I need help with PSU.

Hi, Im fairly new to the computer building process, here are the current specs of my new computer:-

- Zoostorm Advanced Premium PC, Core 2 Duo E7400 2.8GHz, 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD, DVDRW, Keyboard and Mouse, Vista Premium - Ebuyer

I have recently put into this prebuilt pc a xfx GTX 260 896mb GDDR3 card into my computer and realised that power is a problem, as standard is 300W.

According to the quick install quick I need a 630-680 watt supply, but I have limited space in the case, I'm hoping that someone can recommend which PSU would be sutible for the setup and hopefully as cheap as possible as so far it has been an expensive process to create this pc.

Thanks in advance.

 

your gonna need atleast 600w psu, i have the same graphics card as you and use an intel q6600 quad core. i use a 600w ocz dual 12v rail psu. handles it well without any problems.
as for size of the psu, i dont think there is any mATX psu's that go upto 600w

this one isn't bad for £58, depending on if it will fit.
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/127861

dimensions of the psu are: 150 x 140 x 86mm

check that with your current psu dimensions.

 

Thanks for the advise I have decided to go with this model after some more research into the dimensions and power inputs and bought this PSU:- Powercool 650W 80plus Certified Efficiency PSU - 4x SATA 2x PCI-E - Ebuyer

 

not bad cheap enough at 39.99, dual 12v rail as well, should have no problem powering the gtx 260 with that psu, it also shouldnt put much stress on it, with it being 650w. happy gaming.

 

Things to think about...in relation to the negative effects of heat on the computer...That can be caused by the power supply.

Manufacturers test their PSU's at a set temperature...from this their rating is determined... for most this No. is 25 degrees Celsius...which falls short of the temperature that most computers are capable of achieving.

Given that a PSU will actually lose 2-5 watts per one degree of heat above the 25 Degree Celsius testing temperature...coupled with the fact that computers tend to run at 10 degrees higher than room temperature... In the summer time when the room temperature can easily reach 80 degrees F... your computer will be running at 33 Degrees C. or 90 Degrees F.

So the...math can make...your 500 watt power supply into a 460 watt unit.

In addition to this...what needs to be taken into account is that each degree that your computer components are operating at...under powered...adds more heat to the equation.

Consider also...the possibility...that ratings given by the manufacturer of single components...such as graphics cards...need to be treated with skepticism...Manufacturers may minimize support issues and under rate the power required...in order to make a larger profit.

The above has not taken into account...the issue of high quality vs poor quality units...Power supplies convert voltages from wall outlets to lower levels used by the PC. During this conversion, some power is lost as heat. The efficiency level of the PSU determines how much extra power must be put into the power supply to run the PC. A high quality PSU can help reduce the noise and heat generated within a computer system. The higher the efficiency rating the less heat the PSU has to deal with.

Therefore heat is the computers enemy...The hotter the temperature your PSU is forced to run at...the poorer the supply of power the rest of the components will receive...which has been known to lead to such things as crashes, freezing, rebooting, BSOD’s, and video distortion, as well as partial and complete failure of other components.

The fact is very few PSU’s are capable of producing the wattage that the companies advertise.

I suggest...a quality 550w PSU...as the minimum one should purchase...to provide power to a PCIE card. But for a very good comprehension of recommended brand names, wattage, and models in listed categories...Plus much more...check out this link. Power Supply Information and Selection

 

Agreed.

Compared to other PSU's I saw on eBuyer that are high-quality, that's a very cheap unit, especially given it's not a sale price. For reasons already covered, you don't want to go cheap on the PSU. There are some other and better units available to you from the same site. Now, they run more than your selection, but they are quality units when put to task.