300w or 500w power supply

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Beck

When I was looking for cases the other day, they had 2 diferent types, one
with 300w power supply and one with 500w power supply. What are the
benefits (or disadvantages) over one or the other?
 
Beck said:
When I was looking for cases the other day, they had 2 diferent types, one
with 300w power supply and one with 500w power supply. What are the
benefits (or disadvantages) over one or the other?
Click to expand...

More juice, you can add more gear at a later stage...get the 500W.
 
Beck said:
When I was looking for cases the other day, they had 2 diferent types, one
with 300w power supply and one with 500w power supply. What are the
benefits (or disadvantages) over one or the other?
Click to expand...
Generally more is better but it depends on the quality of the PSU.
Certain 500W PSUs that claim to deliver 500W deliver far less. Get a PSU
from a reputable manufacturer like Enermax or Antec if you are serious
about the rest of the gear in your machine.

Ron
 
Beck said:
When I was looking for cases the other day, they
had 2 diferent types, one with 300w power supply
and one with 500w power supply. What are the
benefits (or disadvantages) over one or the other?
Click to expand...

If they're of equal quality, there are no disadvantages to the 500W
because with the same computer load it will consume about the same
amount of power as the 300W.

OTOH high-quality PSUs rated 350W or less can be very cheap, like
$20-35, but a good 500W normally costs at least $60-80. Some 500W PSUs
are so bad that they can't even put out as much power as a good 300W.

Newegg.com and Directron.com have Fortron-made PSUs that are both very
good and cheap, and they sell under several brands, including Sparkle,
Powerman, Hi-Q, and PowerQ.
 
Freedom55 said:
Generally more is better but it depends on the quality of the PSU. Certain
500W PSUs that claim to deliver 500W deliver far less. Get a PSU from a
reputable manufacturer like Enermax or Antec if you are serious about the
rest of the gear in your machine.
Click to expand...

I am not overly bothered about the machine to be honest. I am just curious
about why someone would need more.
 
Beck said:
Do all motherboards take higher watts?
Click to expand...

All motherboards can accept a PSU rated at any wattage no matter
how high.

A PSU does not generate its rated wattage, but actually generates
however many watts the equipment consumes. The rating simply
tells what its upper limit is.

It's not like a water pump which pushes a particular amount of
water and whatever is downstream had better deal with it or else!

It's like a tank of water feeding pipes with a lot of spigots,
where a pump keeps the water tank topped off. The amount of water
it outputs simply depends upon how much water is needed. If no
one turns on their spigots, then no water is supplied. There is
naturally an upper limit on how much total water can be supplied,
determined by how fast the pump can keep the tank topped off
when going full blast.

Isaac Kuo
 
Watch out for cheap power supplies... I purchased a 500w in a cheap case and
the unit smoked within three weeks. I would buy a good 350w over a cheap
500w. A 300w will work fine, unless you are planning on installing four hard
drives, two burners and a microwave oven.:)
..
 
IsaacKuo said:
All motherboards can accept a PSU rated at any wattage no matter
how high.

A PSU does not generate its rated wattage, but actually generates
however many watts the equipment consumes. The rating simply
tells what its upper limit is.

It's not like a water pump which pushes a particular amount of
water and whatever is downstream had better deal with it or else!

It's like a tank of water feeding pipes with a lot of spigots,
where a pump keeps the water tank topped off. The amount of water
it outputs simply depends upon how much water is needed. If no
one turns on their spigots, then no water is supplied. There is
naturally an upper limit on how much total water can be supplied,
determined by how fast the pump can keep the tank topped off
when going full blast.
Click to expand...

Right I see. So say for example a pc had 2 hard drives and 2 optical drives
(cdrw and dvd), would a 230wpower supply be dangerous to use? I am thinking
it should be safe as not all of those items are being used at the same time.
Sorry if they seem silly questions, but I am not up on 'current' electrical
knowhow.
 
Beck said:
When I was looking for cases the other day, they had 2 diferent types, one
with 300w power supply and one with 500w power supply. What are the benefits
(or disadvantages) over one or the other?
Click to expand...

