PSU's, The Real Advantage?

R

Resonance456

Geek Trainee
Hey all - I was just wandering what the REAL advantages of getting a high wattage (or even just a good) PSU were?

For example, will the extra juice make hardware run faster and smoother? or, will it pump more juice to the gfx card to allow for better quality?

If you guys could just list me a few advantages that would be great!

Thanks for any help :)
 
Lol i've read this - and I see no advatages to having a hith wattage or good PSU there - only what to look for... i would like to know real advantages to one?
 
A high wattage PSU allows for expansion down the road. Sure, that 350W unit may work well with your current setup, but add a high-end video card, and it's not going to provide the power needed.

When a system is derived of enough power, you get instability because the voltage requirements aren't being met.

Buying a quality power supply will get you better parts in the unit, better assembly, and a more accurate rating. You will find that a $50 600W power supply may very well do 600W, but only at 25*C, which is unrealistic.

Additionally, low-quality PSU's (like PowMax and Logisys) frequently rely on older ATX standards (like Rev 1.2 instead of the newer 2.03). That's fine for older systems, like a Pentium 2, but todays power hogs, the CPU and video cards, suck off the 12V line. Crappier units might have high 3.3V and 5V rails, while using only a 15A single-rail 12V. Video cards today shouldn't be paired with anything less than a 25A 12V rail (or via combination of the 12V rails).

Another issue with low-quality PSU's is that they have a tendency not to even work at the advertised wattage. That's why you can see a cheap gaudy PSU sporting 600W, when the reality is they're a 450W at best when actually tested.

Finally, the worst trait of crappy PSU's is their nasty habit of taking other components with it when they die. Along with this trait, they frequently put on a show on the way out. Quality units are much more likely to just go quietly and leave the rest of the system alone.
 
ahh righteo - i see... so really, more juice for my moose and it'll work smoother and have more stability? fair enuf - thats understandable.

Btw - are PSU's easy or hard to fit urself? by easy i mean like a gfx card or ram kinda easy lol - u know, just take one out n put another in... or is it quite difficult?
 
PSU's arnt too much bother, unplug all the old connectors, remove old psu, screw in new psu, connect everything up :D
 
They are very easy to install assuming that your computer manufacturer didn't rivit the thing in. I don't know of many who do, but I have had the expirence with some older computers. Then you are fairly well out of luck, and need to buy a new case. Another note, yes a good psu is very important for the stability of a "High End" system, but with an off the shelf assembeled computer, investing time into optimizing the operating system is the best way to improve stability. If you are having problems with windows blue-screening on your (Insert cheap PC maker here) computer, you probably have a diffrent issue than your power supply. I add this caveat becuase judging from the way your post was phrased, you probably don't have a lot of expirence with making your own P.C. Still the smell of ozone can make a PSU convert fairly quickly.....
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-Goodluck, Godspeed.
 
PSU's arnt too much bother, unplug all the old connectors, remove old psu, screw in new psu, connect everything up
Click to expand...

Lol sounds simple enuff :P

They are very easy to install assuming that your computer manufacturer didn't rivit the thing in. I don't know of many who do, but I have had the expirence with some older computers. Then you are fairly well out of luck, and need to buy a new case. Another note, yes a good psu is very important for the stability of a "High End" system, but with an off the shelf assembeled computer, investing time into optimizing the operating system is the best way to improve stability. If you are having problems with windows blue-screening on your (Insert cheap PC maker here) computer, you probably have a diffrent issue than your power supply. I add this caveat becuase judging from the way your post was phrased, you probably don't have a lot of expirence with making your own P.C. Still the smell of ozone can make a PSU convert fairly quickly.....
Click to expand...

thnx for the advice, but i don't really have ne stability issues. its just i want a new power supply as mine is rather small (300w) and my system is somewhat high endish. i havn't built my own computer as of yet, but that the next thing i am going to do when i am done with this rig so to speak - i am also saving up money too.
my experience with computers is deffo well above the average user - i am jno 'expert' so to speak but i do know alot - i usually ask such questions to verify my existing knowledge, plus certain things (like PSU's) i don't knoe that much about.

my pc model is fairly good n as i said before i thikn i really do need a new psu lol. sometimes my pc lags up a bit and its not to do with ram as far as i know - it just kinda slows down for a second, then come bk to life if u know what i mean - i am thinking it's to do with the psu and the addition of my new 7600gt. also i am getting 2gb ram - so i am guessing that'll take up a bit more too.

in general though, when it comes to the easyness of installing a PSU, would you say that if you can install RAM, or a GFX card or sound card - could u install your own PSU?
 
Yes. The plugs are keyed to go in one way only, so it's very difficult to insert something incorrectly.
 
You will need a phillips head screwdriver, but that is it. The plugs are fairly well idiot proof. The only possible hang-ups is if it is ancient, or from Dell. Dell has a special way to install everything.... Usually there are four screws in the back connected to the case, remove them and it should slide out. DO NOT dissasemble the PSU, capacitors can hold a charge after you have turned the thing off. Unplug the connectors, the white plugs at the end of the multicolored wires. Installation is the same process in reverse. Should take maybe 15 minutes all-told. Make sure none of the wires or unused connectors are sticking in a fan or anything, that is an unpleasent suprise.
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-Goodluck, Godspeed.
 
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