Power supply (PSU) concerns

Hmmm .... USB ports drop a max of 500mA each so that would be a total of 4Amps from your 5V line at worst ..... That is a big chunk from the 5V rail if everything is being powered.

As to too much wattage ..... Think of wattage as to how big your resevoir of power is .... you can have lots of reserve power and not use it without consequence. .... use close to its max and you will start having problems ....

My suggestion is to do a power audit for everything.
For each item list their amperage under their voltage.
example.. USB Devce 5V @ 400mA
Now total the amps needed for each voltage and compare those values to what the power supply can deliver.

Dont forget the CPU and MB in your calculations.

Also, just because it says 400W in big bold letters does not mean it is 400W ... read the manufacturers label very carefully. You may be surprised at who actually built the thing and what the real specs are. (this from the guy with the 400W .. no 325W .. oh wait .. 230 W supply)

Hey everyone, new poster, longtime fan of the boards here. I was wondering if someone can answer my question. First off, the specs:
AMD athlon 64 4200+ 2.2GgHz Socket 939
Hiper 580W PSU
Sapphire Radeon X850XT GPU
ASUS A8N32-SLi Deluxe MoBo
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 320Gb SATA HD (fried, not currently using)
Hitachi Deskstar 320Gb 7200rpm SATA HD (as replacement)
WD Caviar 80Gb IDE HD
Corsair XMS Platinum 2Gb 184pin DDR memory

Okay, here is my problem...When I originally built the computer around August last year, I had some problems that I assumed was a DOA from ASUS. The problem was no video on boot. I RMA'd both the video card and the ASUS Mobo and replaced them with the same models (it worked with the old video card and new MoBo as well). Immediately, I came across a problem with the new MoBo--it would not reset. Whenever I pressed the reset button on the case, it would freeze on the boot screen. In addition, when I turned off the power (from the case button) and turned it on later (leaving the PSU on) it would do the same thing. However, if I turned off the power to the PSU and then back on, it would boot normally. Soon after I figured this out, I had random crash/shutdown problems. I was able to narrow it down to the nVidia ethernet port. However, If I use the other Ethernet port (Marvell Yukon) it works normally so it is not a problem. Now, afetr these headaches, it is beginning to act up again. For some reason, sometimes (and now permanently) when I turn it on, there is no video. I moved the GPU around a bit in the slot, and it worked normally. For a while, I was able to get by with lightly wiggling the GPU in the PCIx16 slot during the boot and it seemed to work. One day, when I was in class, I came back to a frozen screensaver. With the numerous problems I have had before, it came as no surprise. When I booted, it could not find any boot record on the HD and I had to purchase another HD. I nearly lost all my data! From there, it got progressively worse--now it will not boot at all no matter how much jiggling and wiggling you do to the GPU. I decided to try some other things. I unhooked the SATA drive, loaded PCLinuxOS on a spare IDE drive and suddenly the PC started working again. I hooked the SATA drive up again...and no video on boot. So, I hooked up my SATA HD to an external enclosure/power supply, and it worked normally for a while. Now, it keeps getting worse and worse. It will not boot with the IDE nor with the SATA drives on external power (so it would just be powering the fans, MoBo, and GPU). 580W seems more than enough to power these things. I cannot figure out if it is a bad MoBo or a bad PSU, I'd like to find out before I have to spend hundreds, and perhaps before I tear the rest of my hair out over it. I've rebuilt this thing more times than I can count to ensure everything connected and hooked up right.

Voltage readings from the ASUS diagnostic software is normal. Also, once I get it to work, it used to stay on for however long I kept the computer on for. The last time I got it to work, it loaded Windows normally for about 5 mins, then froze and shut down a few seconds later. I've tried everything I can think of while it still worked, every diagnostic looking for some kind of error and found nothing. Now it is a very expensive and frustrating paperweight!

I do not know if this is MoBo or PSU, or something else! I figure if anyone can help me it'd be someone from these boards Thanks! --TC

I should also add I've reflashed to the most current BIOS and checked some unsuspecting things like my surge protector capacity and room's electricals. The GPU fan normally spins at full speed and then slows after POST, and the Keyboard lights up and blinks (LED). Now, the GPU fan stays full with no video, the monitor detects nothing, but the keyboard still blinks, etc. like a normal boot. I've switched the monitor input/GPU output, etc. with no results. I'm baffled!! I thought it could be the GPU but I replaced it early on when the same problem occurred.

Emachine T6420 power supply upgrade?

