2 x Hard Drives + 6800 GT & 400w PSU = Enough power?

TJ- · Jan 18, 2006, 01:22 AM

I am running 1 160 GB HD, 6800 GT and 1 gig of ram right now. I want to slap another HD in there and run it off my current PSu which is a 400w Thermaltake. Would i see any problems or would this be enough power?

PangingJr · Jan 18, 2006, 04:01 AM

Thermaltake is a well know brand, don't know for sure if they made high quality PC power supplies.
but hope they sell good quality ones and the one you got is not a poor power supply unit.

just be on the lookout for USB devices that draws some power from your computer through its cable.
if most of your USB's have its own external power supply then i believe you will be okay with that 400 watts power supply.

you don't have to spend money for a new power supply right away.
but the next one you buy get at least a 465-480-500 or 550 watts and up for your video card and others hardwares upgrades.

anyway, it would be a good idea to provide us more or complete info of your hardware configurations.

pr0digal jenius · Jan 18, 2006, 04:54 AM

TT PSU's are very nice albeit a ad overpriced.

I have 4 sticks of RAM, 2 HDDs, 2 CPUs, a 6800GT, Audigy, wifi card, HD Tuner, some case lights...all running off a 470 watt.

...oh, and my PSU has a walljack on the back fo it [how cool si that!?!?] so it really powers my monitor too

PangingJr · Jan 18, 2006, 05:21 AM

that one for your monitor is a bypass output, it probably has a surge protection built-in like some of UPSs have...

TJ- · Jan 18, 2006, 05:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PangingJr

Thermaltake is a well know brand, don't know for sure if they made high quality PC power supplies.
but hope they sell good quality ones and the one you got is not a poor power supply unit.

just be on the lookout for USB devices that draws some power from your computer through its cable.
if most of your USB's have its own external power supply then i believe you will be okay with that 400 watts power supply.

you don't have to spend money for a new power supply right away.
but the next one you buy get at least a 465-480-500 or 550 watts and up for your video card and others hardwares upgrades.

anyway, it would be a good idea to provide us more or complete info of your hardware configurations.

The psu i have is the one that came with my tsunami case.

The hardware i have is

asus k8v se deluxe
3000+ cpu AMD
6800 GT overclocked
1 HD ( getting another )
keyboard
mouse
mic
camera etc

I will be getting a 550w + when i build my new comp, probably when vista comes out. But need something to put all my movies and stuff until then, thats why i need the new HD.

PangingJr · Jan 18, 2006, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by [Di]:Z!ON

The psu i have is the one that came with my tsunami case.

The hardware i have is

asus k8v se deluxe
3000+ cpu AMD
6800 GT overclocked
1 HD ( getting another )
keyboard
mouse
mic
camera etc

I will be getting a 550w + when i build my new comp, probably when vista comes out. But need something to put all my movies and stuff until then, thats why i need the new HD.

power supply that comes with computer case... ones that has a brand name like that i'd say you should be okay for now.

years ago i used about 10's Enlight computer cases for Intel PIIIs, these cases had a 250-300 watts power supply with them. then after that i used the Enlight computer cases for Intel P4 again, thay all came with 350-400 watts, i have never replaced any of these power supplies. that's more than 20 power suppy units, and they all last and worked fine like about 4-5 years when they are with me.

i have some new computers at about every 5 years. i've been saving some money this time, i got 8 Cooler Master computer casese for free when i bought 8 motherboards. then i got about a dozen of some no-brand wireless optical mices for free when i bought Enermax'es power supplies. lol.

TJ- · Jan 19, 2006, 02:17 PM

whats your opinion on external hard drives. I found this one it looks decent and only $50 more than internal hard drive.

Product Details
Product Name: USB2 Maxtor 250G External Personal Storage 3100
Warranty: 12 mths
Manufactures: Maxtor
Weight(kg): 0
Product link: http://www.maxtor.com/portal/site/Ma...annelpath=/en_

Product Description:

Hard Drive: 3.5-inch ATA
RPM: 7200
Cache Buffer: 2 MB - 80GB, 8MB - 100, 200GB, 16MB - 250GB
Interface: USB 2.0 and 1.1 compliant; External 4-pin connector with hot-plug capability; Supports bus data transfer rates up to 480Mb/sec
AC Input Voltage: 100 - 240 VAC
Dimensions: 1.75 x 6.0 x 8.75 inches

Minimum System Requirements
Pentium II-class equivalent processor or later
Windows 98SE, Me, 2000, Professional or XP
Available USB 1.1 or 2.0 port
64MB RAM or more as required by operating system
Internet connection (for Windows 98SE)

PangingJr · Jan 19, 2006, 04:54 PM

i have a few Iomaga USB/FireWire which is quite old model now. can't recommend it to you anyway, i don't like to recommend any of hardwares or anything that i bought to anyone because i'm very sloppy when it comes to buy things, i don't look around for any information and decide to buy things too quick which is no good. just never regret it. lol.