If all else is equal between them (same quality...), you should size your PS so
your normal requirements are about 40-60% of the PS stated capacity. Efficiency
standards are based on the midrange of the output.

These days a "normal" single-CPU computer with 1 or 2 HDs and 1 or 2 CD/DVD
drives will work fine on a 300w PS. However, if you have a BIG graphics card
and a BIG sound card and a high-power CPU, you may want to go to 500w.
 
The system will have different wattage requirements for each
voltage. To perform an analysis, you must calculate the
wattage consumed by each component for each voltage, add the
wattages for each voltage, then verify the power supply can
provide that wattage for that voltage.

This is where 230 watt power supplies have a problem. When
they were built, the load on 12 volts was not so high. Newer
systems require more wattage on the 12 volts. 230 watts
overall is typically sufficient. But the 12 volt wattage may
be too low.

It those calculators don't do wattage for each voltage, then
the calculators are really deficient.

Most every system works just fine with a 350 watt supply.
That is typically more than enough power. Since they are
selling power supplies to computer assemblers, then the
'trick' is to lower cost. Computer assemblers rarely
understand functions are suppose to be in a power supply AND
therefore only buy on one number - price.

You want to be smarter. You power supply must include those
many functions. If the power supply is selling for $25 or $40
retail, then you can suspect they have forgotten many
essential functions. A minimally sufficient power supply is
about $60 retail AND includes a long list of numeric specs.
You don't understand those numbers? Does not matter. Only 1%
of the consumers do. But that one 1% is only empowered to
report defective supplies WHEN those numbers are provided in
writing.

Bottom line - your power supply should retail at about $60
AND it must provide a long list of numerical specifications.
Two simple benchmarks for a minimally acceptable supply.

Is a supply too small dangerous? Only where myths are
rampant. If the power supply is too small, then the system
shuts down. No hardware damage results (assuming the power
supply contains those essential functions).

Don't fall for those who constantly preach the Tim Allen
concept of "more power". Home Improvement was mocking those
who promote more watts. And yet still, so many computer
assemblers insist we need 400 and 500 watt power supplies -
because they never even learned what basic functions are
suppose to be included in a power supply. They never even
learned basic electrical concepts. You want a long list of
numeric specs. Otherwise suspect the worst.
 
You need to estimate what the wattage requirements of the components you
plan on installing in the case are. That will determine your power needs.
In this day and age, though, the 500 W unit is far more practical.
 
Exactly!...power wattage is going UP not down. OCZ have a 700W PSU in the
works with dul PCI-E power adapters for SLI. Thermaltake already have a
three rail 12V PSU and another company is planning a four rail 12V PSU.

Folks gotta move with the times.
 
newegg.com? your kidding... RMA capital of the net IMO.

Since they charge a 15% restocking fee they make money selling garbage.
Their TOS clearly state that even defective items for refunds result in
a 15% fee. Furthermore it also clearly states that the 30 day warranty
period is not changed when an item is returned, it continues at the
original ship date. So if you get one of the "bad" (free profit for
newegg.com) version, you have to pay to ship it back, wait who knows
how long, but certainly at least a month? then risk getting another bad
one and I guess eat the cost because the thirty day warranty is expired
or you can just take the better deal of minus 15% plus the shipping fee
each way. Terms like that scream drive to and walk into a store
somewhere and pay $7.50 more for real customer service. If you want to
gamble go to a casino where you get much better odds like a blackjack
or a slot machine. Please don't mention newegg.com. I got garbage
and only got $9.73 back out of $60, which somehow made since some how?
Hey if nothing else do a test and try and send an e-mail or call
customer service before you risk putting down your cash for NOTHING.
That way you'll know what your in for if you have to deal with them.

