is it better to go extra wattage on a PSU and 'play it safe'?

Bellator · May 14, 2006, 06:40 PM

i currently have a 380 Antec PSU (came with the sonata case) for the following specs:

a64 3200+ newcastle, 1gig RAM, asus k8v se deluxe mobo, x800 pro vid, audigy 2 sound, tv wonder pro, 7200rpm 160gb hdd, plextor 712A optical.

the 380 watts runs this system just fine, but i am planning on moving it to a different mobo and replacing the stock cooling and oc'ing the system. If I am planning on OC'ing will 380w still be enough, or should I play it safe and get a beefier PSU.

How much does OC'ing raise power requirements?

CDsDontBurn · May 14, 2006, 06:45 PM

for the current specs, that PSU is good enough.

if you want to start doing some OCing, you can start off w/that PSU, but if you begin to experience some random things like your machine turns off all of a sudden while you're OCing, then you know it's the PSU. In that case, i would highly recommend getting the 520w OCZ PowerStream PSU. very good PSU it is

.

soloz2 · May 15, 2006, 01:41 AM

it is always best to play it safe with your psu. A psu will only produce the amount of power your computer actually draws, so having a more powerful psu will do nothing but good.

one of the best psus you can get that would be good for your system would be a Seasonic S12-500. I have the 600w version and it is a great, stable, efficient psu. it is also the quietest psu I have ever heard.

the OCZ powerstream 520 is also a great psu.

if you're on a bit more of a budget then look at a sunbeam nuuo 550w or an FSP psu

May 14, 2006, 06:40 PM	#1
Bellator DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 166 Rep Power: 0	is it better to go extra wattage on a PSU and 'play it safe'? i currently have a 380 Antec PSU (came with the sonata case) for the following specs: a64 3200+ newcastle, 1gig RAM, asus k8v se deluxe mobo, x800 pro vid, audigy 2 sound, tv wonder pro, 7200rpm 160gb hdd, plextor 712A optical. the 380 watts runs this system just fine, but i am planning on moving it to a different mobo and replacing the stock cooling and oc'ing the system. If I am planning on OC'ing will 380w still be enough, or should I play it safe and get a beefier PSU. How much does OC'ing raise power requirements?

May 14, 2006, 06:45 PM	#2
CDsDontBurn Lurking DriverHeaven Join Date: May 2003 Location: Southern California Posts: 22,779 Rep Power: 235 System Specs	for the current specs, that PSU is good enough. if you want to start doing some OCing, you can start off w/that PSU, but if you begin to experience some random things like your machine turns off all of a sudden while you're OCing, then you know it's the PSU. In that case, i would highly recommend getting the 520w OCZ PowerStream PSU. very good PSU it is . __________________ Her First Day \| A year later

May 15, 2006, 01:41 AM	#3
soloz2 DriverHeaven Addict Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 362 Rep Power: 0	it is always best to play it safe with your psu. A psu will only produce the amount of power your computer actually draws, so having a more powerful psu will do nothing but good. one of the best psus you can get that would be good for your system would be a Seasonic S12-500. I have the 600w version and it is a great, stable, efficient psu. it is also the quietest psu I have ever heard. the OCZ powerstream 520 is also a great psu. if you're on a bit more of a budget then look at a sunbeam nuuo 550w or an FSP psu __________________ [COLOR=gray][COLOR=red]CPU:[/COLOR] AMD Opteron 165 CCBBE @ 2.8Ghz [/COLOR] [COLOR=gray][COLOR=red]Motherboard:[/COLOR] DFI nF4 SLI-DR Expert [COLOR=red]Memory:[/COLOR] 2gb G.Skill F1-4000USU2-2 [COLOR=red]Video:[/COLOR] Asus 7900GT TOP @ 700/1700 [COLOR=red]Sound:[/COLOR] Modded X-Fi Elite Pro [COLOR=red]HD:[/COLOR] 2x Seagate 250Gb RAID 0, 1 Seagate 320Gb [COLOR=red]Optical Drives:[/COLOR] Sony DVD-Rom, Plextor 16x DVD DL RW [COLOR=red]Case:[/COLOR] CM Stacker [COLOR=red]PSU:[/COLOR] PC Power & Cooling Silencer 610 [COLOR=red]Cooling:[/COLOR] Custom Water [COLOR=yellow][COLOR=red]Keyboard/Mouse:[/COLOR] [/COLOR]Saitec Eclipse & Logitech MX518 with a Razer ExactMat mouse pad [COLOR=red]Sound:[/COLOR] Modded X-fi > Soloz Audio Silver IC > Maxed PIMETA > Beyer DT 770 Pro/80 cans [COLOR=red]HTPC:[/COLOR] [/COLOR][COLOR=gray]AMD 3800X2[/COLOR][COLOR=gray], Asus A8N-SLI Deluxe, G.Skill 2GB DDR400, MSI 6600GT, Haupauge PVR150, SB [/COLOR][COLOR=gray]Audigy 2ZS[/COLOR][COLOR=gray], Samsung 16x DVD DL RW, Sunbeam Nuuo PSU, Antec P180 case, AC Freezer64 Pro, Viewsonic N2750w LCD HDTV Heatware eBay [/COLOR]