How can I find how Much Watts my System can have?

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Lint
Lint
Wilds Pathfinder
#1
Same as title. I need to buy a new power suply and I was told that your system can only have a certain Watt limit. So i was wondering, how can you find that out.

Thanks in advance
L
Loviatar
Underworld Spelunker
#2
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lint
Same as title. I need to buy a new power suply and I was told that your system can only have a certain Watt limit. So i was wondering, how can you find that out.

Thanks in advance
there is no limit as your system sucks all the juice it needs and no more.

the power supply does not push at all.

ger a good brand name supply line Antec,pc power and cooling (if you are rich) enermax etc.

get at least 350 watts for a regular home pc.

if you have a good video card and other items at least 400 watts

my pcs have Antec True Power units which have given good service for years

one is 380 watts the other is 430 watts
Lint
Lint
Wilds Pathfinder
#4
That website gives you a recommended amount. One person telling me Max and another says unlimited. So whos right?
Lurid
Lurid
Jungle Guide
#5
Your PC will use as much wattage as it needs at a given time, for example it will draw less power when idling, and more power when its at full load. You want a PSU that can safely, with more to spare, power your maximum. That calculator is designed, so that you can get a rough estimate of the power your PC uses.

Please list the PC specs, so that we can better help you with your decision. As without them we don't really know whats going to be drawing the power. Thanks.
Seef II
Seef II
Desert Nomad
#6
Watts don't really matter. Amps in the right places do.
I suggest the [H]Forum PSU discussion board for recommendations and edification, they can do a lot better job than I could about this topic.
f
fb2000
Desert Nomad
#7
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lint
That website gives you a recommended amount. One person telling me Max and another says unlimited. So whos right?
you can put any wattage PSU on your system. you cant fry it by having a 1kw PSU, but if you do have a lower than you need, itll be unstable, and worst case, wont boot up ^^.

its an estimate, but I can recommend you get a good 450 watts one, or even more, as its highly possible that the psu would outlast your current components, and why not use it in the next upgrade too.

that being said, good psu's are pricey, yet its all worth it :
youll be more stable
they do make less noise
they do make less heat (might be an issue with some ppl, i for one hate an inefficient psu that heats the whole place up)

i have an enermax 450w i think, can only recommend the brand (not the quietest imo tho)
Lurid
Lurid
Jungle Guide
#8
Actually a 1KW PSU would make a normal system unstable, as the amperage is so spread out. You actually have to evenly distribute an extremely large load on those types of PSU's which causes them to be completely innefficient for normal uses.

As previously stated amperage is the determining factor, you can have a psu that is powerful "wattage wise" but has very weak amperages, on the rails that matter. I suggest you check out a power supply guide, like the one I have posted here.

Although as I have said, we shouldn't start reccomending until we see what will be drawing the power.
Josh
Josh
Desert Nomad
#9
If you want it futureproof, get a good branded PSU with around 25a on the 12v rail. Although there are quite a few PSUs with Dual-12v Rails, just add them up for the total Amps.
Lurid
Lurid
Jungle Guide
#11
The XCLIO units are good, stable, solid little PSU's. You may also want to look into FSP power supplies, as they are quite good aswell.

You really should say what you are powering, as we cannot tell you if a PSU is going to be sufficient without some idea of the power your system will be using.
Lint
Lint
Wilds Pathfinder
#12
Well for one, my graphics card needs 300 watts... And im gunna have a few extra fans in teh case. Why not have extra power
Lurid
Lurid
Jungle Guide
#13
No, I mean actual system specifics. Like which CPU, GPU, Mobo, RAM, Fans, etc...etc...
f
fb2000
Desert Nomad
#14
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lurid
Actually a 1KW PSU would make a normal system unstable, as the amperage is so spread out. You actually have to evenly distribute an extremely large load on those types of PSU's which causes them to be completely innefficient for normal uses.

As previously stated amperage is the determining factor, you can have a psu that is powerful "wattage wise" but has very weak amperages, on the rails that matter. I suggest you check out a power supply guide, like the one I have posted here.

Although as I have said, we shouldn't start reccomending until we see what will be drawing the power.
i was referring on a PSU by any reputable company, created for pc usage. most of these have good enough amp spread.

i find it is somewhat daunting for a non-geek to actually compare amps. might be just me ^^
Lurid
Lurid
Jungle Guide
#15
Somewhat, i'm pretty geeky though. Lol, just loko at the side sticker of the PSU, and its quite easy from there.