I need to upgrade my PS and was wondering what do I need to know to do so? I currently have a meager 250 max output. What/where do i find if one PSU is compatible with my system. Do I need my motherboard info for connecting? Thanks in advance
First you need to identify your case style ie; atx,m-atx etc.. then you need to know what type of connections your mother board requires ie; 20 pin,24 pin,20+4 pin. Do you have a sata hard drive or pci-e graphics card? These are all things you need to consider before you purchase a new psu, although a lot of the newer units provide you with all the possible connectors you could need.After that you will want to determine your specific requirements(more wattage is always better)then you can go shopping!
Thank you, I have done some more research as I waited for a reponse from this forum only to find out my "box store" computer has the max output PSU . I now have to consider a new angle to running things cooler yet manitain my 250w max output. Any input would be great.
you could swap all your components into a new case. Time consuming, but not very expensive. But tell us, what is your computer? Because even though 250watt might be the most powerful PSU that is included with your system, doesn't mean the aftermarket (like PC power and cooling) might not make a more powerful one that fits into your factory case.
stalag305 i am almost certain u can upgrade that psu, as trgrpullr said the max that the store puts in could be that but almost all if not all can be upgraded and replaced. If you asked a store cleck then they would probley say u cant tho just to get another sale.
trgrpullr and wdowsing are both correct,just because thats what was put in does'nt mean it has to stay in. 99% of the time the psu can be upgraded, if you provide us with the model number and manufacturer of your computer we may be able to help you.I upgraded the psu recently in a Dell from it's lame 250w to a beefier 500w unit even though I was told by them that it was not possible.It turns out the psu was an everyday standard Atx and the replacement slipped right in.
I have a Compaq Presario SR1308Om with a AMD 3200,1 gig ram, Micro-Atx (K8S-LA) MoBo processor socket 754 and PNY6600 256MB AGP graphics card. I contacted HP and their tech. said and I quote "the motherboard installed in your Presario computer supports only up to 250W power supply. The power supply is Compaq manufactured and the maximum output voltage is 250W only. However, HP does not recommend installing the power supply more than recommended,since HP does not have the tested data regarding this issue. Therefore it is recommended not to upgrade the powere supply in your Presario model, which in case : if upgraded may casue severe damage to all devices installed in the computer along with the motherboard." Thanks in advance for your input Peiter
Specs on PSU: HIPRO model HP-D2537F3R input voltage 100-127 v~6A 200-240 v~3A My chasis - gobi chasis The chipset if it relates to North and South Bridge are SiS760 (N) and SiS964 (S) I was told the 3 things to know for an upgrade were Chasis, MoBo and Chipset. Thanks
Because of the style(mATX)there are not a lot of options for upgrade.Of the two searches I did it appears that any reliable psu in that style is limited to 300watts (there is a 450 but very poor reviews) so you would not be gaining much.Why do you think you need to upgrade anyway? Usually an upgrade is only needed due to added hardware or occasionaly a processor upgrade.As far as the tech's advice goes I would take it with a grain of salt,I upgraded the psu in my wife's H-P from a meager 180w unit to a 250w unit and it's been working just fine.The reason I upgraded hers was due to an extra hard drive,more memory and dvd drive addition that would of course be more taxing on the existing unit. If your simply going to add a fan or two to help cool things off the extra 50watts is more then enough. Best of luck whatever you decide.
I have added 512 more memory from 512 to 1 gb. I also added a 6600 agp graphics card and things are running real warm. I thought by upgrading my PSU I could add some fans and hopefully cool things off. Currently I am running with the side off. I also heard that if you overwork the PSU things will run warm (not sure how true this is). Thanks for your help.
Found a couple of decent looking 350 watts if its good enough for you. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...31310094+1131414175&Submit=ENE&SubCategory=58 boxwrench is right, in all of my searchs as well I've found a bunch of 450 watt PS but all have poor reviews complaining of output being exaggerated and also of lack of power and even the occassional burn-out. I hope this is at least a lil helpful. My best suggestion is to find the best, most effiecient mATX PS you can find and hope its output is better and more efficient(runs cooler) so you can optimize PS lifespan. Let us know how things go
You can't usually wreck a system by having the capability for more power, since just because you can draw more, doesn't mean that it will just for the sake of it. Any decent motherboard design will accept power to the biggest of graphics cards and processors, barring perhaps massively overclocked ones, but that's not really what you're looking for, so you should be alright.
if that was directed at me I didn't mean his system would burn out, just the power supply if he's putting too much strain on it. The system will be fine no matter what... I've never seen a PS cause a system to malfunction more than what can be fixed with an upgraded PS.
Thank you to everyones help. boxwrench were did you search so i can look? fuel_f2f thank you for the site, I have never ordered from them (I have from tigerdirect-which they show none) I noticed that the PSU you suggested has different input voltage mine- is 100-127 v~6A 200-240 v~3A the two you showed are 10A at 115V and 5A at 230V? are they compatible? Also waht does SLI support mean one shows yes other is no. I realize these are Noob questions but I refuse to remain ignorant, as long as i am learning i am still alive. If I continue my quest this is what i need to find one correct (if you see something missing l.m.k.)? MoBo-- ASUS K8S-LA (Salmon) Chassis-- gobi chassis Chipset-- North SiS 760 South SiS964 PSU Hipro HP-D2537F3R 100-127 v~6A 200-240 v~3A Thanks
The PSU ratings just mean they use different amounts of mains current, which will be the case with more powerful PSUs. These values merely show that the units consume more power at the mains plug, which is irrelevant for our purposes other than your electricity bill will go up! SLi support means that the Power supply can capably power two nvidia cards in SLi mode (joined together to act slightly faster) without any instability.
