Originally posted by: JEDIYoda
Originally posted by: Ken90630
Originally posted by: Zepper
Dell is using the standard connectors on the later models.
You could put that kW PCP&C unit in your Dell if it would fit. But a quality brand 400-450 watter should do just dandy.
If Dell has switched over to 'standard' PSUs, it must be something relatively new. It's been common knowledge for a long time that their PSUs were proprietary in terms of their wiring & connectors. I'd call Dell & ask if it were me, but it's your call.
You also don't
really need a 450-watt PSU. Very few systems, except for maybe the highest-end P4 rigs running
very CPU-intensive apps, will
ever draw more than 250 watts or so. And that's at peak -- at idle or 'normal' usage, the draw will likely be well under 200 watts. See
here for supporting evidence. hardly the definitive authority on the subject.
I'm continually amazed at people buying ridiculously overpowered PSUs because they think it's the "safe" thing to do.
You use the word over powered...how are these PSU`s over powered?
How are these PSU`s unsafe?
Enquiring minds want to know....
Considering that many high-powered PSUs actually perform more poorly from an efficiency standpoint
Thats just not a true statement!! ER is not the definitive criteria for buying a PSU!!
There are many other things that define what a go0od PSU us.
if the power load on them is too low in relation to their output capacity, buying an overpowered PSU can actually result in
poorer performance than buying an
appropriately powered one for a given rig.
Again just not a factual statement. You make it sound as if all high powered PSU`s are unsafe to use.
Most PSU`s now days except for a few generic low quality PSU`s accross the board are pretty descent PSU`s. \Do you have any supporting links to support your argument?
(Note, however, that some PSUs, like Seasonic's S12 series, reportedly perform well across the board even when they're not being "pushed" near their limit.) **Note** This person actually believes that ER is everything when choosing a PSU!!
There are many many other brands besides Seasonic that perform well accross the board even when they are NOT being pushed!!
Waste your money if you want, but all but the most high-end computers on earth will actually run just fine on a
high quality 350- to 400-watt PSU. And even then you'll still have GOBS of the proverbial "headroom" for near-future upgrades.
For that high quality 350 - 400 watt PSU you will pay the same as a high quality 500-600 watt PSU!! Also the problem with most 350 - 400 watt PSU`s is the 12v rail is nowhere near what it needs to be to power these machines!
Now, if you plan on keeping this PSU for, say, 5 or 10 years or something and want to "future proof" yourself for what may come down the pike -- things that none of us know about right now -- maybe a case could be made for buying a monstrously powered PSU. It's always a guessing game with this stuff -- if only we had crystal balls and could see what the future was gonna hold, it would make a lot of these equipment buying decisions a heckuva lot easier.
It still makes alot of sense regardless!
As far as actually building a 'regular' desktop computer now that could even require 300 watts though, good luck. It ain't gonna happen. So what's the point of wasting money on a gonzo-powered PSU?
When was the last time sombody told you its not about the watts at all?
Its about the various amps needed to run the rigg.....
Gosh ... where do I start here? I'm tempted to answer each of JediYoda's flawed arguments tit for tat, but what would be the point? This guy is well known on this site for his scatter-brained postings that are all over the map and that drift in and out of rationality. Sometimes they make some semblance of sense, while other times they ... well, you know ....
I've been restraining myself and trying to be nice until now, but I just gotta say some things I know a lot of us have been wanting to say. I don't know how old this guy is -- 14? 15? -- but he's got to be one of the most immature people on this site. Constantly arguing with other posters, twisting others' words around, fanboying, making nonsensical statements, seemingly trying to disprove everything others say as if he's some computer know-it-all, and generally alienating just about everybody. And I also gotta ask: What the h*ll is with your silly overuse of exclamation marks in so many of your posts, Mr. "Jedi"? Your writing and grammar are very poor, and you really need to learn how to use proper punctuation. In the English language, 'regular' sentences are generally punctuated with a period, not exclamation marks. Exclamation marks have a purpose, but not the way you use them.
As for your arguments re power supplies, I'll simply offer the following:
I used the term "overpowered" to describe PSUs that are more powerful than a person needs for his/her rig or is likely to need in the forseeable future. Buying a 500-watt PSU, for example, for a computer that will run perfectly on, say, a 380-watt PSU makes the aforementioned PSU "overpowered." Period. Yet we all see posts on these forums all the time (and rig profiles in people's sigs) that show modest systems with, for example, 480- or 500-watt PSUs or something when a good 380- or 400-watt PSU with sufficent amps on the 12V rail would be
more than adequate. These PSUs are
overpowered for what the person needs. It's that simple.
Is this a crime? Of course not. Does the person have a right to choose any PSU he/she wants? Sure. Does it harm anything? No, but the PSU may, depending on its quality, run less efficiently and therefore generate more heat than a lower-powered one in the same rig. Is it wise? Prolly not.
As for "safety," you misinterpreted what I said (as you so often do on these forums). When I said people buy PSUs that are more powerful than they need because they think it's the "safe" thing to do, I mean that they don't know how to do a wattage calculation (or
amps, if you prefer), so they just buy a gonzo-powerful PSU thinking they'll be "safe"
in terms of having enough power. They really don't know how powerful a PSU to get, so they just get a gonzo-powerful one thinking they'll have all bases covered. The "safe," choice, if you will. Rather than questioning the validity of what I said and quickly assuming I was wrong (again, like you so often do on these forums), you might have
asked what I meant before jumping to one of your trademark false conclusions.
Regarding the issue of efficiency and the related issues, you obviously have not read the excellent article from SPCR that I linked to earlier. If you had, you would know that what I said is not merely my opinion, but fact supported by scientific, credible testing. Now, if you wanna question the credibility of Mike Chin and the other lads at SPCR, that's your prerogative. I, for one, have found SPCR's work to be generally pretty good. Given the choice of whether to believe them or you, I think you know what my choice will be.
READ the article. ALL of it, and particularly the section called "Correct PSU Sizing for Best Energy Efficiency." Which part of that
don't you understand? I'll await your apology.
Normally I might take more offense at your post and obvious trolling, but I won't because I realize you do this all the time to others on this site as well. I don't know what the source of your hostility and insecurity is, or why you feel the need to instigate trouble and argue with everyone all the time, but I'm not gonna waste my time with you. You're entitled to your opinion, as are the rest of us, and I can't keep you from posting those opinions on this site. If I can offer a bit of advice, however, you might consider the following suggestions:
1) Get a life beyond computers.
2) Don't be so quick to jump to conclusions about what others post or what you
think they meant. Instead of just assuming everyone but you is an idiot, consider their point of view a little more before instantly going into attack mode.
3) Admit that you don't know it all. None of us do (and that includes me).
4) Realize that this site should be about sharing information and, generally,
supporting each other. This hostility and tearing down of others that you engage in so often accomplishes nothing. (And I'm referring to your general habits, not just this one thread or posting.) There are ways to question the validity/accuracy of others' opinions/statements, and engage in constructive debate/discussion, without being overtly hostile or provocative. Generally speaking, you can expect others to treat you the way you treat them. Try being nice (or at least tactful) -- you might be surprised how much a difference it can make.
Edited to change my original intention to bow out of this thread. I'll happily discuss this subject further with members who, like Jack, wanna participate with civil dialogue. Who knows -- this could turn out to be an informative discussion after all.