Suggest a Power Supply

I'm called upon to recommend and install a power supply to replace a dead one in an aging PC. The rig is very simple -- MB, 1 DVD-R, 2 HD, 1 graphics card (no power connection, powered by slot), fans. Cost is the main concern.

Any suggestions?

What's your GPU or CPU?

It's not my machine, and it's a brick without a working power supply, so I have no way of telling. I do know that (1) it's several years old, (2) graphics card is one of nvidia's earlier PCI-e endeavors, and has no power connection of its own, (3) it hummed along happily on a 400 watt power supply for several years.

it basically depends on whether if your friend is looking to upgrade in the future, and can afford to spend a little more today to save costs tomorrow.

if that's the case, something simple like antec's earthwatt 500 would suffice. it's powerful enough for almost any graphic card, as long as your friend won't go into SLI/crossfireX.

On the contrary, I believe this is a stopgap until money can be saved to replace the machine outright. I can't imagine how they could possibly want to make further upgrades to this system.

the PSU can be used in two different builds, assuming that he won't hold onto the old system. buying a better PSU right now will save him money down the road, since he won't need to buy another PSU to go with the new system.

this is, of course, assuming he's willing to build his machine. if not, then buy almost any PSU out there. if his graphic card does not require additional power connectors, any generic brand 300-400W PSU will be enough.

id say if your gonna buy one buy one for a future system you might build and i prefer corsair 650 t0 850 w range. could be less but if you plan on the future of upgrading you might as well get a good one now so you can still use it