Upgrading the PSU

[GreenPlymouth]

I just bought the ati x800pro pci express card and i think i need to upgrade the power supply. To the best best of my knowledge i have an ATX-300 PSU. I have a stock eMachines T6522 and im wondering if i need a special PSU or would any old PSU work.

Does it need to be 20 or 24 pin?

Also, what do the specs on a PSU mean ex.
* +3.3 V -- 26 A
* +5 V -- 35 A
* +12 V -- 15 A
* -12 V -- 0.8 A
* -5 V -- 0.5A
* +5 VSB -- 2A

Do these have to match mine?

Thanks

 

[GreenPlymouth]

I just found the PSU in my comp (hopefully) here is link http://www.power-on.com/atx12vem300bt.html#spec

 

[stevty2889]

I am pretty sure eMachines use standard power supplies, not exactly high quality ones, but that means you can upgrade the power supply with no problem. The specs you listed refer to the maximum allowed current draw by each of the differant voltages. THe video card, hard drives, cd/dvd drives, and CPU all draw from the +12v rail. 15a on the 12v rail, is really weak. 18A is probably enough, but I'd get a PSU with 20A or more on the 12v rail.

If you don't plan on upgrading anything else any time soon, I recomend the 350w Enermax, it has 26a on the 12v rail, and I was able to power a 6800GT, 2 raptors, and an overclocked P4 on it with no problems. Not sure if you have a 20pin or 24pin PSU in there currently, but the Enermax I recomended will work with either.

If you want a PSU thats more future proof, go with a 420w or higher quality PSU, enermax, Antec, Fortron, Seasonic, and some others as well.

 

[w00t]

seasonic s12 your can get the 430W for like 99 at newegg did very well in stress test one of the best affordable psu's out.

 

[ribbon13]

On the cheap, without sacrificing quality

 

[GreenPlymouth]

What do you guys think of the cheap PSU like 30- 20 on newegg?

Are they really that bad and if so why?

 

[GreenPlymouth]

bump

 

[t3h l337 n3wb]

Cheap PSU's = BAD. Get a good quality one, or else it could blow up and take some of your other parts along with it. If $50 is too much to spend, there's a nice 400W Fortron on Newegg for $40.

 

[GreenPlymouth]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817152020
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817181107
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817704001

Which one?

 

[suicidalpigeon]

Originally posted by: GreenPlymouth
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817152020
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817181107
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817704001

Which one?

um, no. either the 450w fsp ribbon said, or a 350w sparkle.

 

[stevty2889]

Originally posted by: GreenPlymouth
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817152020
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817181107
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817704001

Which one?

Ugh, replacing one generic PSU with another one isn't going to solve anything. Go with the Fortron, it's a great deal for a good solid PSU.

 

[t3h l337 n3wb]

There's a 300W Enermax on Newegg with 22A on the +12V for only $25... It should be fine for your current system, but your upgradeability will be limited.

 

[GreenPlymouth]

my current PSU has a 15 amp rating on the +12v rail

Is it alright to buy a PSU with higher or lower amp rating for my comp

this goes for the other rating as well

 

[t3h l337 n3wb]

You want at least 20A minimum, but you should get at least like 22A just to be safe.

 

[orangat]

Originally posted by: GreenPlymouth
my current PSU has a 15 amp rating on the +12v rail

Is it alright to buy a PSU with higher or lower amp rating for my comp

this goes for the other rating as well

Yes its perfectly alright to get a one with a higher rating. The PSU will only draw the power it needs.

 

[stevty2889]

Originally posted by: GreenPlymouth
my current PSU has a 15 amp rating on the +12v rail

Is it alright to buy a PSU with higher or lower amp rating for my comp

this goes for the other rating as well

Thats part of your problem, your current one is alreayd too low, as said above, the PSU won't draw more than is needed, so it's better to have a little higher that what you actualy need anyway. The 300w enermax that t3h recomended would work great if you don't want to spend a lot, but if you could always get a bigger PSU for future proofing if you wanted to.