Guide for Selecting a Power Supply

[lfbb73]

Hi, Big_Dave

After reading your answer I'm thinking about buying a new PSU for my PC, since I plan to overclock the graphics card. I've searched a bit over the internet and the Corsair HX650W seems to meet the requirements, but i found a problem: the HX650W fan is located on the top of the PSU. The factory Delta PSU is located on the top of the PC case, leaving just about one cm(0,4 inch) to the top and the fan blows the air to the back side of the PC case, directly to the exterior. Is this a problem? If it is I have to find a PSU with the fan blowing the air to the back side of the PC case.

Cheers.

EDIT

Maybe my text is a little bit confusing. Here's an image that's easy to understand:

[Big_Dave]

Ifbb73,

Nice photo!:smileyhappy:

I noticed the air vents holes at the top are the same as on my e9280t PC that has the Corsair HX650 PSU.  I mounted by Corsair fan up towards the top of the PC just like the orignial power supply.m  The Corsair will mount in either direction.

[a4scott]

I recently ordered this desktop; HP P6674Y Pavilion Phenom Quad Core Desktop.

It is refurbished but the price was great for the specs, except for the video card. I play games so I want to add a medium to medium-high grade video card. In my research I've found I need to upgrade the PSU since this machine comes with a 250w PSU.

Is there a maximum wattage that I could upgrade too? One forum I found mentioned that there is a maximum on some computers where if you have too many watts it won't run.

I'd like to get a 600-650W PSU but don't want to order one only to find it won't work.

Thanks in advance for your responses.

PS, here are a bit more of the specs if needed.

Base Processor

• Phenom II X4-820 (D) 2.8 GHz (95W)
  - 4000 MHz HyperTransport 3.0
  - Socket AM3
• Chipset: AMD 785G

Motherboard

• Manufacturer: Foxconn
• Motherboard Name: H-ALVORIX_HF-RS880-uATX
• HP/Compaq motherboard name: Alvorix-GL8E

Power Supply

• 250W

Memory

• Memory Installed: 6GB
• Maximum Allowed: 
  - 16 GB (4 x 4 GB) (64-bit OS)
  - 4 GB (4 x 1 GB) (32-bit OS) Actual available memory may be less
• Speed Supported: PC3-10600 MB/sec
• Type: 240 pin, DDR3

Hard Drive

• 1 TB SATA 3G (3.0 Gb/sec)
• 7200 rpm

[Big_Dave]

Hi a4scott,

You should open up your PC and measure the physical dimensions of your power supply.  Here is a list of things to consider:

1. Specifications
2. Total wattage - important
3. 12+ volt amperage rating - important
4. Modular - not mandatory but I like the flexibility
5. Warranty
6. i7 and SLI ready
7. Efficiency rating
8. Cost
9. Physical size -- standard ATX PSU is 5.5" by 5.9" by 3.4" give or take a few tenths
10. A single 12+ volt rail is a better choice.

www.newegg.com has lots of PSUs choices.  Corsair, OCZ, Rosewill, Thermaltake.....

The Corsair CX600 or the HX650 are excellent power supplies.

[Tom--HP-G5210uk]

Hi can someone help me with power supply for HP g5210uk it has already 300W power suplly. But I want to put a new graphic card and it require 450W power supply. I am thinking to put 500W power suply but I dount now which is suitable for me HP g5210uk ???

[Big_Dave]

Hi Tom,

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

What graphics card are you considering?

Review the ATI and NVIDIA performance specifications. Look at the memory bandwidth specifications and the DirectX level support.

[Tom--HP-G5210uk]

I was thinking to put this graphic card  http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/pny-nvidia-geforce-gts-450-pci-e-graphics-card-1gb-08623351-pdt.html or http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/zotac-nvidia-geforce-gts-450-pci-e-graphics-card-1gb-08623395-pdt.html .  Can you look this link http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341038&cm_re=ocz_power_supply-_-17-341-038-... and  say if it suitable for me?

THANKS.

[Big_Dave]

Tom,

You should be good to go. Open up your PC and make sure that everything that you are buying will fit.  The slot adjacent to the PCI-E x16 slot needs to be vacant.

My only concern is making sure that your video card will get all the need amperage off the PCI-E power connector.  I prefer single rail power supplies.

[Tom--HP-G5210uk]

All slots are free. Can you tell me more about this your reply "My only concern is making sure that your video card will get all the need amperage off the PCI-E power connector.  I prefer single rail power supplies. " ?

THANKS.

[Big_Dave]

Hi Tom,

Review this post.

Review this link on single rail and then to be fair this link on multiple rail power supplies.  There is always going to be a debate over single rail verses multiple rail power supplies.  Some manufacturers make both types.