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can my PS handle this..?

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-N-

Member
Joined
Dec 15, 2002
Location
so.ca
This is kinda of two questions in one.. so for the first question:
I'm not sure if my old 300W. power supply can handle my new comp parts.. I also have a few questions about calculating these watts/voltage/amperage things.

Ok first off here my power supply stats:

+3.3v - 28A
+5v - 30A
+12v - 15A

+3.3v & +5v combined load = 220W
+3.3v & +5v & +12v combined load = 279W

I will have:
2x optical drives
2x HDD
1x vid card (if that matters)
1x smart case fan II
3x case fans
2x LED case fans
1x cathode

.. i think all the fans/cathodes/led use the +12v right? so.. kinda wonderin.

i will be running a 1700+ on an 8RDA+, if that affects anything.


My second question is:
i don't really get how MBM5 works.. I know it monitors your fans (none of my fans have the sensor thing right now), your core voltage, your cpu speed, and your 3.3/5/12v. Is it bad if it's not exactly 3.3, 5, or 12? Cause my +12.00 is at 12.19v.

THANKS!!
:p
 
The short answer: NO

****

Here's the longer version...

Your old 300W appears to have been a good one when it was new, but the power supply standards have changed (ATX12V) with higher power requirements on the 12V line for drives and even the CPU.

A rough estimate of your system...

1700+ ==> 45W (stock) ==> 55W+ (overclocked)
Motherboard ==> 40W
Optical drives ==> 50W (25W each)
Hard drives ==> 50W (25W each)
Video card ==> 20W (old) ==> 60W (new FX or R9500+)
Case fans ==> 20W
Memory ==> 15W per 256MB << not on your list >>

Totals at leat 250W and up to 300W not counting your lights

****

There is a chip on newer mobos (Winbond) which acts as a hub for the sensor data. Your new mobo may also allow you to read the internal diode in the T-bred to get the true die temperature.

****

You want your voltages to stay within 3% of nominal (2% is best), so your voltages should be in these ranges:

12V ==> 11.65 to 12.35V

5V ==> 4.85 to 5.15V

3.3V ==> 3.2 to 3.4V

****

For more info on power supplies, follow these links

http://www6.tomshardware.com/howto/20030609/index.html
http://firingsquad.gamers.com/guides/power_supply/
http://forum.oc-forums.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=150384
 
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