does my chepo psu have enough power ???

[matt_w_lambert]

I have a cheap psu its the one that came with the case and i realy don't know much about psu's but i have alot of hardware + 3 cold cathode ligts and some fans and when i have all my lights and fans running my hard drive sometimes has problems . is it because all of the lights and fans or is there a problem with my power suply.

an another question there is a little switch on the back of the psu and it says 115v and i think 230v what should i set that at.

[Deathknight]

Hrm if turning on all your lights causes stability issues its a definate possibility that your PSU is to blame. What do your voltage rails look like?

As far as that switch you want it set to 115

[Oklahoma Wolf]

Leave the switch at 115 unless you like fireworks inside the PSU ;)

What brand and model PSU is this?

[matt_w_lambert]

ok the psu is a L&C computer co. MODEL: LC-B350ATX

What are voltage rails?

[Oklahoma Wolf]

L&C is an alias for Foxconn (Deer) - they are perhaps the worst PSU's out there, and I wouldn't trust one to power a string of Christmas lights properly... they have a very high failure rate.

I would suggest replacing it ASAP with a Fortron/Sparkle 350 (if on a tight budget) or 530, or Antec Truepower 430 or better.

Voltage rails indicate the different power outputs of the unit, ie 5v, 12v, or 3.3v. No need to worry about -5 and -12, nothing since the ISA days uses them.

[matt_w_lambert]

i also have another case that has a DURO brand psu know any about that one

[Oklahoma Wolf]

I have no idea who makes Duro units, but they seem a little on the weak side from what I've seen of them. Unless it's another Deer alias (and that's a possibility considering the prices I'se seen for them online), it's probably a little better unit than the L&C; but it's hard to be sure. I can't fathom anything designed worse than a Deer, but you never know.

If you're up to looking up the actual manufacturer of the Duro, there should be a backwards UR symbol on the label. Beneath it there may be an Underwriters file number starting with "E" - if you go to www.ul.com you can search their certification listings for the manufacturer.

Edit: just found a closeup of a Duro label at this (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2757900269&category=51103) ebay auction - not only is there no UL file number that I can see, unless I'm mistaken they may not even be UL certified... not sure I would trust this one either. Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I would recommend replacing both PSU's with Antec/Channel Well or Fortron/Sparkle.

[matt_w_lambert]

ok thanks, now i have to find out how has them cheapest

[Oklahoma Wolf]

IIRC, Newegg still has the 350 Fortrons for $32 and $36 (for the 120mm fan version)... hard to beat that price if you don't have much to spend.