Need a little more hlp analyzing Power Supply.

[pyrate83]

Ok, this is the information that HP sent me regarding my current psu and the fact that I want to install a larger one. I don't know what all of this means and I just want to make sure I get one that will be compatible.

200 watt power supply (HV, power factor correction (PFC),
- Bestec ATX-1956F) - 100-127VAC and 200-240VAC input (switch
selectable),
- 50/60Hz - Total of either 7 or 8 output connectors (either version
will work properly)

And there is a Compusa not far from here so if they sell what I need that would be great.

Thanks

[pyrate83]

Ok, sorry to double post but I just visited the Compusa site and had another Q to add. I see some cards are AGP 8X support and 4X support. I have 4X currently so that means I can't put an 8X card in my AGP slot right? Also, some of the cards say they have a minimus power supply requirement but above I posted I only have a 200W power supply. What is the generaly Watt number that most Graphics cards need??? Is it 250 or can I upgrade without having to replace my power supply and still get a fast and powerful card???

Thanks again for all of your help.

Grant

[flaninacupboard]

OK, any power supply that says "ATX" on it will work. that's the standard they must adhere to.

An AGP 8X card will function perfectly well in a AGP 4X slot, it just won't be as quick as if it were in an 8X slot. (although there's some debate over whether 8X is worth it, check out www.tomshardware.com if you're interested) Certainly it would seem most modern games don't take full advantage of 8X.

Newer graphics cards have a molex connector (the little power connector going into your hard drives and ROM drives) for additional power. it would be really hard for me to say whether a setup will work properly on a 200W supply, mainly because manufactures often inflate the power figures, so your 200W supply may be equivalent to a $20 400W supply. in any case the amount of power drawn from the mains (the W figure they give you) is not the same as the amount of power that goes into your system. there's always some loss involved in power conversion, and in some cases the loss is high.

Basically, go buy a 400W supply. it'll put your mind at ease. if it says "ATX" and "400W" that is all you need to know

[pyrate83]

Awesome! Thanks for the help flaninacupboard, I am going to go do this pretty soon.

Again, thanks.

[VideoTechMan]

When building a system a decent power supply is important. If you tend to use your system for light things, then a 350 would deem sufficent. Also note that for a P4 system you must have a PS that has the P4 connectors, and two, if one tends to add alot of hard drives or electronics to their system, it can increase the wattage requirements. The PS really has no bearing on the internal components because the power output from the PS is the same....its the individual parts themselves that determine the power requirements for it to run properly.

VTM