Guide for Selecting a Power Supply

[LostinNC]

Hey Big Dave,

I'm sorry, I know this is getting off track for this thread, but are you as well-versed in GPU's are you are in PSU's? As I mentioned in my first post, the reason I upgraded  PSU in my Pavilion d5000t was because I had replaced my GPU with one that required substantially more power. The Corsair PSU is now working fine but I have a problem with the GPU.

I replaced the oroginal Nvidia GeForce 9800GT with an AMD Sapphire Radeon HD6970. The Sapphire is a huge brick of a thing that takes up 2 expansion slots and an amazing amount of space inside the case. I had to reposition the HDD SATA cables to make room for the GPU.

As long as that card is in the slot, as soon as I apply power, something in the machine emits a continuous, loud high pitched tone. My first thought was it was the original PSU alerting that something was overdrawing power. However, even with the new 700W PSU, I still get the same tone. It's not a screeching sound like a rubbing fan or dry bearing, it's definitely a tone. It doesn't matter if the additional power cables are connected to the card or not. It just has to be in the slot. The computer boots up normally and I get video from the mobo video port. I have not yet loaded the Sapphire drivers as it says to install the card first.

If I remove the card from the slot, all is quiet and works fine except I have no GPU. I tried going to AMD to see if they could help and their only suggestion was to try putting the card in another machine and see if the same thing happens. This is not an option as I simply don't have another machine available.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks

[Big_Dave]

LostinNC,

Connect the power cables to the card.  Leave the PC open and try to locate where the sound in coming from.  You might try to use a finger and touch the fan casings, the video card, the buzzer next to the CMOS battery etc.. and try and feel for the sound and listen to a possible source.

Are you perhaps hearing a continuous beep? Look over these beep codes for your PC.  With that long of a card, it's very possible that the memory dimms are not properly seated.

[Brenden6293]

I'm looking for a 500w power supply to play games better.

My computer Model: Ny545AA-aba p6210y 

processor: amd athlon(tm)IIx4 620

Memory: 6144MB RAM

Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 9100  

Manufacturer: NVIDIA

Chip type: GeForce 9100

As you can see my graphics card isnt very good. and i'm running on a 300W power supply. after searching the internet without many conclusive answers, i came here for assistance. 

Is there any reccomended power supply/graphics card for this desktop? I'm hoping for a 400w-500w power supply and a decent graphics card to play games on max graphics settings.

[dumpystig]

@ LostinNC

I recently installed a replacement GPU. As soon as i powered up the PC there was an almighty high pitched whine/squeal. I switched off instantly and looked for anything obvious - and it was obvious... turned out I hadn't connected the 6-pin power block to the GPU. Stupid i know, but easily done. Although I don't know if my monitor would have still displayed anything on the screen without this power connection. I also read that the capacitors on the GPU will make this type of noise if they are being starved of power.  Just a thought...  

[Big_Dave]

Hi Brendon,

Playing games on maximum settings for unknown games is perhaps an expectation and many can't predict a perfect solution. You should visit the game of choice forum and look for a recommended video card to use on the maximum settings.

You might want to consider ther NVIDIA GTX 550 TI ($150).  For a power supply, the Corsair CX500 or CX600 are both selling for $60 at www.newegg.com.  

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

How to replace a power supply.

How to replace a video card.

[Brenden6293]

Okay thanks, i looked at a few corsairs but their dimensions are off by a few Cm, say i have a 6 x 3.5 x 5.5 power supply now and i wanted to replace it with a 5.9 x 3.4 x 5.5 Corsair 500w power supply. since the dimensions arent exactly equal, is it unable to be installed? this may sound like a dumb question since the most logical answer would probably be no, they need to be the same dimensions, but if its possible then i'd definitly purchase this power supply.

[Big_Dave]

Brendon,

I replaced my PSU with a Corsair that measured 5.9 by 3.5 by 5.9 so you should be OK.:smileyhappy:

[Brenden6293]

Okay, did your original power supply have different dimensions than the one you replaced it with?

And my friend's brother works in computer, he stressed how I should make sure my computer can handle the new power supply. from looking at my specs i posted before, do you think my computer would overheat from adding a 500w power supply? if you have no idea, can you redirect me to a website or maybe a phone number to call hp where i can get some help?

[Big_Dave]

Brenden6293,

My original power supply had the same dimensions as the power supply in your PC.  Your PC should not over heat with a 500 watt power supply.  I have basically the same cabinet as your PC and a have a 650 watt power supply.

A friend or a friend tends to be way too much hearsay.

[JWegge]

The original power supply fan in my M9552P is beginning to whine which is probably a signal that it's time for a replacement.  Because I'll be adding a new video card at the same time, I'm looking for compatible power supplies in the 550 watt to 650 watt range....  Any recommendations...?

Thanks for your help.

JWegge