Guide for Selecting a Power Supply

[JNagarya]

I have an HP Media Center PC -- I've posted about this before now -- in which I maxed the RAM, upgraded the processor, then installed that card with Windows 7 Home Premium clean install.  After countless clean installs, all fine until installing this card and its drivers -- and with no support whatsoever from HP, on any of this, because it does not exist -- upgraded stock power supply to Corsair 450.  

Have every doubt the card now works properly, but have been so put off the machine because the addition of the card destabilizes the entire system, that I've not bothered to put in the time to discover yet again that this card and or its current drivers are unusuable.

Hope you have better luck.  But if you don't, don't expect any help from HP beyond canned hit-or-miss.

[LostinNC]

How about some help installing a new power supply? 

I have a Pavilion Elite d5000t ATX desktop. The Nvidia GeForce 9800GT graphics card that came with it died and I decided that since I was replacing it, I might as well upgrade. I chose an AMD Sapphire Radeon HD 6970 without looking at the power requirements. It requires a minimum 550W PSU and the stock one in the machine is 460W.

OK, my bad. So, again deciding to upgrade, I got a Corsair GS700 PSU. It has a multitude of cables for every possible need...  except one. My motherboard has one plug next to the CPU, conveniently labeled ATX CPU, for which the Corsair does not have a matching cable. It's a 4 pin socket in a 2X2 configuration. The CPU cable in the Corsair is an 8pin in a 2X4 configuration.  

Is the Corsair PSU a lost cause for this machine or is there a way I can adapt the 2X4 connector to the 2X2 socket without burning anything up?

[Big_Dave]

Hi,

The Corsair GS700 is not a lost cause. You should be able to "split" that 8 pin ATX power connector and just use 4 pins. Tape off the danging 4 pins to prevent shorting against something.

If you don't like the idea of a dangling end then buy a ATX 8 pin to 4 pin adapter.

[LostinNC]

Thank you, Sir! The 8 pin ATX connector doesn't appear to be designed to be split and I'd rather be safe than sorry so I will go in search of the adapter. The quick response is much appreciated.

[Big_Dave]

LostinNC,

[Big_Dave]

Hi,

You might also want to try "straddling" the motherboard ATX 4 PIN connector with the ATX 8 pin power connector.  There might or might not be room for this option.

[crzytenor]

I just bought a p6780t and this is the PSU I'm looking at: It's a CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V and the dimensions are: 5.9"(W) x 3.4"(H) x 5.9"(L)

Will it fit my machine? If not, what dimensions should I be looking for?

[Big_Dave]

Crzytenor,

The Corsair TX 650 will fit.  To ease the installation, unlatch and slide the optical drive forward when installing the new power supply and then slide it back into its original position.

These HP "how-to" articles should be helpful.

The Corsair PSU have longer cables so should look to find places to tuck away the cables to maximize air flow.

[crzytenor]

Thanks so much!

[LostinNC]

Right again, Sir. The two halves were such a perfect fit, the seam between them was nearly invisible, but it popped right apart. Thanks again!