Power supply...how big?

cramstadcramstad Iowa
edited October 2003 in Hardware
I'm replacing my KT7-RAID and Thunderbird 1.1GHz with a
Biostar M7NCD MB and
AMD 2500+ Barton CPU and a stick of
Kingston HyperX 512 PC4000 RAM .

I'm using everything else from the old setup including a 300W power supply . Do you think I'm OK with the 300W? I'd rather not spend the money on a new one if I don't have too. Other stuff in the machine:

CD-RW
DVD-RW
2 80 GB ATA133 (IDE) 7200 RPM HDs.
Floppy Drive
ATI AGP AIW Radeon 7500
ATI PCI Radeon 7000 (I have dual monitors)
FireWire Card

I'll loose the ethernet because the new board has one on board, same with sound. What do you guys think??

Comments

  • stoopidstoopid Albany, NY New
    edited October 2003
    Depends a lot on the brand/quality of PSU, and if you plan on overclocking.
  • cramstadcramstad Iowa
    edited October 2003
    I don't think I'll be overclocking. It's an Antec...
  • TheBaronTheBaron Austin, TX
    edited October 2003
    youre probably fine with a 300w antec, but if you start seeing some instability, that should be the first to go
  • Mt_GoatMt_Goat Head Cheezy Knob Pflugerville (north of Austin) Icrontian
    edited October 2003
    I noticed that you are going with PC4000 memory and you said you don't think you will be overclocking. If so, isn't that a bit of overkill. Don't anyone flame me as I'm usually the guy that tells folks to go with high rated RAM. It just looked like an a bit of a contradiction. I would at least OC that Barton to 2.2 @ 200 fsb though.

    As fot the PSU, it's borderline as these NF2 boards are a bit more power hungry than the old VIA based boards. If you change anything, especially the video card you will need to go to a bigger PSU for sure. As TheBaron pointed out, if you see any signs of instability that should be the first thing to go.
  • cramstadcramstad Iowa
    edited October 2003
    Now that you mention the RAM...
    I got a good deal on it and that's why I got it. Although it's CL3. What are the pros and cons. vs. getting some PC2700 at CL2. Any thoughts?
    Also, if I do overclock the CPU, can I use the heatsink and fan that come with the CPU (it's a retail box)?
  • stoopidstoopid Albany, NY New
    edited October 2003
    Originally posted by cramstad
    Now that you mention the RAM...
    I got a good deal on it and that's why I got it. Although it's CL3. What are the pros and cons. vs. getting some PC2700 at CL2. Any thoughts?
    Also, if I do overclock the CPU, can I use the heatsink and fan that come with the CPU (it's a retail box)?

    You wouldn't want to use the heatsink that came with the retail cpu. It can only keep up with average usage.

    The faster PC4000 memory will clock higher at cas2 before having to go to cas2.5 than the PC2700, which will not run cas2 much past its rated/default speed.

    It sounds to me like you really should stop playing with the idea of keeping the 300W antec and go splurge on a 500W ;).
  • cramstadcramstad Iowa
    edited October 2003
    OK guys, I bit the bullet and got an Antec "True Power" 430W PS today....very fancy with 2 bronze colored fan covers....oooh. :D Thanks for the advice everyone.

    Anyone want to buy a slightly used 300W power supply? :p
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