Power Supply Recommendation

[Judith]

I have 2 HP WINXP MCE computers (desktop/laptop). Have no intention of
upgrading either one to Vista. What I want to do is buy a new computer with
Vista Ultimate already installed. Here's one decision problem: The HP
computers I am looking at only offer Ultimate 64-bit. I read good and bad
about 64-bit. During my research, another component mentioned in
forums/Q&As, etc. is the Power Supply. Before I plunk down my money, please
give me some idea about minimum Power Supply requirements. Most computer
manufacturers do not post anything about their power supplies; therefore, I
will need to question before hand. Also, does 64-bit processing require a
better power supply. Your thoughts and expertise will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Hobo]

I have 2 HP WINXP MCE computers (desktop/laptop). Have no intention of
upgrading either one to Vista. What I want to do is buy a new computer with
Vista Ultimate already installed. Here's one decision problem: The HP
computers I am looking at only offer Ultimate 64-bit. I read good and bad
about 64-bit. During my research, another component mentioned in
forums/Q&As, etc. is the Power Supply. Before I plunk down my money, please
give me some idea about minimum Power Supply requirements. Most computer
manufacturers do not post anything about their power supplies; therefore, I
will need to question before hand. Also, does 64-bit processing require a
better power supply. Your thoughts and expertise will be greatly appreciated.

Hi, Judith,

What model HP computer are you considering? Is it a lap top
or desk top and what is its intended use? This information
will help to answer some of your questions.

As to 64-bit, my advice would be not to use it at this time
unless you have specific needs for more than 4 gigs of
memory. There are still a number of hardware driver issues
at this time although the situation seems to be getting better.

No, 64-bit processing does not necessarily require a better
power supply. Power supply requirements are base on the
hardware installed, ie: graphic card installed, amount of
memory, cpu, number of drives, etc. In my opinion, a power
supply that exceeds the minimum required is a better way to
go as it adds hardware expansion capability for the future.

Hobo

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I have 2 HP WINXP MCE computers (desktop/laptop). Have no intention of
upgrading either one to Vista. What I want to do is buy a new computer with
Vista Ultimate already installed. Here's one decision problem: The HP
computers I am looking at only offer Ultimate 64-bit. I read good and bad
about 64-bit.

There's really only one potential downside to 64-bit Vista, and that's
the possibility of there not being drivers for all your hardware. If
you buy a computer with 64-bit Vista already installed, the only
driver issue should be with any peripherals you might already own that
you want to use with it. So be sure that there are 64-bit Vista
drivers for any printers, scanners, etc. you already own.

The advantages of a 64-bit operating system are really only realized
if you run 64-bit applications, and there aren't very many of those
yet. So don't expect an immediate performance increase. But if you
don't have driver problems, you will be ready to use 64-bit
applications as they reach the market, and that's good.

During my research, another component mentioned in
forums/Q&As, etc. is the Power Supply. Before I plunk down my money, please
give me some idea about minimum Power Supply requirements. Most computer
manufacturers do not post anything about their power supplies; therefore, I
will need to question before hand. Also, does 64-bit processing require a
better power supply. Your thoughts and expertise will be greatly appreciated.

There should be no issue with a "better" power supply for 64-bit.
There are better and poorer power supplies, but that applies equally
to 32-bit and 64-bit. The only consideration should be the size of the
power supply. I have no numbers to supply, but I would assume that a
64-bit processor would use somewhat more power than a 32-bit one.

However, I think that, from a power-supply perspective, more important
than the processor is what and how many drives you have in the system.
I don't buy pre-built computers, but when I choose a case/PS
combination, I always like to get one with at least a 300W PS (the
difference in price between that and a smaller one is usually tiny).
I'm running a 64-bit processor with two 250GB hard drives and a DVD/CD
drive, with a 300W PS, and I've had no issues with inadequate power.

 

[Judith]

Thanks, Hobo, for your quick response.
The 2 computers I am currently considering are the d4999t and m9100t
series--desktops. Both can be configured with Intel Q6600, NVidia 8600,
Creative Sound card (have a couple of options), ATSC-NTSC TV Tuner and
DVD-RW/CD combo. HD somwhere between 500/750 gegs. Both can be configured
with Vista Home Premium 32-bit, but for Ultimate they only offer the 64-bit
(I am shying away from 64-bit for the reasons you gave). I have questioned
Microsoft directly to see if I can upgrade to Ultimate 32-bit through them,
but hate to upgrade a brand new computer. Have not called the phone number
they gave me to ask that question, yet. I use my computers for just about
anything they will do--including wireless communications, XBox, you-name-it.
Do I need Vista, you might ask? No--just want it and I know from past
experience to get the best I can afford. My WinXPs (desktop and a laptop)
have been and are great machines; I will keep them. I do have some external
devices (HD, DVD/CD burner, Plextor, wireless all-in-one printer) that I hope
can work with whatever I decide to get--now we are back to why I am
questioning the Power Supply and 64-bit Ultimate. Someday XP will not be
supported and I want to get the best bang for the buck.