Hi all, I have an Emachine T6420 with a 300 watt power supply. I want to install a different video card, as the Mobo card sucks, and I want to install a firewire card. My mobo documentation states that if I wish to install any new hardware, I will need to add a more powerful psu. Problem is, I cannot seem to find one that is compatible with this machine. I eventually want to add a pcie video card when I can afford one, but I really want to have the psu figured out first. I have looked all over the net and can find no clear indication which brand, size, etc. would be compatible. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

Sandy

So when it was working the voltages were normal acording to the MB diagnostic ... Hmmm ....Do you have the capability to measure thsoe voltages yourself? If you do, check them after the crash ....
Another thing to check, if you can is temperatures.

This looks to be either a PSU issue with a failing component and the safty kicking in OR something is going into thermal overload and crashing the PSU. It is doubtful that you get two bad parts in a row (MB or VID) but anything is possible.

......
Just checked a NA review site .... seems the NA version does not include PFC of any sort ... so if you have power issues in your area .... or had a power issue .. you leave it on for very long periods of time .... then there is a good chance something may have happened ... unless you are running your power through a UBS then I have no clue....

How do i know what is the right wattage for the pc

hello
how do i know what is the right wattage for the pc...

hi i'm new here and i need help...

hi..
i'm new here and i really need your help i bought this board VI35L. i don't know what kind of memory shall i use,, i got DDR 2700 and DDR333..

Dell W2600 LCD TV Power Issue

Dell has become well aware of this issue and is working to resolve it in the best way possible. You will need to join the Dell.com forum and send a private message to the moderator, Dell-ChrisM. He has worked to replace many of these LCD TVs both in and out of warranty. I am having a referb shipped to me in 5-7 business days and my unit has been out of warranty since March '07. Good Luck and I hope this helps.

hello

hello every body
I need diagram of PC power supply
model FSP 200-601U
Pls show me where I can find
Thank you !

All PC switching power supplies are basically the same. What are the symptoms of the failure? You will need to load the supply to be able to read the output voltages properly. An inexpensive PC Switching Power Supply Tester can do all the checks for you. It can tell you if the supply is dead, if you're missing one or more voltages or if the supply is going into over-voltage/over-current protection

Here is a PS Tester I own:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16899705002

ATX Schematic (200 watt):

http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/reppic/atxps.gif

Tom's hardware psu torture test. 19 psus tested and rated.

http://www.tomshardware.com/2005/07/11/stress_test/index.html

Power supply thermistor failures

Has any one had experience with the Thermistor failing on a power supply, I have had 3 failures. 2 of them on a Diablotek 550W and one on a cheap 450W no namer. I understand the purpose of the Thermistors function of limiting the inital rush of current, however I find it odd for the componet to burn up rather than to blow a fuse. Any similar experiences anyone can share and what you found out would be appreciated. BTW, I have an 850w power supply on the way; even though when I add up the wattage of all my drives, pci boards, it comes to something in the reange of 430 to 450 watts.

If the thermisters are failing, are you using a decent surge protector? I use a 1000 watt APC UPS

does it mean that if the post fails the system is not receiving enough power supply from smps or something else. i am not sure please advise.

i tried the same smpson adifferent system and it post was successful. I am bit confused is the board or the PSU. but i am bit sure that mother board receives power the post is not succressful as there was no beep sounds.
any advise appreciated

My PC Specs:
Pentium 4 2.8Ghrz (2 cpus)
GeForce FX 5600 256mb
160Gig Seagate Barracuda SATA drive
512mb ram

I currently have a 500watts orion power supply. Is it enough?

Of course it is enough

Thankyou very much. Yours options are very much appreciated.
First I checked the power output of the SMPS output whether it is delivering the required voltage.
2. Then removed the RAM and checked for beepsand display3. since it is onboard no changes done.
3. I removed all the connected peripherals and connected one by one
4. I removed the cpu fan connector to motherboard for the beept to occur.
5. Finally I did a CMOS reset. ,i short the 2 pins of my motherboard.
6. Now my system is up and running.

My solution to my questionaire which I raised some times back.

I hope my step by step analysis could help someone.
Thankyou anywaf for the support.

Will any PSU's work?

Wow, I thought I was the only one who has PSU problems.

I have 2 eMachines....I know, I know, they are cheap.

But both eMachines have burnt out the PSU's in the last few months.
I replaced one by purchasing a replacement on-line.

But my T2642 now also needs a new PSU. Can I simply use any ATX PSU?
I have a few laying around in some old computers?

Basically, can I use any power supply that will fit and plug into my computer as long as it is 250 - 350 Watts? Or, do I need to pay closer attention to the other specs of teh PSU?

Hello, lmissry, and the countless other new members in this thread, but mainly lmissry, and welcome to Techspot :wave:

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With regards to your question, you could use any PSU as long as it is the same standard as the old one and has enough power and connectors to power your pc. eMachines are known for using cheap PSU's hat blow and usually take out the motherboard too.