Future PS 400 Watt question

[mcs328]

Do you think a 400 Watt PS for my computer would be overkill?
I'm currently runnng off a 250 watt PS I believe. My computer specs are:

-AMD Athlon 700Mhz (1st generation Athlon, not Duron or T-bird)
-Epox K7XA
-256Meg PC133
-30 Gig WD
-40 Gig Maxtor
-Generic 32Meg TNT2 MX video card (I think)
-USB powered scanner
-Canon s8200 printer
-Yamaha CD-RW
-Plextor CD-RW (dead and just used as a cd-rom)
-Vortex sound card, D-link NIC, IBM webcam

For $35 the Future PS is awfully tempting if it doesnt like fry everything I have and it might solve this problem of my computer freezing up when I play RTCW.

[Ladogaboy]

Hmm.. I say go for it. It looks like you like to run a lot of components in your computer, and you will probably be able to put all 400 watts to use pretty soon.

[sho.gun]

Yeah, definitely go for the 400 as it will give you headroom for future updrades. I'd recommend the Enermax Whisper 431W, not only it looks really cool but it's one hell of a PS. I wouldn't go for a $35 power supply though, stick with the reliable brands, antec, enermax, etc. Avoid Deer. Your PS can fry your whole system if you got a dud.

[mcs328]

Well the PS is AMD recommended according to the review on the G|A main page.

I just can't seem to find it tho on the AMD homepage.

hmmmm

[sho.gun]

I dunno man... I would feel kinda uneasy trusting my whole rig on a $25 400W power supply...

[sbp]

Here is the review: http://www.2fastcpu.com/ftrpwr400wpsu/page1.html

http://www.futurepowerusa.com/ web site

"Do you think a 400 Watt PS for my computer would be overkill?" Nope, I use a 400 watt Antec power supply.

AMD Athlon Processor Recommended Power Supplies list (http://www1.amd.com/athlon/power)

I would spend a bit more and get a power supply that is know to be good.

[iLLWiLL]

what are 350-400w psu's needed for, just newer, more demanding cpu's like the athlonxp/p4??? and, how can u fry ur hardware with a cheap psu? if u connect too many components/peripherals to, say, a 300w psu, do u increase ur chances of frying ur comp hardware???

[DREDD]

Well...higher output means you can connect more stuff up to your PC. A poor PSU could have a problem and for a second either spike or drop the voltage of your motherboard and either causing a lockup or even burning a piece of it if the voltage spikes alot.

[DREDD]

speaking of PSU...I'm looking at the Enermax 431Watt Wisper dual fan. Should i spend the $4 to get the Fan Control or just go with the normal one. I assume the fan Control plugs into the Mobo so when you put your comp to sleep the fan spins down.

[sho.gun]

Originally posted by DREDD
speaking of PSU...I'm looking at the Enermax 431Watt Wisper dual fan. Should i spend the $4 to get the Fan Control or just go with the normal one. I assume the fan Control plugs into the Mobo so when you put your comp to sleep the fan spins down.

hehe, that's what I have. It's a spiffy little gadget really and it does plug in to the mobo. The problem is, even though the mobo shuts off the fan or lowers the RPM, I can't notice the difference. In fact, the PSU itself is so quiet I don't see why it would be of any benefit to spend the extra $4.

[DREDD]

too late :-) I got the $85 model instead of the $81 model heh

[iLLWiLL]

thx dredd and chosen..... i can use that knowledge down the road, being that i dont have enuf hardware to warrant a 400w psu at the moment....

[dyoung413]

ah man, i didnt realize the importance of the power supply, i just got a cheapy 400 watt one off price watch for 30 bucks shipped. i had a 300 watt antec that came with the case. question, should i just go back to the 300 watt antec one? right now i have the following:
1.4 t-bird
ecs mobo
512 mb pc133 ram
dvd drive
12x burner
crappy old sb sound card
ati xpert 2000 32mb vid
nic
the reason i switched was cause the guy at fry's told me i needed a 350 watt for the 1.4, even though i read on the amd site and book that only 300 is required. so i just went ahead and go the 400. so should i switch back? thanks