at idle and 65.88W under full load. The power is drawn from the amperage of the +12V and +3.3V rails. The good thing is that not much else uses the 3.3 rail so you won't know until you test it.

[Shamus]

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

I'm pretty darn close to 300 watts.

The problem is that the PSU won't ever put out 305W because that is the max output under ideal lab conditions at temps much cooler than normal. On the other side of the same coin, your components don't draw all the power they need at once and they draw it from different streams - 5V 3.3V and 12V.

It's not an easy task and the manfacturers know this - that's why they don't modify their marketing to reflect actual performance.

I know of an old power requirement worksheet that AMD created for building an XP based system. I'll try to dig it up if you're interested but they haven't updated it since the 64 bit parts came out.

[Dr. Feelwrong]

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

An ATX adapter allows you to hook a general psu to a dell motherboard. Dell uses propriarty stuff and its not compatible. But i read somewhere that the 4700 does not require a adapter for some reason. Not sure why.

Oh and i have Everest. How do i find the voltage rating for the X800, i have been looking maybe im overlooking something any tips?

[Mr. ADHD]

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

I got it from the Manual...it said 12 volts and a 350 watt psu.

An ATX adapter allows you to hook a general psu to a dell motherboard. Dell uses propriarty stuff and its not compatible. But i read somewhere that the 4700 does not require a adapter for some reason. Not sure why.

Oh and i have Everest. How do i find the voltage rating for the X800, i have been looking maybe im overlooking something any tips?

[Mr. ADHD]

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

Sure, this is interesting...I'm considering building my own computer...but I'm affraid I'll never finish it...hence the nickname....

The problem is that the PSU won't ever put out 305W because that is the max output under ideal lab conditions at temps much cooler than normal. On the other side of the same coin, your components don't draw all the power they need at once and they draw it from different streams - 5V 3.3V and 12V.

It's not an easy task and the manfacturers know this - that's why they don't modify their marketing to reflect actual performance.

I know of an old power requirement worksheet that AMD created for building an XP based system. I'll try to dig it up if you're interested but they haven't updated it since the 64 bit parts came out.