My Compaq has A Bestec PSU

Ok, slash the word cheap out of my sentence. I guess they're more expensive then I remember.


EDIT: Nevermind, mailpup just said my compressor idea.

I have a Compaq Presario here that is about 5 years old and it has a Bestec power supply. It is working fine. I think that Emachines buys parts I consider to be "seconds". Seconds means that the part was manufactured and it didn't pass some of the quality control tests that guarantee proper operation. These "bad" parts are sold to less than honest companies that like to cheat the public, at very low prices

Hey guys, I got that GFX card for Christmas, and my grandma even got me a can of air! So, how do I clean the PSU? Do I blow the air from the inside of the case (where the vents are) or from the outside of the case (where the PSU fan is)? Would this extend the life of my PSU? Would it help it to handle the slightly increased power reqiurements?

you can clean however you want. just remember to keep the can upright. most power supplies can be effectively cleaned from both sides, just remember that all the dust is going to come out the other end. dusting your PSU will not increase it's power output, but can allow for better cooling once the heatsinks and heat-generating parts have been cleaned of dust. better cooling, in turn, can increase the supply's life span.

Guys, exactly how much power does this card need?:

http://www.compusa.com/products/pro...uct_code=333475&Pn=GeForce_FX_5500_Video_Card

I heard that PCI cards have relatively low power requirements...

I would get a better PSU.

Look at this one http://www.directron.com/generic400.html I'm sure its better than that bestec cr@p.

Whatever else you do, replace the Bestec if you are doing any more than regular computing and email. This is a barely adequate power supply when conditions are perfect. It has a high failure rate over time.

My S5010NX Compaq has worked for 3 yrs without complaning. I have pushed the CPU to 100% playing Generals\Sims 2 and haven't burned the mobo. This might sound a bit conradictive, but I just put in the 3DFuzion FX5500 256MB yesterday, and the system hasn't complained at all. It in fact has thanked me for doing that...

It is a tough power supply, but it will not continue to take that punishment. We have probably replaced 250 of them over the years. Sims 2 is not what I would consider a gaming computer...
The Bestec will suddently fail at some point down the road with that EDFuzion FX5500 in there, because of its continual need for power. One day you will turn it off. And the next morning you will find that it will never again turn on.
The hard part is if it is an oddly shaped power supply... some are expensive to replace.

Good luck to you. You will need it, methinks.

What type of case is a Compaq Presario S5010NX? What PSU could fit in there?

I think a regular atx power supply

I have a Hp pavilion 7900 and a regular atx PSU fitted in

If not modify it

There are a number of good replacements: Antec, CoolerMaster, Silencer 470, Sparkle, and so on, since it is an absolutely standard case and system.
Avoid off brands, HiPro, PowMax, PowerMax, Ultra, TigerPro, and so many more of the 89 different brands out there mostly made in China. The Silencer is made by PCPower and Cooling in the US of A.

How can I remove these artifacts I'm getting with my GFX card? (System #1)

I think the PSU is the problem get a better PSU

Could I run tests to make sure it's my PSU? What would I do to test it?

You can Download speedfan from here http://www.filehippo.com/download_speedfan/
and check the PSU voltage
I think its your PSU because its a Bestec 250 Watt :dead:
with that graphics card

My voltages (With Everest Ultimate) come to around 11.78-11.90 for the +12V, 4.92 for the +5V, and about 3.33 for the +3V. Are those readings good, or problematic?

Those readings are ok i think but the higher to voltage rating the better.
Have you installed the latest drivers
I think this is the latest http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp_2k_93.71.html

I'm trying to see if the drivers are causing the arifacts. I had that driver version before, but I downgraded to a ForceWare 80 (81.95) because I never had any problms with those....

Nope, still getting artifacts. Should I disconnect 1 device at a time to determine if power is the problem?