Upgrade power supply?

[emile124]

I am buying a new pc and i I'm going to put it into my old case with a 410W Thermaltake power supply.

New specs:
3ghz core 2 duo
geforce 8800 GT
320gb hard drive
4gig ram

I haven't really budgeted for a new power supply now. I know 410W is not optimal, but will it give me problems or should it be OK for a while.

Thanks.

 

[.Froot.]

Without your graphics card this setup will use around ~250W max (calculated by a PSU calculator) and even with the graphics card will come to below the PSU's ability, but I do recommend that you not drive your computer hard. A 410W PSU (correct me if I'm wrong) supplies around 350W of constant power with a startup peak of 410W.

 

[Mephisto_Helix]

The recommended power on the box of my 8800GT says minimum 500W .... so /me went and made sure I had at least that Rather safe than sorry .... sell your current one and get a cheap 550W maybe?

 

[emile124]

Ok thanks. If I have to upgrade now what would be the cheapest option for about a 550W PSU?

 

[Mephisto_Helix]

Probably between R400 and R600 depending on where you look

 

[Brawler]

The recommended power on the box of my 8800GT says minimum 500W .... so /me went and made sure I had at least that Rather safe than sorry .... sell your current one and get a cheap 550W maybe?

I disagree. That thermaltake isn't great at all but it wil be better than those cheap 500w out there. Stay away from the el' cheapo PSU's

 

[Mephisto_Helix]

6 PC's down the line (all with el cheapo's) and not one power prob ......... Tis just a marketing ploy I tell you

 

[Pe-Killer]

The things thats going to eat the most of your watts is that graphics card and processor ,so just
goolge for a review on your 88gt and processor normally they tell u how much power the device use under reviews.Form there u can work it out.

 

[Glordit]

Good price of a PSU, IMO
http://www.landmarkpc.co.za/store/coolermaster-rp550pcar-extreme-power-550w-p-842.html

 

[GreatBigMouth]

I haven't really budgeted for a new power supply now. I know 410W is not optimal, but will it give me problems or should it be OK for a while.

Thanks.

The 8800GT uses about 230W of power when under stress. (Playing games). Would recommend a 450W or 500W just to be safe.

 

[emile124]

A 410W PSU (correct me if I'm wrong) supplies around 350W of constant power with a startup peak of 410W.

On my PSU box it says that it's peak is 500W. Would that mean that i have at least 410W constant power?

 

[Nameite]

Then u should be fine.

By the by, most reviews test the entire system under stress and idling...
and i remember a 8800GT under stress was under 300watts...dunno how accurate they are though.

http://techreport.com/articles.x/13479/7

That makes me wonder though, why would people need 550watt+ psu's when most reviews state the power draws of top end cards + system hardly passing 300?