anyway, please don't mind me saying this if you're limited on money to buy this hard drive i'd say you'll be happy with this Maxtor drive.
i believe this one has no FireWire (IEEE1394) connection, sometimes there is only firewire port left for you to use on some computer. but if you don't plan on carrying this drive around then you probably don't need the FireWire. just be sure to look around first since there are so many drives to choose from... set your budget and look around.

today external hard drives are quite very good. if you've never used one you'll find it slower than the internal drives. but it still fast and it'll be a good use for you on many things. i may look for some new drives too. i'm interested in one that uses e-SATA or may be a IEEE1394b which is supposed to be very fast too.

soloz2 · Jan 19, 2006, 11:35 PM

I would have to say that 400w is probably pushing it... you might want to get a more powerful psu.

external hard drives are nice as you can easily move them from one computer to another. they are excellent for storing just data and backup information. they are slow though.

Jan 18, 2006, 01:22 AM	#1
TJ- DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Infinity Posts: 3,679 Rep Power: 0	2 x Hard Drives + 6800 GT & 400w PSU = Enough power? I am running 1 160 GB HD, 6800 GT and 1 gig of ram right now. I want to slap another HD in there and run it off my current PSu which is a 400w Thermaltake. Would i see any problems or would this be enough power? __________________ new sig comming soon

Jan 18, 2006, 04:01 AM	#2
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 71	Thermaltake is a well know brand, don't know for sure if they made high quality PC power supplies. but hope they sell good quality ones and the one you got is not a poor power supply unit. just be on the lookout for USB devices that draws some power from your computer through its cable. if most of your USB's have its own external power supply then i believe you will be okay with that 400 watts power supply. you don't have to spend money for a new power supply right away. but the next one you buy get at least a 465-480-500 or 550 watts and up for your video card and others hardwares upgrades. anyway, it would be a good idea to provide us more or complete info of your hardware configurations. Last edited by PangingJr; Jan 18, 2006 at 04:12 AM.

Jan 19, 2006, 02:17 PM	Thread Starter #7
TJ- DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Infinity Posts: 3,679 Rep Power: 0	whats your opinion on external hard drives. I found this one it looks decent and only $50 more than internal hard drive. Product Details Product Name: USB2 Maxtor 250G External Personal Storage 3100 Warranty: 12 mths Manufactures: Maxtor Weight(kg): 0 Product link: http://www.maxtor.com/portal/site/Ma...annelpath=/en_ Product Description: Hard Drive: 3.5-inch ATA RPM: 7200 Cache Buffer: 2 MB - 80GB, 8MB - 100, 200GB, 16MB - 250GB Interface: USB 2.0 and 1.1 compliant; External 4-pin connector with hot-plug capability; Supports bus data transfer rates up to 480Mb/sec AC Input Voltage: 100 - 240 VAC Dimensions: 1.75 x 6.0 x 8.75 inches Minimum System Requirements Pentium II-class equivalent processor or later Windows 98SE, Me, 2000, Professional or XP Available USB 1.1 or 2.0 port 64MB RAM or more as required by operating system Internet connection (for Windows 98SE) __________________ new sig comming soon

Jan 19, 2006, 11:35 PM	#9
soloz2 DriverHeaven Addict Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 362 Rep Power: 0	I would have to say that 400w is probably pushing it... you might want to get a more powerful psu. external hard drives are nice as you can easily move them from one computer to another. they are excellent for storing just data and backup information. they are slow though. __________________ [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]

Jan 18, 2006, 04:54 AM	#3
pr0digal jenius Delete Me Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 14,648 Rep Power: 0	TT PSU's are very nice albeit a ad overpriced. I have 4 sticks of RAM, 2 HDDs, 2 CPUs, a 6800GT, Audigy, wifi card, HD Tuner, some case lights...all running off a 470 watt. ...oh, and my PSU has a walljack on the back fo it [how cool si that!?!?] so it really powers my monitor too

Jan 18, 2006, 05:21 AM	#4
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 71	that one for your monitor is a bypass output, it probably has a surge protection built-in like some of UPSs have...

Jan 19, 2006, 04:54 PM	#8
PangingJr Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 5,989 Rep Power: 71	i have a few Iomaga USB/FireWire which is quite old model now. can't recommend it to you anyway, i don't like to recommend any of hardwares or anything that i bought to anyone because i'm very sloppy when it comes to buy things, i don't look around for any information and decide to buy things too quick which is no good. just never regret it. lol. anyway, please don't mind me saying this if you're limited on money to buy this hard drive i'd say you'll be happy with this Maxtor drive. i believe this one has no FireWire (IEEE1394) connection, sometimes there is only firewire port left for you to use on some computer. but if you don't plan on carrying this drive around then you probably don't need the FireWire. just be sure to look around first since there are so many drives to choose from... set your budget and look around. today external hard drives are quite very good. if you've never used one you'll find it slower than the internal drives. but it still fast and it'll be a good use for you on many things. i may look for some new drives too. i'm interested in one that uses e-SATA or may be a IEEE1394b which is supposed to be very fast too.