How to Buy a Computer Power Supply

The power supply governs the stability, cooling, energy efficiency, and expandability of your computer, and will affect the reliability of your components. If you buy a case with a power supply included, you'll still need to ensure the power supply meets your needs.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer Cases
• Computer Power Supplies

1. Buy a power supply specifically made for the type of case and motherboard you are using. An ATX power supply should have a side-mounted fan.

2. Buy a 230- to 300-watt power supply to have enough power to accommodate all the hardware you may add to the case.

3. Settle for a 150- to 200-watt power supply for an ATX-based computer if your budget is limited. Buy a 200-watt power supply to run a Pentium III processor.

4. Pay slightly more for more power.

5. Figure your exact power requirements if all your components have power consumption specifications.

6. Compare specifications and warranties.

Tips & Warnings

• If your power supply is overtaxed, it will generate excessive heat, which will shorten its life, as well as the life of the computer's internal components.

[mnemonik23]

on 10/6/2006 Always check your Power Supply wattage needs here: http://www.extreme.outervision.com/

Its an online eXtreme Power Supply Calculator

on 3/2/2006 If you want to continually have problems, buy the cheapest power supply and memory you can find. I bit the bullet and bought some of the best stuff out there: PC Power and Cooling for the power supply and Mushkin for memory.

on 1/19/2006 Take the time to test the voltage and amperage outputs on your power supply with a multi meter before you start connecting components. Manufacturers make mistakes and some plugs can be a bit ambiguous.

on 11/22/2005 You get what you pay for. Antec has an established name among others. Cheap power supplies may take your motherboard and other components with it when they go; don't risk it.

Google "power supply calculator" to figure out what you will need. When accounting for components, be sure to add some for an upgrade. Include a beefy graphics card and the highest CPU for your socket as well.

on 11/22/2005 If your computer has two hard disks, note how quickly the HDs operate. Mine came from the factory with a 250-watt power supply. The hard disks operated slowly when performing a new function. I added an ext zip and the comp would reboot. Cure: 300-watt PS.