Guide for Selecting a Power Supply

[Big_Dave]

Hi JWegge,

The Corsair HX 650 is an excellent choice for a modular power supply.

The Corsair CX 600 is an excellent choice for a non-modular power supply.

Go to www.newegg.com and look under power supplies.  Look here for more Corsair choices.

[JWegge]

Thank you for the reply.

Can you explain, or point me to a discussion, as to when one would use a modular power supply versus a non-modular supply?

Thanks again for your assistance.

JWegge

[Big_Dave]

JWegge,

You can certainly google the issue if you really want that information. A modular PSU will allow you to add only the cable types for your needs.  Additionally, your needs might require extra connectors of a given type.

[OldSmith]

I just replaced the PSU on my husbands a6200n.  I liked the reviews of the corsairs but it was too big.  I installed a cooler master Silent-Pro-M 600w.  The height & width were perfect but the depth was over by about a 1/4".  There is a protruding lip on the case that supports the PSU at about halfway.  So the depth should be OK.  I did not install the silicone vibration pads as I felt it would add even more depth.  No problems (20 minutes) & it is absolutely silent.

Other thoughts:  the a6200n came with a 250w PSU which only had a 20 pin power connector in the 20 + 4 pin receptacle on the MB ( MCP61PM-HM by ECS)  Another poster replied that the 250 was too cheap to include the extra 4-pins.  And another offered hope that it didn't fry the MB.  After much hand wringing I realized that the MB was built for a 20 + 4; a 250w PSU couldn't support the + 4; and if I ever want to upgrade the audio & video the MB will need the whole 20+4.

Just thought this might help.  If it goes bad I'll let you know.

Update 5-5-11: Exactly 1 hour of running, loud metalic grinding sound which slowed as pc shut down.  Opened case.  There was no vibration.  within 5 minutes both the noise & the PSU fan stopped.   Smell of burnt plastic.  Amazon is sending replacement.  Any thoughts?

Update 5-7-11: Just installed the replacement.  Running for 2-1/2 hours now.  No difference in the installation.

[Warsun]

Ok this is kind of a rant so try to understand my position.

OK. I had just went to Best Buy and got a XFX 6850 video card an installed it into my.

Gateway Dx4200-09

http://www.gateway.com/product_spec.php?product_recid=529668220

with a 350 watt power supply. It worked very well and did great graphics. Then the power blew out and sparks started flying! It burned out my Power supply and a circuit from my mother board.

I could easily replace the circuit but i was feeling lazy an just took it to Best Buy's Geek Squad to fix it. I payed for parts an labor an we went through the list of what needed to be done. Some jerk came up an said it is proably my mother board. an i repeatedly said it was my power supply an i need it replaced. He repeatedly said it was the motherboard.

After him constantly arguing with me i made it clear i am here to get it fixed.He says ok then takes the computer for 200 dollars because it was out of warranty. by 6 months. I told them to put in a more powerful power supply pointed it out. they agree. I cam back 6 days later an they fixed NOTHING! They did not install my power supply which i pointed out and then claimed it would additional charges.

I approached my computer an immediately smell fried circuits.  It is a VERY distinctive smell. Not solder from a soldering iron.The fried processor an other parts.I fix VCRs so i know what that smell is. He literally fried it. Then comes back an says. Yeah your Power supply is also fried. But now. So is your whole motherboard......

You know i was very very angry at this point. But all in all i ended up getting a whole new computer an Best Buy got a whole new Geek for what he did to my computer. That being said. I got a HP

HP Pavilion p6754y Desktop PC

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/product?cc=us&lc=en&dlc=en&product=5049531

 Here is the problem. I want to install my

XFX Radeon HD 6850

http://www.maximumpc.com/article/reviews/xfx_radeon_hd_6850_review

The problem here is. Last time i installed it on my other computer it fried it.What can i do to prevent this from happening again? Because one way or another its going in this new computer.

[velesot365]

 .  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150505 In the details section it clearly shows this card as needing a 500watt power supply as a minimum. Your new computer has a 250watt power supply http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c02628380

So you need to get a new power supply. I like http://tigerdirect.com personally. Before putting in after market hardware it's a good idea to make sure your current system can handle it to prevent this kind of thing. Also it is never a bad idea to get a power supply that is higher wattage than the minimum required.

[ThePurpleJesus]

Hi....I am looking to upgrade my power supply for my computer, but I am not sure what all I need to know.  Will any power supply that will fit in the case work?  Do all power supplies have the necessary number of connections or whatever?  I know I sound like a moron, but all I have ever upgraded is memory and graphic cards.  Now I want to upgrade my graphic card even higher, but i only have a 300 watt power supply.  I need at least 400watt.  Here is the computer I have....if someone could sort of direct me in what to look for in a power supply that would be great.  I prefer cheaper because I am poor :).

NY549AAR p6230y

thats the product name anyway.

thanks in advance.

[Big_Dave]

Hi Warsun,

AMD recommends a minimum of a 500 watt PSU.

My recommendation is to look at a quality power supply such as the Corsair CX600.

[Big_Dave]

Hi The PurpleJesus,

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 size of the power supply will depend on what video card you are perhaps considering.  Generally a Corsair CX500 or CX600 will work for most video cards except for perhaps the very top end video card models.

[ThePurpleJesus]

Hi Big Dave,

Sweetness Big Dave.  you sir are awesome.  Why do you recommend i7 and SLI ready?  Those are processors right?  and number 3 and number 10 on your list....do I need the PSU to be 12 volt or do I need to make sure my motherboard is 12 volt capable or what do you mean exactly?

Also I know what graphic card I want...it needs at least 400watt supply so I was thinking about going with something a little higher...you know just in case.  But when I look at newegg and tigerdirect, I see all these PSU's from 19.99 up to like 599.00.  If I can find something for like 30 bucks that has all the connectors I need is there any real reason not to get that one as opposed to a higher priced one that will have like way more connectors than I will ever use?  Also I know that I need to pick one where the plug is in the same place as my old one, but you know how some PSU's have a fan on the back and others have one on the side......will a PSU that has a fan on the side...will I need to cut part of my case off or something?  I mean the fan isn't going to do much if there is metal case in the way will it?