Based on all that info (probably more than you wanted), I'm trying to
educate myself on all components that effect a computer now and the near
future. Power Supply ratings, etc. is very new to me. So is 64-bit
computing.

 

[Judith]

Thank you, too, Ken: I am also considering having a computer built through
somebody local. Would love to do it myself--not that brave. But, that opens
up so many more questions--for another day. Your response has really helped.

 

[the wharf rat]

Thanks, Hobo, for your quick response.
The 2 computers I am currently considering are the d4999t and m9100t

A 500w power supply is more than sufficient for any but the
most extreme home system. If you have more than 2 internal drives AND
a high end video card AND plan to run optical drives while editing large
graphic files and SETI@Home is running in the background you might install
650...


QUALITY is far more important than simple wattage rating. Pick your
power supplies the way you pick your grapefruit: the good ones are heavy.

 

[Hobo]

I had a quick look at both of your preferred computers at
the HP site. It is strange that the only offering with
Ultimate is the 64-bit version. However, instead of getting
the 64-bit you might want to consider the 32-bit Home
Premium version which you can later upgrade with the
in-place Ultimate upgrade much easier than going from the
64-bit. To go to the 32-bit version from the 64-bit version
would require a complete clean install which means that any
of your programs installed would to be re-installed, and any
data would have to be backed up or saved somewhere so that
you wouldn't loose it. The in-place upgrade to 32-bit
Ultimate would eliminate this hassle.

As far as power supplies go, both have a 350 watt power
supply which is probably adequate . I noticed that the
d4999t model has more available pci slots for further
expansion should it be needed. I would further suggest,
based on my own experience, that 2 gigs of memory would
probably meet your needs.

You might want to check the Plextor site to see if they have
Vista compatible drivers for your printer.

I like your approach to this. There's nothing like doing the
homework and educating yourself before you lay out the bucks.

One other option to consider is having a computer shop build
a computer to your specs. This can be a little tricky
depending upon the knowledge, ability and trustworthiness of
the shop you approach. In my opinion, too many of them only
want to throw the system together at the cheapest price
possible and have very poor follow up service. But there are
good ones out there if you're lucky enough to find them.

Good luck.

Hobo

 

[Judith]

thanks again, Hobo, for all of your research on my behalf. Where did you
find the info on the Power Supply? As many times as I get on the HP site, I
haven't seen this spec. You are right about the d4999t's having expansion
possibilities and I'm leaning that way because of it. My HP machines so far
have been work horses-- Or, as you can read in my response to Ken Blake, I
may go out on a limb (after very carefully checking) and get a custom job.
But, that means a lot more education--for instance, motherboards. I know
just enough to get me in trouble.

 

[Hobo]

There was a 'System Specs' tab, and way down near the bottom
it listed the power supply. One would have thought it would
be in the top part with all the other system information,
but....

I understand your concerns about getting a custom built
unit. There are a lot of motherboards out there, some good,
and some not so good. I think it may help you if you google
for 'Vista compatible motherboards' and see what strikes
your interest. Personally I've used Asus mbs for many years
and I guess i've gotten used to their idiosyncrasies and
have had good luck with them. There are many other well
respected brands out there also. There used to be a hardware
site called Toms Hardware Guide, or something like that,
that was well respected for its testing and evaluation
information of virtually all computer components. If you
google it you may come up with it. If it's anything like it
was it will be a gold mine of information for you.

Hobo

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Thank you, too, Ken: I am also considering having a computer built through
somebody local. Would love to do it myself--not that brave. But, that opens
up so many more questions--for another day. Your response has really helped.

You're welcome. Glad to help.

Although I've built computers myself in the past, these days I mostly
choose the components and have a local builder build it for me. It
costs only a few dollars more, and the builder is responsible for
fixing it if something doesn't work properly. Building is
easy--troubleshooting something that doesn't work can be much harder.

 

[John Barnes]

If you are having one built, and will be attaching new equipment I agree
with Ken that you should consider 64-bit for the future. Check that
hardware and software you purchase is 64-bit compatible.

 

[Stubby]

One suggestion after getting a new power supply. Take a portable radio
with you and check that you can still get radio stations on both ends of the
(AM) band. There is a regulator that runs even when the switch is off. It
is used to run the power on/off logic but I got one that was interferring
with my radio and it took a long time to figure out it was interference from
the standby supply.

 

[Judith]

Stubby: What an interesting bit of information! Thank you.