An interesting study would be to get the data which manufacutures keep
in regard to "special testing" that they are forced to do for big "low
ball" sellers like newegg.com. Isuspect that quite often the only
measure they can take is to eliminate or greatly reduce the amount of
quality control testing they do prior to sending out merchandise. If
you accept this as reasonable, newegg.com marketing and purchasing is
pure genious. Force the manufacturer to cut corners, yet retain the
ability to profit when the product is defective. GENIOUS!

Stand up for your rights. Don't shop "no service-low ball- resellers"
that profit no matter what, even when the item is defective. Customer
service has a value, and should be paid for. The couple bucks you save
is not worth the risk.

Try not doing your job- and making money still? Newegg.com? HA HA HA he
hahhhhh
 
Random Code Generator said:
newegg.com? your kidding... RMA capital of the net IMO.

Since they charge a 15% restocking fee they make money selling garbage.
Their TOS clearly state that even defective items for refunds result in
a 15% fee. Furthermore it also clearly states that the 30 day warranty
period is not changed when an item is returned, it continues at the
original ship date. So if you get one of the "bad" (free profit for
newegg.com) version, you have to pay to ship it back, wait who knows
how long, but certainly at least a month? then risk getting another bad
one and I guess eat the cost because the thirty day warranty is expired
or you can just take the better deal of minus 15% plus the shipping fee
each way. Terms like that scream drive to and walk into a store
somewhere and pay $7.50 more for real customer service. If you want to
gamble go to a casino where you get much better odds like a blackjack
or a slot machine. Please don't mention newegg.com. I got garbage
and only got $9.73 back out of $60, which somehow made since some how?
Hey if nothing else do a test and try and send an e-mail or call
customer service before you risk putting down your cash for NOTHING.
That way you'll know what your in for if you have to deal with them.

An interesting study would be to get the data which manufacutures keep
in regard to "special testing" that they are forced to do for big "low
ball" sellers like newegg.com. Isuspect that quite often the only
measure they can take is to eliminate or greatly reduce the amount of
quality control testing they do prior to sending out merchandise. If
you accept this as reasonable, newegg.com marketing and purchasing is
pure genious. Force the manufacturer to cut corners, yet retain the
ability to profit when the product is defective. GENIOUS!

Stand up for your rights. Don't shop "no service-low ball- resellers"
that profit no matter what, even when the item is defective. Customer
service has a value, and should be paid for. The couple bucks you save
is not worth the risk.

Try not doing your job- and making money still? Newegg.com? HA HA HA he
hahhhhh
Click to expand...

Newegg rocks...never had a problem!
 
Bottom line - your power supply should retail at about $60
AND it must provide a long list of numerical specifications.
Two simple benchmarks for a minimally acceptable supply.

Is a supply too small dangerous? Only where myths are
rampant. If the power supply is too small, then the system
shuts down. No hardware damage results (assuming the power
supply contains those essential functions).

Don't fall for those who constantly preach the Tim Allen
concept of "more power". Home Improvement was mocking those
who promote more watts. And yet still, so many computer
assemblers insist we need 400 and 500 watt power supplies -
because they never even learned what basic functions are
suppose to be included in a power supply. They never even
learned basic electrical concepts. You want a long list of
numeric specs. Otherwise suspect the worst.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that Tom. Funds are a bit tight at the moment, but when I get
some more, I think I will get new case and PSU. While I am at it I will
eventually get that new mobo and processor I want. But in the meantime, at
least I know it is not going to pose a problem or a fire risk.
 
Random Code Generator:
newegg.com? your kidding... RMA capital of the net IMO.
Click to expand...

Your opinion is your opinion. A clear majority of buyers have had positive
experiences and consider newegg among the most reliable and best priced
retailers on the net.
 
Mac Cool said:
Random Code Generator:


Your opinion is your opinion. A clear majority of buyers have had positive
experiences and consider newegg among the most reliable and best priced
retailers on the net.
Click to expand...

I do, you only ever hear the nagative comments and not the numerous
positives.
 
Richard Dower:
I do, you only ever hear the nagative comments and not the numerous
positives.
Click to expand...

Actually I read an overwhelming amount of positive comments about newegg,
nearly every day.
 
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